Top 10 Architectural Draftsman Certifications

Certifications are important for an architectural draftsman in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mastery of the skills required to be successful in the profession. By obtaining certifications, an architectural draftsman can show employers that they have acquired specialized knowledge and skills that make them more qualified for certain jobs. Additionally, having a certification can give an applicant a competitive edge over other applicants who don’t have one. Furthermore, certifications may provide access to higher-paying positions or allow an individual to specialize in a particular area of drafting.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Architectural Draftsmans and explains how they can help advance an architectural draftsman's career.

What are Architectural Draftsman Certifications?

Architectural draftsman certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a person’s proficiency in the field of architectural drafting. An architectural draftsman is someone who uses technical drawings and sketches to create designs for buildings, structures and other projects. This type of certification is beneficial for individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field, as well as those looking to advance their career by obtaining a higher-level position or better pay.

The certification process involves passing an exam administered by a professional organization such as the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA). The exam covers topics such as basic design principles, drafting techniques, construction laws, building codes and other related subjects. Once certified, architects can use their credentials when applying for jobs or bidding on contracts.

Certification also provides an opportunity for continuing education and networking with peers through conferences, workshops and seminars. By staying up-to-date on industry trends and advancements, certified draftsmen can stay competitive in the job market and increase their earning potential. In addition, having a recognized credential may open doors to participation in research studies or advanced training programs.

Overall, architectural draftsman certification can be highly beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in this field by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to succeed, while also providing them with opportunities for advancement.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the specific requirements and regulations of your state or country before applying for architectural draftsman certification. Not all countries/states have the same requirements, so it is important to determine what is necessary for you to be certified in your area.

Related: What does an Architectural Draftsman do?

Top 10 Architectural Draftsman Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Architectural Draftsmans today.

1. Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD)

Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) is a professional certification program offered by the National Council of Building Design Certification (NCBDC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the field of building design. The CPBD certification is based on an extensive examination that covers all aspects of building design, from site planning to construction detailing.

To become certified as a CPBD, applicants must first complete an application and submit it to the NCBDC for review. Once approved, applicants must then pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as architectural design principles, building codes and regulations, materials selection, construction methods and techniques, energy efficiency and sustainability practices, project management and more. The exam can take up to four hours to complete.

Once the exam has been passed successfully, applicants must then submit proof of their educational background in building design or related fields. This includes transcripts from accredited universities or colleges showing completion of at least 30 semester hours in building design-related courses. After this documentation has been reviewed and accepted by the NCBDC, applicants will receive their CPBD certification.

The cost for the CPBD certification varies depending on the applicant’s location; however, typically it costs around $500 USD.

2. Certified Professional in Architectural Design (CPAD)

Certified Professional in Architectural Design (CPAD) is a professional certification program offered by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The CPAD credential is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of professional excellence and mastery in the field of architectural design.

It typically takes around two years to complete the requirements for the CPAD credential. To become certified, applicants must first meet certain educational and experience requirements, including having a degree from an accredited architecture school and at least four years of professional experience in architectural design. Additionally, applicants must pass the AIA's Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and complete at least 30 hours of continuing education courses related to architecture and design.

The cost for taking the ARE exam varies depending on which jurisdiction you are testing in, but typically ranges between $400-$600. There may also be additional fees associated with taking continuing education courses.

Overall, becoming certified as a Certified Professional in Architectural Design can be an expensive process, but it is one that can pay off in terms of increased job opportunities and higher salaries.

3. National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is a non-profit organization that works to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing and enforcing standards for the practice of architecture. NCARB provides an integrated system of professional licensure that enables architects to obtain licenses in multiple jurisdictions.

It typically takes four years to complete the requirements for NCARB certification, including three years of architectural experience and one year of internship. To become certified, applicants must also pass all six divisions of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

To get NCARB certification, applicants must first become licensed as an architect in at least one jurisdiction. They must then submit an application with proof of education, experience, and exam scores to NCARB. The application fee is $50 per jurisdiction. Once approved, applicants will receive their Certificate of Authorization from NCARB.

