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Best estimator certifications
Estimator certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an estimator to employers. However, not all estimator certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for an estimator are Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), and Certified Estimating Professional (CPE).
Below is a list of the best estimator certifications. Obtaining an estimator certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
10 best certifications for estimators
10 best estimator certifications
1. Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is someone who has voluntarily met the prescribed criteria of the CCM program with regard to formal education, field experience and demonstrated capability and understanding of the CM body of knowledge.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)
The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
3. Certified Estimating Professional (CPE)
AACE International's Certified Estimating Professional (CEP) certification program is designed to establish credentials for those individuals working in the estimating field. This certification program will give professionals a means to validate their skills and knowledge. CEP certification will distinguish you as a Certified Estimating Professional who has the knowledge and skills that impact the bottom line.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
4. Master Project Manager (MPM)
If you have 3+ years of Project Management Experience, you may apply for MPM™ Master Project Manager Board Certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
5. Master Collision Repair & Refinishing Technician
The ASE Collision Repair Test Series includes one test for paint refinishers and three other tests for repair technicians, covering non-structural damage repair, structural damage repair, and vehicle mechanical and electrical system repair. These tests are all intended for hands-on collision technicians. ASE also offers a test specially designed for collision damage estimators. The Collision Repair and Refinish test series is available in either Paper/Pencil or Computer-Based Testing format.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A)
The Society's Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A) program provides a professional credential to SCEA members and nonmembers who demonstrate mastery of basic concepts and methods. The individuals achieving certification: 1) pass a written exam testing their knowledge and skills; 2) qualify to take the exam by demonstrating nominal levels of training and work experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
7. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Air Conditioning Service Certification
Tests a candidate's knowledge of the installation, service, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. System sizes are limited to 30 tons or less cooling capacity.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Construction Documents Technologist (CDT)
The CDT will put you in an elite group of industry professionals whose expertise is recognized by an industry leader. No matter what you do in construction, the CDT is the program for you! Putting CSI credentials after your name is the industry's proof that you are among the industry's best, and have made a personal commitment to your profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
10. LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED)
For professionals with expertise in the design and construction phases of green buildings, serving the commercial, residential, education and healthcare sectors. The LEED BD+C exam is designed to measure your knowledge and skill in understanding the LEED Rating system and ability to facilitate the project certification process.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for an estimator?
The best estimator certification is Certified Construction Manager (CCM). The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is awarded by the Construction Manager Certification Institute. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this estimator certification:
- To become a certified Certified Construction Manager (CCM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for estimators?
The most in-demand estimator certification is Certified Construction Manager based on all active job postings. Having this estimator certification will give you access to more estimator jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact an estimator career and salary?
The Certified Construction Manager certification will help you to secure an estimator project manager position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. An estimator project manager's average salary is $66,173 whereas estimators make an average salary of $67,162.
The most common combination of estimator certifications include: Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Engineer In Training Certification (EIT), and Certified Estimating Professional (CPE).
Online courses for estimators to earn certifications
1. Statistical Inference for Estimation in Data Science
This course introduces statistical inference, sampling distributions, and confidence intervals. Students will learn how to define and construct good estimators, method of moments estimation, maximum likelihood estimation, and methods of constructing confidence intervals that will extend to more general settings. This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary...
2. Project Scheduling: Estimate Activity Durations
In this guided project you will learn how estimate the durations of your project activities. You will estimate the duration of your project activities, using techniques such as Expert Judgment, Analogy, and Parametric Estimation. Once you have developed a WBS (see Guided Project: Creating a WBS, for how to create one), and decompose the work packages (lowest elements in the WBS) into the necessary activities (See Guided Project: Creating a Project Network Diagram), you can use the bottom up...
3. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation BBS with Excel & CAD
Quantity Surveying, Construction Estimation ,Quantity survey ,Cost Estimation ,Civil engineering, Building Estimation...
4. Construction Cost Estimating and Management
Learn the tools used by construction management professionals to ensure their projects finish under budget...
5. Battery State-of-Health (SOH) Estimation
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5733, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. In this course, you will learn how to implement different state-of-health estimation methods and to evaluate their relative merits. By the end of the course, you will be able to: - Identify the primary degradation mechanisms that occur in lithium-ion cells and understand how they work - Execute provided Octave/MATLAB script to estimate total capacity using...
6. HVAC Ductwork Quantity Take off for Quantity Surveyors
HVAC, Duct, Take off, Estimation, Quantity Surveying, Length, Area, Weight, SMACNA, POMI, AUTOCAD, Excel, Template, MEP...
7. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.
Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...
8. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation,Cad Excel & Planswift
Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, BBS In Excel ,Complete Project In Autocad, Project Planning With Primavera P6...
9. Learn Estimating & Cost Control
Develop a good practical understanding of best practice estimating and cost control on building & construction Projects...
10. Quantity Surveying With Rate Analysis And Take Off-Beginners
Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, Estimation, Rate Analysis, Blubeam Revu, Planswift, Costing, Construction Drawings...
11. Quantity Surveying Templates for Effective Cost Management
Quantity Surveying, Payment Application, Payment Tracker, Variation, Claim, Material Claim, Guarantees, Price Comparison...
12. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
13. Project Management: Cost & Schedule Monitoring using EVM
Earned Value Management, Project Management, Cost Control & Monitor, Budget, Schedule & Cost Variance, Performance Index...
14. Learn Xactimate in less than 4 hours
Introduction to Xactimate - Cost Estimation Software for Construction Project...
15. Construction Methodology Basics in Civil Engineering
New Home Construction & Building construction along with Home Repair ,Estimation & Plumbing With Video Step By Step...
16. Diploma in Basics of Civil Engineering for Construction
Practical Course to Gain Quick Knowledge in Civil Engineering & Get Entry Level Jobs in Construction as Freshers...
17. 45 Days Internship on Building Construction Practice on Site
All in 1 Course for Civil Engineering Students to Discover Different Fields in Civil Engineering & Choose Your Career...
18. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
19. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module
Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...
20. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...