Member Benefits & Education

Members Home

How Do I Become a Certfied Graduate Associate (CGA)?

The Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) program offers associate members an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the fundamentals of the home building industry.

REQUIREMENTS
Business Management for Building Professionals
Customer Service
Sales & Marketing or Sales & Marketing for Remodelors
Completetion of three (3) required courses & three (3) elective courses

Classes are offered through your local HBA and through regional and national trade shows.
Check out the HBAA Calendar for courses across the state.

ELECTIVE COURSES
Choose Any Three (3): Builders, Remodelors, & Indoor Air Quality
Building Codes & Standards
Building Techonology: Structures & Exterior Finishes
Building Techonology: Systems & Interior Finishes
Business Accounting & Job Costs
Construction Contracts & Laws
Design/Build
Energy Efficient Construction
Estimating
Green Building for Building Professionals
Insurance Reconstruction
Land Development, Site Planning & Zoning
Negotiating Skills
Off-Site Project Management
On-Site Project Management
Profitable Business Through Quality Practices
Recognizing the Big Four Safety Hazards for the Homebuilding Industry
Scheduling

Once you have completed the courses you will need to fill out the graduation application.

Submit your application along with the required documentation and the graduation fee of $145 for members and $245 for non-members to The NAHB University of Housing and you will recieve your official CGA graduation kit in about four to six weeks.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

To maintain your CGA designation you are required to renew it annually ($50 for members and $75 for non-members) and complete a total of 12 hours of continuing education every three years. A minimim of six hours is required to come from The NAHB University of Housing educational activities and a maximum of six hours may be earned through one of the industry-related educational activities listed below. Attendees are required to submit proof of attendance for each event or activity (copy or registration confirmation, show badge, course certificate, etc.) with their CE Form. If a building designation was achieved a copy of the certificate should be attached.

The NAHB University of Housing education (minimum of 6 hours required)

  • Complete an NAHB Univeristy of Housing course (in regular classroom format)
  • Teach an NAHB University of Housing Course
  • Serve as a Subject Matter Expert for an NAHB Univeristy of Housing course
  • Be an active member in an NAHB Builder or Remodelor 20 Club

Building Industry-Related education (up to a maximum of 6 hours)

  • Attend a national, regional or state trade show or educational symposium, NAHB board meeting, or chair a NAHB national committee.
  • Successfully earn a building industry-related professional designation
  • Complete a business management or building industry-related course or seminar conducted by a college, university, technical school or professional organization.
    YOU CAN GET CE CREDIT ONLINE THROUGH HBAA'S Builder University
  • Manufacturer Product Training - The following items are examples that count towards fulfillment of this section: sponsored education on business or installation techniques; faciltiy tours; fabrication process demonstrations; product demonstrations.

Check out the HBAA Calendar for courses across the state.

For more information, call the Professional Designation Help Line at (800) 368-5242 ext. 8154