January was an important month for CSI and its Certification program.  The deadline to sign up for the local certification exam was January 31.  In case you missed the deadline, CSI offers the exams at the national convention.  The date for those exams is June 19, 2007; you must sign up with Institute by April 20. 

Moving forward in 2008, the Institute Certification Committee is working to implement a new format for taking the CDT exam.  The exam will be computer-based as opposed to the written format we currently use.  Lisa Turner (local member) is chair of the Institute Certification Committee.  The following are her comments on the forthcoming changes, “The CDT exam will be available in one-week windows in the spring and fall and will be administered at professional exam sites throughout the county.”

There are a couple of key points to the new format. First it will give members more flexibility when taking the exam.  Members can register for the exam at any time during that week period, so it will be more convenient to take the exam.  A second benefit is that professional exam sites are set up specifically for that purpose so they are easily accessible and comfortable.  Lastly, the work it takes to host the exam locally will decrease for our Certification Committee; allowing them to focus on recruiting exam candidates and organizing review classes.  The committee will still have to organize the advanced exams because they are not being converted at this time.  There will be more information forthcoming. 

Certification is an excellent opportunity to show people in the construction industry that you have put forth extra effort to be well trained on the document side of the business.  The project manual is a critical part of any construction project.  Not only does it contain information about the products to be used but it also contains important information about the roles and responsibilities of the parties under contract.  I encourage everyone to become certified; I know it has benefited me professionally and I am sure it would do the same for you! 

If you have suggestions on how to do that, please contact me at 612-309-4373.