History

Since 1950, AIBD has provided building designers with educational resources, and has developed nationwide design standards and a code of ethics for the building design profession. Today, AIBD is a nationally recognized association with professional and associate members in 48 states, throughout Canada and in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Bahamas. Its chartered state societies are active in their respective legislative arenas and work to promote public awareness of the building design profession.

The AIBD is also meeting the challenge of the future by educating members about new and improved building materials and technology that will impact how we live in the future. In response to the ever changing needs of the design profession, the AIBD board of directors established the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC), and has charged its leadership with overseeing the Designer Certification Program. For those who have chosen the profession of building design, there is no greater evidence of competency than achieving the status of Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). Application for this certification is available to building designers, architects and engineers - both professional members of the AIBD and non-AIBD members - who qualify.

Alternatively, the credential of Certified Professional Building Designer is the highest acknowledgement that a professional member of the AIBD can attain. To qualify, an individual must first possess a minimum of five years of educational and professional design experience. Equally significant, it requires an ongoing commitment to professional development through a continuing education policy and provider program. As with the CPBD credential, a Professional Building Designer must subscribe to AIBD’s code of professional ethics and minimum plan standards.

Councils:

House Plan Marketing Alliance
The House Plan Marketing Alliance is an independent council established to address the concerns of the pre-drawn home plans market. The principal goals are to ensure the consuming public of the highest quality product, reduce copyright infringement by educating the design community and consumers alike, promote the value of pre-drawn home plans, and mentor aspiring new upcoming designers.

National Council of Building Designer Certification

The AIBD endorses and encourages its members to be a Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) under the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC). The NCBDC program is the only certification for residential and light frame building designers in the nation. The certification program has been certifying building designers for over 40 years and measures a designer's qualifications on a nationally recognized level. This program is a true test of an applicant's complete understanding of residential and light frame building design. Certification allows designers to demonstrate professional capabilities and is a designation of professional excellence.