California Architects, Get Ready for Net-Zero-Carbon Education

California architects will have to prove they know a thing or five about net-zero-carbon design in order to renew their licenses starting in January 2023. The requirement to report five “ZNCD” continuing education hours every two years, signed into law in 2021, adds to a similar requirement to complete hours on disability access.

The law was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects California (AIA CA), which has been building a library of net-zero-carbon videos it’s offering for free. Titles include “Understanding Carbon Analysis for Existing Building Renovation,” “Smart Carbon Goals: Life-Cycle Assessment in Design Practice,” and “Designing for Zero Net Carbon: 3 Case Studies, All-Electric Buildings.”

You don’t have to be practicing in California to watch the free videos.

A “Zero Net Carbon” logo identifies videos that presumably meet the law’s requirements—but even though architects have to start complying in 2023, the official regulatory parameters won’t be released till 2024.  So “licensees must determine if the completed course meets the requirements of Assembly Bill 1010” for now, according to guidance released by the California Architects Board, which “will promulgate regulations to establish qualifications for courses and course providers by July 1, 2024.”

For more information:

AIA California
aiacalifornia.org