Professional Designations and Certifications
Note: Earning the following designations and certifications is VOLUNTARY. Being credentialed in one or more of these areas DOES NOT mean that a person or company will be a licensed contractor as required by the state of Georgia. Click here for more information about Georgia's contractor licensing requirements.
Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH)
The active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future. The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge, tools and skills that will help them succeed--from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to servicing the customer. This designation is geared toward builders, developers, planners, architects, designers, residential sales and marketing professionals and other professionals involved in the 50+ housing industry.
Requirements
- Successfully complete 3 required courses in the Active Adult Professional Development Series
- Have a minimum of 3 years' experience in the 50+ housing field
- Provide evidence of 50 elective credits
- Adhere to the CAASH Code of Ethics
Courses and Continuing Education Requirements
- Trends and Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle
- Designing for the Active Adult
- Selling to Active Adults
- 6 continuing education hours every 3 years (from date of graduation)
The Greater Atlanta HBA offers CAASH classes throughout the year.
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Demographic data suggest that an increasing number of people are choosing to stay at home as they get older. While these older home owners’ addresses may not change, their needs certainly do. This fact has led to explosive growth in one area of residential remodeling: the aging-in-place market.
In response to these changing needs and to help you take advantage of this potentially lucrative new opportunity, NAHB joined forces with AARP and several experienced remodelers to develop a specialized credentialing program: Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). The three-day course trains remodelers to understand and respond to the unique needs and concerns of older home owners. Topics include needs assessment, design and installation, customer service, and marketing. Remodelers who successfully complete the course are awarded credentials to help promote their services and specialized skills to this vital market segment.
The course is offered at the Greater Atlanta HBA every quarter.
Certified Graduate Associate (CGA)
Veteran and new associate members (product and service suppliers) alike gain a professional advantage with the Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) designation. Earned through classroom instruction, the CGA designation affirms your heightened level of industry acumen and knowledge, a willingness to learn the building side of the industry, and a commitment to your professional future. You’ll gain:
- improved marketing and customer service skills to maximize repeat and referral sales;
- greater understanding of the business side of the industry you can apply to your day-to-day operations;
- broader insight regarding the construction process and critical industry issues; and,
- the ability to address more effectively the needs of your builder and remodeler customers.
The CGA is attained by completing three mandatory and three elective classes and is maintained by completing one class annually. The Greater Atlanta HBA offers CGA classes throughout the year.
Certified Graduate Builder (CGB)
Become a Certified Graduate Builder. The CGB designation was developed specifically for professionals new to the industry or new to continuing education courses. It offers an ideal opportunity to grow your business by deepening your understanding of today’s home building industry.
The first step to CGB certification is the Builder Assessment Review (BAR), a three-hour, multiple-choice assessment tool. It is taken electronically through NAHB. The BAR assesses your knowledge in four core areas: building technology; business and finance; sales, marketing and land; and project management. Your BAR results will determine which additional courses you must take to earn the CGB designation.
In addition to the BAR, you must complete eight, six-hour classes to receive the designation and one additional class each year to ensure continued professional growth. The Greater Atlanta HBA offers the classes you need to take for the CGB designation throughout the year.
Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR)
Get a bigger piece of the lucrative, but highly competitive, remodeling pie with the prestigious Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) designation. The CGR is key to:
- enhancing your competitive edge;
- expanding your customer base;
- increasing the quality of your customer leads;
- supporting your business with your improved management and technical skills; and,
- increasing your professional credibility and gaining recognition as an industry leader.
The Greater Atlanta HBA offers courses from NAHB needed to obtain the CGR designation. The first step is the Professional Remodelors Experience Profile (PREP) assessment. The PREP is a three-hour, multiple-choice assessment that measures your knowledge of the five core areas of remodeling business management: marketing and sales; business administration; design, estimating and job cost; contracts, liability and risk management; and project management. It is taken electronically through NAHB. Your PREP results determine which courses, if any, you must complete to earn the CGR designation.
CGR classes are held throughout the year at the Greater Atlanta HBA.
Certified Green Professional (CGP)
The NAHB Certified Green Professional designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes—without driving up the cost of construction. Class work leading to the designation provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers. Click here for more information.
Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP)
The CSP program was designed for specialists in new home sales. The four-day CSP course and designation that follows will enhance the your professional image, increase your marketability in the homebuilding industry and help you sell more new homes. Participants must complete the course and pass a final exam to earn the CSP designation.
Certified Professional Home Builder (CPHB)
The Certified Professional Home Builder program is a voluntary certification program for builders. The program was established in 1997 by builders, for builders as a means to recognize and promote more professionalism for builders and to set a higher standard for the industry.
