• Lecture, discussion, hands-on exercises, & short assignments 
• Guest speakers that share past projects, experiences, & expertise on issues that are critical to building quality homes successfully
• Two tours of under-construction or recently-completed green certified homes with builders & raters on-site to explain approaches, reveal cost/benefit analysis, & answer questions
• A final project that progresses throughout the course and puts principles into practice by guiding participants in designing their own high performance building or research project

​A certification exam at the end of the course allows participants to earn the designation of an accredited Sustainable Homes Professional (SHP). Earth Advantage also provides logos and marketing support to help SHPs gain visibility as informed green building professionals. 

The SHP accreditation program was first offered in 2008 and has since has been offered over 20 times across Oregon, all the while maintaining a longstanding reputation for depth, applied learning, and outstanding quality. SHP is complementary to other industry credentials, like LEED AP, LEED GA, SBA, CPHC, BPI, HERS, and others. SHPs are architects, builders, developers, remodelers, raters/verifiers, subcontractors, planners, engineers, third-party verification program staff, real estate professionals, appraisers, educators, and building operators who value quality craftsmanship, whole system thinking, and sustainable practices.