Interna­tio­nal DGNB Consultant

Audit projects in countries worldwide which do not yet have an adapted version of the DGNB System

With the training to become an International DGNB Consultant, you will qualify as an accredited expert for DGNB Certification in an international context. The training prepares you to apply and optimally implement the requirements of certification in the design, planning and construction process according to the international version of the DGNB System for buildings and districts in practice. The focus is on adapting the DGNB System to the specific local requirements in new markets.

The training will be held in English.

Learning objectives and skills taught

  • You will gain extensive knowledge of the basics of DGNB Certification and proof of a recognised degree.
  • You will learn to implement the DGNB requirements for sustainable buildings and districts in the design, planning and construction process and to adapt them to local conditions.
  • You will be able to carry out DGNB Certification for buildings, districts and buildings in use in all countries where there is not yet a locally adapted DGNB System.

International DGNB Consultants audit projects in countries outside Germany where there is no adapted version of the DGNB System to local requirements available yet. This excludes countries in which our DGNB System partners operate. If you plan to consult and certify projects especially in the markets where we have collaborating system partners, please directly contact our partners. They have localized the DGNB System to their market regulations and conditions and conduct DGNB trainings in their local language.

As an International DGNB Consultant, once you have successfully certified your first project with the DGNB, you automatically qualify as an International DGNB Auditor.

The most important facts at a glance

  • Architects
  • Specialist planners
  • Civil engineers
  • Urban planners
  • Project developers
  • Project managers
  • Building product manufacturers
  • Energy consultants
  • Building owners and developers
  • Persons who are actively involved in DGNB Certification or who would like to carry out certification themselves in countries where there is no local version of the DGNB System to date.


You would like to qualify as a DGNB Consultant in Germany? Here you can find the training course for DGNB Consultant in German.

International DGNB Consultant training
 

  • Module 1: Basics of the DGNB System

Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)


  • Module 2: The DGNB System for Districts

Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)


  • Module 3: Ecology and economy in building certification

Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)


  • Module 4: User comfort, technology and processes in building certification

Duration: 1 digital seminar day (2 x 90 min.)


  • Workshops: DGNB tools

Duration: 1 digital seminar day with workshops (2 x 90 min.)


  • Exam to become an International DGNB Consultant

To qualify as DGNB Consultants, participants need to take and pass the DGNB Consultant exam.

Duration: 60 min. on one exam day

Note on the exam: The online exam for the International DGNB Consultant qualification takes place approximately one month after your participation in the training in order to allow you to prepare in home study. The dates of the exams will be provided during the training. The home study in preparation for the exam takes about 40 hours on average. We use multiple choice questions to test the contents of the training in a 60-minute examination.

Note: Alternatively, there are also three-day intensive courses in presence, in which you gain the required knowledge as an International DGNB Consultant. These take place at various locations around the world.

Module 1: Basics of the DGNB System

In this module, the term sustainability is defined with its relevance for the built environment and the potential for action in the building industry is shown. In addition, the DGNB System is used to explain the measurable criteria into which the term for buildings and districts can be translated and which systematics the comprehensive DGNB evaluation methodology is based on. The focus is on adapting the DGNB system to specific local requirements in new markets.
Other module content includes getting to know the essential aspects of certification – from the available tools, the documentation for the conformity check to the award of a project – as well as the history of the DGNB from its foundation to the present day.


Module 2: The DGNB System for Disctricts

Sustainable districts require other aspects to be considered than buildings, but at the same time you have a significant influence on them. The DGNB has developed its own system for planning and implementing sustainability at district level. In this module, selected DGNB criteria for district certification are taught. The different requirements of a possible use – whether residential, industrial or event – are taken into account accordingly. Starting from the district level, various influencing factors and processes are considered and evaluated – always with a focus on the sustainability goals in the DGNB System.


Module 3: Ecology and economy in building certification

One goal of sustainable construction is to keep the emissions and resource consumption caused by buildings and districts as low as possible over their entire life cycle. The life cycle is to be understood as the time from construction, through use – usually for at least 50 years – to dismantling.
This module shows which criteria of the DGNB System can be used to achieve these goals and how they are applied. An important part of this is the life cycle assessment. Another aspect of the life cycle perspective is the economic consideration. This is discussed using the relevant DGNB criteria for buildings and districts and their application in the certification process, also their interaction is presented in a comprehensible manner.


