Certification Process

One key element of NAHB's suite of green building tools is a green home certification program, which is administered by the NAHB Research Center. The Research Center will accredit home certification program verifiers and act as the sole home certifying body for the National Green Building Program.

All homes certified as part of National Green Building Certification will be measured against the best existing definition of green and sustainable home construction. The certification program is based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard. The Standard includes provisions that define green attributes for developments, multi-unit dwellings, remodeling projects, additions and single-family homes.

There are four green home certification levels available in the National Green Building Standard - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald. The green levels and certifications address key green construction areas including - Lot & Site Development, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Homeowner Education.

How does a home become certified?

National Green Building Certification assures homeowners and the community that your projects meet the requirements of either the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard, and truly are green. Builders interested in having their buildings certified should follow the steps outlined below.

Builder Process for Green Building Certification

Step 1: The builder scores the building to be certified using the downloadable offline Green Scoring Tool.

Step 2: Export final Designer's Report from Green Scoring Tool and save locally as an Excel file.

Step 3: As construction begins, select an accredited verifier. If there is not an accredited verifier listed for your area, contact the National Green Building Hotline - (877) NAHB-GRN - to let the NAHB Research Center know and/or to suggest a potential verifier candidate in your area.

Step 4: Forward Designer's Report to selected verifier and schedule rough inspection. The Verifier's Resource Guide provides insight for the builder on how the verifier will inspect the building.

Step 5: Meet with verifier after rough inspection to sign off on the correct version of the verification report which will be sent to NAHB Research Center for review. There are Verification Reports for the Guidelines and the Standard.

Step 6: Receive invoice for green building certification fee ($200 per building for NAHB members, $500 for non-members, multi-unit building fee +$20/unit).

Step 7: Complete Program Participation Agreement and return to Research Center with required evidence of insurance. Documentation is included in a builder's application packet, available by calling (877) NAHB GRN or contacting us. Only one Agreement is required for each builder regardless of how many buildings are ultimately submitted for certification.

Step 8: Schedule final inspection with verifier and sign off on final Verification Report including certificate information.

Step 9: After final report review and receipt of the certification fee, the NAHB Research Center will issue the Certified Green Home certificate. 

National Green Building Certification accredited verifiers are critical in the home certification process. Get more information on the verifier process or how to become a verifier.

During the home certification process, the NAHB Research Center will:

• Review reports and any accompanying verifier comments/documentation
  
• Confirm that properly accredited verifier was used by the builder
  
• Invoice builder for certification fee upon completion of verifier's rough inspection
  
• Confirm builder's Program Participation Agreement, insurance information, and payment history are in order
  
• Issue Certified Green Home certificate and forward to builder in accordance with instructions noted and approved on final Verification Report
  

Ready to have a home certified?  Contact us to get started.