DHI Industry Certification

DHI is the focal point for a team of more than 2,200 professional consultants. Their goal may be personal achievement, but their direction encompasses efforts that will improve the lifestyle of millions of people as well as enhance the fire and life safety of buildings and their occupants.

What Certification Designations are Offered?

Architectural Hardware Consultant (AHC), Certified Door Consultant (CDC), Electrified Hardware Consultant (EHC) and Architectural Openings Consultant (AOC) are DHI’s legacy certifications that are recognized as marks of excellence throughout the industry. These professional certifications attest to the high principles of the individual and that he or she is a professional prepared to provide sound architectural door and hardware specification advice and counsel to architects, contractors and building owners.
DHI awards these credentials to individuals who have successfully completed a prescribed series of training and have passed rigorous certification examinations. Individuals pursuing certification must complete the core educational curriculum before branching off to follow a particular discipline.

  • Architectural Hardware Consultants (AHCs) are trained to recognize a builder’s hardware requirements for door openings in all types of public, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. AHCs coordinate thousands of builders' hardware items and options to ensure door openings are in compliance with fire, life safety, accessibility and building code requirements.
  • Certified Door Consultants (CDCs) are trained in the construction and application of standard and custom hollow metal doors and frames, architectural flush and stile and rail wood doors and aluminum doors and frames. CDCs must master a myriad of fire, life safety, accessibility and building code requirements for all types of buildings.
  • Electrified Hardware Consultants (EHCs) specialize in the coordination of architectural door openings with the increased security needs of public buildings in today’s society. EHCs are experts at interfacing electrified architectural hardware products into access control monitoring and fire alarm systems, while maintaining compliance with fire, life safety, accessibility and building code requirements.
  • Architectural Openings Consultants (AOCs) are individuals who have attained AHC, CDC and EHC professional certifications. AOCs have mastered all facets of the commercial door and hardware industry and exemplify the highest standards of expertise and professionalism. Consultants pursue an accreditation and maintenance program that broadens and enriches their understanding of the architectural openings industry and encourages continuing education.

New Certifications

In 2016, in response to the changing dynamics of our industry and the evolving needs of our members who work in this market, DHI updated its credential and certification program to add a new three-tiered program with new credentials and certifications:

Level One: Basic Technical Understanding

  • DHIA: Door & Hardware Industry Associate

Level Two: Intermediate Technical Competence

  • DHT: Door & Hardware Technician

Level Three: Advanced Technical Expertise

  • DHC: Door & Hardware Consultant
  • DHSC: Door & Hardware Specification Consultant
  • ACSC: Access Control System Consultant

The new credentials and supporting education programs will launch in 2017. DHI’s legacy certifications will remain in full effect and we will continue to advocate their corresponding marks of technical expertise to our industry stakeholders, the design community, end users, and the Authorities Having Jurisdiction, alongside the new credentials and certifications we are introducing.
For complete information on the new certification program, view the video, brochure and poster here. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the new certifications, click here.

Modernized Testing Process
As part of the new certification initiative, DHI is committed to modernizing our certification testing process so it better reflects an individual’s technical competency and not a physical endurance test. We will also enhance the entire certification testing experience while realizing efficiencies and improving response time in grading these exams to provide students with faster results.

Links
New in 2016! Credential and Certification Program Update
Continuing Education Program
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