Candidate Guidebook

Certified Decarbonization
Professional (CDP)
 Table of Contents

I. About ASHRAE 1-2

II. Eligibility & Application 2-5

III. About the Examination 5-7

IV. Scheduling an Examination 7-8

V. On the Day of Your Examination 9-10

VI. CDP Recertification: Eligibility & Application 10-13

Appendix A: CDP Exam Blueprint

Section I: CDP Exam Weightings by Domain
Section II: CDP Exam Weightings by Subdomain
Section III: CDP Exam Tasks

Appendix B: Acceptable Professional Development Activities

and PDHs Earned
I. About ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an international
membership society committed to the advancement of the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning
and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. The Certified Decarbonization Professional
(CDP) certification program supports this Mission by validating job competency as understood in internationally
recognized technical information, reflecting the best practices that lead our industry.

ASHRAE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national or ethnic origin in its
policies, procedures, or eligibility requirements for its programs.

Purpose of the CDP Certification

The CDP certification program, validates competency of the decarbonization professional to do the following:

Assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies that reduce/eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint
of new and existing buildings.

Value
Over 4,000 ASHRAE certifications have been earned in these key built-environment fields: Energy Assessment |
Energy Modeling | Commissioning | Healthcare Facility Design | High-Performance Building Design | HVAC Design |
Building Operations. ASHRAE certifications increasingly have become the must-have credential for built-environment
professionals, employers and building owners.

Why is earning the ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) credential the best way to
gain a competitive edge?

Here’s what ASHRAE-certified employees had to say in a “Value of Certification” survey: B ONI ZA
AR

TI
D EC

ON
• “ASHRAE Certification has provided me with greater recognition.” (72%)
• “My credibility in the eyes of my colleagues and supervisor has increased.” (69%)
CDP
CERTIFIED

AL
• “My ASHRAE certification has helped improve my career opportunities.” (60%) PR OF N
E SSIO
• “My earning power has increased.” (43%)

With unique candidate metadata embedded, the CDP digital badge shares information about a candidate’s knowledge,
skills and abilities, while guaranteeing enhanced visibility and recognition in electronic media.

Earning the Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification lets your employer, peers and customers know
that you have the knowledge and skills needed to get the job done, and positions you for continued recognition and
success.

CDP Exam Development

The blueprint (Appendix A) for the Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification exam was developed by
the ASHRAE CDP Exam Subcommittee following an industry-wide, job task analysis study conducted to determine
the importance of decarbonization professional job tasks. Data was gathered from more than 800 respondents. The
CDP Exam Blueprint was approved by the ASHRAE Certification Committee on February 28, 2024.

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About the Candidate Guidebook
The purpose of this guidebook is to provide information about the ASHRAE CDP certification program. No information
or material in this guide creates a contract between ASHRAE and an individual customer or organization. ASHRAE
will do its best to apply the principles and provisions contained within this guidebook as written, but reserves the right
to change those principles and provisions without actual notice. Nevertheless, ASHRAE will make reasonable efforts
to notify customers of any changes.

End-user License
Download of the Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification scheme requirements in the CDP
Candidate Guidebook is pursuant to an end-user license expressly prohibiting the end-user from: i) creating derivative
works based upon, or modifying, the CDP Certification Scheme; ii) selling, reselling, renting or otherwise using the
CDP Certification Scheme for user’s own commercial purposes; and iii) further licensing or sub-licensing the CDP
Certification Scheme to other persons or organizations. ASHRAE is the developer, publisher of and holder of copyright
in the CDP Certification Scheme. All rights reserved.

II. Eligibility & Application

Who Can Participate
Participation in the ASHRAE CDP program requires that an applicant meet education and work experience eligibility
requirements and successfully complete the program’s examination. Membership in ASHRAE is not a prerequisite to
participate in the program.

Completing and Submitting the Application

To participate in the ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) program, a candidate must complete and
submit an application. Up to 10 business days after receiving a complete application, ASHRAE will notify the applicant
by email either of acceptance and approval of the application or of denial of approval and the reason thereof.

Note: candidates must schedule and take the examination within 90 days of approval.

Overview of CDP Eligibility Requirements

1. Education and Work Experience
2. Code of Ethics
3. Pass CDP Certification Exam

Detailed Eligibility Requirements: CDP Certification

1. Education and Work Experience

Any individual who submits a completed application and meets one of the following sets of education and work
experience requirements will be eligible to take the examination for the CDP certification.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in engineering, science, technology, architecture, construction, or a related field
with two (2) years of decarbonization-related work experience, OR
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in engineering, science, technology, architecture, construction, or a related field
with three (3) years of decarbonization-related work experience, OR
• Associate’s Degree or equivalent in engineering, science, technology, architecture, construction, or a related field
with five (5) years of decarbonization-related work experience, OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent with seven (7) years of decarbonization-related work experience
¹“Related” field = STEM, which includes all sciences, architecture and building science.
Note: Decarbonization-related work experience may be defined by the job tasks listed in the CDP Exam Blueprint (Appendix A).
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2. Code of Ethics
As a condition of earning and maintaining certification, applicants for the Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP)
certification must agree to uphold and abide by a Code of Ethics, the tenets of which are set forth as follows:

1. Exercise a reasonable industry standard of care in the performance of professional duties.

2. Perform professional duties with trust, integrity, and honesty.
3. Hold paramount the health and safety of the public in the performance of professional duties.
4. Work in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations; demonstrate integrity, honesty, and fairness
in all activities; and strive for excellence in all matters of ethical conduct.
5. Act with integrity in any relationship that involves an employer or client and disclose fully to an affected employer
or client any conflicts-of-interest resulting from business affiliations or personal interests.
6. Represent qualifications accurately and honestly.
7. Offer products and services only in areas where competence and expertise will satisfy the client and public need.
8. Agree to comply with and uphold all policies, procedures, guidelines, and requirements of the certification
program; use the designation as authorized and only in the approved manner; acknowledge that the certificate
and marks are the property of their respective owners; and return the certificate and discontinue use of the
designation and marks when required to do so.
9. Accept responsibility for maintaining the credential through recertification and continuously uphold the Code of
Ethics.
10. Voluntarily and immediately report any felony convictions or other legal dispositions that would constitute
violations of this Code of Ethics that have not already been disclosed, regardless of when they occurred, and
report any conditions that prohibit fulfillment of duties as set forth in the competency requirements.

