NCCER
NCCER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that develops and disseminates standardized construction craft training curricula, assessments, and industry-recognized credentials across the United States through 1,105 accredited organizations and digital platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersGainesville, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NCCER does
NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation founded in 1996 and headquartered in Alachua, Florida. The organization develops and disseminates standardized training curricula, assessments, and industry-recognized credentials for construction craft professionals across more than 16 trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, carpentry, masonry, heavy equipment operations, and pipeline. Its mandate is to address the U.S. skilled-trades workforce shortage — estimated at 349,000-500,000 net new workers needed annually — by standardizing how craft skills are taught, assessed, and credentialed. NCCER reports 26.2M+ successful training completions cumulatively and operates a delivery network of 1,105 accredited organizations across 5,642 points of delivery in the United States, with named enterprise users including Turner Construction, Chamberlin, Griffin Electric, DP Electric, and Everlight Solar.
NCCER's product surface spans curriculum, credentials, and digital platforms. Core curriculum products include the NCCER Training Curriculum, Construction Foreman Certification (5-course), Construction Superintendent Certification (16-course, ACCE accredited), Construction Site Safety Program, and Crane/Rigger/Signal Person Certifications. Digital platforms include NCCERconnect (online course delivery with self-paced, facilitator-led, and hybrid options), the NCCER Learning Platform / learning.nccer.org (module tests and assessments with Automated Remote Proctoring), myaccount.nccer.org (credential management now integrated with BuilderFax mobile wallet for QR-code sharing), the CareerStarter hiring platform, and CraftPro workforce management. Sub-brands include Build Your Future (BYF) recruitment, Hard Hat Heroes (veterans), and The Builders' Table Podcast. Notable integrations include Procore (construction management technology), Simformotion Cat Simulators (simulation-based training credential), and CredLens (nonprofit data trust for credential outcomes). NCCER's portfolio also includes philanthropic workforce programs such as Community Construction Academies, Rapid Recovery Construction Academies, High School Builder Program (recognized by state Departments of Education), HammerMath, and HammerBuild.
NCCER monetizes through training program and accreditation fees charged to the 1,105 accredited organizations, curriculum and textbook sales to training centers and schools, assessment and credentialing fees for module tests, journey-level exams, and pipeline covered-task certifications, plus philanthropic donations from foundations and corporate partners including Carhartt ($375,000 in 2025), Lowe's Foundation ($250M / 250,000-tradesperson commitment by 2035), DEWALT Grow the Trades grants, and Stanley Black & Decker Makers Grants. GTM is channel-led: distribution flows through accredited training centers, high school CTE programs, community college and university partnerships, association members, and direct enterprise relationships with large contractors; consumer-facing learners reach NCCER through the Find a Center locator, NCCERconnect, and NCCER Number self-service flows. ANAB accreditation for two certifications and ACCE accreditation for the Superintendent Certification provide third-party regulatory validation of the credentialing infrastructure.
NCCER firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NCCER
- Legal name
- The National Center for Construction Education and Research Ltd.
- Website
- https://nccer.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- NCCER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that develops and disseminates standardized construction craft training curricula, assessments, and industry-recognized credentials across the United States through 1,105 accredited organizations and digital platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NCCER industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Construction Workforce Education and Credentialing
- NAICS
- Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)
Keywords
Where NCCER is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gainesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
NCCER business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Training Program Fees: Fees charged to organizations for accessing NCCER's accredited training curricula, assessments, and certification programs. Organizations pay for program registration, module tests, and credential verification services.
- Curriculum and Materials Sales: Sale of NCCER textbooks, training modules, and educational materials to accredited training centers, schools, and contractors.
- Donations and Philanthropy: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NCCER receives charitable donations from foundations and corporate partners to support workforce development initiatives.
- Assessment and Testing Services: Fees for standardized assessments, journey-level examinations, and credential testing services administered through the NCCER testing platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Pricing varies by organization type and program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels9 records
NCCER product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that develops and delivers standardized construction industry craft training curricula, assessments, and nationally portable credentials. It accredits training organizations, sponsors apprenticeship programs, and partners with secondary schools, colleges, contractors, and government entities to build the construction workforce.
