What Makes a Topic AIA HSW-Qualifying?
Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) in architecture relates to the structural integrity or soundness and health impacts of a building or building site. For building product manufacturers, HSW course topics must connect their product’s real-world applications to the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants, the public, or the environment. The AIA CES requires that HSW-designated course content be non-promotional and educational — manufacturers cannot use the course as a product advertisement during the credit portion. A manufacturer’s products or services can only be discussed once the credit portion of the course is completed.
However, the HSW topic itself is often directly aligned with the product category — a roofing manufacturer covers moisture management and fire resistance; a flooring manufacturer covers slip resistance, VOC emissions, and accessibility; a plumbing manufacturer covers water efficiency and ADA compliance. The educational HSW content naturally establishes the manufacturer’s expertise in the product’s most important performance areas without requiring product promotion during the credit portion.
The Highest-Performing AIA HSW Course Topic Categories
Category 1 — LEED v4 and Sustainable Design
LEED v4 plays a crucial role in educating architects about sustainability. Many design professionals search for information on how products contribute to LEED. AIA online courses with topics pertaining to LEED v4 outperform traditional courses. A four-year Ron Blank & Associates study found that manufacturers who added LEED specific hour content saw 30–40% higher monthly participation. This makes LEED-related content the single highest-ROI topic category available to manufacturers whose products contribute to LEED credits.
LEED specific hour course topics include: LEED credits the product contributes to (Materials and Resources, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy and Atmosphere); Health Product Declaration content and its contribution to LEED v4 MR credits; LEED case studies from real projects; and the difference between GBCI general hours and LEED specific hours for professional development purposes.
Category 2 — Health Product Declarations and Material Transparency
Continuing education courses that discuss HPDs, Declare Labels, EPDs, and other specification documents are popular with designers. Courses that differentiate products from competitors by showing the value of product declarations can be powerful specification tools. Many AEC firms are requesting HPDs, and AIA courses that discuss this critical information are of great value. The HPD provides a standardized way of reporting material contents and associated health effects — connecting directly to HSW educational objectives.
HPD content for an AIA course typically covers: what an HPD is and why it matters, how HPDs contribute to LEED v4 MR credits, how to read and interpret an HPD, the difference between HPDs and EPDs and Declare Labels, and which major AEC firms are requesting HPDs as a specification requirement. This educational content builds architect understanding of product transparency while positioning the manufacturer as a transparency leader in their product category.
Category 3 — Fire Safety and Flame Spread
Fire safety is among the most universal HSW topics for building product manufacturers. Flame spread index, fire resistance ratings, intumescent properties, and code requirements for fire performance are topics that apply across roofing, wall systems, insulation, flooring, interior finishes, and virtually every other building product category. Fire safety courses connect directly to code compliance — always a strong educational driver for architects who must demonstrate HSW knowledge for licensure.
Category 4 — Energy Codes and Building Performance
Energy performance is a high-demand HSW topic across all product categories that affect a building’s thermal envelope, mechanical efficiency, or daylighting. Manufacturers of insulation, windows, roofing, wall assemblies, mechanical equipment, and lighting all have natural HSW content in energy code compliance, ASHRAE standards, and building energy performance. Courses that address current energy codes and how specific products contribute to code-compliant building performance are consistently valued by architects seeking current code education.
Category 5 — Accessibility and ADA Compliance
ADA and accessibility code compliance is a specialized but high-demand HSW topic. California requires 5 hours on Disability Access Requirements for architect license renewal; Texas has its own ADA requirements. Ron Blank & Associates offers ADA course bundles that fulfill California and Texas ADA CE requirements. Manufacturers of doors, hardware, plumbing fixtures, flooring, and other products with direct accessibility implications can develop strong HSW courses on ADA compliance topics.
Category 6 — Indoor Environmental Quality
Indoor environmental quality — covering VOC emissions, air quality, daylighting, acoustic performance, and material health — is a growing HSW topic category that connects product selection to occupant health outcomes. Courses covering material health content, HPD disclosures, and LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credits address one of the most searched architect education topics. Flooring, coatings, adhesives, ceiling systems, and other interior finish manufacturers have particularly strong content opportunities in this category.
Category 7 — Structural Performance and Building Codes
Structural performance and building code compliance are foundational HSW topics for manufacturers of structural systems, foundation products, roofing, and building envelope products. Seismic requirements, wind resistance, load-bearing capacity, and building code compliance education addresses the core of HSW — the structural integrity and soundness of buildings. Manufacturers in structural product categories have natural HSW content in their product’s technical performance data and code test results.