3. Pass CDP Certification Exam

The CDP certification examination is a proctored, closed book/closed notes, two and one-half hour (2.5), 115-item
multiple-choice exam. Applicants who self-attest that they are a non-native English speaker will receive an additional
30 minutes of testing time. These applicants will be asked to declare their native language and provide the name and
email of a professional reference who can confirm the applicant is a non-native English speaker.

A candidate’s score is based on 100 of the items; the other 15 items, which are interspersed throughout the
examination, are included for trial purposes and are not scored.

The blueprint for the CDP examination is provided in Appendix A.

The three cognitive levels tested on the CDP examination are as follows:

1. Recall: The ability to remember or recognize specific information

2. Application: The ability to comprehend, relate, or apply knowledge to new or changing situations
3. Analysis: The ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources, determine solutions, and/or evaluate the
usefulness of a solution

Please review sections III. “Examination” and IV. “Scheduling an Examination” of the CDP Candidate Guidebook for
additional related information.

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Application Fees
ASHRAE Member: $495.00; Nonmember: $745.00
ASHRAE Member Exam Retake: $220.00; Nonmember: $285.00
ASHRAE Member Second Exam Retake $495.00; Nonmember $745.00

ASHRAE Developing Economies Member: $295

ASHRAE Developing Economies Member Exam Retake: $130
ASHRAE Developing Economies Member Second Exam Retake: $295

If an application is declined by ASHRAE or cancelled by the applicant, the amount of the fee, less $50 to cover
administrative costs, will be refunded to the applicant.

ASHRAE retains the right to audit any and all applications at any time. If, at any time, the application information
submitted is found to be incomplete or inaccurate, it may be rejected, examination results may be delayed or voided,
and a certification may be rescinded.

Candidate Responsibilities
Each candidate for ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification is responsible for the
following:

• Submit a completed, signed application form and the application fee,

• Schedule an examination appointment within the 90-day eligibility period,
• Pay a reschedule or cancellation fee if the candidate chooses to cancel or reschedule an exam appointment,
• Comply with the rules for examination,
• Immediately notify ASHRAE of any suspected violations of the rules for examination,
• In the event of certification, successful candidates are required to inform the Certification Committee body,
without delay, of matters that can affect their capability to continue to fulfill the certification requirements, or risk
suspension or withdrawal of the certification,
• In the event a certificant’s certification is suspended or revoked, she/he must return the certificate to ASHRAE.
The certificant also must refrain from any further promotion of themselves as an ASHRAE Certified Professional
and from future use of all references to an ASHRAE Certified status

Personal Data
ASHRAE collects and maintains personal data in order to identify certification applicants, validate that the
requirements for certification have been fulfilled and to maintain the security of the intellectual property in its exam
item banks. Personal data will be maintained until which time it is no longer necessary in order to establish, exercise or
defend legal claims.

ASHRAE aggregates exam candidate item responses for exam development and exam security purposes. Examinee
responses to ASHRAE exam items are considered to be ASHRAE intellectual property with test security implications;
therefore, such derived data are not subject to access, rectification, erasure or portability.

The exam development and delivery employees of ASHRAE vendor Kryterion will have access to ASHRAE
certification exam candidate personal data. As a full-service test development and delivery company, Kryterion is fully
committed to complying with the requirements of global data protection laws and regulations. Kryterion manage its
privacy and data protection obligations under the following privacy frameworks: General Data Protection Regulation
(GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
(PIPEDA).

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Candidate Rights
Consistent with ASHRAE Certification program policies, the following rights are conferred upon applicants,
candidates, certificants and the public:
• Applicants may declare a request for accommodation of special needs. ASHRAE complies with the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Therefore, ASHRAE will make reasonable accommodations for certification
exam candidates when appropriate, and consistent with ADA requirements. ASHRAE will consider requests for
testing accommodations from certification candidates with a documented disability that limits the candidate’s
ability to participate in an examination.
• ASHRAE shall maintain the confidentiality of all information pertaining to an individual’s application and exam.
When the Certification Committee is required by law to release confidential information, the person concerned
shall, unless prohibited by law, be notified as to what information will be provided.
• Certificants may appeal decisions on certification and recertification, including suspension and revocation
decisions. Denied applicants may appeal decisions on certification, in the event they believe that the eligibility
criteria have been inaccurately, inconsistently, or unfairly applied.
• Applicants, candidates, certificants and the public may lodge complaints that relate to the certification activities
for which the Certification Committee is responsible, including complaints against certified persons. The
Certification Committee shall receive, evaluate and make decisions on complaints in a constructive, impartial and
timely manner that treats all parties fairly and equitably. In addition, the complaints-handling process shall be
subject to requirements for confidentiality, as it relates to the complainant and to the subject of the complaint.

Further related information on these key policies may be found on this ASHRAE Certification webpage:
https://www.ashrae.org/professional-development/ashrae-certification/certification-forms.

III. About the Examination

Examination Preparation
Neither participating in a preparatory activity nor purchasing a publication is a requirement for participating in the CDP
program or for enrolling to take the CDP examination. However, candidates who choose to participate in preparatory
activities or to purchase publications are responsible for ensuring that the timing of the activity or purchase aligns with
the timing of the examination session for which the candidate has enrolled.

