Well-written documents are the best insurance for any construction project, making your role as a specifier more and more critical. CCS certification demonstrates your 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.
CCS candidates must demonstrate their 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
To Qualify for the CCS Exam
CCS certification exam candidates must:
- Have passed the CDT exam.
- Have prepared or coordinated either Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements or Division 01 - General Requirements.
- Have directly prepared specification sections actually used in construction.
- List two people who will attest to your experience within the last five years in the preparation of specifications actually used in construction.
Learn what source materials candidates must study, or learn about study guides and study groups.
About the Exam
The computer-based CCS examination is administered at Prometric test centers nationwide. To view the Prometric test center locations, visit www.prometric.com/CSI and select “Locate a Testing Center”. To pass, candidates must receive a grade of 75 percent or higher.
The application fee includes registration and examination. It does not include the source materials.
Questions? Contact CSI Member Services at csi@csinet.org or 800-689-2900.
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- Certification
"CSI Certified" means you've demonstrated attainment of best practices knowledge from the industry leader in construction documentation, specification preparation, product representation and contract administration. Add CDT, CCS, CCCA, or CCPR to your name, and join an elite group of professionals who are the go-to source for employers, colleagues and clients. - Project Resource Manual
For organizing, preparing, using & interpreting construction docs.
- Certification Renewal Information
In the renewal year, CSI will send certificants an Application for Certification Renewal. Certificants will be asked to attest that they have met the continuing education requirements (24 hours of education = 2.4 CEUs) and are active in their field, and to submit the renewal fee. - 2010 CCPR Renewal Form (PDF)
- 2010 CCS Renewal Form (PDF)
- Source Materials
Candidates must study the correct source material when preparing for an exam. The ability to understand, interpret, and apply knowledge from the source materials is the difference between passing and failing. Source materials are not included in the examination fee, but are available for purchase through CSI, AIA, and EJCDC member organizations. Source materials may also be available for loan from local libraries, industry firms, colleges, CSI chapters, or colleagues. - 2010 CDT Study Guide (PDF)
- 2010 CCS Study Guide (PDF)