Earn Your NAHB CAPS Certification

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What is CAPS?  

The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) certification program teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential for competing in the rapidly growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.  

Why should you get your CAPS now?  

As the senior population increases, many older adults are considering their housing options, but the majority prefer to remain in their own homes. This trend presents significant opportunities for remodelers, builders, contractors, and occupational therapists. Obtaining your CAPS certification offers potential clients reassurance that as a CAPS certified contractor, you'll assist them in making choices that will allow them to stay in their homes safely and securely.  

How can CAPS help your business?  

The CAPS certification can enhance your ability to make your clients’ homes more comfortable and welcoming for everyone. Even if homeowners don’t believe they currently need features like extra lighting or grab bars, their future selves—and visiting friends and family—will benefit from these thoughtful adjustments. The aim is to help your clients live comfortably in their homes for as long as possible. With your CAPS certification, you can guide your clients in making the right choices while gaining visibility in the remodeling market niche that’s continually expanding in popularity.  

The CAPS program consists of three courses:  

1. Marketing & Communicating Aging in Place Client (CAPS I)  

2. Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II)  

3. Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS III)  

By completing these courses, participants will be able to:  

- Understand the concept, importance, and challenges of aging in place (AIP)  

- Recognize three key AIP market segments and identify related business opportunities  

- Explore access points and marketing strategies for reaching AIP clients  

- Identify legal, contractual, and real-world functional considerations for AIP projects  

- Understand how to collaborate effectively with allied professionals in the AIP space  

- Learn design principles, product selection, and modification techniques for occupied homes  

- Apply design concepts and solutions to support daily living activities in AIP homes  

- Differentiate categories of design and tailor them to AIP market segments  

- Develop and implement comprehensive AIP design plans, including installation techniques  

- Integrate budget planning and phased construction into AIP project execution  

- Identify and avoid common design and installation errors  

- Apply targeted solutions for single-room modifications and full-home, multi-generational projects  

Upon completion of all three courses, candidates can apply for their CAPS certification here.

Millions of Americans are living longer, more active lives and re-examining their assumptions about what growing older looks like. Many are choosing to remain in the home they love, leading to a significant opportunity in the aging in place (AIP) market. All ages can benefit from more usable and accessible home features, whether they are in a multi-generational setting, accommodating visitors, recovering from a temporary illness or injury, or providing caregiving support.

Most homeowners will need to revitalize their home environment to achieve these goals. Identifying this burgeoning opportunity and developing the skills to interact with the AIP market can help you grow your business dramatically. This course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively market and sell services to the aging in place market, which is crucial for meeting the caps certification requirements and for those interested in becoming CAPS certified contractors.

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Describe what aging in place is, why it is important, and what challenges accompany it.

- Describe three segments within the AIP market that present business opportunities for building professionals.

- Identify access points and marketing opportunities within targeted AIP market segments.

- Recognize common challenges of functioning in a real-world environment for the AIP population.

- Identify legal and contractual considerations for building professionals providing livable home and AIP design solutions for residential clients.

- Explain how allied professionals can collaborate effectively to serve the targeted AIP market.

View the table of contents for this class.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course will benefit builders, remodelers, and allied professionals that serve the aging in place market, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, real estate professionals, and trade contractors, as well as academics. This course education level is considered Introductory.

NAHB Designations and Continuing Education Credits

This course is essential for obtaining the NAHB Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation and fulfills caps certification requirements. It can also serve as an elective for the Master CSP and CGA designations.

This course provides six hours of continuing education credits for the following NAHB certifications: CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, and MIRM.

Additional Credit Information

NAHB is an Approved Provider with the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Education distributors wishing to offer CEUs to their students for approved courses must inform NAHB at the time the course(s) is scheduled.

As of Jan. 6, 2021, the virtual format of this course provides 0.6 continuing education credits for AOTA.

The growing desire among today’s homeowners to remain in their homes for as long as possible has led to a significant demand for aging in place (AIP) products and services. To assist homeowners in creating a safe, accessible, and comfortable living environment, various manufacturers and companies are developing innovative and functional AIP products that can be implemented in both existing and new homes. Additionally, service providers are responding to the AIP demand by focusing their businesses on innovative renovations and new constructions that offer design flexibility, appealing aesthetics, and enhanced usability for individuals of all ages, income levels, and abilities, adapting to life’s changes and challenges.