Product overview
NCCER is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education foundation that provides a comprehensive construction industry education ecosystem. The portfolio includes industry-recognized training curriculum across all construction trades, credentialing and certification programs (Construction Foreman Certification, Construction Superintendent Certification, Crane/Rigger/Signal Person Certifications, Construction Site Safety), the NCCERconnect online learning platform, the CareerStarter career connection platform, and the Build Your Future (BYF) outreach initiative. Supporting tools include the Instructor Toolbox, NCCER Core Toolbox, HammerMath (high school), HammerBuild (college), CraftPro workforce management, and the Credential Verification System. The organization also operates philanthropic programs including Community Construction Academies, Rapid Recovery Construction Academies, Hard Hat Heroes (veterans), and the High School Builder Program. Recently launched the Construction Leadership Series as a new program category, Digital Credentials for credential holders, and the BuilderFax mobile wallet integration for digital credential sharing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Build Your Future (BYF): NCCER's workforce recruitment initiative designed to attract individuals to careers in the construction industry
- CareerStarter
- CraftPro
- The Builders' Table Podcast
Products and services
- NCCER Training Curriculum Comprehensive standardized curriculum covering all major construction crafts and trades including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, welding, HVAC, masonry, and more. Used by accredited training centers, schools, and contractors to deliver consistent, industry-recognized craft training.
- NCCERconnect Online Learning Platform Digital learning platform delivering NCCER's construction craft curriculum online, enabling remote and blended learning for students at accredited training centers, high schools, and postsecondary institutions.
- Construction Foreman Certification Industry-recognized certification program for construction foremen, validating supervisory competencies and craft expertise for leadership roles on construction job sites.
- Construction Superintendent Certification Advanced certification for construction superintendents, validating the skills needed to oversee complex construction projects, manage crews, and coordinate site operations.
- Construction Site Safety Program Safety training and certification program designed to meet OSHA 10/30 and MSHA requirements for construction site workers, foremen, and supervisors. Covers hazard recognition, fall protection, and regulatory compliance.
- Crane, Rigger & Signal Person Certifications Specialized certification programs for crane operators, riggers, and signal persons, validating competency in safe crane operations and signaling on construction sites.
- CareerStarter Talent matching platform that connects NCCER-trained craft professionals with construction employers, helping graduates find employment and helping contractors find skilled workers.
- Build Your Future (BYF) Workforce development initiative that promotes construction career pathways to students, parents, and educators, raising awareness of careers in the skilled trades.
- NCCER Assessment Platform Online testing platform featuring automated remote proctoring (ARP) for NCCER certification exams, enabling secure, standardized assessment of craft knowledge anywhere.
- Credential Verification System Online system allowing employers, contractors, and other stakeholders to verify NCCER credentials earned by craft professionals, with integration to third-party platforms like BuilderFax.
- Pipeline Program Targeted workforce development program designed to increase representation of underrepresented populations in the construction industry through training, mentorship, and credentialing pathways.
- Agricultural Technology Program Specialized training program addressing the workforce needs at the intersection of agriculture and construction industries, including structures such as barns, silos, and farm infrastructure.
- Fast Track Program Accelerated credentialing program enabling experienced construction workers to earn NCCER certifications more quickly by leveraging their existing skills and knowledge.
- High School Builder Program Construction education program for high school students that allows them to earn NCCER credentials before graduation, providing a head start on construction careers or apprenticeship pathways.
- Community Construction Academies Community-based construction training academies that deliver NCCER credentials at the local level, making construction career pathways accessible in underserved communities.
- Rapid Recovery Construction Academies Specialized training academies developed to rapidly train construction workers for post-disaster recovery efforts, particularly following hurricanes and major storms.
- Hard Hat Heroes Program supporting military veterans transitioning to civilian construction careers by mapping military training to NCCER credentials and providing career pathway support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 26.2M+ successful training completions across the NCCER credentialing system
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NCCER
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
NCCER technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature4 records
NCCER partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Everlight SolarminorEverlight Solar was approved to offer NCCER courses internally to its team members, providing nationally recognized credentials and hands-on training aligned with industry standards in the solar and construction sectors.
- LSU OnlinecoreLSU Online partnered with NCCER to expand construction-focused professional development offerings with two new certification programs for construction superintendents and foremen. The partnership addresses workforce development needs in the construction industry.
- BuilderFax (Lumber)coreBuilderFax from Lumber became the official credential management platform for NCCER, enabling construction workers to digitally store and share their credentials via a mobile wallet with instant QR code sharing capabilities. The partnership integrates NCCER career pathways with hiring, compliance, and workforce analytics.
- CredLenscoreNCCER shares certain data with CredLens, which administers a nationwide nonprofit data trust for generating insights relating to participation and outcomes for industry-based credentials and workforce programs.
- HVAC ExcellenceminorPartnership to develop HVACR education resources for the construction industry.
- If I Had A Hammer, Inc.minorPartnership to bring an innovative approach to math comprehension for construction students through the HammerMath program.