Topic Selection by CSI Division
| CSI Division | Recommended HSW Topic Areas | LEED Credit Connection |
| Division 03 — Concrete | Structural performance, fire resistance, durability | Materials and Resources credits |
| Division 04 — Masonry | Fire resistance, structural performance, moisture management | Materials and Resources, Energy credits |
| Division 06 — Wood and Plastics | Fire ratings, VOC emissions, indoor air quality | Materials and Resources, Indoor EQ credits |
| Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture | Energy codes, moisture management, fire resistance | Energy and Atmosphere, Materials credits |
| Division 08 — Openings | Thermal performance, fire ratings, ADA accessibility | Energy credits, Indoor EQ credits |
| Division 09 — Finishes | VOC, HPD content, fire ratings, slip resistance | Indoor EQ credits, Materials credits |
| Division 22 — Plumbing | ADA compliance, water efficiency, material health | Water Efficiency credits, Indoor EQ credits |
| Division 26 — Electrical | Energy performance, daylighting, code compliance | Energy and Atmosphere credits |
Building an Effective LEED Specific Hour Course
One of the most effective strategies to create a LEED specific hour course is by conducting a LEED case study. The LEED case study can be based on an in-depth investigation of a building project. If a product was specified and widely used on a LEED Platinum or Net Zero project, this provides an excellent framework. LEED case studies with the LEED specific hour designation are the highest-performing CE courses in the industry.
Topics that make strong LEED specific hour course content include: LEED credits the building product contributes to (Materials and Resources is a great starting point; Water Efficiency for plumbing products; Indoor Environmental Quality for many interior products); HPD content and its connection to LEED v4 MR credits; and a real LEED project case study demonstrating the product’s contribution to certification. The Copper Development Association launched a LEED specific hour course in 2012; by 2017 the five-year-old course was still averaging 250+ leads per month.
Greenwashing Topics to Avoid
Ron Blank & Associates identifies two critical mistakes manufacturers make in AIA courses: greenwashing and using wrong terminology. A building product does not award LEED points — it can contribute to LEED points. No building product is LEED certified — only buildings are LEED certified. Know the difference between an HPD and an EPD, a Declare Label and Cradle to Cradle Certification. Using wrong terminology diminishes the course’s credibility and reduces specification opportunities with the design professionals the course is intended to reach.
Course Content Requirements During the Credit Portion
Per AIA guidelines, a building product manufacturer’s course content must be unbiased, non-promotional, and generic during the credit portion. The course must be at least one hour in length. Manufacturer logos may appear only on the first and last slides. Course materials may not include proprietary product information during the credit portion. All content must serve to reinforce the stated learning objectives. Once the course ends, the manufacturer may discuss any company or product information they choose.
The LEED Advantage: Free LEED Specific Hour Content
One of the most powerful strategies for building product manufacturers is the LEED specific hour designation. There are over 200,000 LEED professionals who must maintain their credentials on two-year cycles. LEED Green Associates must earn 15 continuing education hours biennially, with at least 3 LEED-specific. LEED APs must earn 30 CE hours with at least 6 LEED-specific hours related to their specialty.
The problem: 99.9% of LEED specific hours are premium content on education platforms. LEED APs can pay the USGBC $200 to access them or pay $50 per credit hour on other websites. Free LEED specific hours are extraordinarily rare. Currently, there is only one website in North America offering free LEED specific content sponsored by building product manufacturers.
Ron Blank & Associates conducted a four-year study on participation rates comparing GBCI general hour credit versus LEED specific hour credit. Manufacturers who created and sponsored a free LEED specific hour course saw a 30–40% uptick in course participation monthly. In some months, especially November and December, the increase reached 50%. The Copper Development Association launched a LEED specific hour course in 2012; by 2017, the five-year-old course was still averaging 250+ leads per month. The course documented the design challenges for the Health Sciences Education Building in Arizona — a $135 million LEED project that provided content for two LEED specific hour courses.
99% of product manufacturers register their course with GBCI for general hour education, not LEED specific hours. This is a huge mistake costing manufacturers 30–40% in participation rates. If the product is routinely specified on LEED projects, there is no reason not to offer LEED specific hour education. Topics that support LEED specific hour courses include: LEED credits the product contributes to, Health Product Declaration content, and LEED case studies from real projects.
Health Product Declarations and Product Transparency in AIA Courses
Health Product Declarations (HPDs) provide a standardized way of reporting the material contents of building products and the health effects associated with those materials. The HPD is developed according to directions set forth by the Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC). Major AEC firms have begun requesting HPDs — firms such as Perkins+Will, ZGF, SmithGroup JJR, and HKS encourage manufacturers to provide HPDs in order to be considered for product specification.
