Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is dedicated to the advancement and enrichment of education and training programs serving the needs of the residential construction industry.

The HBI/NAHB certification assessments were designed to measure industry-recognized skills in the fields of Carpentry, House Wiring and HVAC.  Individuals meeting a nationally-established and recognized benchmark will earn certification through HBI/NAHB.  The assessments listed below may be administered in secondary and post-secondary educational settings as well as in the business/industry environment.  For more information on assessment content, please click here.

Certification:
The HBI/NAHB assessments offer various levels of certification.  Those taking the basic-level assessments can earn an “entry-level” or “semi-skilled” certification and individuals taking the advanced-level assessments can earn the “entry-level”, “semi-skilled” or “skilled” certification.  Passing levels are shown below.

Test Title

Total
Number of Test Items

Entry-Level

Semi-Skilled

Skilled

Carpentry Basic

60

42-50 correct

51-60 correct

NA

Carpentry Advanced

120

59-95 correct

96-107 correct

108-120 correct

HVAC Basic

60

31-45 correct

46-60 correct

NA

HVAC Service Tech (Advanced)

100

42-69 correct

70-84 correct

85-100 correct

House Wiring Basic

60

40-43 correct

44-60 correct

NA

House Wiring Advanced

100

65-74 correct

75-84 correct

85-100 correct

Cost:
The cost of the assessment is $19.00 (online) and $25.00 (paper/pencil) and includes the administration materials, access to the assessment, scoring and reporting services as well as the certification (if applicable).

Order Process:
To order assessments, your site must first be a registered NOCTI assessment center with a valid site code.  If you have a site code, orders can be placed through ordering feature of the Client Services Center.  If you are a new site, please complete a testing agreement form to obtain a site code and become a registered NOCTI assessment center. 

About the HBI/NAHB and NOCTI Collaboration:
Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is dedicated to the advancement and enrichment of education and training programs serving the needs of the residential construction industry.   HBI’s educational materials are designed to be relevant in today’s rapidly changing environment, bringing increased professionalism, competency and effectiveness to those entering the residential construction workforce.  These assessments reinforce HBI’s commitment to assist the industry in preparing a knowledgeable and productive workforce.  Individuals using the Residential Construction Academy (RCA) Series are trained for residential craft trades in Carpentry, House Wiring, Plumbing, HVAC, Masonry and Facilities Maintenance.  Importantly, the content of the RCA Series is based on national skill standards set by NAHB industry professionals and educators.

NOCTI serves as the delivery provider for the HBI-NAHB certification assessments which are available to high schools, career technical education centers, correctional institutions, job corps, technical colleges, community colleges, universities and business/industry.  Participants passing the assessments are eligible for certification through HBI/NAHB.  Assessments are based on national skill standards set by NAHB industry professionals and educators as are the materials contained in the Residential Construction Academy Series.

Learn more about the Home Builders Institute (HBI) at www.hbi.org and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) at www.nahb.org.