Instructions

for Participating in
ASHRAEs

Healthcare Facility
Design Professional (HFDP)
Certification
Program

Candidate Guidebook

Effective date: 5/27/2014

 Associates degree or Technical degree or certificate in design, construction, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
and a minimum of seven (7) years experience in HVAC&R design, including a minimum of three (3) years experience in healthcare HVAC&R
design
High School diploma or equivalent and a minimum of ten (10) years
experience in HVAC&R design, including a minimum of seven (7)
years experience in healthcare HVAC&R design

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. In support of this mission, ASHRAE
offers many products and services, including the Healthcare Facility
Design Professional (HFDP) certification program, which is designed
to meet educational needs of the HVAC&R industry.

Testing Requirements

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.

Candidates who have completed and submitted the HFDP application and who have received approval thereof from ASHRAE can enroll
for the Healthcare Facility Design Professional examination. To earn
the Healthcare Facility Design Professional certification, the candidate must successfully pass the examination in full; no partial credit
for this examination will be given.

About the Guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide information about ASHRAEs

HFDP 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 guide 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.

Completing and Submitting

the Application

To participate in ASHRAEs Healthcare Facility Design Professional program,

a candidate must complete and submit an application. Within a reasonable time after receiving a candidates application, ASHRAE will notify the
candidate either of ASHRAEs acceptance and approval of the application
or of ASHRAEs denial of approval and the reasons therefore.

Purpose of the HFDP Certification

The purpose of the HFDP certification is to increase understanding and

knowledge of HVAC&R design in healthcare facilities. To this end, the
examination for this certification is designed to assess an individuals
understanding of the principles and best practices involved in HVAC&R
design as they apply to healthcare facilities. Candidates who earn the
HFDP certification will have demonstrated a well-rounded understanding and knowledge of medical terminology and facility operations
as they affect HVAC&R design in healthcare facilities. Individuals who
earn the HFDP certification will have demonstrated a well-rounded
understanding and knowledge of medical terminology and facility
operations as they affect HVAC&R design in healthcare facilities.

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.

About the Examination

The examination for the HFDP program is a proctored, closed book/

closed notes, 2-hour, 115-item multiple-choice test. A candidates score
is based on 100 of the items; the other 15 items, which are interspersed
throughout the examination, are included for trial or pre-test purposes.
A detailed content outline for the HFDP examination is provided on
page 7. This outline identifies the following aspects of the examination:

Disclaimer of Warranty

ASHRAE does not warrant that this program or its examination certifies
a candidates technical competence or technical ability to design
any part of the HVAC&R system for a healthcare facility. Furthermore,
nothing about this program or its examination is intended to replace,
override, or conflict with licensing requirements for design engineers,
architects, or other building professionals.

The four major content areas, as well as tasks within each area, that
the examination covers
The number of examination items devoted to each major content
area
The number of items at each cognitive level that a candidate is likely
to use in responding to items in each major content area

Who Can Participate

Participation in ASHRAEs HFDP program requires that a candidate

meet eligibility requirements and successfully complete the programs examination. Membership in ASHRAE is not a prerequisite to
participate in the program.

The three cognitive levels tested on the HFDP examination are:

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 sometimes from a
variety of sources, determine solutions, and/or evaluate the usefulness of a solution

Eligibility Requirements

Any individual who meets one of the following sets of academic and
work experience requirements will be eligible to take the examination for the HFDP certification.

Scheduling an Examination

Government-issued or government-recognized license as a professional engineer and a minimum of two (2) years experience in
healthcare HVAC&R design
Minimum of Bachelors degree in engineering or a related field from
an accredited institution of higher learning and a minimum of five
(5) years experience in HVAC&R design, including a minimum of
two (2) years experience in healthcare HVAC&R design

After receiving notification that your application has been approved,

you may schedule an examination appointment by one of the following methods. Be prepared to confirm a date, time, and location for
testing and to provide your ASHRAE identification number.
1. Schedule Online: The candidate may schedule an examination appointment online at any time by using the Online Scheduling service

1. Wheelchair access is available at all established Assessment

Centers. Candidates must advise AMP at the time of scheduling that
wheelchair access is necessary.

at www.goAMP.com. To use this service, follow these easy steps:

Go to www.goAMP.com and select Candidates.
Follow the simple, step-by-step instructions to choose your examination program and schedule the examination.