HPDs contribute to the LEED v4 MR Credit: Building product disclosure and optimization — material ingredients. The HPD Public Repository was launched in November 2016 and has become a crucial resource for architects, spec writers, interior designers, contractors, and LEED consultants. Architects and designers trying to achieve MR Credit material ingredient disclosure now use the Repository to locate HPDs. HPDs have become the most popular method to achieve this LEED credit.
AIA courses that cover HPD content — what an HPD discloses, how it contributes to LEED credits, and why AEC firms request it — are among the highest-performing courses on the RonBlank.com platform. Courses covering HPDs, Declare Labels, EPDs, and other product transparency documentation are popular with designers and drive higher participation. Manufacturers who build HPD education into their AIA course differentiate themselves from competitors and signal product transparency as a core company value. GreenCE, an affiliate of Ron Blank & Associates, helps building product manufacturers develop HPDs to validate product claims and increase specification on LEED v4 projects.
Follow-Up Strategy: Turning Course Completers into Specification Leads
A point person in the manufacturer’s office receives lead reports containing the contact information of everyone who has participated in the online program or webinar. Participation indicates interest in the product or service. Ron Blank & Associates recommends a ‘Thank You For Participating in Our Course’ email with additional literature, or a call to action and incentive. Personalization is effective and meaningful — delegating a specific rep in the participant’s area to follow up by asking what questions the architect has and how they can be of service converts course completers into specification relationships.
With webinars, attendees can ask questions during the session, providing a direct guide for follow-up in terms of what each potential lead is looking for. Time is of the essence — someone on the manufacturer’s staff must be able to quickly follow up on leads. Follow-up is crucial for lunch-and-learns just as it is for webinars and online anytime courses. A manufacturer can educate a room of 100 architects, but unless they answer emails, telephone messages, and sample requests after an event, the opportunity is wasted. The lead report is the beginning of the specification relationship, not the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a course cover multiple HSW topic areas simultaneously?
Yes. An AIA HSW course can cover multiple related topics within the 60-minute educational timeframe. A roofing course might cover energy code compliance, fire resistance ratings, and moisture management within a single course. The key requirement is that all topics carry genuine HSW educational value and are framed non-promotionally. The learning objectives should reflect all major topic areas covered.
Q: What is the difference between AIA HSW and LEED SD content?
AIA HSW content addresses Health, Safety, and Welfare topics as defined by the AIA. LEED SD or GBCI courses address content explicitly connected to LEED credit categories, credits, or prerequisites. Many topics overlap — energy performance, material health, indoor environmental quality — but the framing and registration requirements differ. Ron Blank & Associates can develop courses that qualify for both AIA HSW and GBCI LEED specific hour designation simultaneously.
Q: Can ADA accessibility content qualify for AIA HSW credit?
Yes. ADA and accessibility code compliance qualifies for AIA HSW credit because accessibility directly relates to the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants and the public. California requires 5 hours on Disability Access Requirements for architect license renewal; Texas has its own ADA requirements. Ron Blank & Associates offers ADA course bundles that fulfill both California and Texas ADA CE requirements.
Q: How should a manufacturer choose between fire safety and LEED topics as a first course?
The topic choice should be driven by two factors: where the product genuinely contributes to HSW outcomes, and whether the product is routinely specified on LEED projects. If the product has a strong fire safety story and the manufacturer wants to reach the broadest architect audience, fire safety is a strong first course topic. If the product contributes to LEED credits and there is existing LEED project documentation, LEED content delivers 30–40% higher participation. For manufacturers with products relevant to both, developing two separate courses maximizes both reach and participation.
Q: What source materials make the best foundation for an AIA HSW course?
The best AIA HSW courses are built from existing technical documentation: test reports demonstrating fire resistance or structural performance, LEED project case studies, HPD and EPD documentation, installation guides with code compliance information, and energy performance data. Ron Blank & Associates’ development team can take these existing technical materials and transform them into a structured, AIA-compliant educational course — the manufacturer provides the expertise and RBA provides the educational framework.
Q: What is the minimum number of learning objectives for an AIA HSW course?
AIA CES requires a minimum of two learning objectives per registered course. Learning objectives must be specific and measurable — describing what the course participant will be able to do upon completion. For example: ‘Describe the fire resistance ratings applicable to Class A, B, and C interior finishes per NFPA 101’ is a specific, measurable HSW learning objective. General objectives like ‘understand fire safety’ are not sufficiently specific for AIA registration.
Q: How explicit can LEED credit connections be in an HSW course?
