,DBIA Certification Study Guide 2026–2027
Practice Questions with Correct Answers
How to Use This Study Guide
This guide is structured to help you prepare for the DBIA Certification Exam through a combination of
content review and targeted practice. The key to success is understanding the why behind each answer.
Your preparation should include:
• Mastering the five exam domains and their weightings (Guiding Principles, Foundations,
Procuring, Contracting, Executing)
• Completing the DBIA Certification Workshop (three core courses: Setting the Stage for Design-
Build Success, Collaborating for Exceptional Outcomes, and Contracts & Risk Management)
• Reading the 2023 Universal Best Practices, which contains 10 best practices and nearly 50
implementing techniques organized into procuring, contracting, and executing
• Reviewing DBIA position statements on Project Delivery, Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI),
Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), and Progressive Design-Build
The practice questions below are designed to test your understanding of the key concepts and your
ability to apply them to realistic scenarios.
Study Strategy
1. Complete the Certification Workshop – This three-day intensive program includes the three
DBIA core courses required for certification, plus access to the Code of Conduct webinar and
exam prep webinars.
2. Read the 2023 Universal Best Practices – This free document categorizes 10 best practices and
nearly 50 implementing techniques into three areas: Procuring Design-Build Services,
Contracting for Design-Build Services, and Executing Design-Build Projects.
3. Review DBIA Position Statements – The exam tests your understanding of DBIA's positions on
Project Delivery, DEI, VDC, and Progressive Design-Build.
4. Practice with scenario-based questions – The exam tests application, not just recall. Practice
questions should focus on realistic project scenarios.
5. Understand the Guiding Principles – The 2023 update added Guiding Principles that serve as an
anchor to the best practices: Universal Ethical Conduct, Demonstrated Competence, and
Collaborative, Transparent Project Teams.
Part 2: Key Concepts and Best Practices
,The Five Guiding Principles of Design-Build Done Right®
Principle Description
Universal Ethical Conduct Honesty, transparency, and acting in the interests of the project
The design-builder has the qualifications, experience, and capability to delive
Demonstrated Competence
the project
Collaborative, Transparent Project
Open information sharing, clear roles, and explicit decision points
Teams
Sustainable Professional Development Continuous learning and improvement in design-build practice
Supporting Diversity, Equity &
DEI as fundamental principles that drive excellence and innovation
Inclusion
Source: DBIA Best Practices, 2023 update.
The 10 Best Practices (Organized into Three Areas)
Procuring Design-Build Services:
1. Design-Build Oriented Procurement Plan
2. Qualifications-Based Selection
3. Best Value Selection
4. Two-Phase Design-Build Selection
Contracting for Design-Build Services:
5. Design-Build Contract
6. Risk Allocation
7. Performance-Based Requirements
Executing Design-Build Projects:
8. Collaborative Project Team
9. Design-Build Project Management
10. Commissioning and Closeout
Source: DBIA Universal Best Practices.
, Progressive Design-Build (PDB) Best Practices
PDB accounts for roughly one-third of all design-build procurements. The new PDB Best Practices
address:
• Owner readiness and decision-making discipline
• Qualifications-focused procurement
• Phased contracting structures
• Transparent cost development and validation
Source: DBIA PDB Best Practices.
Part 3: Practice Questions
Domain 1: Guiding Principles (Questions 1–8)
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary role of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)?
A) To provide construction management services
B) To define, teach, and promote best practices in design-build project delivery
C) To license design-build contractors
D) To arbitrate disputes between owners and contractors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA is the only organization that defines, teaches, and promotes best practices in design-
build project delivery. It is not a licensing body, construction manager, or arbitration service.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT one of DBIA's Guiding Principles?
A) Universal Ethical Conduct
B) Lowest Price Selection
C) Demonstrated Competence
D) Collaborative, Transparent Project Teams
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DBIA Guiding Principles are Universal Ethical Conduct, Demonstrated Competence,
Collaborative Transparent Project Teams, Sustainable Professional Development, and Supporting
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Lowest Price Selection is contrary to the design-build best-value
philosophy.
