How to Verify CAPS Certification Before You Hire a Contractor

A contractor's business card or website says "CAPS certified," and you want to know the claim is real before you sign anything. CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a credential awarded by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). You can confirm it in minutes through NAHB's public credential directory or its Learning Helpline. This guide walks you through the exact process, plus the two checks a credential never replaces.

The risk, stated calmly#

Aging-in-place work is a trust purchase. You are inviting someone into your home, or your parent's home, to change how a bathroom, a doorway, or a set of stairs works for years to come. CAPS is the best-known credential in this field, which makes it the one most worth confirming.

A CAPS claim can be wrong without anyone meaning harm. A credential may have lapsed, or a company may be leaning on one employee's certification to describe the whole business. Sometimes a claim is simply false. You do not need to assume the worst about the person in front of you. You just need a quick, repeatable way to check, and a clear plan for the rare case when a claim does not hold up.

How credential misrepresentation happens#

Most problems follow a handful of patterns. Knowing them makes verification faster.

• A lapsed credential still on the truck or website. Keeping CAPS current takes 4 continuing education hours (CE, meaning ongoing training a professional completes each year) plus annual renewal. If the credential lapses for more than 3 years, the holder has to take or retake the final course, CAPS III, to reinstate it. Old signage and web pages do not always keep up.
• A company credential standing in for a person. A business may advertise CAPS because one certified individual works there. That person may have left, or may not be the one designing or assessing your project.
• Invented or lookalike designations. Some titles are made up, or are worded to resemble a real credential closely enough to pass a quick glance.
• A real credential used for the wrong job. CAPS is education in aging-in-place design and understanding client needs. It is not a construction license. A genuine CAPS holder still needs the right license and insurance to do the building work.

The protective checklist#

Run these steps in order. The first two confirm the credential itself. The rest confirm the things a credential was never meant to cover.

Step 1: Search NAHB's credential directory. NAHB maintains a searchable public directory of professionals who hold NAHB credentials, including CAPS. Look up the person there first. It is the fastest way to confirm an active credential.

Step 2: If you find no listing, call the NAHB Learning Helpline. Reach it at (800) 368-5242, extension 8154, and give the person's full name. A missing online listing does not always mean the credential is fake, so let NAHB confirm the record directly. (Helpline verified July 2026.)

Step 3: Ask the person directly. A simple question tells you a lot: when did you earn CAPS, and is it current? Legitimate holders completed three named courses, CAPS I "Marketing and Communicating with the Aging in Place Client," CAPS II "Design Concepts and Methods for Livable Homes and Aging in Place," and CAPS III "Details and Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging in Place." They also signed a code of ethics pledge and complete 4 CE hours each year. Someone who holds the credential can answer without discomfort.

Step 4: Confirm the right individual holds it. Make sure the person actually doing your design or home assessment is the CAPS holder, not just a colleague back at the office.

Step 5: Run the checks CAPS never replaces. Two matter most:

• State contractor license. CAPS is a professional credential, not a government contractor license. Check licensing separately with your state licensing board, since requirements differ from state to state.
• Current insurance. Ask for certificates showing liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. NAHB itself requires contractor applicants to show proof of both (or employment with a company that holds both) and a valid business license where the state requires one. A certified contractor should produce these documents without friction.

Step 6: For VA grant projects, check VA Builder ID separately. If the work is funded through a VA housing grant such as SAH (Specially Adapted Housing) or SHA (Special Home Adaptation), the contractor must be registered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and hold a VA Builder ID. CAPS does not substitute for it. See our guide on what a VA Builder ID is.

Verifying other credentials you may see. CAPS is not the only designation in this field. You may also come across CEAC (Certified Environmental Access Consultant, offered through VGM Live at Home); you can find CEAC holders through the VGM Live at Home provider locator. Another is UDCP (Universal Design Certified Professional, from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI). UDCP has no public national lookup, so verify it by contacting NARI certification staff at (847) 298-9200 or certification@nari.org. For a fuller comparison, see CAPS vs. CEAC vs. UDCP credentials. (Contacts verified July 2026.)

What to do if a claim does not check out#

If a credential claim falls apart, stay calm and procedural. You have clear options.

• Do not sign, and keep your records. Hold on to the estimate, the business card, screenshots of the website, and any messages. Documentation matters if you report the issue later.
• Contact your state contractor licensing board and your state attorney general. Both handle complaints about contractors who misrepresent their qualifications.
• Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• If an older adult was pressured or exploited, contact Adult Protective Services (APS). APS handles situations where someone vulnerable was taken advantage of.
• You can also inform NAHB. Use the Learning Helpline number above to let NAHB know a CAPS claim may be false.

If you need to find a trustworthy provider to start over with, the Eldercare Locator can point you to local resources at eldercare.acl.gov or 1-800-677-1116.

How Adapta verification addresses this#

Adapta Home USA checks provider credentials before listing them. The CAPS Certified badge marks providers whose credential we have confirmed, so you can filter for verified professionals instead of re-verifying every claim from scratch. It does not replace your own license and insurance checks, but it gives you a shorter, safer starting list. Learn more about how Adapta verifies providers, and see our related guidance on questions to ask an aging-in-place contractor.

Frequently asked questions#

How do I check if a contractor is really CAPS certified?#

Start with NAHB's public credential directory, which is searchable and lists professionals who hold NAHB credentials, including CAPS. If you cannot find the person, call the NAHB Learning Helpline at (800) 368-5242, extension 8154, with their full name and let NAHB confirm the record.

Does CAPS certification expire?#

It has to be renewed. Holders complete 4 continuing education hours each year plus an annual renewal. If the credential lapses for more than 3 years, the holder must take or retake CAPS III to reinstate it. That is why it is worth asking whether someone's CAPS is current, not just whether they once earned it.

Is CAPS certification the same as a contractor license?#

No. CAPS is a professional credential in aging-in-place design and client needs, awarded by NAHB. It is not a government contractor license. Check licensing separately with your state licensing board, since rules vary by state.

What if a contractor is not listed in the NAHB directory?#

A missing listing does not automatically mean the claim is false. Call the NAHB Learning Helpline at (800) 368-5242, extension 8154, with the person's full name so NAHB can confirm the record directly.

Who awards the CAPS designation?#

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) awards CAPS. Earning it requires three courses (CAPS I, II, and III), a graduation application, and a signed code of ethics pledge. Contractor applicants must also show proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance and a valid business license where the state requires one.

What should I do if someone lied about being CAPS certified?#

Do not sign, and keep your documents and screenshots. Report the contractor to your state licensing board and state attorney general, and file with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If an older adult was pressured or exploited, contact Adult Protective Services. You can also inform NAHB through the Learning Helpline.

Find a verified provider#

When you are ready to hire, you should not have to run every check alone. Browse Adapta Home USA's verified Accessibility Consultants & Specialists, including providers who carry the confirmed CAPS Certified badge, to build a shortlist of professionals whose credentials are already checked. Find verified accessibility consultants and CAPS certified providers near you at adaptahomeusa.com.

This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.