Read all of the following information before submitting the verifier application.
The NAHB Research Center is seeking interested, qualified individuals to become National Green Building Certification accredited verifiers. As the sole certifying body, the NAHB Research Center is responsible for training and accrediting eligible individuals to verify that homes across the country meet the criteria of the national green building certification. Individuals may work for larger organizations, but verifiers are accredited on an individual basis.
To become an accredited verifier, an individual must first meet eligibility prerequisites. Then the individual must complete verifier training and pass an accreditation test. The fee for the on-line training and testing is $125 paid in advance of the training. This fee also covers the first year listing fee. Once the test has been successfully completed, the individual must submit the other required documentation to the NAHB Research Center to become a listed, accredited verifier.
Learn more about becoming a verifier:
Accredited verifiers perform the following key functions:
- Executing a verification agreement with the builder. This defines specific verification fees, number of meetings with the builder, number of inspections of any building presented for certification, and any expected performance tests of homes under construction.
- Confirming with the builder that the appropriate scoring method/tool correctly shows the points claimed by the builder and that both parties understand the level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald) of green building certification that is being sought by the builder.
- Deciding, with the builder, whether an initial document review of the builder's supporting documentation is required before the initial (pre-drywall) site inspection. Verifiers complete such document review, if needed, and record results.
- Scheduling the first (pre-drywall) site inspection and notifying the certifying agent (the NAHB Research Center) of this scheduled date.
- Conducting the pre-drywall site inspection and documenting the results.
- Documenting any performance tests (i.e. duct leakage test results) done on this building by the verifier or by others.
- Scheduling the second (final) inspection and notifying the certifying agent (the NAHB Research Center) of this scheduled date.
- Including documentation of any performance tests (blower door or flow hood test results) done on this building by the verifier or by a qualified professional.
- Conducting the final site inspection and documenting the all results (documentation review, first and final site inspections) and any verifier comments into the appropriate form for confirmation by the certifier.
The following individuals are NOT eligible to be verifiers:
- Staff of HBAs
- Builders who built or have a financial interest in the home being verified/certified
- Trade contractors and suppliers that have supplied materials and/or installed products or systems in the home being verified/certified
- Sales agents for the home being verified/certified
- Individuals who are owners, partners, employees, officers, or directors of a business which provides services that compete with the NAHB Research Center's National Green Building Certification to the National Green Building Standard ICC-700
Individuals interested in becoming a verifier must have prerequisite training and/or experience that provides them a baseline understanding of general home building practices and specific "green" building knowledge. Specific types of experience that meet this eligibility requirement include 1 year of acceptable professional experience in home building, and acceptable green building experience. See the prerequisites below.
Please understand that it is necessary to have the computer skills listed below and at least one prerequisite from both the home building prerequisites and the green building prerequisites.
Required computer skills:
- Microsoft Office 2003 or later and a working knowledge of Word and Excel
- The ability to scan and e-mail a copy of a signed form
- The skill to send an electronic photo attachment to an e-mail
- It is not required, but strongly recommended that you have ready access to a computer with Windows XP or higher. The Excel tools for verification use macros, which do not work on a Mac platform or with spreadsheet software programs other than Excel.
Residential construction prerequisites:
- Residential trade contractor or builder experience either on the jobsite or in management
- Superintendent or other jobsite supervision
- Licensed or qualified home inspector
- Residential design or architectural work
- Residential land development management
- Green building verification for another green certification
- Construction consulting or training
- Construction inspection
At least one of the following residential green building prerequisites:
In order to become accredited by the NAHB Research Center, a prospective verifier must:
- Apply online
- Meet the prerequisites
- Applicants who meet the prerequisites will be emailed credentials to log into the Verifier Training Center
- Obtain the training materials
- Purchase a copy of the National Green Building Standard and the National Green Building Standard Commentary from www.builderbooks.com
- Pay the $125 fee, which covers the training and the first year's annual listing fee
- Download the sample Verifiers Resource Guide and Verification Report from the Verifier Training Center
- Complete the online training (or classroom training with an approved trainer)
- Pass the online test
- The verifier application package will be automatically emailed to you upon successful completion of the test
- Complete and return the application package
- Application form
- Verifier Agreement
- Evidence of Insurance
- Resume
- Upon successful completion of the above items you will be listed as an accredited verifier and you will receive a certificate of accreditation in the mail.
Please note that the accreditation process (including completing the agreement and providing evidence of insurance) must be completed within 120 days of paying the fee.
To maintain accreditation you will need to do the following:
- Maintain appropriate insurance coverages
- Participate in annual continuing education as approved by the NAHB Research Center
- Pay the annual $125 listing fee
- Stay abreast of the program via the monthly Verifiers Update e-newsletter
- Avoid conflicts of interest as specified in the Verifiers Agreement
- Properly complete and submit verification reports and other expected documentation
- Appropriately respond to any follow up requests based on the review of your verification reports or periodic field spot checks by the NAHB Research Center
Eligible prospective verifiers must participate in training approved by the NAHB Research Center -- either in person, or via self-guided online materials -- and pass a verifier accreditation test. The course covers the protocol for verifying that a house meets the national certification program requirements, and is intended to ensure all verifiers across the country evaluate homes in a consistent manner. This training does not include developing the "green" expertise each prospective verifier is expected to have as a prerequisite.
Training Options
- On-demand 24/7 training over the Internet. On-demand sessions are available 24/7 to those candidates who apply online and meet the verifier training prerequisites. There are three training modules that can be done all at once, one at a time, or in parts of modules, depending on the user’s preference. The amount of time required for each module will depend on the individual student. The testing module is available after completion of the training modules, but must be completed in one sitting.
- In-person training through NAHB Research Center accredited trainers. Visit the websites of approved trainers for details and locations of verifier training sessions. Some of these sessions also include training on green building designed to meet the green building prerequisites for verifier training. You may visit the websites of approved trainers below to see details about verifier training sessions that they are offering:
Note that all training materials, including but not limited to the Verifier's Resource Guide and the Verification Reports, are the property of the Research Center and shall be used exclusively in connection with the Research Center's National Green Building Certification.
You must register online for ALL verifier training sessions. The fee for the on-line training and testing is $125 paid in advance of the training. This fee also covers the first year listing fee. Registration for training is open only to individuals who meet the prerequisites. For face-to-face sessions, registration must be submitted at least one week prior to the training session.
Organizations interested in hosting an on-site training session should contact us via email.
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