Certifications & Designations

Take your career to the next level

Stand apart from your peers and let your commitment to professionalism shine by achieving a depth of training and experience recognized industry-wide. Our certification programs will help you advance your career in the residential construction industry.

Focused on three core competencies that factor largely in the success of every home building business — Business, Construction, and Sales & Marketing — our certifications deliver the in-depth knowledge you need to ensure your career thrives and keeps pace with Canada’s dynamic residential construction industry.

Construction certifications

In the quarter century since PHBI was founded, Alberta's home building industry has gone through vast and dramatic changes.

The steady emergence of new materials, advanced building technologies and increased warranty obligations brings the promise of higher quality, more energy efficient homes. At the same time, it heightens the challenges and complexities of the homebuilders craft. In such a rapidly evolving environment, PHBI's brand of builder education is more important now than ever before.

To keep you on the leading edge of the industry, PHBI offers certification programs focused on building your career in new home construction.

Professional Site Manager

Lead your team with confidence

PHBI’s Professional Site Manager Certification is the right choice if you:

  • are ready to elevate your skills and expand your career opportunities as a site supervisor, site assistant or home construction worker
  • have your sights set on a management position in the home construction industry
  • are a tradesperson eager to improve your knowledge of the home building business
  • are interested in staying on top of new home construction's ever-changing demands

If you see yourself in the list above, PHBI’s Professional Site Manager certification will prepare you to excel in the home building industry.

To earn this certification, you must successfully complete eight courses, each one designed to equip you with knowledge and skills site supervisors use every day.

Required courses

  • Construction Fundamentals (RCSM Level 1)
  • Building Codes
  • Customer Service Professional
  • Home Building on Alberta Soils
  • Moisture Control Technician Certificate (offered through SAIT)
  • Plans, Specifications & Drawings
  • Project Management & Supervision Fundamentals
  • Problem Solving in Home Building

Recommended order to complete courses

It is recommended that you complete Construction Fundamentals (RCSM Level 1) first, and Problem Solving in Home Building as your final construction course. The remaining courses can be finished in any order.

As part of your Professional Site Manager Certification studies, you can also complete additional courses in the Residential Construction Site Manager (RCSM) program. Besides dramatically expanding your knowledge, RCSM is the pathway to Canada's first and only Occupational Designation for our industry.

Challenging courses and course equivalencies

Students who feel that they already have sufficient knowledge in a course area have the option to challenge exams. Please reference our Policies and Procedures for more information.

Students who completed courses prior to 2000 are welcome to contact us to discuss course equivalencies.

All courses can be applied to the PHBI Master Home Builder or Master Home Renovator certifications.

Ready to get started?

Create your myPHBI account or log in to enrol today.

Residential Construction Site Manager (RCSM)

Canada's first Occupational Certificate for the home building industry

Are you looking for a meaningful edge – a compelling way to distinguish yourself from your peers with a recognized level of professionalism that’s simply unsurpassed in Alberta’s home building industry?

PHBI’s Residential Construction Site Manager (RCSM) program – the first and only program of its kind for the home building industry in Canada – develops a depth of knowledge that empowers site managers to stand out as best in class while managing the construction of residential housing, as classified in Part 9 of the Alberta Building Code.

At a time when home construction is becoming ever more complex and sophisticated, RCSM focuses on industry best practices to ensure graduates arrive on a work site with a higher level of site management competency, including both technical and soft skills. Onsite training in a safe coaching environment ensures a seamless application of RCSM’s knowledge and skills into real world new home construction.

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RCSM training comprises three levels of education:

Level 1 (online only)

Immerse yourself in the residential construction site management process through state-of-the-art 3D modelling of the onsite construction process.

Level 2 (classroom and online)

Develop an advanced understanding of home building practices and technologies.

Level 3 (classroom and online)

Round out your construction knowledge with essential management skills and best practices.

After successfully completing the RCSM Level 3 exam, you may write the provincial exam to earn the Province of Alberta’s Occupational Certification.

Required courses

Level 1
  • Construction Fundamentals (RCSM Level 1)
Level 2
  • Building Codes
  • Construction Performance Guidelines
  • Building Science Principles (previously Construction Technology 1)
  • Construction Technology 2 + Moisture Control Technician
  • Home Building on Alberta Soils
  • Leadership for Safety Excellence
  • Plans, Specifications & Drawings
  • Project Management & Supervision Fundamentals
Level 3
  • Business Ethics (replaces Ethics in Home Building)
  • Business & Management Fundamentals (replaces Business Planning & Management)
  • Communication & Negotiation
  • Customer Service Professional
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Problem Solving in Home Building

Construction Fundamentals (RCSM - Level 1)

RCSM's first level is delivered online, and no classroom time is required. This comprehensive introductory course teaches major aspects of managing the residential construction process, including preconstruction preparation, professionalism, safety, project management, administration, documentation and construction knowledge.