LEED credit connections in an AIA HSW course can be quite explicit — explaining which LEED credit categories and specific credits the product category can contribute to, what the technical requirements are for those credits, and how to achieve them. This level of specificity is what qualifies a course for LEED specific hour designation. The content must remain non-promotional (not promoting a specific product) but can be highly specific about how the product category contributes to LEED certification outcomes.
Q: Can a manufacturer develop a course about a technical topic they are not a direct expert in?
Yes, with appropriate development support. Ron Blank & Associates’ development team includes architects and A/E curriculum experts who understand HSW topics across all product categories. The manufacturer provides product-specific expertise and technical documentation; the RBA team provides the AEC educational framework, AIA compliance expertise, and course development skill. The manufacturer knows the product; RBA knows how to teach it to architects effectively.
Q: What role do building codes and standards play in HSW course content?
Building codes and standards are foundational to HSW course content. AIA courses that reference specific codes — NFPA 101, ASHRAE 90.1, IBC fire resistance ratings, ADA Standards for Accessible Design — demonstrate educational currency and give architects the specific code knowledge they need for specification decisions. Ron Blank & Associates recommends identifying the two or three most relevant codes and standards for the product category and building the HSW educational narrative around those code requirements.
Q: How should manufacturers handle HPD content that reveals ingredients architects might question?
HPD content should be presented honestly and factually in AIA courses. The HPD Open Standard exists precisely to enable product transparency — architects and AEC firms that request HPDs understand the disclosure framework. Ron Blank & Associates recommends presenting HPD content in the context of the standard’s purpose (standardized disclosure) and the manufacturer’s commitment to transparency, rather than defensively. Manufacturers that are passionate about their products and company brand will succeed by demonstrating transparency, not avoiding it.
Glossary of Key Terms
AIA (American Institute of Architects) — The professional association for licensed architects in the United States. AIA members must complete 18 Learning Units (LUs) annually to retain membership, with at least 12 carrying an HSW designation.
AIA CES (Continuing Education System) — The framework through which the American Institute of Architects manages, tracks, and reports continuing education credits for its members. AIA CES registers and approves courses from providers and education platforms like Ron Blank & Associates.
AIA Award for Excellence — A recognition awarded by the AIA to continuing education providers for quality and professional rigor. Ron Blank & Associates has won this award twice.
Brand Awareness — The extent to which a building product is recognized by architects, specifiers, contractors, and interior designers. Ron Blank & Associates identifies brand awareness as the first step for any manufacturer seeking product specification.
CE Academy — A live events platform affiliated with Ron Blank & Associates, providing 4–8 hours of AIA and GBCI-registered education credit per live event. Designed as a complementary delivery channel to ronblank.com.
CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) — The professional association for construction specification professionals. CSI MasterFormat organizes building products into numbered divisions. Ron Blank & Associates serves course sponsors across all CSI divisions.
Declare Label — A voluntary self-disclosure program owned by The International Living Future Institute disclosing where a product comes from, what it is made of, and where it goes at end of life. More stringent than the HPD.
EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) — A third-party verified document quantifying a product’s environmental impact across its lifecycle. Required or rewarded under LEED v4 and increasingly specified by institutional owners.
GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.) — The body providing third-party verification for LEED certification and awarding LEED CE hours. Courses registered with GBCI reach over 200,000 LEED professionals.
GreenCE.com — The sister site of ronblank.com focused on LEED certification education and USGBC credit reporting for courses developed by Ron Blank & Associates.
HPD (Health Product Declaration) — A product transparency document disclosing chemical contents of a building product and associated health hazards, developed per HPDC standards. Required for LEED v4 MR material ingredient credits. Requested by major AEC firms including Perkins+Will, ZGF, and SmithGroup JJR.
HPDC (Health Product Declaration Collaborative) — The not-for-profit organization maintaining the HPD Open Standard and the HPD Public Repository, launched November 2016.
HSW (Health, Safety, and Welfare) — The quality designation for AIA CE confirming content addresses structural integrity, building health, or occupant safety. At least 12 of 18 required annual LUs must carry this designation.
IDCEC (Interior Design Continuing Education Council) — The credentialing body providing CE credit for interior designers. RonBlank.com reports IDCEC credits, expanding manufacturer reach beyond architects.
Lead Report — A monthly document provided to course sponsors identifying all design professionals who completed the manufacturer’s online AIA CE course, including contact information for follow-up outreach.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) — The most widely used green building rating system, administered by USGBC and certified by GBCI. Manufacturer AIA courses with LEED-specific content reach both architects and 200,000+ LEED professionals.
