Membership & Certification
Federal, and NGO
American National Standards Institute Accreditation
The CxA certification program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based on the International Standard ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024. ANSI Standard 17024 is well-recognized within the industry as the highest standard in personnel certification accreditation.
Department of Energy Better Buildings® Workforce Recognition
The Department of Energy recognizes the CxA program for being aligned with the Better Buildings® Workforce Guidelines and for having received qualified accreditation by the American National Standards Institute in compliance with ISO/IEC 17024:2012.
UFGS 01 91 00.15 10 Total Building Commissioning
This Unified Facilities Guide Specification (UFGS) from the Department of Defense covers Total Building Commissioning requirements for new construction and major renovations for Army and Air Force projects. Under Part 1, 1.8, it is required to provide a commissioning firm that is certified by the AABC Commissioning Group, among other organizations.
UFGS 01 91 00.15 Total Building Commissioning
This Unified Facilities Guide Specification (UFGS) from the Department of Defense guide specification covers Total Building Commissioning requirements for new construction and major renovations. This guide specification is for Navy use only. Under Part 1, 1.8, it is required to provide a commissioning firm that is certified by the AABC Commissioning Group, among other organizations.
Federal Building Personnel Training Act (FPTA) Aligned
Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act of 2010 – Directs the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to: (1) identify, annually, the core competencies necessary for federal personnel performing building operations and maintenance, energy management, safety, and design functions to comply with requirements under federal law, including competencies relating to sustainability, water efficiency, electrical safety, and building performance measures; and (2) identify a course, certification, degree, license, or registration to demonstrate, and for ongoing training in, each core competency for the appropriate category of personnel. Requires individuals in each category to demonstrate each core competency identified for the category within one year.
Directs the Administrator: (1) to develop or identify comprehensive continuing education courses to ensure the operation of federal buildings in accordance with industry best practices and standards; and (2) and the Secretary of Energy to develop, annually, a recommended curriculum relating to facility management and the operation of high-performance buildings.
Makes training requirements under this Act applicable to non-federal personnel performing building operations and maintenance, energy management, safety, and design functions under contract with a federal agency. Requires a contractor to provide training to, and certify the demonstration of core competencies for, non-federal personnel in a manner that is approved by the Administrator.
California Commissioning Collaborative
The CCC is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. Its purpose is to improve building and system performance by developing and promoting viable building commissioning practices in California and to identify opportunities, establish priorities and promote solutions relating to building commissioning processes in California.
The Whole Building Design Guide is described by the Federal Energy Management Program as “a complete internet resource to a wide range of building-related design guidance, criteria and technology,” and meets the requirements in guidance documents for Executive Order 13123. Interested parties may find the AABC Commissioning Group under the industry organization directory.
Governmental Energy Benchmarking, Disclosure and Retrocommissioning Laws
Local Law 87 (LL87) mandates that buildings over 50,000 gross square feet undergo periodic energy audit and retro-commissioning measures, as part of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan (GGBP). CxA is an approved Retro-commissioner Certification and Training Provider.
San Francisco Existing Commercial Buildings Ordinance
Residential buildings with 10,000 square feet or more of space that is heated or cooled and existing multifamily residential buildings with 50,000 square feet or more of space that is heated or cooled must report energy benchmarking and energy audits. The CxA is recognized as a prerequisite to provide energy audits for ordinance compliance
Washington, DC Construction Codes, Green Building Act
Commissioning is required for projects subject to the 2013 DC Green Construction Code that are either (1) new construction, (2) level 3 alterations, or (3) level 1 and 2 alterations 50,000 square feet or greater. Certified ACG members are an approved commissioning agency under this program.
Montgomery County Benchmarking Law
Building owners are required to benchmark the energy use of their nonresidential buildings 50,000 square feet and greater in the county in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and report it to the County for public disclosure. The CxA is a Recognized Data Verifier for building owners reporting benchmarking information (found under Step 3: Data Verification).
Boulder Building Performance Program
This ordinance requires privately-owned commercial and industrial buildings and city-owned buildings to report energy use and perform periodic energy assessments, retrocommissioning, and lighting upgrades. The CxA is recognized as a Retrocommissioning Professional under Minimum Qualifications.
- CxAs qualify to complete a 30 minute online training session to be included in Boulder’s “List of Qualified Service Providers.”
Alaska Department of Education & Early Development
The Alaska Administrative Code requires that the selection of a commissioning agent for a project funded under AS 14.11 shall conform with requirements of 4 AAC 31.065. CxAs are an approved commissioning agent for the Department of Education and Early Development projects.
City of Austin Ordinance – No. 20100408-051
In the City of Austin, having the CxA certification is an acceptable requirement for a project commissioning authority for new buildings of 10,000 gross square feet of conditioned space or greater.
Clark County, NV
Utility Incentive Programs
Pepco Operations & Maintenance Training
The Pepco Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training Program offers incentives for building operation personnel to receive nationally recognized training. ACG has been recognized as a qualified training provider.
BG&E Building Operation Training
BGE offers financial incentives that cover up to 80% of enrollment costs or a maximum of $1,000 per course, whichever is less, for approved building operation and maintenance training. ACG training courses qualify for this incentive.
Delmarva Power Operations & Maintenance Training
The Delmarva Power Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training Program offers incentives for building operation personnel to receive nationally recognized training. ACG is an approved training provider in this program.
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
SMECO offers financial incentives to help cover the cost for approved building operation and maintenance education courses. The incentives cover a percentage of training course(s) enrollment fees or tuition and are distributed upon course completion. ACG is an approved training provider in this program.