Resources available to help prepare for the CDP examination include, but are not limited to, the following:

Publications
• The Advanced Energy Design Guide—Achieving Zero Energy series
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1 - Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100 - Energy and Emissions Building Performance Standard for Existing
Buildings
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 105 - Standard Methods of Determining, Expressing, and Comparing Building Energy
Performance and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 202 - Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems
• ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 228 - Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building
Performance
• ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization (TFBD) Guides
- Building Performance Standards: A Technical Resource Guide
- Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization
• Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits (Second Edition)
• Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment, RICS Professional Standard, 2nd edition
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ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) & eLearning Center Courses
• The ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) and ASHRAE eLearning Center offer a wide range of professional
development seminars and short courses.

Additional Publications
• ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 - Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential
Buildings (I-P & SI Editions)
• ANSI/ASHRAE/ICC/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 - Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green
Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings / International Green Construction Code IGCC
• ANSI/ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 211 - Standard for Commercial Building Energy Audits
• ASHRAE Guideline 0 - The Commissioning Process
• ASHRAE Guideline 32 - Management for Sustainable High-Performance Operations and Maintenance
• ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization (TFBD) Guides (in development)
- Decarbonizing Hospital Buildings
- Heat Pump Application, Design, and Operation Guide
- Building Decarbonization Retrofits for Commercial and Multifamily Buildings
- CIBSE TM65 for North America
- Whole Life Carbon Guide for Building Systems

ASHRAE does not warrant that participation in or use of any of the above resources will guarantee successful
completion of the examination. Nor does ASHRAE warrant that all information presented in all of the above resources
is non-contradictory. However, ASHRAE will do its best to avoid testing contradictory, out-of-date, or inaccurate
information.

Copyrighted Examination Questions

All examination questions are the copyrighted property of ASHRAE. It is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy,
reproduce, record, distribute or display these examination questions by any means, in whole or in part. Doing so may
subject you to severe civil and criminal penalties.

Score Report
Immediately following submission of their exam, all examinees receive on screen a report, which indicates a “Pass”
or “Fail” result and a numerical score of questions correct per domain. All examinees as well will receive an email
from donotreply@webassessor.com with the same report. Examinees may also log in to their Kryterion Webassessor
account to view this report.

Successful Examinees
Successful examinees will be invited to claim their CDP digital badge, which is the “certificate of certification,” within
six weeks of their exam, and will be recognized on the ASHRAE website. Scores are not reported over the telephone,
by electronic mail, or by facsimile.

The certificate of certification issued to successful examinees is the sole property of ASHRAE Certification; therefore,
should a certification be suspended or revoked, the certificate shall be returned to ASHRAE Certification.

Successful examinees agree to the following conditions:

• Inform the Certification Committee, without delay, of matters that can affect their capability to continue to fulfill
the certification requirements, or risk suspension or withdrawal of the certification.
• Make claims regarding “CDP” certification only within the scope of the “CDP” certification,
• Not to use the certification in such a manner as to bring ASHRAE certification into disrepute,
• Not to use the certificate in a misleading manner.
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Examination Passing Score
When the CDP Exam Subcommittee conducts a passing point study, the expert judgments of subject matter experts
are used to produce and interpret results, and set the exam passing score.

Score Needed to Pass CDP CertificationExam: to be determined by Aug. 15, 2024.

Results Cancelled by ASHRAE

ASHRAE is responsible for the validity and integrity of the results it reports. On occasion, occurrences such as
computer malfunction or misconduct by a candidate may cause a result to be suspect. ASHRAE reserves the right to
void or withhold examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is discovered.

Exam Retakes
Examinees who do not pass their exam may retake their exam after a three-month wait period. The fee to apply to
retake an ASHRAE certification examination is discounted at $175 for ASHRAE members, $105 for Developing
Economies members, and $225 for non-members. The fee for successive ASHRAE member and nonmember
examination retakes will be at the full application fee amount.

Confidentiality
Information about candidates for testing and their examination results are considered confidential. Studies and reports
concerning candidates will contain no information identifying any candidate, unless authorized by the candidate.
By participating in the CDP program, each person who earns and maintains this certification agrees to be listed on the
ASHRAE public website. Only those individuals who are active CDP certificants will be listed on the site.

IV. Scheduling an Examination

Upon approval of your certification application, you will receive the following emails:
1. The first email will come from ASHRAE notifying you that your application has been approved. This email
will include the deadline by which you must schedule and sit for your exam, provide detailed instructions for
creating a test taker account in Kryterion’s Webassessor platform, as well as a unique voucher code, which
you will need in order to schedule your exam in Kryterion’s Webassessor platform. Note: a candidate’s voucher
code is unique and may not be transferred to another candidate.
2. The second email will come from donotreply@webassessor.com. This is a “Candidate Account Confirmation”
email confirming that you have successfully created your exam candidate account in Kryterion’s
Webassessor platform.
3. To schedule your exam, log into your Webassessor account and use the voucher code provided by ASHRAE.
Note: candidates who use their voucher code to schedule the incorrect exam will forfeit their certification
application fee and will have to reapply at the full application fee in order to sit for the correct examination.
Once your exam has been scheduled, you will receive an “Exam Registration Confirmation” email from
Kryterion confirming that your exam has been scheduled and containing a Candidate Authorization Code.
Later, you will have to present this Candidate Authorization Code at the Test Center in order to launch your exam.

Candidates will be allowed to take only the examination for which the appointment has been made. No changes in
examination type will be made at the Test Center. UNSCHEDULED CANDIDATES (WALK-INS) WILL NOT BE
ADMITTED to the Test Center.

Test Center Locations

Examinations are administered by computer at over 1,000 test center locations worldwide:
www.kryterion.com/locate-test-center/

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Holidays
No exams will be administered on these holidays: January 1 and December 25.

