PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

In the 1950's, a professional group of Building Designers called "the American Institute of Building Design" or "AIBD" developed a testing program designed to evaluate the expertise of its professional members and to demonstrate their commitment to the matter of public health, safety and welfare. Each state society wrote and administered it's own examination, but only after first being evaluated and approved by the Governing Board.

In 1991, the bylaws were revised to remove exam administration responsibilities from the individual states, and create a national exam administered from a single national source or council.

In 1993, the AIBD bylaws were revised once again to establish the council as a separate, self-governing body, whose sole purpose was to maintain and administer the national certification examination; thus forming National Council of Building Design Certification, the only nationally recognized Building Design certification program, with a continuous history since the 1950's. In addition, the certification process was made available to all qualified building designers (please see "Requirements for Certification"), regardless of their affiliation with any association.

Upon successful completion of the certification exam, an individual is bestowed the titled "Certified Professional Building Designer" ® or "CPBD" ® and is entitled to receive the Seal and Certificate of the Council. The exam, as it remains today, contains eleven parts, including 9 written and 2 design sections (please see "Sample Exam").

Code of Ethics and Discipline - A CPBD, regardless of affiliation, must agree to follow the principles of the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Disciplinary action resulting from violation of the Bylaws, Book of Rules and Code of Ethics may vary, and is dependent upon the severity of the infraction. Disciplinary action may range from loss of certification, fines, letters of reprimand, suspension, and probation or other such actions that might be deemed appropriate and reasonable.

The Council - The Council is composed of one representative from each state of the Union that has at least three Certified Professional Building Designers practicing in that state. The Council's commitment is to manage and administer the certification process. This includes writing and approving the Bylaws and Book of Rules of the Council; electing the examiners; reviewing and approving the certification examination and its administration and correlating changes in the profession in every state in the Union.

The Board of Examiners - The Council elects 12 examiners: two from each of the six districts throughout the United States. These examiners are responsible for conducting the examination within their districts, providing the necessary proctors, arranging for test sites, grading the exams, and overseeing the exam and its administration. The Board of Examiners elect from among its members a president, vice-president and secretary / treasure who constitute the Executive Committee.