Registration
1. When can I register for the CNU / UM Accreditation Exam?
2. How do I register for the CNU / UM Accreditation Exam?
3. Is there a paper form available?
4. Are the registration deadlines firm?
5. How much does the current exam cost?
6. How do I transfer or cancel my exam appointment?
Examination
7. When is the CNU / UM Accreditation Exam offered?
8. What is the current format for the Exam?
9. Do I have to be a CNU Member to take the exam?
10. How do I prepare for the Exam?
11. How do I register for the University of Miami School of Architecture Course?
12. What happens if I miss my exam appointment?
13. What happens after I complete the Exam?
Maintenance
14. What are the requirements of CNU Accreditation?
15. How do I maintain my CNU Accreditation status?
16. How will CNU track attendance?
17. How should I designate my credential?
18. How will my accreditation status be listed in the CNU Directory?
1. When can I register for the CNU Accreditation Exam?
Registration for the CNU Accreditation exam is currently offered three times a year through the University of Miami. For the upcoming registration dates, visit https://mredu.arc.miami.edu/events/nuo.
2. How do I register for the CNU / UM Accreditation Exam?
Registration is conducted online via the University of Miami at https://elevate.miami.edu/courses/um-cnu-accreditation-exam. If you don’t already have a UM account, you will need to create one to start the process.
3. Is there a paper registration form available?
No. Registration for the exam is managed online only by the University of Miami’s learning management system, Elevate. Questions about registration should be directed to the University of Miami’s School of Architecture. Call 305-284-4420 or e-mail nuonline@miami.edu.
4. Are the registration deadlines firm?
Yes. The deadlines are very firm with no exceptions.
5. How much does the current exam cost?
The exam costs $225. The fee covers the administrative costs of hosting, grading and running the CNU Accreditation program. It also funds future exam and program development.
6. How do I transfer or cancel my exam appointment?
Transfer or cancelation requests need to be made through the University of Miami by emailing nuonline@miami.edu or calling 305-284-4420. Candidates who submit a transfer or cancelation request may be charged an administrative fee.
7. When is the CNU Accreditation Exam offered?
The CNU Accreditation exam is currently offered online three times a year. For the upcoming exam access dates, check the University of Miami website https://mredu.arc.miami.edu/events/nuo.
8. What is the current format for the Exam?
The CNU Accreditation exam is an online, computer-based test, but candidates do not need extensive computer experience to take the test.
Currently, the exam is comprised of approximately 70 randomly delivered multiple choice and true and false questions. For more information and technical requirements, see the University of Miami website.
Exam takers will receive an email from the University of Miami with login information and testing instructions. Please watch your spam filter for this email and contact the University immediately, if you don't receive it after the first day of the exam window.
9. Do I have to be a CNU Member to take the exam?
No. CNU membership is not required in order to take the exam. However, in order to be considered a CNU-Accredited Professional after passing the exam, CNU membership will need to be maintained each year.
10. How do I prepare for the Exam?
A recommended reading list has been developed for the exam, see below. In addition, the University of Miami School of Architecture offers The Principles and Practice of New Urbanism course online.
- Charter of the New Urbanism
- New Urbanism: Best Practices Guide, 4th edition, by Robert Steuteville, Philip Langdon, et. al. (Ithaca, NY: New Urban Publications, 2009).
- *Included with prep course tuition and/or CNU membership. Those taking only the exam can purchase the guide online here.
- Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck (New York: North Point Press, a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000).
- Sustainable Street Network Principles by CNU Project for Transportation Reform (2012).
11. How do I register for the University of Miami School of Architecture Course?
The Principles and Practice of New Urbanism course is currently offered online three times a year. Course registration is separate from the CNU Accreditation exam registration, visit https://mredu.arc.miami.edu/events/nuo for more information.
The course fee is $300 for CNU members and $335 for non-members and includes twelve weeks of access to the course plus a Certificate of Completion from the University of Miami upon successful completion of the course.
12. What happens if I miss my exam appointment?
Candidates who fail to take the exam during their scheduled testing window will forfeit all registration fees.
13. What happens after I complete the Exam?
You will receive an email notification regarding your accreditation status from the University of Miami four to six weeks after the exam access window closes. If you have passed the exam and met the other requirements for CNU Accreditation, you will receive your certificate and informational packet by email.
14. What are the requirements of CNU Accreditation?
A CNU Accredited Professional is a CNU member who has passed the accreditation exam, maintains an active membership with CNU, and continues to advance their understanding of the practice and principles of New Urbanism by regularly attending educational events each year. The requirements of CNU Accreditation are:
- Pass the CNU Accreditation Exam
- Upon passing the CNU-A exam, maintain an active annual CNU Accredited Professional Membership
- Attend CNU-approved educational event(s) annually (minimum 8 hours duration). A CNU-approved educational event includes events hosted by CNU, a CNU Chapter, or a CNU-A Continuing Education Provider
CNU reserves the right in the future to require recertification and continuing education. As the CNU Accreditation program advances, the requirements will be strengthened.
15. How do I maintain my CNU Accreditation status?
To claim CNU Accreditation as a professional designation, members must be in good standing. To maintain good standing, a CNU member must:
- Pay the annual CNU Accredited Professional membership dues; and
- Satisfy the continuing education requirements by attending 8-hours of CNU approved educational events per year.
A CNU accredited professional who fails to satisfy the above requirements becomes a lapsed accredited professional. A lapsed accredited professional has a four-year window from their last expired membership date, and/or the date at which they were found out of compliance with CEU requirements, during which time they can bring their accreditation status back into good standing without being required to retake the CNU / University of Miami Accreditation exam. CNU reserves the right in the future to require recertification and continuing education. As the CNU Accreditation program advances, the requirements will be strengthened.
16. How will CNU track attendance?
CNU Accredited Professionals are required to attend 8-hours of CNU approved educational events per year. CNU will conduct a yearly audit of a random sample of members to check for compliance. Members are asked to track their attendance at required events and make this documentation available if audited.
17. How should I designate my credential?
The appropriate way to designate the credential is CNU Accredited or CNU-A.
18. How will my accreditation status be listed in the CNU Directory?
CNU Accredited professionals will be listed as CNU Accredited in the online CNU Member Directory at www.cnu.org.