Understanding Designer Certifications

Confused by the alphabet soup of letters following your designer’s name? Learn what the acronyms for the most common certifications mean.

AKBD (Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer)

• Minimum 2 years industry experience
• At least 2 years of formal design education of 30 hours of professional development from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)

CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer)

• Minimum 7 years kitchen design experience.
• Minimum 4 years of formal design education or 60 hours of NKBA professional development.

CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer)

• More than 17 years of industry experience.
• Has CKD and CBD (Certified Bath Designer) certifications.
• At least 100 hours of NKBA professional development or equivalent formal design education

LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Accredited Professional)

• LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system founded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1993.
• Accredited professional (AP) and Green Associate certification is earned by working on LEED-accredited projects and earning Continuing Education hours through the USGBC.

CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist)

• Certification earned through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
• Certified specialists are well versed in Universal Design principles and how to implement those in the residential environment.
• Curriculum teaches technical, business management, customer service and critical skills modifying homes for the aging-in-place.