Strengthen your practice while attracting new business.
Encourage green building design and sustainable architecture by serving as a trusted and experienced advisor.
Become an expert in the EDGE software and certification process.
Accredited by IFC, EDGE Experts bring their skills, insights, and thorough understanding of the EDGE software to instill confidence that a project is certifiably green. Their persuasiveness paves the way for a client to imagine and realize an entirely green portfolio of eco-friendly buildings.
At the individual level, becoming an EDGE Expert results in greater knowledge, career growth, and an opportunity to promote your work in green construction. At the firm level, credentialing your team helps to upskill your practice while attracting and retaining fresh talent.
A sole practitioner, in-house staff, or a member of an engineering or architecture practice can all become EDGE Experts. They are an integral force that binds the sustainable design process together while providing outstanding value to clients.
Why become an EDGE Expert?
Increase your understanding of which energy and water-saving systems, green construction materials, and design solutions are best for a particular location and climate, and how to measure the collective impact of design decisions in the aggregate. Gain deeper knowledge of the EDGE software and certification process.
- Learn about bioclimatic design.
- Cross-sell your services.
- Win new clients.
- Promote your work in sustainable building design.
- Help to accelerate change.
Here’s how to earn your EDGE Expert credential.
First, read through the FAQs below about EDGE Experts. Then follow the step-by-step EDGE Exam Prep to guide you through taking the training, reviewing the learning materials, testing your knowledge, and scheduling your EDGE Exam.
How can I become an EDGE Expert?
To become an EDGE Expert, you must successfully complete EDGE training and the EDGE Exam. EDGE training is offered by an official provider / Licensed EDGE Faculties either online or in a classroom environment. Once you have completed training, IFC will email an EDGE Exam ID number to you. The EDGE Exam is available in English, Bahasa, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese, costs $100 and can be taken at a Prometric test center or in the comfort of your home or workplace.
To schedule your EDGE Exam at a test center, visit www.prometric.com/edge, where you can find a complete list of test center locations by clicking on the “Locate a Test Center” link. You may also call +1 (800) 324-4715 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. More information can be found in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
To schedule the EDGE Exam at a remote site, call +1 (800) 813-6779 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday, and be sure to have your credit card ready to pay the $100 fee. You may also email Pro-Proctor@Prometric.com. Note that the EDGE Exam, which is 2 1/2 hours in length, can be taken remotely only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Friday. More information can be found in the Remotely Proctored Candidate Information Bulletin.
EDGE Experts are required to have a higher education qualification (at least a bachelors degree) in a construction industry-related field, or three years’ experience in a construction industry-related field and a higher education qualification (bachelors degree) of any kind (see here for list of construction industry roles/fields that qualify). EDGE Experts are accredited by IFC.
What skills will I acquire during EDGE training?
During the training, you will learn how to quantify the value of passive and active design elements, how to determine which energy and water-saving systems and solutions are best for a particular location and climate, and how to measure the collective impact of design decisions in the aggregate. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the EDGE software, you will also discover the EDGE standard and certification process.
What exactly does an EDGE Expert do?
An EDGE Expert influences a client’s decision to design and build green, working closely with or within the design team. By using the EDGE software, an EDGE Expert provides a cost-benefit analysis of green concepts, systems and solutions that best match the client’s aspirations. For clients wishing to certify their projects, an EDGE Expert instills confidence that a project meets the EDGE standard.
If I have previously attended an EDGE Experts Training, can I become an EDGE Expert?
The EDGE Experts Training prepares you to take the exam, however there may be questions that were not covered in the training and can only be answered based on your background and/or experience. EDGE Experts are required to have a higher education qualification in a construction industry-related field, or three years’ experience and a higher education qualification of any kind. To take the exam without further training, please contact IFC at edgeexam@ifc.org.
What is the difference between an EDGE Expert and an EDGE Auditor?
An EDGE Expert precedes an EDGE Auditor, working within or in tandem with the client’s design team on decision-making, confirming that the project meets the EDGE standard by using the EDGE software, and preparing the project for certification. The EDGE Auditor does not influence project design or make recommendations and only becomes involved once the project submission is received. The EDGE Auditor reviews project documentation, verifies compliance with EDGE requirements, provides a rigorous check of the project submission, and recommends the project for assessment to a certification provider.
I’m an EDGE Auditor. Can I also be an EDGE Expert?
EDGE Auditors are automatically considered to be EDGE Experts since they have met all the requirements to become one, including completing training and passing the EDGE Exam. Keep in mind that you cannot provide design advice on a project that you are auditing, as this constitutes a conflict of interest. In other words, you may not serve as both an EDGE Expert and an EDGE Auditor for the same project.
I want to become both an EDGE Expert and an EDGE Auditor. How can I become an auditor?
An EDGE Expert who wishes to also become an EDGE Auditor is required to take additional training with a certification provider and sign an agreement. Depending on the certifier, additional background and experience may be required. To see which certifier(s) operate in the country where you live, visit the Certify section of the EDGE website, and reach out to them directly.
When I become an accredited EDGE Expert, can I include my new status as part of my title to promote my services?
Yes. As an EDGE Expert, you can include your new credential as part of your title on your business card, email signature, throughout your LinkedIn profile and in any other appropriate location. You may also include content on your website to promote your new services. For recommendations, please refer to the Branding Guidelines for EDGE Experts.
Is it mandatory for a client to hire an EDGE Expert for a project to be certified?
No. Hiring an EDGE Expert depends on the client’s needs and the complexity of the project. EDGE is intended to be quick and intuitive, but if the client’s internal team doesn’t have familiarity with EDGE, then having a member of the design team take the EDGE training may be the right choice. A client with a small design team may also wish to hire an outside EDGE Expert, particularly if it is the client’s first project being brought forward for certification.
Become an accredited EDGE Expert.
Take EDGE Experts training to become more knowledgeable about the EDGE App and certification process. The training, which prepares you for the EDGE Exam, can be taken in any of the following ways:
In-Person/Online Live Training
In-Person / Online live training is provided in English, Bahasa, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese in a classroom environment / with virtual online training, both leading by a licensed EDGE Faculty.
- Cost: Varies
- Length: One or two days of 8-12 hours
Online On-Demand Training
Online on-demand training is provided in English or Spanish and can be taken at your own time and pace.
- Cost: up to $150
- Length: Five to six modules (approximately one hour each)
Find an Expert
Interested in finding an EDGE Expert? EDGE Experts provide their services internationally and support green building and sustainable construction initiatives globally.
EDGE Experts serve as trusted and experienced advisors, supporting clients in their decision-making as to the best ways to design and build green. They also have extensive knowledge of the EDGE software and certification process. While not required in order to achieve certification for a project, EDGE Experts provide significant value to clients through their skills, insights and technical know-how.
Partnering for a Greener Future: Everyone Benefits from Sustainable Building
EDGE brings together architects, developers, green finance institutions, and policymakers to accelerate the global shift toward eco-friendly construction and sustainable building practices. By promoting collaboration across the value chain, EDGE enables the adoption of green architecture materials, net-zero building design, and environmentally friendly construction materials—creating long-term value for all stakeholders in the green building ecosystem.
Developers
Banks
Governments
EDGE Experts
Get Training to Become an EDGE Expert
Bring your skills, insights, and thorough understanding of EDGE to instill confidence that a project is certifiably green and aligned with international green construction certification standards.