19 Jan Green Building Industry Marketplace Reacts to New Accreditation Policy on FGBC Certifying Agents
ST. PETERSBURG – The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC), the leading certifier of green construction projects and local governments in the state, announced a sweeping new policy on the renewal process for inactive Certifying Agents (CA).
A CA is a third-party certifier accredited by the Florida Green Building Coalition to evaluate single-family and multifamily homes to qualify for FGBC Green Home Designation at the bronze, silver, or platinum level.
“We have been looking at this for some time. The new requirements for inactive CA’s have been streamlined to meet the growing demands of the green building industry in our state as well a shifting workforce that grew out of the Pandemic,” noted FGBC Executive Director C.J. Davila.
Inactive CA’s, who are up to date on fees but have not certified at least one home according to the latest version of the FGBC Homes Standard, will need to review the new standard update video course at no fee.
FGBC CAs who let their accreditation expire must be current on membership and certifying agent fees. They must take the new Green Home Specialist Course and Exam, available online with a fee of $150.
Any Certifying Agent who originally took the two-day Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) course and passed the exam will no longer have to retake the course to become active again.
“With the points system removed CAs are grandfathered in for the two-day FSEC course. Now completion of the updated Green Homes Standards Course via video will activate them in the marketplace to certify FGBC green homes,” said FGBC President Ralph Locke. “This is a great opportunity to get back in the game.”
Other revisions include attendance at 50 percent or more Homes Standards meetings will count as the newest version certification for active status. A maximum of two Certifying Agents may claim credit for a single project for the purpose of status.
In 2000 the non-profit FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green standards tailored specifically to Florida.
FGBC’s five certifications provide pathways to build green homes, developments, local governments, high rises, and commercial buildings. Today FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green homes, communities, and local governments in Florida.
There are a lot of things we’ve put in place that you won’t find in the national standards,” Davila said. “It’s very stringent as well as being Florida focused.”
National and international standards such as USGBC LEED and Green Globes also move builders and developers towards environmentally friendly building. FGBC “Florida Green” standards take a scientific approach and are developed with state-specific criteria. They address Florida’s hot-humid environment, distinctive topography, unique geology, resiliency, and natural disasters.
Learn more about renewing or becoming a FGBC Certifying Agent at www.floridagreenbuilding.org/certifying-agents.
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at (407) 777-4914, or email info@floridagreenbuilding.org or visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org.