Explore Credentials That Help Build Your Career
The Careers Building Communities Credentials Hub connects you to trusted credential opportunities from leading industry organizations — helping you discover what’s possible and when you may be ready to take the next step.
What Are Credentials?
Credentialing is an umbrella term for concepts such as professional certification, certificate programs, licensure, accreditation, and regulation. There are three main types of credentials:
In contrast to certification and licensure, a certificate program is an educational or training program that is used to teach learning objectives and assess whether those objectives were achieved by the student. Certificates may not include a credential.
Industry Examples:
- Facility Management Professional
- Construction Manager-in-Training
A certification is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform a particular job and, upon successfully passing a certification exam, to represent a declaration of a particular individual’s professional competence. In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice. Certifications requirements do not vary based on location.
Industry Examples:
- Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Licensure tests an individual’s competence but is a mandatory process by which the government grants time-limited permission for that licensed individual to practice a profession. License requirements vary based on location.
Industry Examples:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Professional Surveyor (PS)
Why Credentials Matter
Grow Your Career
Credentials can help open doors to promotions, specialized roles, and leadership opportunities.
Build Industry Knowledge
Many credentials provide advanced technical, operational, financial, or management training.
Stand Out to Employers
Credentials show initiative, professionalism, and commitment to your career.
Expand Your Network
Many credential programs connect professionals with industry communities, mentors, and continuing education.
Stay Current
Credentials often include ongoing education requirements that help professionals keep pace with changing technology, regulations, and best practices.
When Might You Be Ready?
Entry-Level Professionals
You may be ready if you want to:
Build foundational industry knowledge
- Explore a career pathway
- Demonstrate commitment to employers
Mid-Career Professionals
You may be ready if you want to:
- Specialize in a focus area
- Advance into management or leadership
- Expand technical expertise
Experienced Professionals
You may be ready if you want to:
- Demonstrate advanced expertise
- Lead teams or projects
- Strengthen credibility with clients and employers
Explore Credentials
The built environment offers many career pathways — and each sector includes unique credentials that support professional growth. Explore examples of credentials connected to careers across the industry.
Healthcare Facility Design Professional (HFDP)
The HFDP certification validates competency to Incorporate standards and guidelines as well as unique healthcare facility requirements and design principles in HVAC system design.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited
Delivery Format:
In-Person
Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP)
The CDP certification program validates competency of the decarbonization professional to assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies that reduce/eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of new and existing buildings.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited
Delivery Format:
In-Person
Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP)
The BEMP certification validates competency to model new and existing buildings and systems with the full range of physics; and evaluate, select, use, calibrate and interpret the results of energy modeling software where applied to
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited
Delivery Format:
In-Person
Certified Construction Manager
CCMs are committed to excellence in construction management, career advancement, and the pursuit of knowledge. CCMs provide professional services which apply effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project or
Requirements
Education:
N/A
Experience:
N/A
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP)
The BEAP certification validates competency to assess building systems and site conditions; analyze and evaluate equipment and energy usage; and recommend strategies to optimize building resource utilization.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited
Delivery Format:
In-Person
Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP)
The BCxP certification program validates competency to lead, plan, coordinate and manage a commissioning team to implement commissioning processes in new and existing buildings.
Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited
Delivery Format:
In-Person
LEED AP with specialty
A LEED AP credential distinguishes those with advanced knowledge in green building, plus expertise in a particular LEED rating system. Previous experience working on a LEED-registered project is strongly recommended.
Requirements
Education:
N/A
Experience:
N/A
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
LEED Green Associate
Looking to make a difference in the world of sustainable design and construction? LEED Green Associates are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and implement green building practices in your workplace and
Requirements
Education:
N/A
Experience:
N/A
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP®)
The SFP credential equips you with the skills to lead through resource optimization, energy management, and data-driven decision-making to deliver real, tangible value to your organization.
Requirements
Education:
None
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Hybrid
Facility Management Professional (FMP)
The FMP is designed for facility professionals looking to strengthen their hard and soft skills in facility management.
Requirements
Education:
None
Experience:
Mid-Level
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Hybrid
Certified Facility Manager (CFM)
The CFM is the globally recognized certification to help you showcase the mastery of your skills across the entire FM body of knowledge.
Requirements
Education:
N/A
Experience:
N/A
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Construction Manager-in-Training
Earning the Construction Manager-in-Training (CMIT®) designation is the entry point for the CMIT Program and the first step to help develop a successful career in the construction management industry. The CMIT is a professional credential
Requirements
Education:
N/A
Experience:
N/A
Accreditation:
N/A
Delivery Format:
Latest News
The Financial Times reported on the growing national movement toward skills-based hiring, apprenticeships, certifications, and industry training as employers increasingly prioritize practical competencies over traditional degree pathways alone.
Connecticut introduced more than 300 industry-recognized credentials available to high school students across fields including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and professional services.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced an additional $2.6 million in workforce development grants to help employers connect workers to occupational training and industry-recognized credentials.