Training for this level includes the following modules, followed by a test to earn the RCSM Training - Level 1 Certificate of Completion:

  • Excavation & Foundation
  • Framing
  • Exterior Finishes
  • Mechanical
  • Interior Finishes

For most students, the online module series takes 15 to 20 hours to complete.

Level 1 also requires 1,500 hours of work experience commensurate with the RCSM course content. PHBI will provide you with a record book to track your work experience, and your direct supervisor must approve your entries. Depending on how long you've been working in residential construction, you may be exempt from the record book component. To qualify for exemption, you must have at least 2,250 hours of on-site training in residential construction management, achieved over the course of your career.

Your supervisor will need to complete and submit the Declaration of Competency in the record book, and you will need to submit a resume outlining your duties, managerial experience and the length of time you've worked in site management. Contact us with any questions about this process.

Cost

$1,500 + GST (less any approved exemptions). You may be eligible for a grant to offset the cost of your education.
 

Timeline for completion

After you register for RCSM Training - Level 1, you will have 12 months to complete the online modules and two years to complete and log the required work experience in your record book.
 

Prerequisites

Your employer or sponsor must submit a letter of support that confirms you are employed in a relevant residential construction position where RCSM learning objectives can be applied onsite as part of the training program. PHBI will provide a sample letter upon registration, upon request.
 

RCSM Training - Level 2

You'll complete Level 2 through a blended e-learning format, which combines online, classroom and field learning experiences.

Training for this level includes the following modules, followed by a test to earn the RCSM Training - Level 2 Certificate of Completion:

  • Building Codes
  • Building Science Principles (replaces Construction Technology 1)
  • Plans, Specifications & Drawings
  • Project Management & Supervision
  • Leadership for Safety Excellence – this is a third party course delivered by the Alberta Construction Safety Association. For registration and more information about this two-day course, please visit the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
  • Construction Technology – this course includes online learning and enrolment in the Moisture Control Technician course delivered by SAIT on PHBI’s behalf. Register online with SAIT for this online course and two-day practicum. SAIT's course code for the course is CNST-001 and the code for the practicum is CNST-005.
  • Home Building on Alberta Soils
  • Construction Performance Guidelines

You will register for each PHBI course individually to suit your own schedule and preferences.

Level 2 also requires 1,500 hours of work experience commensurate with the RCSM course content. Depending on how long you've been working in residential construction, you may be exempt from the record book component. To qualify for exemption, you must have at least 4,500 hours of on-site training in residential construction management, achieved over the course of your career. Your supervisor will need to complete and submit the Declaration of Competency in the record book, and you will need to submit a resume (if you have not already applied for a Level 1 exemption) outlining your duties, managerial experience and the length of time you've been working in site management.

Cost

Upon successful completion of Level 1 education and work experience, enrol for RCSM Training Occupation Designation - Level 2 and pay the $240 fee to cover the administrative cost of the monthly monitoring, tracking and reporting the work experience results to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. If you have received approval for record book exemption based on your previous work experience, this $240 fee will be waived.

Register and pay for each Level 2 course one-at-a-time, as you begin each individual course.

Upon successful completion of all the Level 2 courses and associated work experience, you will register for the “RCSM Level 2 Exam” and pay the associated $60 fee. This fee covers the cost of the exam and the certificate of completion.

You may be eligible for a grant to offset the cost of your education.

RCSM Training - Level 3

Training for this level includes the following modules, followed by a test to earn the RCSM Training - Level 3 Certificate of Completion:
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Ethics in Home Building
  • Customer Service Professional
  • Communication & Negotiation
  • Problem Solving in Home Building
  • Business Planning & Management

Level 3 also requires 1,500 hours of work experience commensurate with the RCSM course content. A record book exemption is not available for Level 3 work experience.
Again, you will register for each PHBI course individually to suit your own schedule and preferences.

Cost

Upon successful completion of Level 2 education and work experience, register for RCSM Training Occupation Designation - Level 3 and pay the $240 fee to cover the administrative cost of the monthly monitoring, tracking and reporting the work experience results to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Upon successful completion of all Level 3 courses and associated work experience, you will register for the “RCSM Level 3 Exam” and pay the associated $60 fee. This fee covers the cost of the exam and the certificate of completion.
You may be eligible for a grant to offset the cost of your education.

Timeline for completion

Although, there is no mandatory timeframe for completion, it is recommended that participants complete all courses and log the required work experience in your record book within a five-year timeframe, thereby ensuring your knowledge remains current for a successful result in the provincial exam.