To succeed as an AIP provider, you must align your design/build expertise with the CAPS certification requirements and adapt your business processes to deliver these projects effectively. New design concepts and products should support the tailored solutions you propose for your clients. 

The Design Concepts and Methods for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II) course prepares you to strategically engage with the AIP market by addressing the unique challenges of delivering successful solutions and positive outcomes. By completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Identify special considerations for various designs, products, and techniques for modifying a home while the client is still residing there.

- Recognize specific AIP design solutions and product considerations that professionals can incorporate to enhance daily living activities for clients in their homes.

- Describe the categories of design and their relevance to the three key AIP market segments.

- Outline specific design concepts tailored for livable homes and AIP clients.

For a detailed overview, view the table of contents here.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for builders, remodelers, and allied professionals serving the aging in place market, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, real estate professionals, and trade contractors, in addition to academics.

This course is designated as Intermediate education level.

NAHB Designations and Continuing Education Credits

Meeting the CAPS certification requirements, this course is essential for obtaining the CAPS designation. It offers six hours of continuing education credits for NAHB certifications like CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, and MIRM.

Additional Credit Information

Participants will also earn 6 AIA/CES HSW Learning Units. NAHB is a Registered Provider with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credits earned upon completion of this event will be reported to CES Records for AIA members by the Provider. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available upon request. Furthermore, it offers 6 CE for AIBD and 0.6 AOTA CEUs. NAHB is an Approved Provider with the American Occupational Therapy Association; however, the assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA. Education distributors interested in offering CEUs to their students for approved courses must notify NAHB concurrently with the scheduling of the course(s). As of January 6, 2021, the virtual format of this course provides 0.6 continuing education credits for AOTA.

Awareness of the aging in place (AIP) concept in the home building industry has significantly increased, leading to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified Aging-in-Place (CAPS) certification requirements becoming the preferred, if not the expected, standard for professionals working with the AIP population.

The CAPS programs serve to educate building industry professionals about the market’s growth potential, equipping them with knowledge and techniques for expanding their business through effective marketing, communication, and the design and implementation of AIP solutions.

Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS III) offers in-depth discussions surrounding the application and integration of design solutions in a home. It represents the final step toward developing a comprehensive knowledge base and honing the skills necessary to stay ahead in this expanding market.

Further training can be found in Marketing and Communicating with the Aging in Place Client (CAPS I) and Design Concepts and Methods for Livable Homes and Aging in Place (CAPS II).

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

- Create comprehensive designs for aging in place projects

- Practice design and installation for key components of AIP home design

- Implement budget integration techniques into design and product selection

- Identify common missteps in the design and installation of AIP solutions

- Review and apply modifications for common single-room spaces

- Prioritize solutions in a whole house multi-generational case study while adhering to budget constraints and considering phased construction application.

For more details, please contact Paul Tingler at ptingler@nahb.org.

Explore current offerings for this course and view the table of contents here.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is designed for builders, remodelers, and allied professionals serving the AIP market, including CAPS certified contractors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, real estate professionals, and trade contractors, as well as academics. The education level for this course is considered Intermediate.

NAHB Designations and Continuing Education Credits

This course is required to earn the CAPS certification. Business Management for Building Professionals will be accepted as a necessary course if completed prior to Jan. 1, 2018. For further details, visit How to Earn Your CAPS.

Participants will receive six hours of continuing education credits applicable to NAHB designations such as CGA, CGB, CGR, GMB, GMR, CSP, Master CSP, CMP, and MIRM.

Additional Credit Information

NAHB is an Approved Provider with the American Occupational Therapy Association. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not suggest endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by the AOTA. Education distributors wishing to offer CEUs for approved courses must inform NAHB concurrently with the course(s) schedule.

Since Jan. 6, 2021, the virtual format of this course awards 0.6 continuing education credits for AOTA.

6 AIA/CES LU: NAHB is a Registered Provider with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Systems. Credits earned by completing this course will be reported to CES Records for AIA members by NAHB, and certificates of completion for non-AIA members are available upon request.