ASHRAE’s High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) certification has received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), becoming the first certification from the Society to earn the recognition.

The accreditation comes as ASHRAE kicks off its 2015 Annual Conference taking place June 27-July 1, in Atlanta. An exam for the HBDP is being offered as part of the Conference.

ASHRAE received word June 25 that the ANSI Personnel Certification Accreditation Committee had granted the accreditation under International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 17024:2012.

“Gaining third-party accreditation under a rigorous, international standard not only validates the quality of the ASHRAE program, but also helps guarantee enhanced recognition in the global marketplace of individual consumers and governmental bodies,” Tom Phoenix, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, ASHRAE-Certified BEAP and BEMP, said. “Gaining ANSI accreditation of the HBDP program aligns with the ASHRAE Strategic Plan and sets the stage for accreditation of other ASHRAE certification programs, including those in key, energy related jobs. As a holder of two ASHRAE certifications, I can speak to the value they bring me in the industry.”

Launched in 2008, the HBDP certification program provides the necessary training and tools for the design of high-performance buildings that live up to their performance capability. The program combines the criteria of ASHRAE Standards 90.1 (energy efficiency), 62.1 (ventilation) and 55 (thermal comfort) with the innovative approaches included in the Advanced Energy Design Guide series in an integrated design approach that strives to achieve practical, cost-effective high-performance building designs.

Some 171 individuals hold the certification. More information about the program can be found at www.ashrae.org/certification.