The Registered Specification Writer

REGISTERED SPECIFICATION WRITER (RSW) PROGRAM THE CERTIFIED TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (CTR) PROGRAM THE CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR (CCCA) PROGRAM
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REGISTERED SPECIFICATION WRITER (RSW) PROGRAM
In today's complex, changing construction industry, a competent specifier is a vital part of the design team. The RSW designation was developed to attest the combination of knowledge, experience and judgement related to construction procurement and to lend credibility to RSWs participation in a multi-billion dollar industry. Becoming an RSW will show commitment to producing accurate documentation, thereby enhancing your professional credibility through increased confidence placed of your peers, employers and clients. The RSW program is available to those who prepare or supervise the preparation of construction specifications. CSC offers educational programs that integrate with and complement the RSW program. An RSW is a contract documentation specialist with a broad knowledge base and strategic insight to strengthen a Design Team and enhance performance throughout an organization. An RSW is a professional who can help keep a practice more competitive, profitable, efficient and even reduce its liability. Consultants can feel confident when engaging the services of an RSW, because an RSW has proven competence through a recognized registration program. The RSW designation is an important recognition of achievement. Attaining the RSW designation provides the specifier with: Greater understanding of construction specifications; The ability to improved the quality of specifications; Greater efficiency and proficiency in documentation preparation; A recognition of commitment to recognized standards of quality documentation; Recognition by peers, the construction industry, and employers; Confidence of clients when engaging the services of an RSW The following is a partial list of priority objectives that RSWs are expected to achieve: Pursue Professional Development; Apply Communication Technologies; Evaluate Risk Management Issues; Apply Laws, Codes and Standards; Apply Building Technologies; Apply Forms of Contract; Apply Design and Construction Process and Produce Construction Documents. The CSC Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) course, CSC Specifier 1 and 2 courses are not pre-requisites to obtaining the RSW designation, however, successful completion of the courses reduces the number of hours required to complete the experience portion of the registration process.
An applicant for registration as an RSW must be a member of CSC. For more information on the qualification requirements for RSW registration please see....RSW Des ignation Requirements (PDF) APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION Click the "Get Form" button below to open the RSW Application Form.
Codes of Conduct and Practice .1 Registered Specification Writers (RSW) by their acceptance of Registration shall agree to the following Code of Conduct and Practice: .2 Code of Conduct Related to Project Work: .1 The RSW performs quality work in accordance with accepted, recommended standards, using skill and good judgement. .2 The RSW writes documents and specifications which are current, clear, concise, thorough, fair and capable of enforcement and specifies products on basis of merit without consideration for personal gain or favours. .3 The RSW .1 upholds documents and specifications objectively and impartially; .2 complies with Codes, Statutes, Regulations, and rules in connection with work undertaken; .3 undertakes only work for which one is qualified; .4 does not accept compensation for an identical service from more than one party; .5 avoids conflicts of interest; .6 does not make use of manufacturers or suppliers services which carry an obligation detrimental to ethics; .7 maintains privacy of client's interests or business affairs and has loyalty to client or employers interests; .8 maintains consideration for safety and welfare of the public; .9 claims authorship for own work; .10 does not provide services without a contract; .11 does not gain advantage by undercutting another bid or proposal after bid or proposal closure. .3 Code of Conduct Related to Registered Specification Writers: .1 The RSW engages in activities to advance effectiveness of construction specification preparation including use of uniform practices and standard documents recommended by CSC. .2 The RSW: .1 supports the aims of the Association; .2 freely exchanges non-confidential information and experience with other members of the Association; .3 avoids conduct that would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional; .4 acts towards other members of the Association with respect, good will and fairness; .5 does not maliciously injure the reputation or business of another RSW member.