Occupational Designation

After you complete RCSM Training Occupational Designation Levels 1, 2 & 3, you must write and pass the final exam (covering all three levels) at an Alberta & Industry Training office to obtain the Occupational Certification. Contact us to learn more about the examination process.

Key documents

RCSM requirements

If you completed any of PHBI's construction courses prior to 2012, or previously received PHBI's Professional Site Manager certification, you may have the option to complete a short upgrade or receive course equivalency.

If you would like to upgrade to the full RCSM Program and pursue Occupational Certification, in addition to the education requirements, you will also be required to complete the required work experience. 

Completing the online portion of the blended learning courses noted above is a necessary refresher recommended by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) for the provincial exam. This requirement is consistent with Apprenticeship education.

By only completing the blended learning portion of the new Customer Service Professional course, students will not receive Carol Smith's certification.

The RCSM Training Program combines education with work experience. An exemption from the work experience portion can be requested after registration for those individuals who feel they have demonstrated the competencies required for the Level 1 and Level 2 work experience. An approved exemption results in a reduced fee for the RCSM level 1.

Alberta Learning and Information Service has prepared an Occupational video on the RCSM program. To view the video, go to the occupational video tab, and search Residential Construction Site Manager.

Residential Construction Site Manager (RCSM) Academic

Take your training to the next level

Our Residential Construction Site Manager (RCSM) Academic training program delivers an even greater depth of knowledge than PHBI’s Professional Site Manager certification by broadening and deepening your industry knowledge and business acumen as you complete courses including:

  • Business & Management Fundamentals (previously Business Planning & Management)
  • Business Ethics (previously Ethics in Home Building)
  • Communication & Negotiation
  • Construction Performance Guidelines
  • Construction Fundamentals (RCSM - Level 1)
  • Building Science Principals (replaces Construction Technology 1)
  • Construction Technology + Moisture Control Technician
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Leadership for Safety Excellence

In the RCSM Academic training program, you complete only the course work component of RCSM. This program does not include the full RCSM program’s onsite work experience component, or completion of the RCSM Level 2 and Level 3 exams.

Upon completing the RCSM Academic training program, you will have the option to upgrade to the full RCSM program, which leads toward Occupational Certification.
Construction Fundamentals Course (RCSM Academic Level 1)

RCSM's first level is delivered online, and no classroom time is required. This comprehensive introductory course teaches major aspects of managing the residential construction process, including pre-construction preparation, professionalism, safety, project management, administration, documentation and construction knowledge.

Level 1 training includes the following modules:

  • Excavation & Foundation
  • Framing
  • Exterior Finishes
  • Mechanical
  • Interior Finishes
  • Test to earn RCSM Level 1 Certification

For most students, the Level 1 online modules take 21 hours to complete.

Cost

$1,000 + GST
You may be eligible for a grant to offset the cost of your education.

Timeline for completion

After you register for RCSM Academic Level 1, you will have 12 months to complete the online modules.

RCSM Academic Training Level 2

Level 2 combines online, blended learning and classroom courses.

  • Building Codes
  • Construction Performance Guidelines
  • Building Science Principals
  • Construction Technology – this course includes online learning and enrolment in the Moisture Control Technician course delivered by SAIT on PHBI’s behalf. Register online with SAIT for this online course and two-day practicum. SAIT's course code for the course is CNST-001 and the code for the practicum is CNST-005. 
  • Home Building on Alberta Soils
  • Leadership for Safety Excellence – this is a third party course delivered by the Alberta Construction Safety Association. For registration and more information about this two-day course, please visit the Alberta Construction Safety Association.
  • Plans, Specifications & Drawings Fundamentals
  • Project Management & Supervision Fundamentals

Recommended order to complete courses

You will register for each PHBI course individually to suit your own schedule and preferences. The courses can be completed in any order; however it is recommended that participants complete the Building Codes course early in the process.

Timeline for completion

After you register for RCSM Academic Training Level 2, you have three years to complete all courses.

Cost

You will register for RCSM Academic Training Level 2 at no charge, and then proceed to register and pay for each course in Level 2 one-at-a-time, as you begin each individual course. Upon successful completion of all Level 2 courses, contact us at PHBI to obtain your certificate of completion.
 

RCSM Academic Training Level 3

As with Level 2, Level 3 combines online, blended learning and classroom courses.

  • Business Ethics - previously Ethics in Home Building
  • Business & Management Fundamentals - previously Business Planning & Management
  • Customer Service Professional
  • Communication & Negotiation
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Problem Solving in Home Building

Again, you will register for each PHBI course individually to suit your own schedule and preferences.