To become a CPHB builder, applicants must provide financial, homeowner, trade contractor, supplier and CPHB builder references.They must also submit proof of insurance, agree to abide by a code of ethics, offer a limited warranty, follow a set of building performance standards and agree to offer mandatory binding arbitration in all their contracts. To maintain their designation, CPHB builders must complete a minimum of 16 continuing education hours, and provide current proof of insurance and any updates or changes to their warranty and building performance standards. Click here for more information.
EarthCraft House Builder
EarthCraft House is the environmentally friendly building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and was co-created by the HBA and Southface Energy Institute. EarthCraft House was named 2004 Green Building Program of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders.
EarthCraft House is a voluntary program. It provides a model for healthy, comfortable homes, which reduce utility bills and protect the environment. The EarthCraft House certification process follows a checklist designed to verify that each EarthCraft home addresses site planning; energy efficient techniques and equipment; waste management; and indoor air quality.
To qualify as an EarthCraft builder, builders be in good standing with the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, join the EarthCraft House program and complete a short training program. EarthCraft House builders receive one-on-one design and construction advice, marketing materials and direct referrals. Many suppliers of environmental building products and services support EarthCraft House, as well as national home programs such as Energy Star and Fannie Mae.
Builders submit a preliminary worksheet stating which EarthCraft House measures they anticipate for a specific house. EarthCraft House recognizes that material prices and availability can change during construction, and builders can adjust the measures selected as long as they still earn the minimum required points. After construction is complete, builders submit a final worksheet that shows the selected measures. The house must have an inspection by the EarthCraft House program to verify the measures.
The EarthCraft House program recognizes that there are many ways to reduce pollution and conserve natural resources when building. EarthCraft House gives builders great flexibility. Builders can earn the necessary points by choosing the measures most practical for their homes. For more information about the program, click here.
Graduate Master Builder (GMB)
For experienced veterans only, the Graduate Master Builder (GMB) designation is the ultimate symbol of the building professional. Before beginning the certification process and attending the advanced GMB courses, you must have the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation, the Certified Graduate Remodler (CGR) designation, or ten years of building experience and have complete three CGB classes.
To be welcomed into the elite GMB club, you must either complete five GMB classes or complete four GMB classes and two additional CGB/CGR classes. The Greater Atlanta HBA offers CGB, CGR, and GMB classes throughout the year.
Graduate Master Remodeler (GMR)
The GMR allows CGRs to attain further recognition for educational excellence and longevity in the remodeling industry. This program was implemented in 2008 and is designed to be the master level of the current CGR designation. Qualifications include 15 years' remodeling experience; completion of 5 required courses; and having an active CGR for 9 years or active CR (Certified Remodeler) from National Association Remodeling Industry (NARI) for 10 years.
Member, Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM)
To truly stand out in the crowd, join this elite circle of marketing experts. Curriculum and other requirements include:
- at least three years of new home sales and marketing experience
- complete the four IRM courses (see below)
- pass accompanying tests
- earn 50 elective credits
- complete the IRM Professional Profile for MIRM candidates (Six Steps to Professional Excellence)
- be sponsored by a MIRM or SMC/HBA President
- write a case study that follows the IRM case study outline
The required courses offered each year at the HBA are:
- Understanding Housing Markets and Consumers (IRM I)
- Marketing Strategies, Plans and Budgets (IRM II)
- Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising and Promotion Strategies (IRM III)
- The Challenge of New Home Sales Management (IRM IV)
Registered in Apartment Management (RAM)
Registered in Apartment Management (RAM) is a comprehensive educational designation program offered to property management professionals. This well respected program is the credential of distinction for managers of apartments (both market rate and affordable), condominiums and cooperative housing.
Why become a RAM? It demonstrates to your peers, clients, employers and potential employers that you have superior training, in-depth knowledge and practical experience and shows you are committed to the highest standards of professional ethics
To earn a RAM designation, participants must attend a 40-hour entry-level course that provides a comprehensive overview of multifamily housing management. The course covers all the essential aspects of property operations, including administrative and financial management, marketing, resident services, maintenance, fair housing and security. Then RAM candidates must complete a professional profile and pass the RAM examination. The HBA is offering the RAM course and exam during National Designation Month.
Residential Construction Superintendent
(RCS)
This NAHB course covers eight topics that superintendents must master to be effective on the job:
- general project management
- planning and scheduling
- budget management and cost control
- customer service
- safety and security
- codes and quality control
- hiring, training and supervision
- office and trade contractor relations
The HBA offers two half-day classes a month during the first part of the year and repeats the classes in the fall.
