The Value of Certification

ASHRAE certification programs were founded to meet industry need as identified through market research and today provide value to many important stakeholders. Developed by subject matter experts, including those recruited from allied professional organizations, ASHRAE certification programs benchmark with the ANSI/ISO accreditation standards for personnel certification programs to help ensure quality. For the past 100+ years ASHRAE has worked hard to earn and maintain a worldwide reputation for being the leader in HVAC&R design. ASHRAE certification programs serve to reinforce that reputation.

Value for Certification Earners

The decision to pursue a certification is not one lightly made by busy professionals, but the benefits of getting certified are many. In a 2016 “Value of Certification” survey, this is what respondents had to say:

• I'm proud to hold my ASHRAE certification (94%),
• ASHRAE certification validates my level of specialized knowledge and ability (89%),
• ASHRAE Certification is a good barometer of how serious someone is about their career (83%),
• ASHRAE certification helps differentiate me from my peers (82%),
• Studying for the ASHRAE Certification Exam enhanced the breadth and depth of my knowledge and ability (77%),
• In my field, ASHRAE Certification has provided me with greater professional recognition (73%).

Value for Building Owners

Building owners want to know who they should hire to design critical building systems that will impact occupant comfort, safety, efficiency and – ultimately – profitability.  Hiring a firm that assigns an ASHRAE-certified professional to a project confers the following benefits:

• Increased confidence in critical job knowledge, skills and abilities
• Compliance with applicable local, state and federal requirements
• Confidence in corporate commitment to the professional development of its employees and to providing the best possible resources for projects
• Disciplinary process to follow in case of complaints

Value for Employers

Hiring – and retaining – the right employees is an expensive proposition with many unknowns.

Taking ASHRAE certification into consideration during the process – and embracing it in the corporate culture – confers the following benefits to HR, the hiring manager and the employer:

• Recruit the most-qualified professionals
• Elevated reputation and credibility among current and potential customers
• Enhanced compliance with applicable local, state and federal requirements
• Greater job satisfaction and resulting lower turnover
• Provides clear, value-added professional development path

Work Consulted

Institute for Credentialing Excellence. (2012, May). A Look at the Value of Professional Certification.  Washington, DC: ICE.