2. Candidates with visual, sensory, or physical disabilities that would

prevent them from taking the examination under standard conditions may request special accommodations and arrangements.

2. Telephone Scheduling: Call AMP at 888-519-9901 to schedule an

examination appointment. This toll-free number is answered from
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Thursday, 7:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Verification of the disability and a statement of the specific type of assistance needed must be made in writing to AMP at least 45 calendar
days prior to the desired examination date. Please inform AMP of the
need for special accommodations when scheduling the examination.

If special accommodations are being requested, please submit a

Request for Special Examination Accommodations form prior to contacting AMP at 888-519-9901 to schedule your examination.

Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf

AMP is equipped with Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf (TDD)

to assist deaf and hearing-impaired candidates. TDD calling is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday at
913/895-4637. This TDD phone option is for individuals who have
compatible TDD machinery.

The examinations are administered by appointment only Monday

through Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Individuals are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to the chart below for
scheduling information.
If you contact AMP by 3:00 p.m.
Central Time on

Depending on availability, your

examination may be scheduled
as early as

Monday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Friday/Saturday

Thursday

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

Examination Appointment Changes/Failure to Report

or to Schedule an Examination
1. A candidate may reschedule an appointment for an examination
by calling AMP at 888-519-9901 at least two business days prior to
the scheduled testing session. (see table below.)

When the appointment is made, the applicant will be given a time

to report to the Assessment Center. Please make a note of this time
because an admission letter will not be sent. The candidate 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 Assessment Center. UNSCHEDULED CANDIDATES (WALK-INS) WILL NOT
BE ADMITTED to the Assessment Center.

AMP must be contacted by 3:00

p.m. Central Time to reschedule
the examination by the previous . . .

Monday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Thursday

Wednesday

Friday

Thursday

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

The first reschedule or deadline extension with a two-day notice will

be free; any additional reschedules or extensions will be at full price.
Similarly, a candidate can extend the 90-day deadline for registering
for and taking an exam by emailing certification@ashrae.org at least
two business days prior to the 90-day deadline. ASHRAE will provide
an extension of up to 45 days.

Assessment Center Locations

Examinations are administered by computer at over 150 AMP Assessment Centers geographically distributed throughout the United
States. Assessment Centers are typically located in H&R Block offices.
Assessment Center locations, detailed maps and directions are available on AMPs website, www.goAMP.com. Specific address information will be provided when a candidate schedules an examination
appointment.

2. A candidate who wishes to reschedule his/her examination appointment, but fails to contact AMP at least two business days prior
to the scheduled testing session will forfeit the examination fee and
must reschedule the examination.

Holidays

The examinations are not offered on the following holidays:

New Years Day
Columbus Day
Martin Luther King Day
Veterans Day
Presidents Day
Thanksgiving Day (and the folGood Friday
lowing Friday)
Memorial Day
Christmas Eve Day
Independence Day (July 4)
Christmas Day
New Years Eve Day
Labor Day

Inclement Weather, Power Failure or Emergency

In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies on the

day of an examination, AMP will determine whether circumstances
warrant the cancellation, and subsequent rescheduling, of an examination. The examination usually will not be rescheduled if the Assessment Center personnel are able to open the Assessment Center. If
power to an Assessment Center is temporarily interrupted during an
administration, your examination will restart where you left off and
you may continue the examination.

Special Arrangements for Candidates with Disabilities

AMP 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.
AMP will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with
disabilities. Candidates requesting special accommodations must call
AMP at 888-519-9901 to schedule their examination.

If the examination is scheduled

on . . .

Candidates may contact AMPs Weather Hotline at 800-380-5416 (24

hours/day) prior to the examination to determine if AMP has been
advised that any Assessment Centers are closed. Every attempt is made
to administer the examination as scheduled; however, should an examination be canceled at an Assessment Center, all scheduled candidates

 Eating, drinking, or smoking will not be permitted in the Assessment Center.

You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost during breaks.

will receive notification following the examination regarding rescheduling or reapplication procedures.

