OVER 4,000 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FIRMS EMPLOY CSI CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS
By Dan Merriman
Communications Manager, CSI

Alexandria, VA - The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) is the only association to offer specialized credentials to practitioners from every aspect of the building design and construction industry. In 2000 more than 1,020 construction industry professionals successfully completed one or more of CSI's certificate/certification programs. To date more than 4,350 architectural/design, specifications, contractor, and construction product manufacturing companies employ CSI credentialed practitioners. Among the firms with the largest number of CSI certified employees are RTKL; WR Grace; Little & Associates; Malcolm Pirnie; USKH, Inc.; NBBJ, McNamee Porter & Seeley, Inc.; and Andersen Windows.

CSI's three unique certification programs for specifiers, contract administrators, and building products representatives are open to all qualified professionals. The Construction Documents Technology Certificate Program is also open to construction industry college and university students. The next examinations for all four programs will be held in approximately 90 cities nationwide on April 7, 2001, and again on-site at CSI's Annual Convention and Exhibit in Dallas, Texas, on June 20, 2001.

CSI's Construction Documents Technology (CDT)
Certificate Program is the foundation for all CSI certification programs. It covers the basics of writing and managing construction documents with efficiency and clarity and enables practitioners to progress to certification with a strong knowledge and skill base.

Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) Program
Qualified professionals obtain CCS certification by demonstrating their mastery in specifications and contract document preparation. Proficiency in this area not only helps ensure the quality of built projects and their efficient completion within predetermined schedules and budgets, it increases the career opportunities for the CCS holders.

Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) Program
Individuals obtain CCCA certification by exhibiting their understanding of all facets of the construction process and contractual relationships. Developing skills for administering construction contract documents in light of the greater complexity in projects, tighter delivery schedules, and shrinking budgets expands the CCCA holders potential for advancement and greater earnings.

Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR) Program
Product representatives who obtain CCPR certification must possess an in-depth understanding of the overall construction process and a superior ability in communicating with architects. In essence, they must speak the language of the architects to learn and communicate how their building materials and services meet construction projects' requirements. Individuals with these qualifications are in great demand among building products manufacturers.

The thousands of individuals who have and seek CSI certification do so to more firmly establish themselves as skilled and knowledgeable professionals deserving of more recognition and greater job responsibilities. CSI certified practitioners enjoy a greater earnings potential and credibility than their noncertified counterparts, as many major companies seek to recruit certified employees to their workforce.

Top Ten Reasons Practitioners Seek CSI Certification
    1. Establish professional credentials
    2. Earn recognition
    3. Sharpen their competitive edge
    4. Improve their skills and knowledge
    5. Boost their earnings potential
    6. Improve communication among members of the various construction teams (designer, administrator, constructor, product supplier)
    7. Show their commitment to excellence in their field
    8. Build their confidence
    9. Prepare for greater on?the?job responsibility
    10. Present documented proof of their proficiency to any potential employer.

Registration for CSI's certificate/certification programs begins September 1, 2000. A $50 savings for Early Bird registrations is in effect until December 1, 2000 for the nationwide exams in April, and until May 1, 2001 for those registering for the June exams.

CSI is an individual membership society whose core purpose is to improve the process of creating and sustaining the built environment. The Institute provides technical information and products, continuing education, professional conferences, and product shows to enhance communication among all disciplines of nonresidential building design and construction and meet the industry's need for a common system of organizing and presenting construction information. CSI's approximately 18,000 members include architects, engineers, constructors, specifiers of construction products, suppliers of construction products, building owners, and facilities managers. Founded in 1948, CSI is headquartered just outside Washington, D.C. in Alexandria, VA, and has 143 local chapters nationwide.

For more information about CSI certificate/certification programs, contact the Member/Customer Service Center at (800) 689?2900 or online at www.csinet.org.


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