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Top 10 Director Of Construction Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 17 min read

Certifications for a director of construction are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and commitment to the field. They give employers assurance that the individual is knowledgeable about industry best practices and standards, as well as knowledgeable about safety regulations, building codes, and other relevant topics. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual has taken the time to learn new skills and stay up-to-date on current trends in construction management. Finally, certifications can give an individual an edge over other applicants when looking for employment since they demonstrate a level of dedication and professionalism.

This article reviews the top certifications for Directors of Construction and explains how they can help to further a director's career.

What are Director Of Construction Certifications?

Director of Construction Certification is a specialized certification program that provides professional development and recognition for individuals who are experienced in the construction industry. This certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of construction management. The certification focuses on topics such as project management, construction safety, budgeting, scheduling, contract administration and dispute resolution.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate to employers that they possess a high level of understanding in the field of construction management. This can be especially helpful when seeking job promotions or new positions within a company. Additionally, earning Director of Construction Certification may help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs in the construction industry. In addition to providing recognition for experienced professionals, this certification also serves as an endorsement for those who are just starting out in the field of construction management and demonstrates their commitment to learning more about the industry.

Pro tip: When considering director of construction certification, make sure to research the requirements and qualifications thoroughly. This will help you determine if the certification is right for you and if it will provide any tangible benefits to your career. Additionally, many certifications have an associated fee, so be sure to factor that into your decision-making process as well.

Related: What does a Director Of Construction do?

Top 10 Director Of Construction Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Director Of Constructions today.

1. Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is a professional certification program offered by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). The CCM designation is the highest standard for construction management professionals and is recognized and respected throughout the industry.

The CCM program requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as project management, risk management, cost estimating, scheduling, contract administration, and sustainability. It also requires applicants to have at least four years of experience in construction management or related fields.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CCM exam. To get started, applicants must submit an application to CMAA and pay a fee of $225. After submitting the application, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the exam.

Once registered, applicants must purchase study materials from CMAA which includes a study guide and practice exams. Applicants should spend at least three months studying for the exam before taking it. The cost of these materials varies depending on whether you purchase them online or in print form but typically range from $150-$400.

After passing the exam, applicants must complete a professional development plan (PDP) which involves completing certain activities such as attending conferences or seminars and writing articles about construction management topics. Once completed, applicants are awarded their CCM designation and can begin using it professionally.

2. Certified Professional Constructor (CPC)

Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and expertise of experienced construction professionals. It is administered by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing professionalism in the construction industry.

It takes approximately 3-6 months to complete the CPC certification process, depending on an individual's level of experience and education. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having at least four years of full-time experience in the construction industry and passing a comprehensive exam.

The exam consists of two parts: a written portion that covers topics such as project management, safety, contracts, and legal issues; and a practical portion that tests knowledge in areas such as estimating costs, scheduling projects, managing resources, and problem solving. The cost for the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$800.

3. Professional Constructor Certification (PCC)

Professional Constructor Certification (PCC) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the construction industry. The program is administered by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC) and is designed to ensure that individuals working in the construction industry have met certain standards of proficiency.

The PCC certification process involves taking an online exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as project management, safety, contracts, and ethics. Individuals must pass this exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to be certified. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every three years by completing continuing education credits.

In order to take the PCC exam, individuals must first become members of AIC and pay an application fee of $75. The cost for taking the exam is $395 for AIC members and $495 for non-members. It typically takes two to three weeks from when an individual applies for membership until they receive their exam results.

4. Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)

Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) is a professional certification program offered by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of financial management principles and practices in the construction industry.

The CCIFP certification process consists of two parts: an online application and an exam. The online application requires applicants to submit their resume, education history, and other relevant information about their experience in the construction industry. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as accounting, finance, taxes, contracts, law, and risk management.

The process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. Applicants must complete the online application and pass the exam with a score of at least 75% in order to become certified.

The cost of becoming a CCIFP varies depending on whether or not you are already a CFMA member. For non-members, the total cost is $1,100 ($750 for the application fee plus $350 for the exam). For CFMA members, the total cost is $850 ($500 for the application fee plus $350 for the exam).

5. LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of green building principles and practices. LEED APs are professionals who have successfully completed the LEED Green Associate exam and an additional specialty exam related to their area of expertise.

It typically takes 8-10 hours of study time to prepare for the LEED Green Associate exam, depending on your level of familiarity with green building principles and practices. The specialty exams can take anywhere from 2-4 hours each, depending on the topic.

To become a LEED AP, you must first pass the LEED Green Associate exam and then complete one or more specialty exams. You can register for the LEED Green Associate exam through the USGBC website. To register for specialty exams, you will need to create a profile in the USGBC’s Credential Maintenance Program (CMP). Once you’ve registered for an exam, you will be able to access study materials online or purchase them from third-party vendors.

The cost of becoming a LEED AP varies depending on which exams you choose to take and how many times you need to retake them if necessary. The cost of taking the LEED Green Associate exam is $200 USD; specialty exams range from $50-$150 USD each.

6. American Institute of Constructors Certified Associate Constructor (AIC-CAC)

The American Institute of Constructors Certified Associate Constructor (AIC-CAC) is a professional certification program offered by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC). The AIC-CAC is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field of construction. It is intended to provide employers with assurance that those certified possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties as an entry-level constructor.

