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How Do I Become a Certfied Graduate Builder (CGB)?

The CGB is an exclusive professional designation designed to emphasize business and project management skills as the key to a professional building operation.

Fill out the Candidate Application form. Once accepted you may start the Builder Assessment Review (BAR).

The BAR is a three (3) hour 120-question multiple choice assessment to measure your knowledge and experience in the five (5) core areas of building business and project management. The BAR is administered at more than 600 testing locations across the country by LaserGrade. Contact LaserGrade at (800) 211-2753 to schedule your BAR exam. LaserGrade's national call center is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The fee for taking the BAR is $195. For more information on the BAR assessment download the Candidate Information Guide, also in the guide are sample questions for the BAR exam.

Your BAR results determine which courses are required from the five key areas of the curriculum in order to become a CGB. You will recieve official notice of your results & course requirements by mail from NAHB.

Once you have completed the courses determined by the BAR, you will need to fill out the graduation application. Along with the graduation application you will need the following:

1. If you are an employee, you must submit a letter of sponsorship from your employer.
2. Proof of liability insurance from your company employer.
3. Proof of workers compensation coverage from your employer/company.
4. Valid business license if required by state
5. Signed Code of Ethics Pledge.

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 CGB graduation kit in about four to six weeks.

To maintain your CGB designation you are required to renew it annually 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