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THE CERTIFIED TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (CTR) PROGRAM
The Certified Technical Representative (CTR) designation was developed to provide professional recognition to individuals who market and distribute products and materials to the construction industry. Survival in today's business environment requires value added features be brought to customers at every stage of our interaction with them. Product knowledge and presentation skills are more important than ever. When these skills are combined with a knowledge of the construction process and its participants, they clearly provide the technical representative with an edge. The CTR designation attests to independent and objective adherence to the highest quality of product representation. The respect and recognition associated with the CTR designation will give individuals a competitive edge and increase their credibility in the design and construction field. It will also enable technical representatives to effectively communicate with design professionals and be seen as valuable technical resources i.e.- the people called upon for technical advice. As a CTR your clients will know that you: understand your role in the construction process, the principles of product representation, and the preparation of construction documents; are skilled in the interpretation and preparation of product specifications, understand substitution procedures, and are familiar with construction product warranties and guarantees; can prepare a technical specification section according to CSC principles; and understand MasterFormat and the concept of organizing written construction documents. The CTR designation recognizes the experience, integrity and competence of product representatives, and symbolizes a commitment to excellence with demonstrated ability in product representation. An applicant for certification as a CTR must be a member of CSC. To achieve the CTR status a participant must successfully complete both the Principles of Construction Documentation, and Technical Representative course; successfully conduct a technical sales presentation to a review board on a product appropriate to the applicant's field, and accumulate at least 2 years of related experience in construction related industries.
APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION Click the "Get Form" button below to open the CTR Application Form.
CTR Codes of Conduct and Practice .1 Certified Technical Representatives by their acceptance of Certification shall agree to the following Code of Conduct and Practices: .2 Code of Conduct related to Project Work: .1 The CTR performs quality work in accordance with accepted recommended standards, skill and good judgement; .2 represents products or services in a fair, timely and consistent manner. Will not knowingly misrepresent a product or service; .3 represents products, services and information on the basis of merit in a clear, concise and complete manner without consideration for personal gain. Will not knowingly misrepresent a product or service; .4 The CTR: .1 maintains consideration for safety and welfare of the public; .2 maintains privacy of clients’ interests or business affairs and .3 complies with Codes, Statutes, Regulations, and rules applicable to work undertaken. .3 Code of Conduct related to the Certified Technical Representative: .1 The CTR engages in activities to advance effectiveness of construction technical documents, product literature, and specification preparation including use of uniform practices and standard documents recommended by CSC; .2 The CTR shall not present the CTR designation as an endorsement of products or services but as a certification that the CTR has achieved prescribed level of knowledge and understanding of the design and construction process through successful completion of a course of studies; .3 The CTR; .1 supports the aims of the CSC; .2 freely exchanges non-confidential information and experience with other members of the Association; .3 avoids conduct which would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional; .4 acts toward other CTR members with respect, good will, and fairness; .5 does not maliciously injure the reputation or business of another member.

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THE CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR (CCCA) PROGRAM
The Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) designation was developed to provide professional recognition to individuals who administer constructors on a construction project to follow the requirements of a construction contract. It was also developed to address the shortage of trained and experienced construction contract administrators, who know and understand the processes involved with construction document preparation and its usage on construction projects. The CCCA program is of benefit to, Contract Administrators, Property Managers, Architects, Engineers, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Specification Consultants, Project Managers, Site Superintendents, Estimators, Building Authorities, and Bonding and Insurance agencies. The course objective is to improve construction contract administration by providing education related to the understanding, administration, and enforcement of conditions of the contract during the bidding and construction phases of the project. Consultants, contractors and others are expected to administer the finer points of a construction contract for the facility owner. In order to do this efficiently, a contract administrator must have a complete and advanced understanding of all aspects of the construction process and its workings. The respect and recognition associated with the CCCA designation will give individuals a competitive edge and increase their credibility in the design and construction field. The CCCA designation attests to your knowledge of CSC's recommended practices in organizing, implementing and supervising construction contract documents, as well as your expertise in written communication. An applicant for certification as a CCCA must be a member of CSC. To achieve the CCCA status, a participant must successfully complete the Principles of Construction Documentation (formerly the CSC Level 1 Principles of Construction Specifications), and Construction Contract Administration course; and must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in the administration of construction contracts. (Applicants must complete the CCCA Application Experience Log).
An applicant for certification as a CCCA must be a member of CSC. To achieve the CCCA status an individual must have a minimum of five years experience in the administration of construction contracts and have successfully completed both Principles of Construction Documentation (PCD) and the CCA Program.
APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION Click the "Get Form" button below to open the CCCA Application Form
Codes of Conduct & Practice .1 Certified Construction Contract Administrator by their acceptance of Certification shall agree to the following Code of Conduct and Practices: .2 Code of Conduct related to Project Work: .1 The CCCA performs quality work in accordance with accepted, recommended standards, skill and good judgement; .2 The CCCA administers and conducts work in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with the contract documents and industry practice; .3 The CCCA issues instructions which are current, clear, concise, thorough, fair, and capable of enforcement on a basis of merit in a concise and complete manner. Will knowingly not misrepresent a service; .4 The CCCA: .1 upholds documents and specifications objectively and impartially. .2 complies with Codes, Statutes, Regulations, and rules applicable to work undertaken; .3 undertakes only work for which one is qualified; .4 does not accept compensation for a service from more than one party on a project; .5 avoids conflicts of interest; .6 does not use manufactures’ or suppliers’ services that carry an obligation detrimental to the Code of Conduct; .7 maintains confidentiality of client's or employer’s interests or business affairs and has loyalty to client or employers interests; .8 maintains consideration for safety and welfare of the public; .9 does not provide services without a contract or written letter of understanding, and 10 communicates through channels designated for the project. .3 Code of Conduct related to Certified Construction Contract Administrators: .1 The CCCA engages in activities to advance effectiveness of recommended CSC practices in organizing, implementing, supervising construction contract documents; .2 The CCCA: .1 supports the aims of CSC; .2 freely exchanges non-confidential information and experience with other members of CSC; .3 avoids conduct which would reasonably be regarded as disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional; .4 acts towards other CCCA members with respect, goodwill and fairness; .5 does not maliciously undermine the reputation or business of another CCCA member.