Don't miss the HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, April 12 - 14, 2024 Wilson Logistics Arena  |  Ozark Empire Fairgrounds  |  Springfield, MO
Don't miss the HBA Home &
Outdoor Living Show
April 12 - 14, 2024
Wilson Logistics Arena
Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Springfield, MO

Registration Process for Projects Seeking NGBS Green Certification

In light of the 2012 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) development process nearing completion, the NAHB Research Center is launching a free registration process for its green certification program on November 1, 2012. This new registration step will allow single- and multifamily builders and developers to identify which rating system they plan to use on their journey toward certification — either the 2008 or the 2012 NGBS. To this point, the Research Center has not had a registration process for National Green Building Certification.

The development of the 2012 NGBS has been underway for the past two years. Over 800 public comments were considered by the Consensus Committee during the revision process. As the development process nears completion, the expectation is that the 2012 version of the NGBS will be available in the first quarter of 2013.  The Research Center will continue to serve as Adopting Entity for the NGBS and provide certification services to both the 2008 and 2012 versions.

Transition Policy for 2008 and 2012 NGBS

Single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and residential land developments that wish to be certified using the 2008 NGBS must register with the Research Center within three months of the publication date for the 2012 NGBS. Once registered, single-family homes must be completed within 18 months of the 2012 NGBS publication to attain certification based on the 2008 version; multifamily buildings and land developments must be completed within 36 months of 2012 NGBS publication to attain certification based on the 2008 version. Limited exemptions may be considered for the completion date, however, exemptions will not be considered for the registration date — specific deadlines will be incorporated into the relevant web pages and disseminated via the Research Center’s Insider Update once the 2012 NGBS publication date is known.

Single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and residential land developments that wish to be certified using the 2012 NGBS can begin the preliminary design process now using the draft 2012 NGBS, however, the builder and accredited verifier will need to ensure the building is built in compliance with the final published version of the 2012 NGBS, not the draft version. No rough inspections will be allowed to take place until after the 2012 NGBS is published and the accredited verifier performing the inspection is accredited to the 2012 NGBS.

Registration Process

All new projects seeking NGBS certification must register with the Research Center to start the certification process. There will be no cost to register a project, but only an accredited verifier can register a project for certification — builders, developers, or remodelers who wish to have their projects certified should contact an accredited verifier and enter into an agreement for them to start the registration process and provide verification services. Projects that are already in process, or in the Research Center’s “pipeline,” will not have to register, but will have a registration number assigned to them by way of the verifier attached to the project. Verifiers are the best resource for questions about a specific project.

The Research Center has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for its certification program partners regarding the upcoming changes. There is also a summary presentation available that has been presented to both single- and multifamily builders in preparation for the program changes. Contact the Research Center with any questions on the green certification program.