On the Day of Your Examination

On the day of your examination appointment, report to the Assessment Center no later than your scheduled testing time. After you
enter the office, look for the signs indicating AMP Assessment Center
check-in. A CANDIDATE WHO ARRIVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES
AFTER THE SCHEDULED TESTING TIME WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
To gain admission to the Assessment Center, a candidate needs
to present two forms of identification, one with a current photograph. Both forms of identification must be current and include the
candidates current name and signature. The candidate will also be
required to sign a roster for verification of identity.

Misconduct

Individuals who engage in any of the following types of conduct,

either in the examination room or during a break, may be dismissed
from the examination, their scores will not be reported, and their
examination fees will not be refunded. Examples of misconduct are
when a candidate:
creates a disturbance, is abusive, or is otherwise uncooperative;
displays and/or uses electronic communications equipment such as
pagers, cellular phones, or PDAs;
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 aids.

Acceptable forms of identification include a current:

1. Drivers license with photograph
2. State identification card with photograph
3. Passport
4. Military identification card with photograph
5. Social security card (secondary form)

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.

Employment ID cards, student ID cards, and any type of temporary

identification are NOT acceptable as primary identification. Candidates are prohibited from misrepresenting their identities or falsifying information to obtain admission to the Assessment Center.

Practice Examination

Security

Upon signing in, after your identification has been confirmed, you
will be directed to a testing carrel. You will be instructed on-screen
to enter your identification number. You will take your photograph
which will remain on screen throughout your examination session.
This photograph will also print on your score report.

ASHRAE and AMP maintain examination administration and security standards that are designed to assure that all candidates are
provided the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. The
Assessment Center is continuously monitored by audio and video
surveillance equipment for security purposes.

Prior to attempting the examination, you will be given the opportunity to practice taking an examination on the computer. The time
you use for this practice examination is NOT counted as part of your
examination time or score. When you are comfortable with the computer testing process, you may quit the practice session and begin
the timed examination.

The following security procedures apply during the examination:

Examinations are proprietary.
No cameras, notes, tape recorders, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), pagers, or cellular phones are
allowed in the testing room.
You are encouraged to bring a non-programmable scientific calculator for the HFDP examination. Only silent, non-programmable
calculators are permitted, but 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 Assessment Center. Only keys and wallets may be taken into the testing
room and AMP is not responsible for items left in the reception
area.

Timed Examination

Following the practice examination, you will begin the timed examination. Before beginning, instructions for taking the examination are
provided on-screen. The computer monitors the time you spend on
the examination. The examination will terminate if you exceed the
time allowed. You may click on the Time box in the lower right-hand
corner of the screen or select the Time key to monitor your time.
A digital clock indicates the time remaining for you to complete the
examination. The time feature may be turned off during the examination. Only one examination question is presented at a time. The question number appears in the lower right hand corner of the screen.
Choices of answers to the examination question are identified as A,
B, C, or D. You must indicate your choice by either typing in the letter
in the response box in the lower left hand of the computer screen or
clicking in the option using the mouse. To change your answer, enter
a different option by pressing the A, B, C, or D key or by clicking on
the option using the mouse. You may change your answer
as many times as you wish during the examination time limit.

Examination Restrictions

No personal belongings will be allowed in the Assessment Center.

Pencils will be provided during check-in. Use of a cellular phone
or other electronic device is strictly prohibited and will result in
dismissal from the examination.
You will be provided with scratch paper to use during the examination. You must sign and return the scratch paper to the supervisor
at the completion of testing, or you will not receive a score report.
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.
No questions concerning the content of the examination may be
asked during the examination.

To move to the next question, click on the forward arrow (>) in the
lower right portion of the screen or select the NEXT key. This action
will move you forward through the examination question by question. If you wish to review any question or questions, click the back-

ward arrow (<) or use the left arrow key to move backward through
the examination.

$25 per copy. Requests must be submitted to ASHRAE, in writing. The

request must include the candidates name, identification number, mailing address, telephone number, date of examination and examination
taken. Submit this information with the required fee payable to ASHRAE
in the form of a check, money order or cashiers check. Duplicate score
reports will be mailed within approximately two weeks after receipt of
the request and fee.

