Certified Graduate Associate

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What is CGA?

Certified Graduate Associate (CGA) is a professional designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders for its associate members. The classes cover a variety of home building industry subjects. Whether you have years of experience working in the building industry or you’re new to your job, the CGA program provides you the opportunity to learn the home building business from the best resource possible-builders and remodelers themselves. The CGA classes are the same that builders and remodelers take for their designation programs, so while you learn about the industry, you can also build relationships with potential customers and network with professional peers.

Course Requirements:

As of July 2008 candidates are required to complete four required courses and two elective courses. The fourth required course is Basics of Building.

Complete 7 courses (4 required and 2 electives).
3 Required Courses are:

• Basics of Building
• Business Management for Building Professionals
• Customer Service
• Sales and Marketing/Sales and Marketing for Remodelers*
  (* Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) may be used in place of the Sales and Marketing requirement.)

Electives:

• Building Codes & Standards
• Building Technology: Systems and Interior Finishes
• Building Technology: Structures and Exterior Finishes
• Business Accounting & Job Cost
• Construction Contracts and Law
• Design/Build
• Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II)
• Estimating
• Financial Management
• Green Building for Building Professionals (2 course credits)
• Land Development, Site Planning and Zoning
• Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I)
• Negotiating Skills
• Profitable Business Through Quality Practices
• Project Management
• Recognizing the Big-Four Safety Hazards for the Home Building Industry
• Scheduling

Benefits of the CGA Designation:

• Listing in NAHB’s on-line Directory of Professional Designates at www.nahb.org/designationdirectory.
• Get a leg up on the competition by increasing your knowledge of the building industry.
• Learn the challenges builders face. Understand how builders really do business and make business decisions.
• Network with builders as you learn. You’ll have the opportunity to develop relationships with potential customers in a classroom setting.
• The right to use the CGA designation on all letterhead, business cards, & professional materials.
• Receive the CGA Newsletter.

Continuing Education Requirements:

Complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years. At least six hours must come from an NAHB University of Housing course.