Building Envelope
The CICC offers five distinct Building Envelope certifications that fall within three different levels. Level 1 is technician, it consists of the Certified Building Envelope Technician (CBET). Level 2 is specialist, it consists of the Certified Building Envelope Specialist for Air and Moisture Barrier (CBES –AMB); Certified Building Envelope Specialist for Thermal Barrier (CBES–TB); and Certified Building Envelope Specialist for Spray Foam Barrier (CBES–SFB). Level 3 is the most advanced level, consisting of the Certified Master Building Envelope Specialist (CMBES).
- Certified Building Envelope Technician (CBET) [NCCA Accredited Program]
- Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Air & Moisture Barrier (CBES-AMB) [NCCA Accredited Program]
- Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Thermal Barrier (CBES-TB) [NCCA Accredited Program]
- Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Spray Foam Barrier (CBES-SFB) [NCCA Accredited Program]
- Certified Master Building Envelope Specialist (CMBES)
Click here to view the Building Envelope Candidate Information Brochure.
Click here to view the Building Envelope Exam Summary Report.
What is the format of the CBET (Technician) written examination?
Candidates are allotted three (3) hours to complete the CBET (Technician) written examination. The content of the examination follows the plan (detailed below), which was derived from an in-depth practice analysis validation effort that was completed in 2013.
The written examination has a total of 120 questions, which includes 20 experimental items throughout. These experimental items do not count for or against a candidate’s exam score and are included to collect information on questions that may be incorporated into future test forms.
| Certified Building Envelope Technician (CBET) | |
|---|---|
| Dimension & Sub-Dimension | Number of Items on Exam |
| Building Science | |
| Building Envelope Components & Ventilation | 20 |
| Codes | 10 |
| Energy | 10 |
| Air | |
| Air Barrier System Materials | 10 |
| Air Barrier System | 10 |
| Moisture | |
| Moisture Management | 10 |
| Door & Window Installation | 10 |
| Thermal | |
| Thermal Barrier | 10 |
| Water Vapor Management | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
How can I request a copy of the CBET Practice Analysis Report?
Contact the CICC at CICC@carpenters.org
What is the format of the CBES (Air & Moisture Barrier) written examination?
Candidates are allotted two and a half (2.5) hours to complete the written examination for Certified Building Envelope Specialist — Air & Moisture Barrier. The content of the examination follows the plan (detailed below), which was derived from an in-depth practice analysis validation effort that was completed in 2013.
The written examination has a total of 84 questions, which includes 14 experimental items throughout. These experimental items do not count for or against a candidate’s exam score and are included to collect information on questions that may be incorporated into future test forms.
| Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Air & Moisture Barrier (CBES–AMB) | |
|---|---|
| Dimension & Sub-Dimension | Number of Items on Exam |
| Air Management | |
| Air Barrier System | 10 |
| Testing | 7 |
| Ventilation | 7 |
| Water & Moisture Management | |
| Water Moverment/Transportation | 7 |
| Moisture Barrier | 11 |
| Testing | 7 |
| Penetrations, Terminations, & Transitions | |
| Fenestrations & Flashings | 7 |
| Sealants | 14 |
| TOTAL | 70 |
How can I request a copy of the CBES Air and Moisture Barrier Practice Analysis Report?
Contact the CICC at CICC@carpenters.org
What is the format of the CBES (Thermal Barrier) written examination?
Candidates are allotted two (2) hours to complete the written examination for Certified Building Envelope Specialist — Thermal Barrier. The content of the examination follows the plan (detailed below), which was derived from an in-depth practice analysis validation effort that was completed in 2013.
The written examination has a total of 60 questions, which includes 10 experimental items throughout. These experimental items do not count for or against a candidate’s exam score and are included to collect information on questions that may be incorporated into future test forms.
| Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Thermal Barrier (CBES-TB) | |
|---|---|
| Dimension & Sub-Dimension | Number of Items on Exam |
| Thermal Principals and Insulation | |
| Thermal Envelope & Heat Transfer | 7 |
| Insulation Types & Materials | 7 |
| Insulation Applications, Methods, & Special Considerations | 13 |
| Thermal Defects, Fenestrations, Testing & Measurements | |
| Fenestrations | 7 |
| Thermal Defect Types & Locations | 8 |
| Testing & Measurement Verification | 8 |
| TOTAL | 50 |
How can I request a copy of the CBES Thermal Barrier Practice Analysis Report?