Timeline for completion

After you register for RCSM Academic Training Level 3, you will have three years to complete all courses.

Cost and next steps

You will register for RCSM Academic Training Level 3 at no charge, and then proceed to register and pay for each course in Level 2 one-at-a-time, as you begin each individual course.

You may be eligible for a grant to offset the cost of your education.

Upon successful completion of all Level 3 courses, contact us at PHBI to obtain your certificate of completion.

Management Certifications

PHBI's evolution has been driven largely by our understanding that on their own, home building skills are not enough to ensure long-term success in our industry. Effective management skills are a crucial yet often underestimated dimension of any home builder's success.

This certification empowers you to meet the challenges of the home building industry by successfully applying the fundamentals of business management.

 

Residential Management

The framework for effective home building management

PHBI’s Residential Management Certification is the right choice if you are:

  • ready to expand your capacity to manage a home building company
  • interested in achieving a deeper understanding of the business-side of the industry
  • looking to give your career or your company a sharper edge in a competitive, ever-evolving environment
  • ready to build credibility as you build a solid framework of knowledge and skills crucial to sustainable success in residential construction

As you progress toward your Residential Management Certification, you’ll refine construction techniques that add value for your customers; develop the skills to effectively manage risk, human resources and customer expectations; learn to solve problems, implement solutions and capitalize on your niche expertise; and master the art of negotiating with customers and suppliers.

Professionals in senior decision-making roles who have earned the Residential Management Certification are also eligible to apply for accreditation as a Master Home Builder.

  • Required Courses
  • Building Codes
  • Business & Management Fundamentals (previously Business Planning & Management)
  • Communication & Negotiation
  • Customer Service Professional
  • Estimating
  • Finance & Accounting
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Moisture Control Technician Certificate (offered through SAIT)
  • New Home Marketing

Students will also complete five elective courses from PHBI's available courses, with the exception of Construction Performance Guidelines and Energy and Construction Technology 2.
A maximum of two Sales courses are allowed, however Business Ethics in Home Building course is a recommended elective.

Recommended order to complete courses

Generally speaking, courses can be completed in any order. If, however, you are new to the construction industry, it is highly recommended that you complete Construction Fundamentals (RCSM Level 1) as one of your elective courses prior to beginning any other construction course. If you have no familiarity with reading blueprints, you’ll need to complete the Plans, Specifications and Drawings course as one of your electives before beginning the Estimating course.

Sales Certifications

As competition grows and home buyers become ever more sophisticated, it is essential for new home sales professionals to demonstrate leadership in industry knowledge and selling skills.

With a PHBI sales certification, you will learn to successfully manage the sales process, opening the door to increased sales, honing your selling and interpersonal skills, and paving the way to becoming a leader in your field.

Certified New Home Sales Professional

Knowledge and skills that translate into sales

Certified New Home Sales Professional certification is the right choice if you are:

  • committed to increasing your knowledge to meet the demands of the residential construction industry
  • driven to become an outstanding new home sales professional

Designed around the essential understanding that selling new homes is vastly different from selling pre-owned homes, this program will equip you with the knowledge and skills essential to success in a new home sales career.

Required Courses

  • Condominium Fundamentals
  • Construction Fundamentals for Sales (previously Construction Basics for Sales 1)
  • Sales Professional in the Home Building Industry (previously Construction Basics for Sales 2)
  • Customer Service Professional
  • New Home Marketing
  • Sales Skills Fundamentals (previously Professional Selling 1)
  • Advanced Sales Skills (previously Professional Selling 2)

Recommended order to complete courses

You can complete the courses in any order, with the exception of Sales Skills Fundamentals which must be completed before Advanced Sales Skills.

 

Certified New Home Sales Executive

Another huge stride toward sales leadership

New Home Sales Executive certification is the right choice if you are:

  • seeking a senior sales management appointment
  • eager to hone your sales management and business management knowledge and skills

Required Courses

  • Condominium Fundamentals
  • Construction Fundamentals for Sales (previously Construction Basics for Sales 1)
  • Sales Professional in the Home Building Industry (previously Construction Basics for Sales 2)
  • Customer Service Professional
  • New Home Marketing
  • Sales Skills Fundamentals (previously Professional Selling 1)
  • Advanced Sales Skills (previously Professional Selling 2)
  • Business & Management Fundamentals (previously Business Planning & Management)
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Sales Management

Recommended order to complete courses

You can complete the courses in any order, with the exception of Sales Skills Fundamentals which must be completed before Advanced Sales Skills.

It is recommended that the following courses be completed near the end of the certification:

  • New Home Marketing
  • Business Planning & Management
  • Law Fundamentals for the Home Building Industry
  • Sales Management