CHD – Certified HVAC Designer

Why HVAC Designers Pursue the ASHRAE CHD

• Elevate your reputation and career opportunities >> See survey data
• Demonstrate competency in critical HVAC design knowledge and skills >> See who’s a CHD
• The CHD digital badge guarantees enhanced recognition
• ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited personnel certification program, under ISO/IEC 17024 (ID #1139), ensuring fairness and validity

     

Why Employers Support the ASHRAE CHD

• Recruit the most-qualified professionals
• Elevated reputation and credibility among current and potential customers
• Provides clear, value-added professional development goal
• Greater employee job satisfaction and higher retention

Eligibility Checklist

• Education and Work Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field and two (2) years of HVAC Design work experience, OR
  • Associate’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM), or Technical degree or certificate in design, construction engineering, or a related field and three (3) years of HVAC Design work experience, OR
  • High School diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of HVAC Design work experience
• Code of Ethics
• Pass CHD Certification Exam

Download a Candidate Guidebook to learn more.

FAQs

These Certification FAQs can help.

Key Policies

Review key policies related to Request for Special Accommodations, Impartiality, Certification Complaint Process, Appeal of Certification Denial, and Guidelines for Suspending, Withdrawing or Reducing the Scope of Certification.

Please call 678-539-1105 or email with any questions.

APPLY for CHD

Application Fees

ASHRAE Member: $495
ASHRAE Developing Economies Member: $295
Non-member: $745
Corporate Group: Email Tim Kline or call 678-539-1181 for a quote.

Note: Non-native English speakers may apply to receive an additional 30 minutes of testing time.

ASHRAE offers certification examination year-round.

Approved Certification Candidates may schedule their  computer-based exam at any one of over 1,000  test center locations worldwide.

Questions?

These Certification FAQs can help. Please email or call 678-539-1105 with any additional questions.

Get CHD exam ready by following these few, easy steps:

• • CHD Study Guide:
    • 100-question CHD Practice Exam
    • Task-by-task self-assessments linked to resources
    • Core and “deep dive” resource break-down
    • $59 Member price
  • Review the Exam Blueprint in Appendix A of the Candidate Guidebook
  • Consider any publication or training resource for Exam Preparation, including this ASHRAE Global Training (AGT) course: 
    • HVAC Design Level I (MENA) | 19-21 Jan 2026 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM UAE/Dubai)
    • HVAC Design Level II (MENA) | 22-23 Jan 2026 (9:00 AM -  5:00 PM UAE/Dubai)
      *Course Participants recieve 20% discount on CHD Certification application. 
  • NEW! Take the 30-question, online Practice Exam today!
  • Review Tips and Strategies for exam preparation

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  Requesting an Extension

  To request a 45-day extension of the 90-day deadline to schedule and take an exam, candidates must submit an application at least five business days prior to the end of the 90-day deadline. The administrative fee to initiate the extension is $50.00.

  Apply for extension

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  Questions?

  These Certification FAQs can help. Please call 678-539-1105 or email with any additional questions.

Recertify Now

Recertification every three years helps ensure CHDs maintain a level of continuing competence through acceptable professional development in subject matter related to their certification.

Application Fees

ASHRAE Member: $245
ASHRAE Developing Economies Member: $145
Non-member: $375

Eligibility Checklist

• Participation in One HVAC Design or Design-Assist Project
• Thirty (30) Professional Development Hours (PDHs), 15 of which may be earned through work experience
• Code of Ethics Agreement

Note:

• Acceptable evidence of professional development hours (PDHs) earned is supporting documentation issued by a third-party, which includes the name of the certificant and the date earned. In the case of continuing education, supporting documentation also must include the number of clock hours of participation, and a title indicating the subject matter.
• Beginning in 2025, three (3) PDHs may be earned per hour for the first course or workshop taught, then 1 PDH per hour for each of the next two subsequent equivalent presentations. Up to 15 PDHs maximum may be earned from teaching during the 3-year certification cycle.
• Beginning in 2026, at least 50% of total the number of PDHs needed for recertification must come from continuing education earned.

Questions?

These Certification FAQs can help. Please call 678-539-1105 or email with any additional questions.