Certified Master Building and Remodeling Professional Credentials
The NAHB Certified Master Building Professional (CMBP) and Certified Master Remodeling Professional (CMRP) credentials are designed to set the most accomplished builders apart from the rest. If you’re a builder with 5+ years’ leadership experience, you can earn this national recognition.
You’ve already done the hard part. NAHB’s CMBP and CMRP spotlight the most experienced industry professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to continuous professional development, and adherence to the highest standards of practice within the residential construction industry.
Learn more in our Credential Guide.
These credentials are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).
To demonstrate your expertise as an industry leader.
In a competitive market, trust is everything. When a homeowner sees your credential, they see: years of experience; commitment to industry best practices; and knowledge validated by a national standard-setting organization.
The CMBP and CMRP tests consist of:
- A 3-hour, multiple-choice proctored exam
- Program prequalification
- An application process
Complete the CMBP and CMRP Exam
The first step in earning your NAHB credential is the successful completion of the proctored CMBP and CMRP exam.
Both exams will be delivered through Meazure Learning, NAHB’s secure online testing platform that adheres to industry best practices for exam administration and integrity.
- Format: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time Limit: 3 hours
- Delivery Options: Online with a live remote proctor or in-person at one of Meazure Learning’s approved testing centers located throughout the United States
- Scoring: Pass/Fail
- When scheduling, you will have the option to test from home using our remote proctoring, or visit one of the thousands of testing centers around the country to take it in person
- If you do not pass the exam the first time, you will have an opportunity to retake the exam after a one week cooling off period. Member price: $99. Non-member: $199
To be eligible for the CMBP or CMRP credential, candidates must demonstrate both relevant professional experience and a commitment to professional development.
Education Requirements:
- Professional Experience: A minimum of five years in a leadership role at a residential building or remodeling firm
- Professional Development: Completion of 50 hours of broad-based qualifying education within the past five years
Qualifying Professional Development Activities May Include:
- Courses, workshops, webinars, Shop Talks or seminars offered by NAHB, the International Builders’ Show (IBS), or local Home Builders Associations (HBAs)
- Active NAHB credentials or designations earned more than five years ago each count for 15 credit hours
- Participation in the 20 Club program provides 10 credit hours annually toward the requirement
Business Requirements:
To qualify for the CMBP or CMRP credential, candidates must demonstrate that they and/or their company meet established business standards of professionalism and compliance.
Applicants must provide:
- Client or Industry Referrals: Three professional references from past clients or industry peers who can attest to your professionalism, integrity, and quality of work
- Proof of Insurance: Documentation of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance for your company, or confirmation of employment with a company that holds both (as required by your local jurisdiction)
- Business or Contractor Licensing: A valid contractor’s license, registration, or business license, as required by your state or local regulations
Once you have assessed if you meet the requirements to sit for the exam, the next step in the process is to register for the exam.
If you are close but don’t quite have all the requirements, no worries! You have one year from your exam pass date to gather all the supporting materials and submit your application.
Note: We do not recommend sitting for the exam without meeting the minimum experience requirements.
Submitting your application:
Once you have successfully passed the CMBP or CMRP exam, you are eligible to submit your credential application for review.
The application process is completed online through the NAHB credentialing portal. During the application process, you will be asked to provide documentation verifying that you meet all education, experience, and business requirements. You will be able to save documents and come back to the application.
All supporting documents can be uploaded directly through the online application system. Once submitted, your application will undergo a review process by the NAHB Education Committee to confirm eligibility and completeness.
You will receive an email notification once your application has been reviewed, and a final credentialing decision has been made.
Application Fees
- NAHB Member: $199
- Non-Member: $299
Once your application has been completed and approved, you will automatically be granted a digital badge. These badges can be used on websites, email, LinkedIn, etc., and will link back to a page with information about the credential.
You will also be sent a marketing toolkit with assets to help market your achievement in your market area.
CMBP and CMRP Exam Blueprint
- Architecture & Design - 14%
1.1. Aging-in-Place and Universal Design
1.2 Floor Plans
1.3 Elevations and Exteriors
1.4 Interiors - Building Techniques & Strategies - 20%
2.1 Codes and Standards
2.2 Construction Strategy
2.3 Construction Methods and Materials - Business Management - 21%
3.1 Business Planning and Finance
3.2 Competitive and Diversification Strategies
3.3 Personnel Management
3.4 Growth, Profits, and Productivity
3.5 Legal Issues - Land Development & Community Design - 7%
4.1 Community Design Strategies
4.2 Land-Use Planning
4.3 Product Types/Development
4.4 Project Financing - Project Management - 20%
5.1 Customer Experience
5.2 Pre-Construction Planning
5.3 Jobsite Management and Project Controls - Research & Trends - 7%
6.1 Consumer Data and Analysis
6.2 Industry Forecasts
6.3 Emerging Issues - Sales Process - 11%
7.1 Customer Relationships and Feedback
7.2 Marketing and Branding
7.3 Sales Process
7.4 Digital Tools
The Certified Master Remodeler test and Certified Master Builder test are comprised of 50% shared content and 50% track specific content.
Some content areas were identified as critical for both builders and remodelers while the other 50% of questions are focused specifically on the unique content and focus for each field.
This practice test is a sample of the kinds of questions you will see on the test. It does not cover all domains and is not representative of the weights of each domain. It is intended to give you an idea of the question style and topics you will see.
Please see “What is on the exam” above for the full exam blueprint.
Get the practice test here.
