FAQ

Proceed to the registration page and follow the instructions.

The ISO 17024 standard requires ABAA to review the program requirements, policies and procedures every year and change as needed. The certification handbook is a living document and will be edited once a year. An exam assessment is done to make sure that questions are working and users of the exam are passing questions and that questions are current and rotated throughout the exam.

No, however, what you are expected to know are the general national codes. You should know your IECC, particularly chapter 4, which is part of the exam.

CABS is not part of the auditing program. The other distinctions for installers and auditors are for quality assurance and testing for quality and proper installation. The focus of the installers and auditors are job site dependent while CABS is working with the design professionals to share knowledge to their clients.

By having an Air Barrier Specialist certification from an accredited organization like the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA), you will be able to demonstrate your expert knowledge of air barriers across five major air barrier methods: board stock, fluid-applied, mechanically attached, self-adhered, and spray foam.

Anyone who advises architects, owners, installers, inspectors/auditors and other building stakeholders in the use, design and installation of air barriers. Typically this includes the following types of professionals:

• Architects
• Building Envelope Consultants
• Manufacturer Representatives
• Sales Professionals
• Technical Directors
• Technical Field Representatives

The certification is valid for a period of three (3) years from date of issuance, at which point renewal is required. Renewal requires proof of nine (9) ABAA or AIA educational units (CEU) related to air barriers and/or the building enclosure. Renewal does not require a retest. Thereafter, every six (6) years, from date of issuance, a Certified Air Barrier Specialist must recertify to confirm continued compliance. Recertification requires proof of 18 CEUs (9 CEUs for each of the two (2) maintenance renewal periods) and successful completion of the current written exam.

Yes, the fee is $495 for members and $650 non-members and is paid during registration.  The Course Study Guide is $100 for members and $150 for non-members and can be purchased during registration and available for download on your student dashboard (once registered).

Yes, you will receive both an electronic and an embossed certificate with a plaque.

Yes as well as any other groups that have air barrier knowledge. We recommend that any and all building construction manufacturer employees be certified so that they can bring their extensive air barrier knowledge to their clients.

No it does not. Renewal requires proof of nine (9) ABAA or AIA educational units (CEU) related to air barriers and/or the building enclosure. The fee for renewal is $250 ($325.00).

Recertification requires proof of 18 CEUs (9 CEUs for each of the two (2) maintenance renewal periods). The fee for recertification is $495 members ($650 non-members).

Yes it is possible because it’s measuring your knowledge of air barrier technology. It is recommended to have field experience as it will be more beneficial in passing the exam.

Yes but it does lean more towards commercial. At this time, very little air barrier technology is used for residential but it is growing.

Absolutely! If you took one ABAA learning unit once a month, for your three year renewal period, you would exceed the amount of credits required.

We recommend extensive industry readings and a thorough review of the ABAA CABS Study Guide.

The ABAA CABS study manual was created to give you a total grounding in all aspects of air barrier information. This includes lab and field testing, chemical compatibilities, job site and architectural details.

The CABS study guide was created by ABAA staff along with input from the ABAA technical and research committees.

Yes. During the registration process we highly recommend you purchase and download the Study Guide PDF. The Study Guide is $100 for members ($150 non-members).

CABS is a new program so, currently, there are no study groups formed.

This can vary person-to-person. The suggested time is 3-4 hours per week for 6-8 weeks.

No, but we recommend extensive industry readings and a thorough review of the ABAA 2025 CABS Study Manual.

No. No books, print outs, or other materials are allowed on your desk during the online proctored exam.

The exam is proctored and administered online by a third party. There will be between 145-171 multiple choice questions. The passing grade for the exam is 80%.

To validate the test we discovered that the vast majority of ABAA members, who took the exam without the study guide, scored between 74 and 79. We highly recommend using the study guide and reading of additional outside materials as it will allow you to pass the exam with a score of 80 or higher.

We have a list of Certified Air Barrier Specialists here.

How to Access Your exam

1. Go to https://learn.airbarrier.org
2. Enter the email address used at the time of registration as your username.
3. Enter your password or use the forgot password function.

You must have a government-issued ID ready, a working microphone and a working webcam.

Books or printed materials, duplicate monitors, third-party programs, headphones, earbuds, electronic devices, or external resources are not permitted during the exam. Desk surface must be clear while taking the exam.

For the entire exam process, 5 hours should be reserved. On average, the total time for the process is around 3 hours.

The exam has a 4-hour time limit, but the average test taking time is between 2-2.5 hours.

The exam should be taken in a private, well-lit room with stable Wi-Fi connection, and no outside distractions.

Integrity Advocate retains your image, name, and email address.

Should test results be challenged, Integrity Advocate needs to retain the information on behalf of the ABAA.

No additional software or plugins are installed on your device.

An exam that is taken on an internet browser (preferably Google Chrome or Firefox) and monitored through webcam and screenshare.

When the test is submitted.