Certification Programs for Commissioning Professionals
Today we will have a look at the certification and credential programs provided by various organizations around the world for technicians, engineers and managers involved in commissioning (Cx) at individual or corporate (firm) level.
I aim this article to be the most complete list available online for such programs. Therefore your feedback is much appreciated if you have any.
AABC Commissioning Group (ACG)
Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA)
The CxA certification, an ANSI-accredited and DOE/Better Buildings® recognized program, recognizes independent building commissioning professionals who demonstrate the technical, management, and communications skills required for competent performance.
Certified Commissioning Technician (CxT)
ACG has developed a second-tier certification, the Certified Commissioning Technician (CxT), for those who do not yet possess the management and technical experience to qualify for the CxA.
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
AEE has 3 certification programs for individuals and corporates:
Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP)
Existing Building Commissioning Professional (EBCP)
Certified Building Commissioning Firm (CBCF)
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
ASHRAE has one certification type for commissioning professionals:
Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP)
The BCxP certification, an ANSI-Accredited Personnel Certification Program under ISO/IEC 17024 (#1139), validates competency to lead, plan, coordinate and manage a commissioning team to implement commissioning processes in new and existing buildings.
Building Commissioning Certification Board (BCCB)
BCCB provides 3 certification programs for individuals and corporates. These were formerly provided by Building Commissioning Association (BCxA).
Certified Commissioning Professional (CCP)
The CCP is an individual who leads, plans, coordinates and manages a commissioning team to implement commissioning processes in new and existing buildings. CCPs have demonstrated knowledge, experience, and passed a rigorous exam on the commissioning process and technical knowledge needed to provide a quality service.
Associate Commissioning Professional (ACP)
The ACP can be a stepping stone to Cx Providers starting their journey in this profession. Once they study for, take and pass the ACP test, they can use their proven knowledge to commission projects, using the profession’s best practices, until they are able to qualify for the CCP.
Certified Commissioning Firm (CCF)
The CCF adheres to the industries best practices in the practice of commissioning and provide highest quality service to potential clients and the commitment to the advancement of the commissioning industry.
Building Commissioning Association (BCxA) University
BCxA University provides a certificate program for Cx providers:
Commissioning Provider Certificate Program (CxP)
The CxP Certificate Program documents that an individual has taken courses that include an understanding of the Cx process, building systems; and skills and field knowledge needed to be a commissioning provider.
Commissioning Specialists Association (CSA)
CSA is a UK-based association and they have 4 categories for individual and corporate membership. They provide a certificate upon membership.
Individual Membership
Individual membership is aimed at those field engineers who are actively involved in the commissioning process. These may be from the mechanical, electrical or controls fields. There are 6 levels of Grade depending on demonstrated experience level:
- GRADE 1: COMMISSIONING TRAINEE / ASSISTANT
- GRADE 2: INTERMEDIATE COMMISSIONING / BALANCING TECHNICIAN
- GRADE 3: COMMISSIONING TECHNICIAN
- GRADE 4: COMMISSIONING ENGINEER
- GRADE 5: SENIOR COMMISSIONING ENGINEER
- GRADE 6: COMMISSIONING MANAGER
Individual Associate Membership
This category is formed to accommodate individuals who are not doing commissioning but are affiliated to commissioning through other trades.
Corporate Membership
Corporate membership is aimed at organizations whose main or only business is the commissioning of building services systems.
Associate Membership
Associate membership is aimed at organizations that are connected with the industry, but whose main business may be outside the pure commissioning activity.
National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB)
Individual Certification
| NEBB Discipline Certification Options | Certified Technician | Certified Professional |
| Building Enclosure Testing (BET) | BET CP | |
| Building System Commissioning (BSC) | BSC CxCT | BSC CP |
| Commissioning Process Professional (CxPP) | CxPP | |
| Cleanroom Performance Testing (CPT) | CPT CT | CPT CP |
| Fume Hood Testing (FHT) | FHT CP | |
| Retro-Commissioning of Existing Buildings (RCx-EB) | RCx-EB CP | |
| Sound Measurement (SM) | SM CT | SM CP |
| Vibration Measurement (VM) | VM CT | VM CP |
| Testing, Adjusting & Balancing (TAB) | TAB CT | TAB CP |
Firm Certification
Firms that meet the specified criteria can apply for NEBB certification.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison)
UW-Madison has a unique certification process. Applicants who do not yet have sufficient professional experience in the commissioning process to qualify for one of the more advanced certifications will receive accreditation as a QCxP. This certification is then valid for five years to allow the applicant time to acquire the necessary experience for one of the other certifications.
Credentials offered by UW-Madison are:
Building Enclosure Commissioning Process Provider (BECxP)
Accredited Commissioning Authority + Building Enclosure (CxA+BE)
Qualified Commissioning Process Provider (QCxP) (also QCP)
Accredited Commissioning Process Authority Professional (CxAP) (also CAP)
Accredited Commissioning Process Manager (CxM)
Accredited Commissioning Process Technical Service Provider (CxTS) (also CTS)
Accredited Green Commissioning Process Provider (GCxP) (also GCP)
Other Certifications
Should there be any other commissioning certification programs missed out in this article, please write them in below comments section.
Conclusion
There are pretty different kinds of certifications for different levels of experience. One may get a Cx certification for their needs whether be it for advancing in their career or for certifying their current level of knowledge in the industry. One key element not to miss out is recognition: Each certificate has its own area of recognition, so one should check it before pursuing a specific certificate.
Have any objections or additions? Discuss in comments section.