An examination question may be left unanswered for return later in

the examination session. Questions may also be bookmarked for later
review by clicking in the blank square to the right of the Time button.
Click on the hand icon or select the NEXT key to advance to the next
unanswered or bookmarked question on the examination. To identify
all unanswered and bookmarked questions, repeatedly click on the
hand icon or press the NEXT key. When the examination is completed, the number of exam-ination questions answered is reported.
If all questions have not been answered and there is time remaining,
return to the examination and answer those questions.
Be sure to provide an answer for each examination question before
ending the examination. There is no penalty for guessing.

Candidate Responsibilities

Each candidate for ASHRAEs Healthcare Facility Design Professional

certification is responsible for the following:
Submit a completed, signed application form and the application
fee.
Schedule an examination appointment.
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.

Candidate Comments

During the examination, online comments may be provided for any

question by clicking on the button displaying an exclamation point
(!) to the left of the Time button. This opens a dialogue box where
comments may be entered. Comments will be reviewed, but individual responses will not be provided.

Available Resources to Help Candidates

Prepare for the HFDP Examination

Neither participating in a preparatory activity nor purchasing a

publication is a requirement for participating
in the HFDP program or for enrolling to take the HFDP
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.

Following the Examination

After completing the examination, candidates are asked to complete a short evaluation of their examination experience. Scores are
reported as either Pass or Did Not Pass. U.S. examinees receive a
Score Report immediately following the examination from the proctor. Non-U.S. examinees will receive a Score Report delivered by U.S.
mail. Scores are not reported over the telephone, by electronic mail,
or by facsimile.

Resources available to help prepare for the HFDP exam-ination

include, but are not limited to, the following:

Scores Cancelled by ASHRAE or AMP

ASHRAE and AMP are responsible for the validity and integrity of
the scores they report. On occasion, occurrences, such as computer
malfunction or misconduct by a candidate, may cause a score to
be suspect. ASHRAE and AMP reserve the right to void or withhold
examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is
discovered.

Key Resources
Standards

ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air

Quality
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except
Low-Rise Residential Buildings (SI)

Exam Retakes

Examinees who do not pass their exam may retake their exam after a
three-month wait period. The cost of the first retake of an ASHRAE
certification examination is $125 for ASHRAE members and $175 for
non-members. Any additional retakes of that programs examination
will cost the full price of $295 for ASHRAE members and $415 for
non-members.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except

Low-Rise Residential Buildings (I-P)
ASHRAE Design Guide
ASHRAEs HVAC Design Manual for Hospitals and Clinics

Papers and Articles

ASHRAE Transactions. Comparison of Operating Room Ventilation
Systems in the Protection of the Surgical Site.

Confidentiality

Information about candidates for testing and their examination results are considered confidential. Studies and reports concerning
candidates will contain no information identifiable with any candidate,
unless authorized by the candidate.

Vol. 108, pt. 2, 2002, p. 3-15. Paper no. 4549

ASHRAE Transactions. Methodology for Minimizing Risk from
Airborne Organisms in Hospital Isolation Rooms.
Vol. 106, pt. 2, 2000, p. 731-747. Paper no. MN-00-11-2

By participating in the HFDP program, each

person who earns and maintains this certification agrees to be listed
on ASHRAEs public website. Only those individuals who are active
HFDP certificants will be listed on the site.

ASHRAE Transactions. Thermal Comfort, Uniformity, and Ventilation

Effectiveness in Patient Rooms: Performance Assessment Using
Ventilation Indices.
Vol. 106, pt. 2, 2000, p. 748-761. Paper no. MN-00-11-3

Duplicate Score Report

HFDP Practice Exam

Candidates may purchase additional copies of their results at a cost of

Related Resources

ASHRAE Learning Institute Courses

Healthcare Facilities-Best Practice HVAC Design Considerations and
Criteria course
Healthcare Facilities-Best Practice Applications of HVAC Systems
course
Healthcare Facilities: Best Practicess for Design & Application
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.

Renewal/Recertification Requirements

The HFDP certification is renewable every three years.

To retain certification, each certificant must earn 45 PDHs during the
three year period following initial certification or the last renewal.
More information about acceptable renewal activities and the continuing education hours applicable to them is provided on page 11.

