Designation Decoder National Association of the Remodeling Industry (www.nari.org) All but one designation requires five years of full-time work in the remodeling industry, a self-assessment, and an exam.
CR — Certified Remodeler
CRS — Certified Remodeler Specialist: for those in trades such as plumbing or electrical who are not necessarily licensed
CRA — Certified Remodeler Associate: for anyone associated with the remodeling industry such as a business consultant or salesperson
CLC — Certified Lead Carpenter
CKBR — Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler CRC — Certified Remodeling Carpenter: 16-week education/apprenticeship program for those who have been in the industry at least 18 months
National Association of Home Builders/Remodelors Council (www.nahb.org) Offered through The NAHB University of Housing; all require continuing education to maintain designation.
CAPS — Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist: candidates must take three required courses
CGR — Certified Graduate Remodeler: five years of experience in the industry; Professional Remodeler Experience Profile (PREP) determines the number of courses required in each of five core areas
GMB — Graduate Master Builder: must hold CGB (Certified Graduate Builder) or CGR designation
National Kitchen & Bath Association (www.nkba.org) All require detailed application, affidavits of professional experience, and a documented specified number of hours of NKBA education or equivalent.
AKBD — Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer: two years of industry experience; academic exam
CKD — Certified Kitchen Designer and CBD — Certified Bath Designer: seven years of experience, client references, academic and CBD (or CKD) design exam
CKE — Certified Kitchen Educator and
CBE — Certified Bathroom Educator: seven years of experience in interior design education, client references
CKBI — Certified Kitchen & Bath Installer: five years of experience, client references, client portfolios, exam
CMKBD — Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer: 10 additional years of kitchen and bath design experience beyond time of candidate’s first certification; documented examples of third-party endorsement; already hold CKD and CBD certifications
American Institute of Building Design ( www.aibd.org) CPBD — Certified Professional Building Designer: two-day written exam
Other appellations used in this article:
ASID — American Society of Interior Designers: a membership organization that does not offer certifications
CGC — Certified General Contractor: a state designation
GRI — Graduate, Realtor Institute
LID — Licensed Interior Designer: a state designation
NCIDQ — National Council for Interior Design Qualification: founded by American Institute of Interior Designers (AID) and National Society of Interior Designers (NSID) as a credential-issuing nonprofit organization
PBD — Professional Building Designer: minimum six years of verifiable experience under architect or professional building designer; three letters of recommendation from industry professionals
RCS — Residential Construction Superintendent: offered by the Home Builders Institute, an NAHB subsidiary