The cost for obtaining NCARB certification varies depending on the number of jurisdictions in which you are applying for licensure and any additional fees charged by those jurisdictions. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars in total fees.

4. American Institute of Architects (AIA)

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. It was founded in 1857 and has more than 90,000 members. The AIA works to promote the value of architecture and design, advocate for public policies that support the profession, and provide resources to help architects succeed in their practice.

To become an AIA member, an architect must have a degree from an accredited school of architecture, at least three years of experience working under a licensed architect, and pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The ARE consists of seven divisions covering topics such as building systems, site planning and design, structural systems, construction documents and services, building codes and regulations, project management, and professional practice. Depending on the state where you are practicing architecture, additional requirements may apply.

It typically takes between two to four years to complete all the requirements for AIA membership.

The cost of membership varies depending on your age and location. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$400 per year for individual membership or $1,000-$2,500 per year for firm membership.

5. Construction Documents Technology Certification (CDT)

Construction Documents Technology Certification (CDT) is a professional certification program offered by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). The CDT certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of construction documents, including their preparation, content, and use. It is designed to help professionals involved in the construction industry understand the importance of accurate and complete project documentation.

To earn the CDT certification, applicants must pass a three-part exam that covers topics such as project delivery methods, contract documents, building codes and standards, cost estimating, and sustainability. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and can be taken at any approved testing center.

The cost of taking the CDT exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $200 to $400. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $50 for maintaining the certification.

6. Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit Architecture

Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit Architecture is a certification program that validates the skills of professionals in using Autodesk’s Revit Architecture software. The certification is based on an exam that tests the user’s knowledge of the software and its use in architectural design.

The exam typically takes two to three hours to complete, depending on the individual's level of experience with Revit Architecture. To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions and hands-on tasks designed to assess their proficiency with the software.

To get certified, applicants must first register for an Autodesk Account, then purchase a voucher from Autodesk or one of its authorized resellers. The cost of the voucher varies, but it typically ranges from $150 to $200 USD. After purchasing the voucher, applicants can schedule their exam at any time by logging into their account and selecting “Schedule Exam” from the menu.

Once they have passed the exam, they will receive an email confirming their certification status and providing them with a link to download a digital badge that displays their certification status. This badge can be used as proof of their expertise when applying for jobs or other opportunities related to Revit Architecture.

7. National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS)

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to improve the built environment. It was established in 1974 by an act of Congress and is composed of representatives from the building industry, government agencies, and other organizations.

NIBS provides research and education on building technologies, codes and standards, best practices, and other topics related to the built environment. The institute also serves as an advocate for the building industry by providing technical assistance to government agencies on matters related to buildings and construction.

To become a member of NIBS, you must submit an application online or by mail. The membership fee is $50 per year for individuals or $100 per year for organizations. Once your application has been accepted, you will receive a membership card with access to NIBS resources such as webinars, publications, conferences, and more.

In addition to its membership services, NIBS offers certification programs in areas such as energy efficiency, green building design, sustainability management, and construction management. These certifications require successful completion of examinations and can take up to two years to complete depending on the program chosen. Certification fees vary depending on the program but typically range from $200-$500.

8. LEED Accredited Professional

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) is a professional designation given by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building principles and practices, and are able to apply them in the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of buildings that meet LEED certification standards.

It typically takes between 4-6 months to become a LEED AP. To become certified, you must first pass the LEED Green Associate exam, then complete an approved course or training program related to one of the seven LEED rating systems. Once you have completed your training, you will need to submit an application for accreditation with the USGBC.

The cost for becoming a LEED AP varies depending on which type of credential you are pursuing and where you take your courses or training programs. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 USD. The cost includes the exam fee as well as any associated course fees.

In addition to completing the required courses and exams, applicants must also demonstrate experience in green building projects or activities in order to be eligible for accreditation. This could include working on a LEED-certified project or participating in green building initiatives such as energy audits or waste management programs.

9. Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)

Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) is a certification body that provides credentials and certifications to professionals in the green building industry. GBCI was created in 2008 to serve as an independent third-party to verify green building performance, recognize excellence in green building design, and provide accreditation for professionals who are knowledgeable about green building practices and principles.