Contact the CICC at CICC@carpenters.org
What is the format of the CBES (Spray Foam Barrier) written examination?
Candidates are allotted three (3) hours to complete the written examination for Certified Building Envelope Specialist — Spray Foam Barrier. The content of the examination follows the plan (detailed below), which was derived from an in-depth practice analysis validation effort that was completed in 2013.
The written examination has a total of 96 questions, which includes 16 experimental items throughout. These experimental items do not count for or against a candidate’s exam score and are included to collect information on questions that may be incorporated into future test forms.
| Certified Building Envelope Specialist - Spray Foam Barrier (CBES-SFB) | |
|---|---|
| Dimension & Sub-Dimension | Number of Items on Exam |
| Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) | |
| Building Science | 8 |
| Advantage & Disadvantages | 8 |
| Health & Safety | |
| Potential Hazards | 16 |
| Personal Protective Equipment | 8 |
| Applications/Installation | |
| Inspection | 8 |
| Set-up & Installation | 24 |
| Testing & Remediation | 8 |
| TOTAL | 80 |
How can I request a copy of the CBES Spray Foam Barrier Practice Analysis Report?
Contact the CICC at CICC@carpenters.org
What is the format of the CMBES (Master) written examination?
Candidates are allotted three (3) hours to complete the written examination for Certified Master Building Envelope Specialist. The content of the examination follows the plan (detailed below), which was derived from an in-depth practice analysis validation effort that was completed in 2013.
The written examination has a total of 120 questions, which includes 20 experimental items throughout. These experimental items do not count for or against a candidate’s exam score and are included to collect information on questions that may be incorporated into future test forms.
| Certified Master Building Envelope Specialist (CBES) | |
|---|---|
| Dimension & Sub-Dimension | Number of Items on Exam |
| Quality Control | |
| Quality Control | 30 |
| Envelope Testing Corrections | |
| Air & Moisture | 10 |
| Thermal Installation | 10 |
| Spray Foam | 5 |
| Building Science | |
| Building Science | 20 |
| Installation | |
| Air & Moisture | 10 |
| Thermal | 5 |
| Spray Foam | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
How can I request a copy of the CMBES Practice Analysis Report?
Contact the CICC at CICC@carpenters.org
What does it take to pass the BE written examinations?
The pass point for all BE written tests is 500, based on a scaled scoring system. To allow for consistency and ease of interpretation, candidates’ scores are changed from their raw score (i.e., number correct) to a scaled score. Specifically, the raw scores are changed to a scale that ranges from 200 to 800, where 500 is the pass point. Therefore, regardless of how the test difficulty changes over time, the way the scores are interpreted will always remain the same. That is, a score from 500 to 800 will always indicate a passing score and a score from 200 to 499 will always indicate a failing score.
Is there a practical test?
No, there is no practical test for the BE certifications.
How can I prepare for the BE written examinations?
The following resources may be helpful in preparing for any of the building envelope examinations:
- UBC Building Envelope Curriculum Textbooks
- Construction and Waterproofing Handbook
- Moisture Control Handbook
- Insulation Handbook
- International Building Code – International Code Council (IBC – ICC)
- International Residential Code – International Code Council (IRC – ICC)
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
In addition to the resources listed above, the references below may also assist candidates in preparing for the Certified Building Envelope Technician (CBET) examination specifically. This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the test administration site.
- NW Stucco Guide
- Tyvek Installation Manual
In addition to the resources initially listed above, the references below may also assist candidates in preparing for the Certified Building Envelope Specialist (CBES) – Air and Moisture Barrier examination. This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the test administration site.
- NW Stucco Guide
- Residential Energy Handbook
In addition to the resources initially listed above, the references below may also assist candidates in preparing for the Certified Building Envelope Specialist (CBES) – Thermal Barrier examination. This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the test administration site.
- Residential Energy Handbook
- Math for Trades
In addition to the resources listed above, the references below may also assist candidates in preparing for the Certified Building Envelope Specialist (CBES) – Spray Foam Barrier examination. This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the test administration site.
- Residential Energy Handbook
- Spray Foam Association
- Spray Foam Alliance
In addition to the resources initially listed above, the references below may also assist candidates in preparing for the Certified Master Building Envelope Specialist (CMBES) examination. This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the test administration site.
- CSI Master Specifications
- LEED Score Card