Des Plaines, Illinois, April 24, 2008 – The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has updated its Green Certified Professional (GCP) certification, making the program more inclusive. Requirements to take the GCP exam are five years in the remodeling industry and 16 hours of continuing or formal education in green or sustainable remodeling practices.

NARI's Green Remodeling certification is designed to benefit remodelers and homeowners. "The requirements for becoming a GCP will allow contractors to demonstrate their knowledge in green remodeling. They can more readily convey to homeowners that they have a good understanding of this type of remodeling, and to work with residents to produce results that everyone can celebrate,” says Chris Donatelli, CR, CKBR, the chair of the Green Education Sub-Committee.

“With a focus on ‘Green’ in the marketplace, NARI members will be pleased about the updated requirements for the NARI Green Remodeling certification. More remodelers will have the opportunity to become certified so they can meet their customer’s needs,” said NARI President Renée Rewiski.

For a contractor to become a GCP, NARI must first approve the submitted application, and then, each applicant must pass an exam consisting of about 200 questions.

NARI Members and non-members alike may download an application and GCP program manual at http://www.nari.org/certify

NARI’s green certification program is sponsored in part by TOTO USA.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers can search http://www.nari.org or http://www.RemodelToday.com to find a qualified remodeler who is a member of NARI.