Certified HVAC Designer (CHD)

1. Review eligibility requirements: Confirm you meet ASHRAE's education and/or work experience prerequisites for HVAC design. Typically, candidates need a combination of relevant education (engineering or engineering technology degree) and documented work experience in HVAC design.

1. Obtain the Candidate Handbook: Download the official CHD Candidate Handbook from ASHRAE's website. This document outlines exam content, eligibility details, application procedures, and approved study resources.

1. Prepare your application: Gather documentation of your qualifying education and work experience. Submit your application through ASHRAE's online portal along with the application fee.

1. Study for the exam: Use ASHRAE Handbooks (particularly the Fundamentals and HVAC Systems and Equipment volumes), ASHRAE standards (e.g., Standard 62.1, 90.1), and any ASHRAE-recommended preparatory courses or study guides. Allocate approximately 80 hours of focused study time.

1. Schedule your exam: Once your application is approved, register for the computer-based exam at an authorized Prometric testing center or via online proctoring through ASHRAE's testing partner.

1. Sit for the exam: Complete the proctored multiple-choice examination. A passing score earns you the CHD designation.

1. Receive your credential: Upon passing, ASHRAE will issue your CHD certificate and digital badge. Your name will be listed in ASHRAE's online registry of certified professionals.

1. Maintain your certification: Earn 1.5 CEUs (15 PDHs) every three years through ASHRAE-approved activities and pay the renewal fee to keep your CHD active.

The CHD exam evaluates a candidate's applied knowledge and competency across the core technical domains of HVAC system design. The exam is developed by ASHRAE subject matter experts and is aligned with the tasks and knowledge areas that practicing HVAC designers use on the job.

Core content areas include: - Load Calculations: Heating and cooling load calculations using ASHRAE methodologies, including Manual J-equivalent approaches for commercial and industrial applications, psychrometrics, and thermal comfort principles. - HVAC System Design: Selection and design of air-handling systems, ductwork, piping systems, and terminal units. Candidates must demonstrate understanding of system types (VAV, CAV, chilled water, heat pump, etc.) and their appropriate applications. - Equipment Selection: Sizing and selection of HVAC equipment including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handlers, fans, pumps, and controls. Emphasis is placed on matching equipment to system requirements and building loads. - Energy Efficiency and Codes: Application of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings) and related energy efficiency requirements. Candidates are expected to understand energy performance metrics and compliance pathways. - Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation: Application of ASHRAE Standard 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality), including outdoor air requirements, filtration, and exhaust systems. - Controls and System Integration: Fundamentals of HVAC controls, building automation systems, and the integration of mechanical systems with building operations.

The exam is reference-based, meaning candidates may use approved ASHRAE reference materials during the test. Questions are scenario-based and require candidates to apply knowledge to realistic design problems rather than simply recall facts.

The CHD is a relatively niche but respected credential within the HVAC and mechanical engineering design community. ASHRAE is the undisputed global authority on HVAC standards — its handbooks and standards (90.1, 62.1, 55) are referenced in building codes worldwide — which lends the CHD significant credibility by association. However, with an estimated 2,000 or fewer certified holders, the CHD has not achieved the mass adoption of credentials like LEED AP or the PE license. It occupies a specialized space for professionals who want to demonstrate design-specific competency beyond what a general engineering license conveys.

In North America, the CHD is most recognized in the commercial and institutional building sectors, particularly among MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) engineering firms. Large firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP increasingly value ASHRAE credentials as indicators of technical rigor. The credential is less prominent in residential HVAC markets, where ACCA's Manual J-based credentials and NATE certifications dominate. Internationally, ASHRAE's global reach means the CHD is recognized in markets where ASHRAE standards are adopted, including parts of the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, though local licensing requirements often take precedence.

Demand for HVAC design credentials is growing alongside broader trends in building decarbonization, electrification, and energy code stringency. As building energy codes tighten globally and all-electric building design becomes more common, the technical complexity of HVAC design is increasing — making credentials that validate design competency more valuable. The CHD faces competition from the PE license (which is legally required for stamping drawings in many jurisdictions) and from ASHRAE's own BEAP credential for those focused on energy auditing. Nevertheless, for HVAC designers who are not licensed engineers, the CHD offers a meaningful and credible way to demonstrate professional-level design competency.

ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) established the Certified HVAC Designer (CHD) program in 2013 as part of a broader effort to formalize competency standards for HVAC design professionals. The program was developed in response to industry demand for a credential that specifically validated design skills — distinct from installation, service, or general engineering credentials — at a time when the HVAC industry was facing increasing technical complexity driven by tightening energy codes and growing emphasis on building performance.

The CHD was developed using a job task analysis process involving practicing HVAC designers and engineers, ensuring the exam content reflected real-world design responsibilities. ASHRAE aligned the program with its own widely adopted standards and handbooks, making it a natural extension of the organization's role as the primary technical authority in the field. The credential joined ASHRAE's broader certification portfolio, which also includes the Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP), the High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP), and the Operations and Performance Management Professional (OPMP). Since its launch, the CHD has maintained a steady but modest holder base, primarily in North America, and has undergone periodic exam content updates to reflect evolving standards and industry practices.