Interna­tio­nal DGNB Consultant

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.

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 content of the training.

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

Under the licensing agreement, to continue to use the International DGNB Consultant title and are authorised to certify projects unter the DGNB System New Construction, Buildings, International Version 2026, you must provide evidence that you have earned 6 DGNB CPD points per year.

You can earn CPD points by attending exclusive fast-track training or exchange and networking events involving other DGNB Certification experts. You also receive CPD points for each successfully submitted and certified project. Once you sign the licensing agreement, the CPD obligation begins in the calendar year following the year in which the examination to become a International DGNB Consultant was passed. An overview of the options for maintaining your licence with the respective DGNB CPD points and the general licensing conditions can be found here.

Note: the licensing conditions for the International DGNB Consultant qualification have not yet been published. In the meantime, you can refer to the licensing conditions for other DGNB qualifications (e.g. DGNB ESG Manager).

We are currently in the process of intruducing DGNB expert days for International DGNB Consultants and Auditos to earn their yearly CPD points. We will inform you as soon as dates are available for booking.

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.