International DGNB Consultant

Architects, Specialist planners, Civil engineers, Urban planners, Project developers, Project managers, Building product manufacturers, Energy consultants, Building owners and developers and persons who are actively involved in DGNB certification or who would like to carry out certification themselves in countries where there is no local version of the DGNB System to date.

You want to qualify as a DGNB Consultant in Germany? Also see our full DGNB Consultant program in German here.

During 4 modules consisting of 8 online sessions, participants will learn about the international application of the DGNB Certification System (Version 2020, international) for sustainable buildings and districts.

Module 1: Basics of the DGNB System (2 x 90 min)

Module 2: The DGNB System for Districts (2 x 90 min)

Module 3: Environmental, Economic and Site qualities of building certification (2 x 90 min)

Module 4: Social, technical and process qualities of building certification (2 x 90 min)

Additionally, two complementary digital workshops on tools assure the practical application of selected DGNB criteria. This way participants gain comprehensive knowledge on the DGNB Certification, the evaluation methodology and the adaptation of individual criteria to local requirements. 

To qualify as DGNB Consultants, participants need to take and pass the DGNB Consultant exam.

The exam is done online in a separate appointment and can be taken within a period of 24 months after the training course. In general, an average of 40 learning-hours is recommended to ensure passing the exam, but this might vary depending on individual prior knowledge.

Teaching language and training material: English.

Click here to check-out upcoming training possibilities.

Furthermore, we are offering on-site intensive courses, where participants gain the required knowledge for the DGNB Consultant qualification. These on-site training takes three days and locations vary.

Module 1: Basics of the DGNB System (2 x 90 min)

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 Districts (2 x 90 min)

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: Environmental, Economic and Site qualities of building certification (2 x 90 min)

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: Social, technical and process qualities of building certification (2 x 90 min)

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.

As an international DGNB Consultant you are entitled to carry out auditing work for DGNB Certificates and Pre-certificates for buildings and districts, as well as for buildings-in-use in all countries where no localized DGNB System is available i.e all countries excluding Germany, Denmark, Spain, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia. Once your first pilot project is successfully certified, you will automatically qualify as International DGNB Auditor.

If you plan to carry out DGNB projects in all markets, we recommend you the German based training to become a DGNB Consultant. This training slightly varies to the international DGNB Consultant Training. Find all information here.

Our DGNB System Partners have developed a locally adapted DGNB Certification methodology for Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Spain and are offering specific trainings in the local language accordingly.

- Denmark: Click here to become a Consultant with our DGNB System Partner DK-GBC.

- Spain: Click here to become a Consultant with our DGNB System Partner GBCe.

- Austria: Click here to become a Consultant with our DGNB System Partner ÖGNI.

- Switzerland: Click here to become a Consultant with our DGNB System Partner SGNI.

- Croatia: Click here to become a Consultant with our DGNB System Partner Hrvatski savjet za zelenu gradnju

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 DGNB International Consultants and DGNB International Auditors on the network platform myDGNB
• Possibility to become a DGNB Trainer

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.

Price overview of International DGNB Consultant training including exam

For participants with the degree DGNB Registered Professional:

872 € (for DGNB members, members of DGNB system partners, members of a chamber of architects)

1112 € (DGNB non-members)

For participants without the degree DGNB Registered Professional:

1090 €  (for DGNB members, members of DGNB system partners, members of a chamber of architects)

1390 € (DGNB non-members)

You can find out about all our upcoming trainings here

The international DGNB Consultant exam is a 60 min. exam that can be taken online on one day.

The online exam for the International DGNB Consultant qualification takes place at a time interval from your participation in the training in order to allow you to prepare in home study. The home study in preparation for the exam takes about 40 hours on average. We use multiple choice questions to test the contents of the training in a 60-minute examination.

If you fail the International DGNB Consultant exam for the first time, you will receive a second attempt free of charge. A third attempt is possible. For this, we charge 50 percent of the examination costs.

If you do not pass at the latest on the third attempt, you have the option of taking an oral exam as a last resort. This will only take place on request and in person at the DGNB office (an online appointment is possible in individual cases). We charge the full examination fee for this.

• How long does the training to become an international DGNB Consultant take?

Usually, the training to become an International DGNB Consultant takes about two weeks. Participation in the International DGNB Consultant training and taking the exam takes a maximum of 6 days. In addition, we recommend a home study of approx. 40 hours in preparation for the exam.

• Is the degree of DGNB Registered Professional a prerequisite for further training as an international DGNB Consultant?

You can participate in the International DGNB Consultant training and take the exam without having attended the DGNB Registered Professional course.

• Can I participate in the international DGNB Consultant training without aiming for a degree or attending further seminars?

The offer to attend the International DGNB Consultant training is open to all interested persons.

• I am an international DGNB Consultant. How can I submit projects for DGNB certification in Germany or other DGNB System partner countries in the future?

Your licence as an International DGNB Consultant is limited to the submission of projects in countries where there is no local version of the DGNB system so far. If you would like to be active in the German market or in countries of DGNB system partners in the future, participation in the following events is required:

DGNB Practical Module: Assessing and realising the recycling potential of building materials and structures (subject to a fee)

DGNB Practical Module: Identifying and selecting low-pollutant building materials (fee required)

Differences of the DGNB System International vs. DGNB System (free of charge)

Please contact us by e-mail at ausbildung@dgnb.de if you would like to extend your international licence.