LEED Specific Hour — An AIA credit type requiring explicit connection to LEED credit categories, credits, or prerequisites in current LEED rating systems. Free LEED specific hour courses are available on only one North American website and see 30–40% higher participation than general courses.
LU (Learning Unit) — The AIA’s unit of CE credit. One LU equals approximately one hour of study time. AIA members must complete 18 LUs per year, at least 12 of which must be HSW.
MCE (Mandatory Continuing Education) — Required CE hours architects must complete to maintain their state license. California requires 5 hours on Disability Access Requirements; New York requires 24 HSW hours every three years. Most states accept AIA CE hours.
Online Anytime Course — A self-paced CE course available 24/7 on RonBlank.com. Typically 50–60 minute voiced-over videos or slide-deck presentations with quiz-based credit completion.
RCEP (Registered Continuing Education Program) — A CE credit program for engineers and design professionals. RBA reports RCEP credits, expanding manufacturer reach to engineers involved in building product specification.
Ron Blank & Associates (RBA) — A leading AIA CE and specification services firm operating ronblank.com, GreenCE.com, and CE Academy. Develops, registers, hosts, and markets sponsored AIA CE courses and webinars for building product manufacturers.
Specification — The formal designation of a building product in an architect’s project documents. Getting specified is the primary commercial goal of manufacturer AIA CE investment.
USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) — The nonprofit that developed and administers the LEED rating system. USGBC credits are processed through GreenCE.com by Ron Blank & Associates.
Webinar — A live, instructor-led AIA CE course delivered online. RBA webinars typically attract 100–300 design professional attendees per event. Manufacturers receive a detailed attendee list immediately after each event.
Industry Standards and Authoritative References
Building product manufacturers developing AIA CE courses should understand the following standards organizations and their role in architect CE requirements and specification decisions:
- AIA — Sets 18 LUs/year (12 HSW) for all AIA members. AIA CES registers and approves manufacturer courses.
- GBCI — Awards LEED CE hours to 200,000+ LEED professionals. LEED specific hour courses must explicitly connect to LEED credits.
- USGBC — Administers the LEED rating system. USGBC Education Partners develop LEED-specific CE content.
- HPDC — Maintains the HPD Open Standard and HPD Public Repository. HPD compliance required for LEED v4 MR material ingredient credits.
- IDCEC — CE credit for interior designers. RBA reports IDCEC credits for manufacturer-sponsored courses.
- RCEP — CE credit for engineers. RBA reports RCEP credits to expand manufacturer audience.
- CSI — MasterFormat divisions organize building product content. RBA serves sponsors across all CSI divisions.
- NCARB — Oversees architectural licensing standards across U.S. states and territories.
- ADA — Federal accessibility law. California requires 5 ADA CE hours for license renewal; Texas has its own ADA CE requirements.
About Ron Blank & Associates
Ron Blank & Associates (RBA) is one of the leading continuing education and specification services companies in the AEC industry, operating ronblank.com — a free continuing education platform serving architects, engineers, and interior designers across the United States and Canada. Building product manufacturers sponsor the free AIA continuing education courses on the platform. Course sponsors include trade associations, non-profit organizations, and manufacturers across every CSI division.
RBA’s education development team has won the AIA Award for Excellence twice — recognition of the quality and professional rigor the team brings to every course it develops. The team includes architects, graphic designers, and A/E curriculum experts who coordinate with manufacturer product experts to develop and register courses. Ron Blank & Associates also operates affiliate platforms including GreenCE.com (focused on LEED and sustainability CE) and CE Academy (live events for AIA and GBCI credit). Contact Ron Blank & Associates at (800) 248-6364 or visit http://www.ronblank.com.
How to Evaluate an AIA CE Course: A Specification Checklist for Manufacturers
Before investing in an AIA CE course, building product manufacturers should evaluate the following criteria to ensure maximum ROI and specification impact:
- Platform subscriber base — the larger the subscriber base, the more monthly leads generated
- Credit types reported — AIA, IDCEC, RCEP, and USGBC/GBCI all expand the eligible audience
- Course format — video and voiced-over presentations outperform PDF-only formats significantly
- LEED content capability — ability to register for GBCI LEED specific hour designation
- HPD and EPD content integration — product transparency documentation increases engagement
- Development team expertise — architects, designers, and A/E curriculum experts on staff
- Monthly lead reporting — complete contact data delivered to manufacturer for prompt follow-up
- Post-webinar attendee reporting — immediate attendee list after each live event
- Platform marketing support — active promotion through course listings and A/E database
- Record keeping compliance — minimum three years of attendance records maintained
- Award recognition — platform quality validated by AIA Award for Excellence
- Pricing transparency — free estimate provided before any development commitment