Module 4: User comfort, technology and processes in building certification

Buildings have a significant impact on our well-being, after all we spend up to 90 percent of our time in them. A pillar of sustainability at the DGNB is therefore the socio-cultural dimension, which focuses on the wellbeing of users. When planning sustainable buildings, it is therefore of fundamental importance to know the factors of user perception and how they can be positively influenced. Module 4 deals primarily with those DGNB criteria that address the relevant aspects.
In addition, this module also deals with the DGNB requirements in relation to the technical implementation and equipment of buildings and districts. At the same time, this discussion promotes a high level of acceptance and thus the long-term maintenance of the built environment.


Workshops: DGNB Tools

In addition, we teach you how to apply selected DGNB criteria in practice with the DGNB Tools in two complementary digital workshops.

  • Certificate of attendance for your participation in the International DGNB Consultant training in digital form

After passing the exam:

  • Acquisition of the recognised degree of International DGNB Consultant
  • International DGNB Consultant certificate in digital form
  • Listing as DGNB Certification expert on the DGNB website
  • International DGNB Consultant logo in digital form for communicating your qualification (e.g. for your e-mail signature, website or communication materials)
  • Access to the exclusive area for International DGNB Consultants and International DGNB Auditors on the network platform myDGNB
  • Possibility to become a DGNB Trainer

To be able to register for the exam, you must prove that you have attended the International DGNB Consultant training. The exam must be taken no later than 24 months after your attendance.

Furthermore, we require

  • a degree in urban planning, urban design, spatial planning, architecture, civil engineering, natural sciences, economics, building physics or related disciplines

with one year of relevant professional experience (Master / Diploma)
or with several years of relevant professional experience (Bachelor)
or with five years of relevant professional experience after training in the construction and real estate industry.

We also recognise qualifications acquired elsewhere in individual cases.

 

DGNB member /
Member of a DGNB System Partner* /
Member of a cooperating training institution*

DGNB non-member
International DGNB Consultant training incl. exam  
for participants with the degree DGNB Registered Professional (total)872 €1112 €
for participants without the degree DGNB Registered Professional (total)1090 €1390 €

All prices exclude VAT.

The reduced fees apply according to the DGNB fee schedule for all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.

*Please enclose a valid proof of membership of the DGNB System Partner or cooperating training institution with your booking.

Groups (from 10 persons)
For group bookings of 10 people or more, please contact us by email at ausbildung@dgnb.de.


Note: The prices listed apply to the International DGNB Consultant training events organised by the DGNB Academy. Prices may vary slightly for events offered by DGNB system partners or DGNB academy partners.

Dates and registration

Become an International DGNB Consultant

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Frequently asked questions about the International DGNB Consultant

Usually, the training to become an International DGNB Consultant takes about two weeks. Participation in the International DGNB Consultant training and taking the exam takes a maximum of 6 days. In addition, we recommend a home study of approx. 40 hours in preparation for the exam.

Home study of the DGNB criteria, including repeating the training materials, is necessary for exam preparation. The exam-preparatory home study comprises an average of approx. 40 hours. This can vary depending on individual prior knowledge.

After failing the International DGNB Consultant exam for the first time, you will receive a second attempt free of charge. A third attempt is possible. For this, we charge 50 percent of the examination costs.

If you do not pass at the latest on the third attempt, you have the option of taking an oral exam as a last resort. This will only take place on request and in person at the DGNB office (an online appointment is possible in individual cases). We charge the full examination fee for this.

As an International DGNB Consultant, you do not enter into a licensing with us. There is no fee.

You can participate in the International DGNB Consultant training and take the exam without having attended the DGNB Registered Professional course.

The offer to attend the International DGNB Consultant training is open to all interested persons.

Your licence as an International DGNB Consultant is limited to the submission of projects in countries where there is no local version of the DGNB System so far.

If you would like to be active in the German market or in countries of DGNB System Partners in the future, participation in the following events is required (please note: these seminars are held in German):

Please contact us by e-mail at ausbildung@dgnb.de if you would like to extend your international licence.

Your licence as an International DGNB Consultant is limited to the submission of projects in countries where there is no local version of the DGNB System so far.

If you wish to operate in the future in a specific country where there is a Green Building Council that is a DGNB System Partner, please contact the respective Sustainable or Green Building Council.


Your contact

Sreeparna Mitra

International Certification and Trainings