GBCI offers two types of certifications: LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) and SITES (Sustainable Sites Initiative). LEED is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council that evaluates how well a building performs across nine categories: energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, site selection, design innovation, operations & maintenance, regional priority credits, and waste management. SITES is a rating system developed by the American Society of Landscape Architects that evaluates how well a landscape project performs across eight categories: soil health & hydrology; vegetation; materials; site ecology; human health & well-being; water conservation & quality; energy conservation & climate change resilience; and land use & development patterns.

The time it takes to get certified depends on the type of certification you are pursuing. For LEED certification, it typically takes between 6 months to 1 year from start to finish. For SITES certification, it typically takes between 4 months to 6 months from start to finish.

To get certified through GBCI you must first become an accredited professional by taking one of their LEED or SITES exams. Once you have passed the exam you can then apply for your desired certification through GBCI’s online portal.

The cost of getting certified through GBCI varies depending on which type of certification you are pursuing and which level of certification you are seeking (i.e., basic or advanced). Generally speaking, LEED certifications range from $500-$2,000 while SITES certifications range from $1,000-$3,000.

10. International Code Council (ICC)

The International Code Council (ICC) is a non-profit organization that develops and maintains model codes and standards used in the design, build, and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable, and resilient structures. The ICC is dedicated to creating safe, healthy, efficient and accessible environments for all people. It works with industry stakeholders to develop codes and standards that are used in the construction of buildings around the world.

It takes approximately four weeks to get ICC certification after submitting an application. To get certified by the ICC you must pass an exam which consists of multiple choice questions about building codes. The cost for certification varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150 - $300 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctoring fees.

Do You Really Need a Architectural Draftsman Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and career aspirations. An architectural draftsman certificate may be beneficial for those who want to pursue a career as an architect or in the design industry. It can provide an additional level of education and experience that can open up new opportunities and better pay.

For those who are looking to get into a position as an architectural draftsman, it is usually necessary to have a formal educational background in drafting. A certificate program can provide the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective draftsman. The courses offered in these programs include topics such as basic mathematics, computer-aided design (CAD) software, construction principles, building codes, structural engineering, and other related topics. Students will also learn about different types of materials used for drafting projects and how to read blueprints.

Having a certificate may also give individuals an edge over others when applying for jobs in the drafting profession. Employers often prefer applicants with some kind of certification because it shows that they have taken the time to gain specialized training in their field of work. It also demonstrates an applicant's dedication to their craft and commitment to learning more about it.

Overall, whether or not you need an architectural draftsman certificate really depends on your own goals and what type of job you are trying to get into. If you are interested in pursuing a career as an architect or designer, having a certificate may be beneficial in helping you stand out from other applicants. However, even without one there are still many opportunities available in the draftsmanship field if you have the right skillset and determination.

Related: Architectural Draftsman Resume Examples

FAQs About Architectural Draftsman Certifications

1. What are the requirements for Architectural Draftsman certification?

A: Generally, to become an Architectural Draftsman, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of an approved training program in drafting. You must also pass a licensing exam set by your state or local municipality.

2. How long does it take to become certified as an Architectural Draftsman?

A: The amount of time needed to become certified as an Architectural Draftsman varies depending on the individual's background and experience. Generally, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete the necessary coursework and obtain licensure.

3. What type of jobs can I get with an Architectural Draftsman certification?

A: A variety of positions may be available with an Architectural Draftsman certification, such as architectural drafter, CAD operator, estimator, project manager, construction inspector and more.

4. Do I need any additional certifications or licenses to work as an Architectural Draftsman?

A: Depending on the state or locality in which you plan to work, you may be required to have additional certifications or licenses beyond the basic Architectural Draftsman certification. It is important that you check with your state’s licensing board for specific requirements before beginning your career as a draftsman.

5. Are there any professional organizations that offer memberships specifically for those working in the field of architectural drafting?

A: Yes! The American Design & Drafters Association (ADDA) provides memberships specifically for those working in the field of architectural drafting and design technology. ADDA provides access to educational resources and networking opportunities within the industry through its membership program.