Updated: 7/2/11

Certification Issues

CSI Certification Programs

The Construction Specifications Institute offers several programs with exams to measure a person's understanding of construction documentation, standard contract procedures, and specific construction documentation activities as described in CSI's "Project Resource Manual", a national recognized Manual of Practice. The first program in the sequence is the "Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) Program which is a prerequisite for the three Certification Programs, Certified Construction Specifier (CCS), Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) and Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR). All 4 of the programs are open to both members and non-members of CSI.

Individual Certificate and Certification Programs

The Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Program

The Construction Documents Technology (CDT) Program is a “Certificate” program and provides a comprehensive overview for anyone who writes, interprets, enforces, or manages construction documents. Project designers, facilities Managers, contractors, contract administrators, material suppliers, manufacturers’ representatives and building owners are all realizing the advantages of being Construction Documents Technologists.

By being able to understand and interpret written construction documents, CDTs perform their jobs more effectively. By understanding the roles and relationships of all participants, CDTs improve communication among all members of the construction team.

This program does not require any “Continuing Education” to maintain the designation “CDT” and does not require renewal once the exam is passed.

The Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) Program

Well-written documents are the best insurance for any construction project, making your role as a specifier more and more critical. CCS certification demonstrates excellence in specifications and contract document preparation and is the industry's proof that you're on top of the complex demands of your job.

The CCS designation indicates the individual possesses knowledge in the following subject areas:
    Contractual relationships
        Construction contract types
        Agreements and conditions of the contract
        Changes in the Work
    Document organization
        Construction and design document organization
        Division 01
        General Requirements
        Production techniques
    Document preparation
        Bidding documents and requirements
        Specifying techniques and applications
        Specification writing

The Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) Program

The CCCA designation indicates the individual understands all facets of the construction process and contractual relationships, and that the individual is skilled at construction contract administration in an era of complex projects, tighter delivery schedules, and shrinking budgets. It further indicates the individual possesses knowledge in the following subject areas:

    Construction contract administration
        Documents used during construction
        Roles and relationships
        Project delivery systems
    Preconstruction activities and procedures
    Construction phase activities.
        Construction phase submittals
        Construction phase meetings
     Construction observation procedures
        Interpretation of contract documents
        Project schedule and contract time
        Claims and disputes
        Contract modification procedures
        Measurement and payment
        Quality assurance and quality control
    Project closeout process

The Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR)

The CCPR designation indicates the individual understands all facets of the product representation process and contractual relationships. The individual is skilled in product representation and is a vital source of technical information for the construction team. . It further indicates the individual possesses knowledge in the following subject areas:

    Construction product representation
        Principles of effective product representation
        Marketing and product information
    Preparation of construction documents
        Division 01 concepts
        Specification techniques
        Preparation of technical specifications
    Use of construction documents
        Document organization and use
        Bidding process
        Substitution process
        Construction product warranties and guarantees
    The construction process
        Bidding phase activities
        Construction phase activities

Certification Exam Information

The exams will be given at Prometric test centers for a weeklong period of time. Candidates can register for the exam at a time that is convenient for them during this period of time. There are two exam sites in Maine and they are:

                    Prometric Test Center, 101 Foden Road, #20 Atlantic Place, South Portland.
                    Prometric Test Center, 1460 Outer Hammond Street, Unit 8, Bangor.

All exams will be offered for a week in the spring and again for a week in the fall. The Institute has announced the exam dates and the registration period for the spring exams. They are as follows:

                    Fall 2011 National Exams: September 26 - October 8, 2011
                        Early Registration Deadline: July 26, 2011
                        Final Registration Deadline: August 26, 2011

The cost of the exams are based on when you register and on whether you are a CSI member or not or if you are a student (CDT Exam only). The rates are as follows:

                                    Members             Non-members             Students
    CDT Exam Cost
        Early Registration    $235                     $370                          $105
        Final Registration    $295                     $430                          $105

    CCS, CCCA, CCPR Exam Costs
        Early Registration    $275                     $410                             N/A
        Final Registration    $340                     $475                             N/A

* * *

Maine Chapter Members

As of July 1, 2010, the following Maine Chapter Members held the following CSI Certificates or Certifications

Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)

This program is a “Certificate” program and measures basic knowledge of fundamentals and formats of construction documents as prescribed by CSI, roles and responsibilities of the parties and the general conditions of contracts for construction. Passing the CDT Exam is a prerequisite for the taking the exam in any of the other Certification Programs. There are no “Continuing Education” requirements for this program.

Ronald Conterio, CSI CDT
Kristen Damuth, CSI, CDT
William Delphenich, CSI, CDT
Frederick Johnson, CSI, CDT
Tom Jordan, CSI, CDT
Michael Landry, CSI, CDT
Floyd Lawrence, CSI, CDT
Denis Lemieux, CSI, CDT, AIA
Deborah Merrill, CSI-S, CDT
Daniel Miller, CSI, CDT
Jeffrey O’Gorman, PE, CSI, CDT
Steven Peary, CSI, CDT
Dennis Pelletier, FCSI, CDT
Deidre Lynn Pio, CSI, CDT
Lori Rohr, CSI, CDT
William R. Ryall, CSI-S, CDT
Dale Sargent, CSI, CDT
Mark Stillman, CSI, CDT
Scott Vonnegut, CSI, CDT
David Witham, CSI, CDT

In addition to the members listed above, all members listed as holding a CCS, CCPR, or CCCA passed the CDT Exam prior to taking the specific “Certification” program exam.

Certified Construction Specifier (CCS)

This program is a “Certification” program and measures knowledge and ability to prepare written construction documents as prescribed by CSI. It requires “Continuing Education” to maintain the “Certification”.

Bruce Anderson, CSI, CCS
Robert Armitage, FCSI, CCS
Kenneth Brann, CSI, CCS
Melvin Cole, Jr, CSI, CCS
James Gauthier, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Michael Hogan, CSI, CCS
Paul Kane, CSI, CCS
Keith Lowell, CSI, CCS
David Merritt, CSI, CCS
Elizabeth Quinn Schidzig, CSI, CCS

Certified Construction Product Representative (CCPR)

This program is a “Certification” program and measures knowledge and ability in construction product representation, in use of construction documents, and in advising design professional in the preparation of construction documents, as prescribed by CSI. It requires “Continuing Education” to maintain the “Certification”.

Bradford Armstrong, CSI, CCPR
Troy Johnson, CSI, CCPR
Robert McEachern, Jr., CSI, CCPR

Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA)

This program is a “Certification” program and measures knowledge and ability to administer construction contracts as prescribed by CSI. It requires “Continuing Education” to maintain the “Certification”.

William Charland, CSI, CCCA, MAI
David J. Early, PE, CSI, CCCA
Richard Eustis, PE, FCSI, CCCA, MAI
Dana Gray, CSI, CCCA
James Gauthier, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Aaron Hill, CSI-S, CCCA
David Mains, CSI, CCCA
Valerie Paquin-Gould, CSI-S, CCCA
Carol Potter, CSI, CCCA
John Rasmussen, CSI, CCCA
Christopher Streifel, CSI-S, CCCA