To get the AIC-CAC certification, applicants must first pass an online exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as construction management, project management, safety and health, contracts and documents, scheduling, estimating and budgeting. Applicants must also submit a signed application form along with proof of relevant work experience or education. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their AIC-CAC certification.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on the country where you take it from. In general, it costs around $200 USD for US residents and $300 USD for non-US residents. The cost includes registration fees as well as any additional materials needed to complete the exam.

It typically takes up to six weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. If you pass the exam, you will be awarded your AIC-CAC certification within two weeks after receiving your results.

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. The PMP credential demonstrates that an individual has the experience, education, and competency to lead and direct projects successfully.

To become a PMP, individuals must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements and pass the PMP exam. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) with at least five years of project management experience with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education; OR a four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or global equivalent) with at least three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The exam fee is $405 for members of PMI or $555 for non-members. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your PMP certification which is valid for three years. You can then renew it every three years by completing 60 professional development units (PDUs).

8. Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)

Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) is a certification offered by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the preparation, interpretation and management of construction documents. The CDT credential is widely recognized throughout the construction industry as a mark of excellence in the field.

It takes approximately 6 months to complete the requirements for earning the CDT credential. To become certified, candidates must first pass an examination that covers topics such as construction document production, contract administration and project delivery systems. After passing the exam, applicants must also submit proof of four years of relevant work experience in order to receive their certification.

The cost of taking the exam varies based on location, but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining work experience verification or other required documentation.

9. Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP)

Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP) is a certification program offered by the Building Commissioning Association (BCA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, experience and expertise in building commissioning. The certification requires applicants to demonstrate their understanding of building commissioning principles, practices and processes through a comprehensive exam.

To become a CBCP, applicants must have at least three years of documented experience in building commissioning or related fields such as energy engineering, mechanical engineering, construction management or facility management. Applicants must also complete an online application and submit a resume that outlines their experience with building commissioning activities.

The CBCP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as project planning, design review, system testing and documentation. To pass the exam, applicants must score at least 70%. The exam typically takes four hours to complete and can be taken online or at an approved testing center.

The cost for the CBCP exam is $495 USD for BCA members and $595 USD for non-members. There are also additional fees for retakes if needed. Once certified, CBCPs are required to renew their certification every three years by completing continuing education activities or taking the recertification exam.

10. Association of Construction Inspectors Certification Program (ACI-CP)

The Association of Construction Inspectors Certification Program (ACI-CP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in the construction inspection field. The ACI-CP certification is designed to provide employers with assurance that certified inspectors have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to perform quality inspections.

The ACI-CP certification process takes approximately three months to complete. To become certified, applicants must pass both a written exam and an oral interview. The written exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as building codes, construction materials, safety standards, and inspection techniques. The oral interview assesses an applicant’s ability to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

In order to be eligible for the ACI-CP certification program, applicants must meet certain requirements including having at least two years of experience in construction inspection or related fields; completion of an approved training program; and passing scores on both the written exam and oral interview.

The cost for the ACI-CP certification program varies depending on the number of exams taken and whether or not any additional training is required. Generally speaking, the total cost ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Director Of Construction Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what type of construction work you are looking to do. If you are simply looking to do some minor construction work, such as painting a fence or repairing a roof, then you likely do not need a Director of Construction Certificate. However, if you plan on taking on more complex and potentially hazardous construction projects, such as building a house or commercial building, then it is strongly recommended that you obtain a Director of Construction Certificate.

A Director of Construction Certificate is an important credential that demonstrates your knowledge and experience in the field of construction. It indicates that you have completed specialized training in the areas of building codes, safety regulations, and other relevant topics. Furthermore, it can help you secure contracts with larger companies and organizations who require proof that their contractors have completed appropriate training before they can begin working on their project.

In addition to helping ensure your safety and the safety of those around you when working on construction projects, having a Director of Construction Certificate may also make it easier for you to get hired for certain types of jobs. Companies and organizations often require proof that contractors have completed specialized training before they will hire them for certain projects. By obtaining your certificate, you can demonstrate your commitment to your profession and give yourself an edge over other applicants who lack the same credentials.

Overall, whether or not you need a Director of Construction Certificate largely depends on what type of construction work you plan on doing. If the project is relatively simple and does not involve any hazardous materials or processes, then a certificate is probably unnecessary; however, if the project is more complex or involves potentially dangerous activities or materials, then obtaining your certificate is highly recommended in order to ensure the safety of everyone involved as well as increase your chances at getting hired for certain types of jobs.

Related: Director Of Construction Resume Examples

FAQs About Director Of Construction Certifications

Q1: What is a Director of Construction Certification?

A1: A Director of Construction Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in construction management and leadership. It is designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the field of construction management.

Q2: How do I obtain a Director of Construction Certification?

A2: To obtain a Director of Construction Certification, most organizations require applicants to have at least five years of experience in the field, as well as completion of an approved training program. Additionally, some organizations may also require applicants to pass an exam or demonstrate their knowledge through a portfolio review.

Q3: What are the benefits of obtaining a Director of Construction Certification?

A3: Obtaining a Director of Construction Certification can provide many benefits, including increased job opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, having this certification can help demonstrate your commitment to the profession and improve your chances for career advancement within the industry.

Q4: How long does it take to receive my certification after applying?

A4: The amount of time it takes to receive your certification will vary depending on which organization you are applying through and how quickly they process applications. Generally speaking, however, most certifications will be issued within four to six weeks after submitting all required documents and fees.

Q5: Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?

A5: Yes. Most organizations that offer certifications will require you to complete continuing education courses or exams every two years in order to maintain your certification status.

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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