Accommodations for Candidates with Disabilities

ASHRAE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and strives to ensure that no individual with a disability is
deprived of the opportunity to take the examination solely by reason of that disability. ASHRAE will provide reasonable
accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Candidates requesting special accommodations must complete a
“Request for Testing Accommodations” form found on the “ASHRAE Certification Forms” webpage at
ashrae.org/education--certification/certification/ashrae-certification-forms. ASHRAE recommends that Requests for
Testing Accommodations be submitted by candidates prior to their applying for certification.
Cancellations, Reschedules and No-shows
Candidates may cancel or reschedule an exam through their Webassessor portal with no additional fee up to 72 hours
prior to the scheduled exam time. Cancellations and Reschedules within 72 hours of a scheduled exam time will incur
a USD $90.00 fee. A no-show will result in the forfeiture of the exam fee altogether. In such cases, candidates will
have to reapply at the “first retake” fee amount in order to schedule and sit for the exam.

Requesting an Extension
To request a one-time, nonrefundable, 45-day extension of the 90-day deadline toschedule and take an exam,
candidates must submit an application on the “Get Exam Ready” tab of their certification landing page on ashrae.org
at least five business days prior to the end of the 90-day deadline. The administrative fee to initiate the extension is
$50.00.

Inclement Weather, Power Failure or Emergency

In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies on the day of an examination, Kryterion will determine
whether circumstances warrant the cancellation, and subsequent rescheduling, of an examination. In most cases, Test
Center staff will contact any scheduled candidates impacted.

If power to a Test Center is temporarily interrupted during an administration, your examination will restart where you
left off and you may continue the examination.

Candidates may contact Kryterion via live chat prior to the examination to determine if Kryterion has been advised that
any Test Centers have been closed.

In order for Kryterion to be able to reschedule an exam missed due to sudden illness, exam candidates must provide a
doctor’s note. Examination absences due to work commitments may not be rescheduled, nor will they be refunded.

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V. On the Day of Your Examination
It is recommended that candidates report to the testing location or log in to their remote online proctored exam at least
15 minutes in advance of their scheduled testing time. A CANDIDATE WHO ARRIVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES
AFTER THE SCHEDULED TESTING TIME MAY BE MARKED AS ABSENT, THEREBY FORFEITING THE
ABILITY TO SIT FOR THE EXAM. SUCH ABSENT CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY AT THE “FIRST
RETAKE” FEE FOR ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SIT FOR THE EXAM.

When checking in to their Remote Online Proctored or Test Center exam, ASHRAE candidates must present their
Exam Authorization Code. The Exam Authorization Code is needed to launch the exam. Failure to present the Exam
Authorization Code will cause the exam session to be forfeited without refund.

You must bring two (2) forms of identification.

One must be a government issued photo ID. Secondary identification must include your printed name such as a credit
card, bank debit card, or employee identification card.

Acceptable forms of government issued photo ID include a Driver’s License, Identity card (non-driver license),
Passport, Passport card, Green Card, Alien registration, Permanent resident card, or National identification card. The
name on the identification presented must match the exact name on the candidate’s certification exam registration.

Failure to bring the two required forms of acceptable identification, unfortunately, will result in you not being able to sit for
your exam, and forfeiture of your application fee.

Military IDs and social security cards are not accepted.

Candidates are prohibited from misrepresenting their identities or falsifying information to obtain admission to the
testing room.

Materials
You may bring the following materials to your CDP exam administration:

• You may bring and use a basic, standard function, non-scientific, non-graphing calculator. A calculator will not be
provided.
• Scratch paper and pencil will be provided to candidates by test center personnel.

Security
ASHRAE and Kryterion maintain examination administration and security measures that are designed to ensure that
all candidates are provided the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

The following security procedures apply during a Test Center examination:

• No cameras, notes, tape recorders, pagers, or cellular/smart phones are allowed in the testing room.
• You are encouraged to bring a basic, standard function, non-scientific, non-graphing calculator for the CDP
examination. Only basic, standard function, non-scientific, non-graphing calculators are permitted, but they will
not be provided for you.
• No guests, visitors, or family members are allowed in the testing room or reception areas.
• No personal items, valuables, or weapons are allowed in the testing room. Only keys and wallets may be taken
into the testing room and securely stored in the soft locker provided at the Test Center. You are responsible for
items left in other areas.
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 • No personal belongings will be allowed in the testing room. Use of a cellular/smart phone or other electronic
device is strictly prohibited and will result in dismissal from the examination.
• You will be provided with scratch paper and a pencil to use during the examination. You must sign and return
the scratch paper to the supervisor at the completion of testing.. No documents or notes of any kind may be
removed from the examination room. If you need a second piece of scratch paper, you need to ask the test
proctor for another piece of paper and turn in the one you used before.
• Kryterion will provide U.S. examinees with ear plugs. International examinees may bring their own earplugs,
though the proctor will need to inspect them.
• No questions concerning the content of the examination may be asked during the examination.
• Eating, drinking, or smoking will not be permitted in the testing room.
• You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost
during breaks.

Misconduct
Individuals who engage in any of the following types of conduct, either in the testing room or during a break, may be
dismissed from the examination, in which case their scores will not be reported, and their application fees will not be
refunded. Examples of misconduct are when a candidate does the following:

• Creates a disturbance, is abusive, or is otherwise uncooperative,

• Displays and/or uses electronic communications equipment such as pagers, or cellular/smart phones,
• Gives or receives help or is suspected of doing so,
• Attempts to record examination questions or make notes,
• Attempts to take the examination for someone else,
• Or is observed with notes, books, or other unauthorized test aids.
Certification Examination Tips
Here are a few points to remember:

• Only one examination question is presented at a time. You may change your answer as many times as you wish
during the examination time limit.
• If more than one answer seems correct, choose the best answer.
• Be sure to answer all questions, and bookmark the ones you want to double check later.
• Monitor your time.

Candidate Feedback
During the examination, candidates are permitted to submit online comments on any question. Comments will be
reviewed, but individual responses will not be provided.