Effective Date: 6-28-2007

Analysis

Totals

I. Medical Background Information

Application

Healthcare Facilities Design Professional

Detailed Content Outline

Recall

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and

Air-Conditioning Engineers

Items
Cognitive Level

10

A. Terminology
1. Recognize relevant medical terms (e.g., immune
compromise)
2. Demonstrate understanding of various healthcare
occupancy types
B. Equipment
1. Describe relationship of medical equipment to HVAC design
2. Identify basic medical equipment
C. Departments and Medical Procedures
1. Apply understanding of medical procedures to room designs
2. Apply HVAC design to medical functional areas
D. Airborne vs. Contact Infection and Contamination
1. Distinguish between airborne and contact transmission of
pathogens
2. Demonstrate understanding of transmission, infection, and
diseases
E. Common Disease Organisms
1. Describe the physical characteristics of disease organisms
2. Describe conditions of growth of disease organisms
F. Contamination of Domestic Water Supply
1. Evaluate conditions under which pathogens grow
2. Describe known amplification sites for pathogens
3. Identify control methods for limiting pathogen growth
II. Standards and Guidelines for HVAC System Design for
Healthcare Facilities
A. Standards and Guidelines
1. Recognize common standards from ASHRAE and NFPA
2. Recognize common guidelines from CDC and AIA
3. Recognize requirements of the Joint Commission
B. Regulatory Codes
1. Recognize requirements of model building codes
2. Recognize requirements of CMS
3. Demonstrate understanding of energy code requirements
4. Recognize state and local requirements

Copyright 2007. ASHRAE. All rights reserved.

-1-

Effective Date: 6-28-2007

Analysis

Totals

III. HVAC System Design for Healthcare Facilities

Application

Healthcare Facilities Design Professional

Detailed Content Outline

Recall

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and

Air-Conditioning Engineers

Items
Cognitive Level

15

22

45

11

22

37

A. Static Pressure Control

1. Identify types of rooms that require static pressure control
2. Apply methods to accomplish static pressure control
3. Describe methods for measurement, notification, and
documentation of static pressure control
B. Energy Efficiency
1. Determine inefficiencies in healthcare system design
2. Apply aspects of energy efficiency specific to healthcare
3. Describe exemptions from the energy standard
4. Demonstrate knowledge of limitations of energy saving
strategies
5. Demonstrate understanding of variable volume system
application
6. Demonstrate knowledge of energy use and management
7. Calculate cost/benefits of energy efficient systems
8. Articulate energy recovery technologies
9. Integrate sustainability into HVAC design
C. Room Air Distribution
1. Design systems with proper air flows and pressurizations
2. Calculate air flow rates to comply with room air change
rates
3. Demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of diffuser
placement
4. Diagnose improper room air distribution and pressurization
5. Describe psychrometric sensor placement
D. Equipment and Application
1. Demonstrate knowledge of air handling systems design
2. Identify security concerns related to HVAC
3. Locate equipment
4. Demonstrate knowledge of psychrometric principles
IV. Unique Requirements for Healthcare Facilities
A. Central Plants - Describe need for redundancy to current
standards
B. Medical Equipment
1. Demonstrate understanding of contribution to loads
2. Demonstrate understanding of special HVAC requirements
Copyright 2007. ASHRAE. All rights reserved.
-2-

Effective Date: 6-28-2007

E.

F.

G.

Copyright 2007. ASHRAE. All rights reserved.

-3-

Totals

D.

Analysis

C.

3. Describe major diagnostic and treatment equipment

4. Describe application of sterilizers
Fire and Life Safety (Including Smoke Control)
1. Describe smoke management requirements for healthcare
facilities (e.g., OR and patient room)
2. Demonstrate understanding of ventilation system
requirements for medical gas storage areas
3. Demonstrate understanding of healthcare facility
compartmentalization
Operations and Maintenance
1. Maintain equipment accessibility
2. Maintain functionality during maintenance
3. Demonstrate understanding of healthcare facility
operations
4. Describe consequences of continuity of service
5. Prescribe procedures for abnormal operation conditions
Infection Control
1. Describe the primary elements of an ICRA process
2. Describe the role of the HVAC designer in the ICRA
process
3. Demonstrate understanding of how the ICRA affects
mechanical specifications
4. Demonstrate understanding of the various ICRA
engineering controls used during construction
5. Demonstrate understanding of contamination control
6. Describe strategies for epidemiology related to HVAC
Disaster Mitigation, Management and Recovery
1. Demonstrate understanding of design contigencies
following utility system failure
2. Evaluate needs following catastrophic events
3. Demonstrate understanding of current literature
4. Demonstrate understanding of hazard vulnerabilty analysis
Controls and Instrumentation
1. Demonstrate understanding of HVAC system monitoring
strategies
2. Demonstrate understanding of room pressure controls
3. Monitor mechanical, electrical, and fire shut down controls
4. Monitor temperature and humidity controls

