If you're building a career in commissioning and don't yet have the experience to sit for the Certified Commissioning Authority (CxA) exam, ACG's entry-level credential just changed - for the better.
As of May 2026, the AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) has retired the Certified Commissioning Technician (CxT) certification and replaced it with the Certified Commissioning Specialist (CxS). The name is new, but the purpose is the same: give commissioning professionals without enough experience for the CxA a credible, respected credential to work toward. Here's what's actually changed, and what you need to do about it.
Why the change happened
The CxT program ran from 2007 until May 2026. Over that time, the industry's terminology evolved, ASHRAE Standard 202 became the reference standard for the commissioning process, and ACG wanted an entry-level certification that matched the language and rigor used in the CxA exam. The CxS is the result: a revised program built on updated study materials and a rewritten exam.
Eligibility: mostly the same, easier for two groups
The core experience requirement hasn't moved much. You still need at least two years of commissioning or closely related experience - field testing, controls verification, or other systems verification and testing work - plus at least six months with an ACG member company.
Two changes are worth flagging:
- Licensed P.E.s and registered architects now only need one year of commissioning experience instead of two.
- The old requirement to attend or view a workshop or webinar before applying has been dropped entirely, removing a scheduling hurdle that used to slow candidates down.
What's different about the exam
The CxS exam covers the same fundamental commissioning knowledge as the CxT did, but three things changed under the hood.
- Terminology was updated to match what's used in the CxA exam, the ACG Guideline, and ASHRAE Standard 202 - so candidates working toward CxS today are learning the same vocabulary they'll need later for CxA.
- Questions that tested a rigid "proper division of duties" between a CxT and a more experienced CxA have been removed. That division varies by company and by individual, and ACG found the old questions made the exam harder to pass for qualified candidates without actually testing relevant knowledge.
- Study materials were refreshed. Candidates should now use the ACG Building Systems Commissioning Guideline (Part I only) and ASHRAE/IES Standard 202-2024. The old blue-and-orange ACG Guideline and the CxT Supplemental Study Guide are both retired.
If you already hold a CxT
You don't need to do anything to keep your credential active. ACG is automatically transferring existing CxT holders to CxS, and you'll receive an updated 2026 certificate in the coming weeks.
The one thing to note on your calendar: continuing education is now required on the same 3-year cycle CxAs already follow. If your CxT just moved to CxS, your first CEU deadline is December 31, 2028. ACG says more detail on CEU requirements and portal access is coming once the software update rolls out.
If you'd already applied for the CxT but hadn't taken the exam yet, your registration carries over automatically to the new CxS exam - just make sure you're studying from the updated materials above.
A free shot at certification for your team
To encourage wider use of the program, ACG is giving every member company one free CxS application and exam fee (normally $250) through the end of 2026. The annual renewal fee stays at $50.
If your company hasn't used the CxT program much, or has junior team members who could use a credential on their way to CxA, this is a low-cost way to start. Coordinate with your team on a candidate, apply through ACG's online CxS application, and use the promo code COMPANYCXS.
Where CxS fits in a commissioning career
Think of the CxS as the on-ramp. It's built for people with real field experience - testing, controls verification, systems checks - who aren't yet ready for the CxA but want a recognized credential that signals they know the commissioning process. For companies, it's also a practical way to formalize the skills of junior staff and give them a clear next step toward CxA.
For more on how commissioning certifications fit together, including CxA, CxM, and QCxP, see our Cx101 guide to commissioning certificates.
Source: AABC Commissioning Group (ACG) announcement, July 2026. For full program details, visit commissioning.org.
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