At the conclusion of their exam, candidates will be invited to provide any additional comments.

VI. CDP Recertification: Eligibility & Application

Purpose
The purpose of recertification is to ensure that Certificants maintain a level of continuing competence through
acceptable professional development activities in subject matter related to building operations and performance
management. .

Who Can Participate

Each CDP certificant is required to renew their certification every three years, based on regulatory requirements,
changes to normative documents, and the nature and maturity of the industry in which the decarbonization
professional works. Membership in ASHRAE is not a prerequisite to recertify. 10
Deadlines
The renewal deadline is December 31 of the third year of certification. For example, a Certificant who earns a
certification anytime in 2024 will have a renewal deadline of December 31, 2027.

The certification of individuals who fail to submit renewal fees and a completed application by the December 31
deadline will expire. Individuals with expired certifications will be advised to cease using the specific certification
designation after their names. The names of non-renewing Certificants will be removed from the list of Certificants on
the ASHRAE website, and CDP digital badges will appear as “expired.”

Non-renewing Certificants, however, may recertify during the three-month grace period from January 1 through March
31 immediately following the expiration of their certification. To do so, they must submit a completed recertification
application.

Note: during the three-month grace period, professional development hours (PDHs) may not be earned and applied
toward the previous three-year certification period. After March 31, the grace period will conclude, non-renewing
Certificants will no longer be able to renew their certification and the only way to regain the certification will be to
reapply and pass the examination. Extenuating circumstances, however, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
by the Certification Committee. In the case of such applications, evidence of professional development hours
professional development hours (PDHs) earned must be submitted.

Completing and Submitting the Application

To be eligible for renewal, CDP Certificants must submit a completed application, which documents on the
application to having met eligibility requirements, together with an application fee. Up to 10 business days after
receiving a complete application, ASHRAE will notify the applicant by email either of acceptance and approval of the
application or of denial of approval and the reason thereof.

Overview of Recertification Eligibility Requirements

1. Participate in one (1) building decarbonization project (no PDHs)

2. Forty-five (45) Professional Development Hours (PDHs)
3. Code of Ethics

Detailed Recertification Eligibility Requirements

1. Participate in one (1) building decarbonization project

Participate in one (1) building decarbonization project for no PDHs.

2. Forty-five (45) Professional Development Hours (PDHs)

Professional Development is a process used by certified persons to maintain and advance their competency. To
recertify, CDPs must earn 45 professional development hours (PDHs) in subject matter related to their certification.
Acceptable PDHs may be earned in any country and language. Forty-five (45) PDHs must be earned from any
combination of the PDH activities described in Appendix B.

Notes:
• Up to 25 PDHs total may be earned from leading, supervising, or participating in building decarbonization
projects
• Lead or supervise a building decarbonization project (10 PDHs)
• Participate in a building decarbonization project (5 PDHs)
• At least 10 PDHs must be earned in continuing education courses or training

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3. Code of Ethics
Applicants must agree to uphold and abide by a Code of Ethics, the tenets of which are set forth as follows:

1. Exercise a reasonable industry standard of care in the performance of professional duties.

2. Perform professional duties with trust, integrity, and honesty.
3. Hold paramount the health and safety of the public in the performance of professional duties.
4. Work in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations; demonstrate integrity, honesty, and fairness
in all activities; and strive for excellence in all matters of ethical conduct.
5. Act with integrity in any relationship that involves an employer or client and disclose fully to an affected employer
or client any conflicts-of-interest resulting from business affiliations or personal interests.
6. Represent qualifications accurately and honestly.
7. Offer products and services only in areas where competence and expertise will satisfy the client and public need.
8. Agree to comply with and uphold all policies, procedures, guidelines, and requirements of the certification
program; use the designation as authorized and only in the approved manner; acknowledge that the certificate
and marks are the property of their respective owners; and return the certificate and discontinue use of the
designation and marks when required to do so.
9. Accept responsibility for maintaining the credential through recertification and continuously uphold the Code of
Ethics.
10. Voluntarily and immediately report any felony convictions or other legal dispositions that would constitute
violations of this Code of Ethics that have not already been disclosed, regardless of when they occurred, and
report any conditions that prohibit fulfillment of duties as set forth in the competency requirements.

Application Fees
On-time Discount (Application Received by Dec. 31)
ASHRAE Member: $245.00; Developing Economies Member: $145; Nonmember: $375.00

Grace Period (Application Received Jan. 1 - March 31)

ASHRAE Member: $375.00; Developing Economies Member: $225; Nonmember: $495.00

If an application is declined by ASHRAE, the amount of the fee, less $50 to cover administrative costs, will be
refunded to the applicant.

ASHRAE retains the right to audit at any time the recertification applications of renewed certificants. In such cases,
certificants will be requested to provide supporting documentation of PDHs earned. Acceptable documentation is
issued by a third-party, for example a certificate of workshop completion, a copy of a publication or a college transcript.
Certificates of participation or attendance must include the name of the certificant, the date earned, the number of
clock hours of participation, and a title indicating the subject matter. In the event the renewed certificant is unable
to document having earned 45 acceptable PDHs, the renewed certification will be revoked and the recertification
application fee will not be refunded.

12
Candidate Responsibilities
Each candidate for ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) recertification is responsible for the
following:

• Submit a completed, signed application form and the application fee,

• In the event of recertification, successful candidates are required to inform the Certification Committee body,
without delay, of matters that can affect their capability to continue to fulfill the certification requirements, or risk
suspension or withdrawal of the certification,
• In the event a certificant’s certification is suspended or revoked, she/he must return the certificate to ASHRAE.
The certificant also must refrain from any further promotion of themselves as an ASHRAE Certified Professional
and from future use of all references to an ASHRAE Certified status.