Recall

Healthcare Facilities Design Professional

Detailed Content Outline

Application

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and

Air-Conditioning Engineers

Items
Cognitive Level

Effective Date: 6-28-2007

Items
Cognitive Level
Application

Analysis

Totals

Healthcare Facilities Design Professional

Detailed Content Outline

Recall

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and

Air-Conditioning Engineers

37

50

13

100

H. Testing, Balancing, and Commissioning

1. Demonstrate understanding of existing conditions prior to
renovation
2. Recognize performance metrics of commissioning
3. Describe test procedures for commissioning various areas
requiring unique pressure relationships
4. Demonstrate understanding of various control sequences
5. Prepare reports per guidelines and standards
TOTALS

Copyright 2007. ASHRAE. All rights reserved.

-4-

10

Renewal Requirements for ASHRAE Certification Programs

Each Certificant is required to renew his/her certification every three years. The purpose of renewal is to ensure that Certificants maintain a
level of continuing competence through acceptable professional development activities. To be eligible for renewal, Certificants must submit a
completed application, which attests to having earned 45 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in subject matter related to the certification
earned, together with an application fee ($125 for members, $195 for nonmembers). Please note that the below ASHRAE definitions of acceptable PDHs are applicable across all countries in which Certificants live. In other words, acceptable PDHs may be earned by the Certificant in his/
her respective country and language.
The renewal deadline is December 31 of the third year of certification. For example, a Certificant who earns a certification anytime in 2015 will
have a renewal deadline of December 31, 2018.
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 nonrenewing
Certificants as well will be removed from the list of Certificants on ASHRAEs website.
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 3-month grace
period, PDHs may not be earned and applied toward the previous 3-year certification period. After March 31, the grace period will conclude,
nonrenewing 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.

11

Acceptable Methods of Obtaining ACE credits

Type

Credits

Completion of short courses, workshops and seminars in a related field

1 PDH for each hour of documented attendance

Attendance at meetings and conferences (e.g. National, Annual, Regional) or special conferences in a related
field

1 PDH for each hour of documented attendance

Successful completion of a course in a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning
Note: To qualify for this credit, a course must be offered regularly and must conclude with a test that sets a
passing grade.

15 PDHs per credit hour (semester system) OR

10 PDHs (quarter system)

Patent in a related field

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.

10 PDHs per patent

Publication of article/paper/book in a recognized, peer reviewed journal in a related field (max. 3 per year).
Note: A news article in a technical or professional bulletin is not considered a published paper.

10 PDHs per published item

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 organization. PDHs are earned at the end of each year of service.

2 PDHs per year per organization

Write ASHRAE certification exam items in a related field

5 PDHs per 10 acceptable

exam questions, annually

Accreditation Visit Evaluator

3 PDHs, annually

Professional awards

2 PDHs per award

Teach courses and workshops in a related field

Note: PDHs may be earned for teaching a course or seminar for the first time only. It does not apply to faculty
performing regular duties.

PDHs are determined by

multiplying by two (2) the total
number of course hours (to
take into account preparation
time).

*Certificants are not required to submit a report of Professional Development activities as part of certification renewal. A percentage of Certificants are randomly
chosen for audit each year. If audited, a report of continuing professional development with documentation must be submitted to the Certification Coordinator for
review.

Activities that qualify for ASHRAEs Continuing Education units might also qualify for continuing education credits
(e.g., PDHs, CEUs, or LUs) from other credentialing bodies or organizations. The individual is responsible for contacting the relevant
governing body to determine whether an activity qualifies for that bodys continuing education credit.
For questions about any of the information about ASHRAEs certification renewal requirements, including clarification of acceptable and reportable qualifying activities, please contact ASHRAEs Communications Coordinator-Certification at certification@
ASHRAE.org.

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