AEE's Certified GeoExchange Designer (CGD) program is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated high levels of experience, competence, proficiency, and ethical fitness in applying the principles and practices of geothermal heat pump design and related disciplines, as well as to raise the professional standards within the field, and to encourage those involved in the design process through a continuing education program of professional development. The CGD certification is granted by the Association of Energy Engineers and sponsored by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium® (GHPC). Associated training programs are presented by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA).

Eligibility

The prerequisites to qualify for the certification process have been designed to take into account the possible diversity of education and practical experience an individual may have. However each CGD candidate must attend the CGD Workshop and meet one of the following criteria:

A four-year engineering degree and/or P.E., and/or R.A.
with at least three years of combined experience in commercial geothermal heat pump design and heating, ventilating and air conditioning field.
A four-year non-technical degree, with at least five years of combined experience in commercial geothermal heat pump design and heating, ventilating and air conditioning field.
A two-year technical degree,
with at least eight years of combined experience in the geothermal heat pump design and heating, ventilating and air conditioning field.
Ten years or more of verified combined experience in commercial geothermal heat pump design and heating, ventilating and air conditioning field.

All candidates for CGD certification will be required to take and pass an online examination. This examination will be administered in conjunction with training programs offered through the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. For more information on this requirement, contact the training coordinator (contact information provided below).

Application
The CGD Application can be accessed by clicking on the link below

CGD Application (PDF)

Fees
The fees for the CGD Certification process are as follows:

A fee of $1,995 for the CGD Plus or $1,665 for the CGD Online course is payable with the filing of the application. This includes CGD training and examination fees. Fees are payable to IGSPHA.
$300 certification renewal fee (every three years). The renewal fees are payable to AEE.

How to Apply for CGD Certification / Register for Seminars
To register for a CGD Seminar, please write, call or email:

Roshan Revankar, Training Program Manager
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
1201 S. Innovation Drive
Stillwater, OK 74074
(800) 626-4747 or (405) 744-5175
email: roshan.revankar@okstate.edu

For questions about certification process, please contact:

Francine Seskin, CGD Certification Administrator
Association of Energy Engineers
4025 Pleasantdale Road, Suite 420
Atlanta, GA 30340
(770) 447-5083, ext. 223
email: fseskin@aeecenter.org

Maintaining Certification

For information on maintaining your certification, please go to our certification renewals website.