13
Appendix A: CDP Exam Blueprint

Decarbonization Professional
Certification Exam Blueprint
Section I: CDP Exam Weightings by Domain
Section II: CDP Exam Weightings by Subdomain
Section III: CDP Exam Tasks

Section I: CDP Exam Weightings by Domain

Number of Exam
Domain Description Weighting
Questions

1 Decarbonization Drivers 13% 13

2 Project Planning 14% 14

3 Project Development 13% 13

4 Construction and Renovation 15% 15

5 Passive Efficiency 11% 11

6 Active Efficiency 13% 13

7 Facility Management 12% 12

8 Distributed Energy Resources 9% 9

TOTAL 100% 100

Section II: CDP Exam Weightings by Subdomain

Domain 1: Decarbonization Drivers

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

1.1 Climate-Related Decarbonization Drivers 7% 7

1.2 Organization-Related Decarbonization Drivers 6% 6

TOTAL 13% 13

Domain 2: Project Planning

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

2.1 Building (Built Environment) Decarbonization Audit 4% 4

2.2 Policy and Regulation Review 3% 3

2.3 Financial Planning 4% 4

2.4 Emissions Reduction Roadmap 3% 3

TOTAL 14% 14

Domain 3: Project Development

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

3.1 Integrated Project Delivery 2% 2

3.2 Building Performance Simulation and Analysis 4% 4

3.3 Whole Building Life-Cycle Assessment 6% 6

3.4 Building Information Modeling (BIM) 1% 1

TOTAL 13% 13
Domain 4: Construction and Renovation

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

4.1 Building Material Reuse 2% 2

4.2 Low-Carbon Building Materials 4% 4

4.3 Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerants 3% 3

4.4 Construction Material Waste Reduction 2% 2

4.5 Building Commissioning 4% 4

TOTAL 15% 15

Domain 5: Passive Efficiency

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

5.1 Building Envelope 7% 7

5.2 Natural Ventilation 4% 4

TOTAL 11% 11

Domain 6: Active Efficiency

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

6.1 High Performance HVAC&R Equipment 3% 3

6.2 Beneficial Electrification 2% 2

6.3 Building Management and Control Systems 4% 4

6.4 Lighting and Plug-Load Management 2% 2

6.5 Water Conservation 2% 2

TOTAL 13% 13
Domain 7: Facility Management

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

7.1 Indoor Environment Quality Management 2% 2

7.2 Refrigerant Management 2% 2

7.3 Integrated Facility Management 3% 3

7.4 Retrocommissioning 3% 3

7.5 Ongoing Commissioning 2% 2

TOTAL 12% 12

Domain 8: Distributed Energy Resources

Number of
Subdomain Description Weighting Exam
Questions

8.1 On-Site Renewable Energy 2% 2

8.2 Energy Storage Systems 2% 2

8.3 Electric Vehicle Charging 1% 1

8.4 Demand Flexibility 2% 2

8.5 Off-Site Renewable Energy 2% 2

TOTAL 9% 9
Section III: CDP Exam Tasks

Domain 1: Decarbonization Drivers

Subdomain 1.1: Climate-Related Decarbonization Drivers

1. Describe the impact of climate change on building energy systems and operation
2. Describe climate change impacts on facility resilience
3. Identify owner’s goals for sustainability, resiliency, and carbon neutrality
4. Identify climate change risk mitigation methods

Subdomain 1.2: Organization-Related Decarbonization Drivers

1. Describe owner requirements for facility resilience
2. Identify requirements for building occupant comfort, IEQ, health, and safety
3. Identify the drivers of building asset value
4. Recognize government regulations, requirements, and building decarbonization standards
5. Identify the associated social impacts of reducing carbon

Domain 2: Project Planning

Subdomain 2.1: Building (Built Environment) Decarbonization Audit

1. Conduct technical assessments, including: energy efficiency; electrification; building operations and
maintenance; energy types
2. Analyze project opportunities for building decarbonization improvements, including return on investment
3. Use methods and tools to measure embodied and real-world operational carbon and greenhouse gas
emissions
4. Define a project’s decarbonization measures and specific strategies to be incorporated
5. Develop pathway roadmaps, including interim goals and timeline
6. Validate the building measurement and verification plan and conformance to industry standards (e.g.,
International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP))

Subdomain 2.2: Policy and Regulation Review

1. Recognize and evaluate current and planned government policies, codes, and regulations that relate to
building decarbonization for the project

Subdomain 2.3: Financial Planning

1. Evaluate utility and government financial incentives and rebates to support investment in building
decarbonization measures for the project
2. Create and present a life cycle cost analysis for financial advantages of decarbonization that does not focus
just on first cost
3. Estimate the cost of different building decarbonization measures
4. Use Measurement & Verification to identify energy conservation measures and validate sustained performance
5. Identify funding sources (considering energy tariffs, incentives, and grants) and assist in application
preparation

Subdomain 2.4: Emissions Reduction Roadmap

1. Develop plans for implementing decarbonization measures aligned with regulatory requirements, emissions
reduction targets, and owner goals
Domain 3: Project Development

Subdomain 3.1: Integrated Project Delivery

1. Identify the benefits of the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method of delivery through the use of building
information management
2. Assemble project participants, stakeholders, and communities at the beginning of a project to work together
through all phases of design, fabrication, construction, commissioning, and occupancy
3. Facilitate coordination of all stakeholders and feedback integration into design approaches
4. Ensure decarbonization strategies are clear and concise in model used by all stakeholders

Subdomain 3.2: Building Performance Simulation and Analysis

1. Model building energy consumption, costs, and related GHG emissions.
2. Utilize standard-approach calculations for estimating energy savings, considering baseline development and
calibration against benchmarks or utility bills
3. Identify energy conservation measures and construct a holistic approach to reduce operational carbon

Subdomain 3.3: Whole Building Life-Cycle Assessment

1. Describe the benefit of conducting a Whole life cycle assessment for the project.
2. Adopt a Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WLCA) that complies with a recognized and standardized
methodology so that benchmarks and targets can be established in a consistent way (i.e., EN 15978)
3. Evaluate the carbon impact of design decisions and material and systems specifications while considering its
entire life cycle (Production, Construction, Use, and End of life)
4. Utilize environmental product declaration (EPD) to enable comparisons between products fulfilling the same
function
5. Identify refrigerants used in HVAC/R equipment with low relative global warming potential, such as natural
refrigerants, hydrocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)
6. Utilize end of life opportunities to optimize circular economy approaches

Subdomain 3.4: Building Information Modeling (BIM)

1. Leverage Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools to optimize operation and maintenance and reduce
embodied and operational carbon emissions.

