Green Built Alliance is excited to announce the launch of its Regenerative Professional Accreditation program as a new industry credential that acknowledges a deep and evolving competency in advanced green-building best practices.
The RPA accreditation will be available to industry professionals who complete a series of designated courses focused around regenerative building practices within the nonprofit’s growing catalog of continuing-education offerings.
The new accreditation debuted at the start of 2021, just as Green Built Alliance rolled out the latest version of its Green Built Homes certification checklist and entered its second year as an approved provider of continuing education through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Through this accreditation program, individuals will be able to complete their annual continuing-education requirements, while also attaining a designation that helps distinguish them to clients as a professional who is committed to continually advancing their knowledge and skill set along with the evolving field of green building.
Our intention is that this class series and accreditation will increase the number of building professionals engaged in regenerative building as well as boost participation in our Green Built Homes program’s recently launched Regenerative Certification for new residential construction projects.
This program would be a unique offering as a training catered specifically toward providing practical knowledge on implementation of regenerative techniques within residential construction.
Green Built Alliance previously offered a Green Professional Accreditation a decade ago to help individuals gain a foundation of knowledge of green building. Now, as Green Built Alliance celebrates the milestone of the 20-year anniversary of its inception in 2001, the nonprofit is introducing this next-level accreditation to instill the principles of regenerative building in professionals.
“Many local builders and architects are ready for the challenge, inspiration and recognition of an advanced, regenerative home certification and professional accreditation,” said Green Built Alliance Program Director Maggie Leslie, who manages the Green Built Homes program. “We hope that this will educate and inspire builders of all levels with new ideas.”
The accreditation will be awarded to individuals who complete the core eight hours of mandatory curriculum, consisting of four two-hour classes on Building Net-Zero Energy Homes, Indoor Air Plus, Graywater and Stormwater. Individuals remain current by completing at least one two-hour elective annually in each subsequent year following their initial accreditation.
Regenerative Professional Accreditation Curriculum Overview
Required courses (Accreditation will be awarded after individuals complete these four two-hour classes, representing a total of eight hours of curriculum.)
Building Net-Zero Energy Homes
Indoor Air Plus
Net-Zero Water Part 1: Graywater installation and management
Net-Zero Water Part 2: Stormwater best management practices
Additional electives for ongoing education (Individuals remain current by completing at least one two-hour elective annually in each subsequent year following their initial accreditation.)
Edible and native landscaping
Radon-resistant construction
Site design
Reducing construction waste
Biophilic design (green roofs, outdoor living areas, indoor living walls, natural lighting, etc.)
Green materials (low embodied energy, recycled content, natural, salvaged, etc.)
Energy-efficient wall systems
New and improved HVAC and ventilation strategies
Home automation and energy monitoring strategies
Passive solar design
Electric vehicle charging
Universal design
Resilient design (firewise community development, bear prevention strategies, etc.)
Regenerative Professional Accreditation FAQs
What is regenerative design?
Regenerative buildings are designed and built so they are integrated to have a net-positive impact on the natural environment around them. For example, a home with regenerative elements may produce more energy than it uses; capture and treat water onsite; incorporate biophilic design to enhance human connection with the natural world; or prioritize site restoration and native plantings or food production.
Through a focus on regenerative design, our professional accreditation evolves beyond its previous approach of educating about ways to make homes “less bad” for homeowners and the environment, to advocate for building techniques which actually improve the world around them.
What are the requirements for the RPA program?
The accreditation will be awarded to individuals who complete the core eight hours of mandatory curriculum. Individuals remain current by completing at least one two-hour elective annually in each subsequent year following their initial accreditation.
What costs are associated with the RPA program?
The only costs associated with accreditation are the registration fees for the required classes. As of the beginning of 2021, these costs per credit hour are $20 for nonmembers, $15 for members and $10 for students or seniors. In an effort to create a culture of diversity and inclusion within our classes and the building profession at large, free equitable access tickets are available to individuals who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ.
How are my credit hours tracked?
When you register online for a Green Built Alliance class, there will be a field in which you can indicate whether you are qualifying for RPA credit hours.
Can I count credit hours from Green Built Alliance classes in the past?
Yes, you can submit the names and dates of classes you have taken in the past for review to determine whether they are compatible to meet requirements for any of the core four courses. Email the information to cari@greenbuilt.org.
How long does it take to complete the RPA program?
The RPA can be obtained in less than one year, but you can take as long as needed. Green Built Alliance offers the core four required courses as well as numerous electives each year.
What documentation do I receive after completing the RPA program?
Upon completion of the RPA program, participants will receive a certificate along with the RPA logo, which can be used on marketing material. Participants who have completed the program will also be listed on Green Built Alliance’s website.
