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Establish Your Career in Construction ManagementAIC Certification: Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) Level I Exam

Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) is the first level of certification in the Constructor Certification Program. This level of certification is ideal for recent graduates of a 4-Year Construction Management Program or those transitioning into construction management from other industries.

Professionals applying for the CAC Exam have a high level of skill and knowledge in managing and implementing the process of construction. Why is this important?

  • CACs bring value to any project as they have a verified skill and knowledge level.
  • CACs create peace of mind for project owners as a trustworthy, high-performing individual.
  • CACs elevate the safety of a work site with confirmed knowledge of best practices.
  • CACs seek continual professional improvement through our required Continuing Professional Development program.
  • CACs agree to abide by the AIC Code of Ethics, which ensures that you are committed to being a professional and ethical member of the industry.
Please note that this certification was formerly the Associate Constructor (AC).

The Registration Period

For construction professionals that apply online, you will receive confirmation of whether you have been approved to sit for the exam you are qualified to take. You will then have a few weeks to register for the CAC exam.

  • Registration Period: February 20-March 5, 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

The Exam Dates

Once you are approved and registered to sit for one exam, you will have a weeklong opportunity to complete the exam at an approved computer-based testing location.

  • Exam Window: the CAC exam window is April 8-16, 2023.
  • We will send you specific information about where you can take the computer-based exam. If you do not receive information, contact [email protected].

Note for students: The paper/pencil CAC exam date is April 8, 2023. This form of the exam is only available for students (not construction professionals) and will be administered through your college or university. Your instructor will provide specific information directly to you about how to take the exam.

Qualifications for the CAC Exam

To qualify to take the CAC examination, one must have met at least one of the following requirements by the time of applying:

  • Four (4) years of Qualifying Experience, Qualifying Education, or some combination of the two. Please refer to the CAC Handbook for more details, including definitions of Qualifying Education and Experience OR
  • Be within 12 months of graduating from a four-year accredited bachelor’s degree construction program. While one may sit for the examination before graduating, he or she will not be certified of passing the examination until receiving one’s degree.

Fees For Certified Associate Construction Exam

  • Traditional Paper/Pencil: $165 (administered through university partners).
  • Computer-Based, University-Proctored: $200 (administered through university partners).
  • Computer-Based, Test-Center Proctored: $235 (delivered through our test-center network).

The Result of Completing the CAC Level I Exam

Construction professionals that complete the CAC Level I Exam will be able to demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge in managing the process of construction covering the following areas:

  • Communication Skills
  • Engineering Management
  • Management Concepts
  • Materials, Methods & Project Modeling
  • Bidding and Estimating
  • Budgeting, Costs & Cost Control
  • Planning, Scheduling & Schedule Control
  • Construction Safety
  • Construction Geomatics
  • Project Administration
  • Newly Certified Members Receive an Official AIC Certificate

The Components of the CAC Level 1 Exam

The CAC Level I Exam is broken down into the following aspects:

  • The CAC exam is made up of 300 multiple choice questions, given during two 4-hour sessions on a single day.
  • The exam covers 10 separate sections to demonstrate that you have a core competency in construction and are ready to contribute meaningfully to the construction industry.
  • The exam is given twice per year (spring and fall) at 60+ locations across the country.
  • 50+ university Construction Management Programs currently administer the CAC exam. Most require the exam as part of their program curriculum.

Contact AIC To Coordinate Certification Sessions

For administrator and university professionals looking to coordinate CAC or CPC certification sessions, please reach out directly to Gregg Bradshaw at [email protected] and Ethan Gray at [email protected].

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