Renew Certification

Requirements to Maintain the DBIA Credential

To keep your certification valid, all Designated Design-Build Professional® credential holders are required to complete 24 continuing education hours (CEHs) and pay the recertification fee every two years. Validating DBIA certification with CEHs ensures your knowledge remains current in the world of design-build. 

Recertification cycles expire on December 31, and all CEHs must be completed within your specific cycle dates. Excess CEHs above the 24 do not carry over to the next cycle. The deadline to submit required 24 CEHs and pay the $150 recertification fee ($50 for DBIA members) is January 31. DBIA credential holders are out of compliance when recertification requirements are not met by the January 31 deadline.

DBIA strives to send notifications concerning approaching recertification expirations and deadlines. It remains the responsibility of each DBIA-certified professional to track their own recertification requirements. Additionally, DBIA-certified professionals are responsible for keeping their contact information current in their online account.

To renew your credential, simply click on your certification type below. You’ll be directed to the renewal options page:

Assoc. DBIA® Certification DBIA® Certification

You must be logged into your DBIA account to access the application. Additionally, if you do not currently hold an active certification, you will not be able to access the renewal sequence.

Please note: Membership renewal and Certification renewal are separate processes. Questions? Email certification@dbia.org.

Continuing Education Hours (CEHs)

There are many different types of programs and activities that qualify for continuing education hours. This list is not all-inclusive, and other programs may qualify for credit if they are deemed by the Design-Build Certification Board to provide direct value to your success as a Designated Design-Build Professional®.

Conferences, Courses, Workshops, Webinars

Examples of these include:

• DBIA conferences held at National, Regional and Local levels
• DBIA education programs other than the core courses required to gain certification (held at National, Regional and Local levels)
• Webinar options — Live and Recorded
• Education provided by related industry organizations including (but not limited to) USBGC, AIA, AGC, ACE, etc. (maximum allowed from this area is 12 CEHs)
• In-house training programs offered by companies with structured education offerings (maximum allowed from this area is 12 CEHs)

Serving in a DBIA Leadership Capacity

You may receive up to 12 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) for eligible service on DBIA national or regional leadership bodies, including:

• Member of the DBIA National Board of Directors (12 CEHs)
• Member of the Design-Build Certification Board (12 CEHs)
• DBIA College of Fellows Member (12 CEHs)
• Primary Author of a DBIA Published Document (12 CEHs)
• DBIA Region or Chapter Board Member (8 CEHs)
• DBIA National or Region Awards Juror (6 CEHs)
• DBIA Student Competition Juror (6 CEHs)
• DBIA National, Region or Chapter Committee Chair (4 CEHs)
• DBIA National, Region or Chapter Committee Member (2 CEHs)

Extension

Holders of the DBIA and Assoc. DBIA credentials can apply for a one-year extension from their original cycle expiration date to fulfill recertification requirements. If the required 24 CEHs cannot be finished within the standard cycle, an extension provides an additional timeframe to complete these requirements for certification renewal. 

Credential holders MAY CONTINUE TO USE their DBIA® or Assoc. DBIA® designation throughout the extension period. Requests for this extra time must be submitted no later than 31 days after the cycle expires. [NOTE: Does not apply to records with expiration of 06/30/2026.] 

A request fee of $175 ($80 for DBIA members) is due at the time of the extension request. All certification renewal activities must then be finalized within one year of the past due expiration date. If you successfully recertify while on an extension, your subsequent cycle starts on your approval date and remains tied to your original expiration timeline.

Request an extension by contacting renewcertification@dbia.org.

Retired Status

If you are a DBIA® or Assoc. DBIA® credential holder who has retired from design-build work in a professional capacity, you may request that “retired” status be designated on your certification records. Your certification will then be left in good standing and will not lapse or be deleted from your certification records. Retired credential holders are not required to collect or submit continuing education credits.

If you decide to return to full- or part-time work in the design-build industry, you may reinstate your certification at any time. Please contact us at certification@dbia.org for more information.

DBIA Code of Professional Conduct

DBIA’s Code of Professional Conduct helps to ensure our industry meets the highest level of ethical conduct, professionalism and service. All DBIA and Assoc. DBIA credential holders are required to read and adhere to the Code.

Learn More

Certification Restoration 

If you are past your two-year recertification cycle, you have options to restore your certification.

Less than 31 Days: If your certification expired less than 31 days ago, then you can still recertify through the normal renewal process without any additional fees. [NOTE: Does not apply to records with expiration of 06/30/2026.]

Less than 12 Months: LAPSED: If your certification has been expired more than 31 days but less than one year, then you are still eligible to restore your certification but must take additional steps.  For restoration, you must complete 24 CEHs, pay the renewal fee plus a $235 restoration fee ($125 for DBIA members).

More than One Year: EXPIRED: If your certification has been expired for more than one year, you must retake the DBIA certification exam. For restoration by exam, you must pay the retake fee plus a $300 restoration fee ($175 for DBIA members).

Request to restore your certification by contacting renewcertification@dbia.org.