Domain 4: Construction and Renovation

Subdomain 4.1: Building Material Reuse
1. Retain existing building structures, construction elements and materials for new use (or adaptive reuse)
2. Identify code limits on materials reuse

Subdomain 4.2: Low-Carbon Building Materials

1. Install construction materials with a low carbon footprint in terms of greenhouse gas emissions generated
during their manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal

Subdomain 4.3: Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerants

1. Ensure refrigerants used in HVAC/R equipment with low relative global warming potential, such as natural
refrigerants, hydrocarbons, hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), and some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
2. Minimize volume and improve management of refrigerants
3. Review refrigerant management plan
 Subdomain 4.4: Construction Material Waste Reduction
1. Divert construction and demolition materials from disposal by using recycled products, practicing source
reduction, preserving existing structures, salvaging construction structures, and reusing existing materials

Subdomain 4.5: Building Commissioning

1. Work with the commissioning service provider to inform the commissioning scope and ensure decarbonization
design goals are monitored
2. Verify that owner’s project requirements (OPR) documentation incorporates decarbonization strategies
3. Participate in a commissioning review of a project design

Domain 5: Passive Efficiency

Subdomain 5.1: Building Envelope

1. Prioritize materials for a building’s thermal envelope to reduce carbon emissions by optimizing thermal loads
2. Identify methods and metrics for evaluating thermal envelope performance, including fenestration
3. Analyze the impacts of building location, orientation, shading, and geometry on passive efficiency
4. Evaluate the interaction between climate change and thermal envelope performance over the lifecycle of the
facility
5. Reduce building’s thermal bridge losses to optimize building envelope performance for lower operational
carbon
6. Evaluate infiltration and exfiltration impacts on operational carbon
7. Evaluate surface reflectivity characteristics of exterior thermal envelope components to reduce carbon
emissions by optimizing thermal loads

Subdomain 5.2: Natural Ventilation

1. Apply principles and reference standards of natural ventilation, climate psychrometrics, and indoor air quality
standards to reduce operational carbon
2. Compare baseline envelope systems against low-carbon alternative systems according to operability,
maintainability, reliability, and useful life

Domain 6: Active Efficiency

Subdomain 6.1: High Performance HVAC&R Equipment

1. Refine the owner’s project requirements (OPR)
2. Identify, analyze, and compare base and alternative systems:
i. Selection
ii. Optimization
iii. Operability
iv. Maintainability
v. Reliability
3. Prepare the basis of design (BOD) based on the OPR
4. Review and comment on the design of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R)
systems
5. Ensure applicable codes, standards, and guidelines are incorporated in the design and construction documents
6. Evaluate applicable incentive opportunities
 Subdomain 6.2: Beneficial Electrification
1. Evaluate and recommend electrification strategies for buildings
2. Recommend an advanced metering strategy for electricity consumption of the building
3. Determine available electrical system capacity to accommodate electrification
4. Evaluate the replacement of fossil-fuel systems with electric alternatives that reduce greenhouse gas
emissions
5. Explain how buildings interact with the electric grid

Subdomain 6.3: Building Management and Control Systems

1. Review and comment on the design of the building management system (BMS) and control sequences
2. Ensure that controls are compatible with the equipment and systems

Subdomain 6.4: Lighting and Plug-Load Management

1. Develop strategies to reduce energy consumption and select devices for automatic switching and dimming of
general indoor and outdoor lighting and the control of plug loads
2. Utilize energy modeling to assess the efficiency of various indoor and outdoor lighting options

Subdomain 6.5: Water Conservation

1. Recommend strategies to reduce potable water use.
2. Recommend low water usage equipment and systems
3. Recommend energy efficient systems and strategies

Domain 7: Facility Management

Subdomain 7.1: Indoor Environment Quality Management

1. Identify indoor environment quality (IEQ) requirements
2. Recommend building systems to provide a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment
3. Recommend systems and strategies to monitor and control IEQ within and around buildings

Subdomain 7.2: Refrigerant Management

1. Recommend refrigerant management plan(s) for high global warming potential refrigerants in buildings to
minimize leakages and ensure their recovery, recycling, and destruction at the end of life
2. Recommend strategies to transition to and manage low global warming potential refrigerants

Subdomain 7.3: Integrated Facility Management

1. Recommend technologies, systems, and processes to optimize the operations and maintenance of buildings
while enhancing sustainability, productivity, and tenant experiences
2. Recommend Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs) are performed systematically and the Whole Life Cycle
(WLC) assessment be updated as applicable
3. Utilize energy analytics and data management to track, benchmark and verify the performance, identify energy
savings, and reduce operational carbon
4. Recommend integration of various building systems under a centralized control platform to highlight carbon-
intensive operations and address as applicable
5. Recommend facility staff training and education on decarbonization
 Subdomain 7.4: Building Retrocommissioning
1. Explain the role of retrocommissioning in the decarbonization of building assets
2. Recommend decarbonization strategies for retrocommissioning of buildings
3. Verify that current facility requirements (CFR) documentation incorporates decarbonization strategies

Subdomain 7.5: Building Ongoing Commissioning

1. Explain the role of ongoing commissioning in the decarbonization of building assets
2. Recommend decarbonization strategies for ongoing commissioning of buildings
3. Verify that current facility requirements (CFR) documentation incorporates decarbonization strategies