Practice Questions with Correct Answers
How to Use This Study Guide
This guide is structured to help you prepare for the DBIA Certification Exam through a combination of
content review and targeted practice. The key to success is understanding the why behind each answer.
Your preparation should include:
• Mastering the five exam domains and their weightings (Guiding Principles, Foundations,
Procuring, Contracting, Executing)
• Completing the DBIA Certification Workshop (three core courses: Setting the Stage for Design-
Build Success, Collaborating for Exceptional Outcomes, and Contracts & Risk Management)
• Reading the 2023 Universal Best Practices, which contains 10 best practices and nearly 50
implementing techniques organized into procuring, contracting, and executing
• Reviewing DBIA position statements on Project Delivery, Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI),
Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), and Progressive Design-Build
The practice questions below are designed to test your understanding of the key concepts and your
ability to apply them to realistic scenarios.
Study Strategy
1. Complete the Certification Workshop – This three-day intensive program includes the three
DBIA core courses required for certification, plus access to the Code of Conduct webinar and
exam prep webinars.
2. Read the 2023 Universal Best Practices – This free document categorizes 10 best practices and
nearly 50 implementing techniques into three areas: Procuring Design-Build Services,
Contracting for Design-Build Services, and Executing Design-Build Projects.
3. Review DBIA Position Statements – The exam tests your understanding of DBIA's positions on
Project Delivery, DEI, VDC, and Progressive Design-Build.
4. Practice with scenario-based questions – The exam tests application, not just recall. Practice
questions should focus on realistic project scenarios.
5. Understand the Guiding Principles – The 2023 update added Guiding Principles that serve as an
anchor to the best practices: Universal Ethical Conduct, Demonstrated Competence, and
Collaborative, Transparent Project Teams.
Part 2: Key Concepts and Best Practices
,The Five Guiding Principles of Design-Build Done Right®
Principle Description
Universal Ethical Conduct Honesty, transparency, and acting in the interests of the project
The design-builder has the qualifications, experience, and capability to delive
Demonstrated Competence
the project
Collaborative, Transparent Project
Open information sharing, clear roles, and explicit decision points
Teams
Sustainable Professional Development Continuous learning and improvement in design-build practice
Supporting Diversity, Equity &
DEI as fundamental principles that drive excellence and innovation
Inclusion
Source: DBIA Best Practices, 2023 update.
The 10 Best Practices (Organized into Three Areas)
Procuring Design-Build Services:
1. Design-Build Oriented Procurement Plan
2. Qualifications-Based Selection
3. Best Value Selection
4. Two-Phase Design-Build Selection
Contracting for Design-Build Services:
5. Design-Build Contract
6. Risk Allocation
7. Performance-Based Requirements
Executing Design-Build Projects:
8. Collaborative Project Team
9. Design-Build Project Management
10. Commissioning and Closeout
Source: DBIA Universal Best Practices.
, Progressive Design-Build (PDB) Best Practices
PDB accounts for roughly one-third of all design-build procurements. The new PDB Best Practices
address:
• Owner readiness and decision-making discipline
• Qualifications-focused procurement
• Phased contracting structures
• Transparent cost development and validation
Source: DBIA PDB Best Practices.
Part 3: Practice Questions
Domain 1: Guiding Principles (Questions 1–8)
Question 1
Which of the following best describes the primary role of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)?
A) To provide construction management services
B) To define, teach, and promote best practices in design-build project delivery
C) To license design-build contractors
D) To arbitrate disputes between owners and contractors
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DBIA is the only organization that defines, teaches, and promotes best practices in design-
build project delivery. It is not a licensing body, construction manager, or arbitration service.
Question 2
Which of the following is NOT one of DBIA's Guiding Principles?
A) Universal Ethical Conduct
B) Lowest Price Selection
C) Demonstrated Competence
D) Collaborative, Transparent Project Teams
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The DBIA Guiding Principles are Universal Ethical Conduct, Demonstrated Competence,
Collaborative Transparent Project Teams, Sustainable Professional Development, and Supporting
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Lowest Price Selection is contrary to the design-build best-value
philosophy.
