What AWI Quality Certification Program does

AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) is the certification arm of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), operating as a non-profit under AWI Quality Certification Corporation, a Virginia-incorporated entity headquartered in Potomac Falls, VA. Founded in 1954, QCP licenses woodworking firms and certifies individual architectural woodwork projects for compliance with AWI Standards, which achieved ANSI approval in 2020. The program serves four primary customer segments: woodworking firms seeking licensing (manufacturing, finishing, and installation categories across 35 license types and 8 specialty areas), architects and designers who specify QCP in project documents, general contractors who hire QCP-licensed firms, and individual drafters who obtain the Individual Drafting Accreditation (IDA).

QCP generates revenue through three streams: licensing fees (application fees of $2,000 for AWI members and $3,500 for non-members, plus annual participation of $1,250 for members and $2,650 for non-members), project certification fees (0.5% of total woodwork contract value, capped between $500 minimum and $10,000 maximum), and drafting accreditation fees ($150 application, $75 annual renewal). The technology stack centers on a secure online portal (secure.awiqcp.org) for license applications, project registration, certification orders, and inspection scheduling, supplemented by Virtual Project Inspection (VPI) technology that enables remote evaluations via video sharing, and a self-labeling status pathway for qualifying firms.

The go-to-market model is sales-led, targeting architects through continuing education (Lunch & Learn sessions providing 1 AIA CEU credit), professional guides, and industry endorsements from the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) and Construction Specification Institute (CSI). QCP specification language is embedded in MasterSpec and Speclink, generating pull-through demand: architects specify QCP, compelling general contractors to hire only QCP-licensed woodworkers. The program operates with 11-50 employees and a nationwide network of inspectors who are former woodworkers and design professionals, with selected international reach into Canada, Mexico, and certain Middle East and Asia-Pacific markets.

Name

AWI Quality Certification Program

Legal name

AWI Quality Certification Corporation

Website

https://awiqcp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AWI Quality Certification Program licenses woodworking firms and certifies architectural woodwork projects for compliance with AWI Standards, serving architects, contractors, woodworking firms, and drafters across the United States with selective international reach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Potomac

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensing Fees: Woodworking firms pay application and annual participation fees for QCP licensing. The application fee is $2,000 for AWI members and $3,500 for non-members. Annual participation fees are $1,250 for members and $2,650 for non-members. Licensing covers manufacturing, finishing, and installation categories.
2. Project Certification Fees: Each QCP-certified project incurs a fee of 0.5% of the total woodwork contract value, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $10,000. This is a per-project transaction fee paid by the woodworker or project party requesting certification.
3. Drafting Accreditation Fees: Individual drafters can obtain drafting accreditation for $150 application fee and $75 annual renewal, providing industry-recognized quality assessment credentials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

QCP provides third-party quality certification for architectural woodwork, licensing firms in manufacturing, finishing, and installation categories and certifying individual project conformance to AWI Standards. Project conformance is verified through inspections (in-person and Virtual Project Inspections) executed by trained inspectors, with results reviewed by QCP compliance staff. The program also accredits individual drafters via the Individual Drafting Accreditation (IDA) credential and offers AWI Standards reference materials, Lunch & Learn sessions, and design publications.

Product overview

AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) is a certification organization operated by the Architectural Woodwork Institute. The core offering consists of the Quality Certification Program for licensing woodworking firms and certifying projects against AWI Standards. Key products include QCP Licensing for manufacturing, finishing, and installation categories; Project Certification for verifying individual project conformance; and Individual Drafting Accreditation (IDA) for drafters. Supporting infrastructure includes the QCP Website Portal for online transactions, AWI Standards documents (including Edition 2), Virtual Project Inspection (VPI) technology for remote assessments, and professional development through Lunch & Learn sessions and the Design Solutions publication. The program also provides specification language sections for architects through MasterSpec and Speclink integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QCP Licensing Annual license issued to architectural woodworking firms in three categories — Manufacturer, Finisher, and Installer — that demonstrates the firm's conformance to AWI Standards and authorizes Self-Labeling Status. Licensed firms are listed in the QCP licensee directory and may pursue project certifications.
• Project Certification Per-project certification verifying that the architectural woodwork on a specific construction project conforms to AWI Standards, delivered through a combination of document review and inspections (in-person and Virtual Project Inspections). Certification is purchased by architects, general contractors, or licensed firms and is priced at 0.5% of contract value for non-QCP-licensed firms, with reduced rates for QCP-licensed firms.
• Individual Drafting Accreditation (IDA) Multi-tier personal credential (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) for individual architectural woodwork drafters, earned by passing AWI Standards examinations at each level. The IDA demonstrates an individual drafter's mastery of AWI Standards.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost-effective certification starting at $500
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Subcontractors Association (ASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA officially endorses QCP as a quality certification program for architectural woodworking. This endorsement provides QCP with credibility and access to ASA's network of subcontractors in the construction industry.
• Construction Specification Institute (CSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSI officially endorses QCP as a quality certification program. QCP specification language is available in MasterSpec and Speclink, aligning with CSI's SectionFormat and PageFormat guidelines for easy integration into project specifications.
• Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI)coreOthersQCP was designed and implemented by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI). AWI produces the standards that QCP licensees must adhere to. QCP is the Quality Certification Program of AWI.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Intertek: Global Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) company offering construction materials testing, product certification, and quality assurance services. A scaled incumbent in the same TIC category QCP operates in, though much broader in scope.
• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC company covering construction, infrastructure, and building products with certification and inspection services. A scaled incumbent operating the same third-party verification model as QCP across a much wider industry footprint.
• U.S. Green Building Council: Operates the LEED green building certification program, a third-party verification system widely specified by architects and procurement. Compares to QCP in mechanism (architect-specified third-party certification) but addresses sustainability rather than woodwork quality.
• International Code Council: Building code and standards body that develops model codes and offers accreditation and certification services across the broader construction industry. Comparable third-party verification model but at a much larger scope than QCP's woodwork niche.

Direct peers

• SCS Global Services: Independent third-party certification, auditing, and testing body serving building products, construction materials, and architectural components. Comparable in third-party certification mechanics and construction-sector focus, though with a broader portfolio.
• BM TRADA: Third-party certification body providing QA/QC, factory audits, and product certification for timber, wood products, and construction components. Operates the same third-party verification model as QCP in the architectural woodwork category.
• APA - The Engineered Wood Association: Trade association that publishes performance-rated standards for engineered wood products and offers third-party certification for wood-based construction materials. Structurally the closest analog to QCP for the wood industry, with a similar standards-and-licensing model.
• Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association: Trade association representing the hardwood plywood, veneer, and engineered hardwood industry, with voluntary standards and certification programs for wood-based panel products. Similar trade-association-led standards and certification model in an adjacent wood industry segment.
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry: Trade association offering credentialing programs (e.g., Certified Remodeler, Certified Lead Carpenter) for remodeling professionals. Comparable trade-association-driven certification model targeting construction craft quality.

Others

• Architectural Woodwork Institute: Parent organization of QCP that publishes the AWI Standards (including ANSI-approved sections) governing architectural woodwork. While QCP performs certification, AWI sets the underlying standards, making them an ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/awiqcp
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArchitecturalWoodworkInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/architectural-woodwork-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AWI Quality Certification Program