Maintaining Your CAPS Designation
Continuing Education Keeps You Up-to Date

You’ve spent time and money to earn your CAPS designation, and it has become an important part of your marketing when approaching potential clients. But unlike any high school or college degree, your CAPS designation can expire. Don’t forget your CAPS anniversary because to maintain the CAPS designation, graduates must complete the continuing education requirements every three years. The continuing education requirement date (or expiration date) is three years after your official graduation date and subsequent designation continuing education requirement dates.

Maintaining your CAPS designation requires two parts: annual renewal and the continuing education requirement. CAPS professionals must pay an annual renewal fee during their three-year designation period and complete the continuing education requirement at the end of the three-year designation period. CAPS receive renewal information by mail prior to their renewal date. In addition, CAPS professionals receive the continuing education requirement materials before the designation expiration date.

To complete the continuing education requirement, a CAPS designation recipient must earn a total of 12 hours of continuing education credit through class time or service from three continuing education sections (as described below). The options are divided into two parts:

• Academic coursework (six hours required)
• Industry education and activities (six hours required)

Academic Coursework
CAPS designees can earn their required six hours by:

• Attending a full-day NAHB University of Housing courses. CGR/CGB/GMB courses are examples what qualifies toward completion of this section’s requirement.
• Current membership in a Remodelor 20 club; to be eligible you must be current with your 20 club fees and a member for more than two meetings.
• Serving as a Subject-Matter Expert for a NAHB University of Housing course revision working group.

Industry Education and Activities
National Meeting or National or Regional Trade Show Education
A maximum of six hours can be earned by attending or presenting educational seminars/programs at national meetings or regional trade shows. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Local HBA educational programs
• NAHB International Builders Show
• Online industry education seminars
• Other national industry conventions

Community Service
You can earn a maximum of two hours by participating in community service projects. Community service projects can include any work done for the public good without compensation. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Habitat for Humanity projects
• Rebuilding Together projects
• Local charity drives

To verify attendance for continuing education, each participant may be required to submit one of the following documents for each continuing education program listed on the continuing education requirement application:

• Certificate of attendance for full-day educational programs
• Signed attendance verification form to be completed by the instructor or program sponsor
• Proof of registration for trade show or national meeting

Your CAPS designation puts you ahead of the rest. By continuing your education you continue to improve your business and your bottom line. Don’t let your designation run out! [ return to top ]