Domain 8: Distributed Energy Resources

Subdomain 8.1: On-Site Renewable Energy

1. Recommend opportunities for generating renewable energy on-site (solar, wind, hydro, biofuels)
2. Integrate and coordinate adding renewable energy sources into the grid and other existing energy
infrastructure, interconnection
3. Navigate the challenges and solutions for managing variable renewable energy supply, energy storage
4. Understand current electric grid emission factors and future trends.
5. Identify current emission factors for other energy sources

Subdomain 8.2: Energy Storage Systems

1. Evaluate energy storage system technologies and their related benefits and limitations
2. Recommend the use of technologies (thermal and electric storage) for later use powering electrical

Subdomain 8.3: Electric Vehicle Charging

1. Review site energy control objectives, vehicle energy needs and site infrastructure constraints for EV
charging plan

Subdomain 8.4: Demand Flexibility

1. Evaluate the capability for demand-side building loads to manage short-term electricity consumption patterns
on based on time-of-use energy pricing or utility requests
2. Identify opportunities and measures to shed and shift a building’s electricity demand.
3. Evaluate incentive programs from electricity utility companies (e.g., rebates for every KW of demand reduced)
and ensure these have been communicated to staff and/or tenants

Subdomain 8.5: Off-Site Renewable Energy

1. Inform stakeholders of laws, policies, and regulations surrounding carbon reduction and REC purchasing
2. Evaluate and recommend the procurement of low/no carbon electricity from off-site renewable energy
projects, renewable energy certificates (RECs), power purchase agreements (PPAs) or green power utility
contracts
3. Identify current and forecasted electric grid emission factors
 Subdomain 7.4: Building Retrocommissioning
1. Explain the role of retrocommissioning in the decarbonization of building assets
2. Recommend decarbonization strategies for retrocommissioning of buildings
3. Verify that current facility requirements (CFR) documentation incorporates decarbonization strategies

Subdomain 7.5: Building Ongoing Commissioning

1. Explain the role of ongoing commissioning in the decarbonization of building assets
2. Recommend decarbonization strategies for ongoing commissioning of buildings
3. Verify that current facility requirements (CFR) documentation incorporates decarbonization strategies

Domain 8: Distributed Energy Resources

Subdomain 8.1: On-Site Renewable Energy

1. Recommend opportunities for generating renewable energy on-site (solar, wind, hydro, biofuels)
2. Integrate and coordinate adding renewable energy sources into the grid and other existing energy
infrastructure, interconnection
3. Navigate the challenges and solutions for managing variable renewable energy supply, energy storage
4. Understand current electric grid emission factors and future trends.
5. Identify current emission factors for other energy sources

Subdomain 8.2: Energy Storage Systems

1. Evaluate energy storage system technologies and their related benefits and limitations
2. Recommend the use of technologies (thermal and electric storage) for later use powering electrical

Subdomain 8.3: Electric Vehicle Charging

1. Review site energy control objectives, vehicle energy needs and site infrastructure constraints for EV
charging plan

Subdomain 8.4: Demand Flexibility

1. Evaluate the capability for demand-side building loads to manage short-term electricity consumption patterns
on based on time-of-use energy pricing or utility requests
2. Identify opportunities and measures to shed and shift a building’s electricity demand.
3. Evaluate incentive programs from electricity utility companies (e.g., rebates for every KW of demand reduced)
and ensure these have been communicated to staff and/or tenants

Subdomain 8.5: Off-Site Renewable Energy

1. Inform stakeholders of laws, policies, and regulations surrounding carbon reduction and REC purchasing
2. Evaluate and recommend the procurement of low/no carbon electricity from off-site renewable energy
projects, renewable energy certificates (RECs), power purchase agreements (PPAs) or green power utility
contracts
3. Identify current and forecasted electric grid emission factors
Appendix B
Acceptable Professional Development Activities and PDHs Earned

Activity PDHs

Completion of short courses, workshops, webinars, and seminars in a related field, 1 PDH for each hour of
including those held at Conferences documented attendance

1 PDH per hour of documented

Attendance at meetings (e.g. a Standard Committee meeting) in a related field
attendance (5 per year max)
1 PDH per hour of
Attendance at conferences (e.g. National, Annual, Regional) in a related field
documented attendance

Lead or supervise a building decarbonization project 10 PDHs per project

Participate in a building decarbonization project 5 PDHs per project

Successful completion of a course in a related field from an accredited institution of

15 PDHs per credit hour
higher learning
(semester system) OR 10 PDHs
Note: To qualify for this credit, a course must be offered regularly and must conclude with a test that sets (quarter system)
a passing grade.

Patent in a related field

10 PDHs per patent
Note: PDHs can be claimed after a patent is issued and the inventor submits details to the board. The
invention must be related to engineering.

Publication of article/paper/book in a recognized, peer reviewed journal in a related

field (max. 3 per year). 10 PDHs per published item
Note: A “news” article in a technical or professional bulletin is not considered a published paper.

Active participation in a professional or technical society in a related field

Note: The certificant must serve as an officer and/or must actively participate in a committee of the
2 PDHs per year per organization
organization. PDHs are earned at the end of each year of service.

5 PDHs per 10 acceptable

Write ASHRAE certification exam items in a related field
exam questions, annually

Retake and pass the exam for 45 PDHs, in which case no mandatory
45 PDHs
decarbonization design project will be required.

Professional awards 2 PDHs per award

Certificants are not required to submit a report of Professional Development activities as part of the recertification application; however,
a percentage of Certificants are randomly chosen for audit each year. If audited, a report of continuing professional development with
documentation must be submitted for review.

For questions about any of the information about ASHRAE certification renewal requirements, including clarification of
acceptable and reportable qualifying activities, please contact ASHRAE at certification@ASHRAE.org.