- National FFA Organization and National Council for Agricultural EducationminorPartnership to build a credentialed talent pipeline connecting agricultural education with construction careers.
- CareerSafeminorPartnership to recognize safety credentials in conjunction with NCCER training programs.
- BCSP (Board of Certified Safety Professionals)minorPartnership strengthening construction safety initiatives and career pathways through combined credentials.
- Explore The TradesminorPartnership to launch free career co-kit during CTE Month for promoting construction careers.
- EnGenminorPartnership to launch English pathway supporting construction foreman advancement for all craft professionals.
- Digi Twin GlobalminorCollaboration on Digital Twin Design and Production Certificate program targeting the construction industry's digital transformation needs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
NCCER competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Home Builders Institute (HBI): Home Builders Institute is a national nonprofit training provider delivering construction trades education, pre-apprenticeship, and credential programs for the residential building sector. HBI is the most directly comparable peer to NCCER as both operate as nonprofit construction workforce development organizations offering standardized curricula and industry-recognized credentials.
- SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students preparing for skilled trades careers, including construction craft competitions and CTE-aligned credential programs. NCCER explicitly partners with SkillsUSA at events like the National Leadership and Skills Conference, and both organizations target the same CTE pipeline for construction careers.
- American Council for Construction Education (ACCE): ACCE is the accrediting body for construction education programs at the postsecondary level and has formally accredited NCCER's Construction Superintendent Certification. ACCE operates adjacent to NCCER in accrediting construction management and craft education programs, making it a natural peer in the construction-education accreditation market.
Broad incumbents
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): ABC is a national construction industry trade association representing merit shop contractors and operating its own apprenticeship, craft training, and credentialing programs. ABC overlaps with NCCER's craft training and apprenticeship credentialing offerings and is the largest competing provider of industry-led construction trades credentials in the U.S.
Emerging players
- CareerSafe: CareerSafe provides OSHA-aligned construction safety training and credentials that are recognized alongside NCCER training programs under an established partnership. While smaller and narrower in scope (safety-only), CareerSafe competes for the same employer-funded safety credentialing budget and represents an overlapping curriculum area.
- HVAC Excellence: HVAC Excellence is a nonprofit HVACR education accreditation body that partners with NCCER on HVACR education resources. It operates an HVAC-specific credentialing and accreditation program that directly overlaps with NCCER's HVACR curriculum offerings in the same trades-school channel.
- National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI): NAAEI delivers education, certifications, and credentialing programs for the multifamily housing and residential construction workforce. It overlaps with NCCER's residential construction trades training and represents a narrower, real-estate-focused credentialing peer.
Others
- Build Your Future (BYF): BYF is a national workforce recruitment initiative focused on attracting individuals to construction careers, and per the NCCER company data, BYF is actually an NCCER sub-brand. It is included as a peer because it operates as an outreach/recruitment channel that competes with adjacent industry recruitment programs targeting the same talent pool.
- Credly: Credly, a Pearson company, is the leading digital credentialing platform used by enterprises and certification bodies to issue, manage, and share verifiable credentials. NCCER's BuilderFax/Lumber integration competes in the digital credential wallet space where Credly is the established incumbent, making it a comparable technology-and-services peer.
Regional players
- Lincoln Tech: Lincoln Tech is a for-profit technical and trade school chain offering construction, HVAC, welding, and electrical training programs across multiple U.S. campuses. While Lincoln Tech delivers instruction directly (rather than accrediting third-party providers) and is for-profit, it competes for the same student population in many of the same construction trades credentialed by NCCER.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NCCER social profiles
Digital presenceNCCER compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
NCCER financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NCCER leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
NCCER funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NCCER M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NCCER
What does NCCER do?
NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that develops and delivers standardized construction industry craft training curricula, assessments, and nationally portable credentials. It accredits training organizations, sponsors apprenticeship programs, and partners with secondary schools, colleges, contractors, and government entities to build the construction workforce.
Is NCCER a public or private company?
NCCER is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NCCER founded?
NCCER was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is NCCER based?
NCCER is headquartered in Gainesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does NCCER make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Training Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are curriculum and Materials Sales, donations and Philanthropy and assessment and Testing Services.
Who are NCCER's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Home Builders Institute (HBI), SkillsUSA and American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are CareerSafe, HVAC Excellence and National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI). Others are Build Your Future (BYF) and Credly. Lincoln Tech is listed as a regional player.
Does NCCER have an API?
No public API is recorded for NCCER.
What industry is NCCER in?
NCCER's product category is Construction Workforce Education and Credentialing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAALAH, Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE), with a secondary code of EDADACAF, Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies. Its NAICS code is 61151 and its SIC code is 8200.