DBIA offers two types of Certification. Which is right for you?
Attaining the DBIA™ requires from two to six years of hands-on experience of pre- and post-award design-build. Credential holders who display “DBIA” after their names come from traditional design and construction backgrounds; they are private or public sector architects, engineers and construction professionals. Some attorneys and academic practitioners who specialize in design and construction generally and design-build specifically may also fulfill the DBIA™ requirements.
Unlike the DBIA™ credential, obtaining the Assoc. DBIA™ does not require hands-on field experience. Instead, this credential is focused on three key types of individuals who possess a different type of experience: (1) pre-award professionals focusing on critical aspects of the design-build process such as business development and acquisition/procurement; (2) seasoned professionals who are new to design-build project delivery, but not new to the design and construction industry; and (3) emerging professionals such as recent college graduates with relevant educational background in the AEC industry.
Designated Design-Build Professional™ Fellow Status
DBIA Fellow status recognizes the achievements of our most accomplished Designated Design-Build Professionals. Elevation to Fellow status celebrates individual career achievements and promotes DBIA principles through the DBIA College of Fellows. DBIA Fellow status is limited to 2% of Designated Design-Build Professionals who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers.
Fellowship Requirements- At least 10 continuous years as a Designated Design-Build Professional™, as well as 10 continuous years of membership in DBIA
- Notable career contributions to the design-build profession
- Notable contributions to DBIA organization
- Election by the Jury of Fellows
- Continuous DBIA membership and designation plus an additional $300 annual designation dues
Changing from Assoc. DBIA™ to DBIA™
Professionals that hold the Assoc. DBIA™ credential interested in applying for the DBIA™ certification will need to complete a new certification application in its entirety (along with $150 application fee) demonstrating three to six (3-6) years of hands-on design-build field experience for Board approval. As an Assoc. DBIA™ credential holder, the core courses and exam requirement has been fulfilled, so the candidate will not need to retake courses or exam. However the candidate will need to fulfill the 18 hours of elective credits requirement.
In addition, candidate will need to provide three (3) professional references from the design-build projects reflected on application. Please note the references listed on the certification application will need to answer a few questions via DBIA’s online
reference form on the candidate’s behalf as it relates to the design-build projects submitted. The candidate will need to contact reference(s) and provide the link listed above. Please note that one of the three references must be from an owner. The Board will review the new application along with the references to determine if the candidate meets the design-build requirement. Upon approval from the Board and completion of the elective credits requirement, the candidate will receive the DBIA™ credential.
General Steps to Certification
Step 1: Submit for Board approval a completed Certification Application, including agreement to abide by the DBIA Code of Professional Conduct for approval.
Step 2: Demonstrate the required educational background in your application.
Step 3: Complete the required Core Courses (see two ways to do this below).
Step 4: Successfully pass the Comprehensive Exam.
* DBIATM certification also requires 18 hours of elective credit and three professional references.
**For a detailed review of the certification process and FAQs, click here.
Two Ways to Complete Core Courses
1. Workshop
A three-day intensive program including three of DBIA's four core courses required for certification and access to the online Fundamentals of Project Delivery course (remaining core course) and the exam prep course.
Workshop Schedule - 8:00am-5:00pm
(includes breakfast and lunch each day)
Day 1: Principles of Design-Build Project Delivery
Day 2: Post-Award Design-Build
Day 3: Design-Build Contracts and Risk Management
| DBIA Member Price |
$2,100 |
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| DBIA Owner Member Price |
$1,200 |
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| Non-Member Price |
$3,100 |
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2. Take the courses A-La-Carte
The three core courses may be taken individually at separate times, however, they are only ever offered as part of a workshop or bootcamp. To take a course a-la-carte, you would join the workshop or bootcamp for only the day of that course. The prices vary and are available under the A-La-Carte Courses tab here.
Design-Build Professional™ (DBIA™) Requirements
