ACG GUIDELINE EXAM PREP
100 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS UPDATED
2026
QUESTIONWhat does DID mean and provide a brief definition? -
answer-Design Intent Document - Details functional requirements
and Owner's expectations of how a building will be used and
operated - Owner's Project Requirements
QUESTIONWhat does BOD mean and provide a brief definition? -
answer-Basis of Design - The concepts, calculations, decisions,
and product selections used to meet the Owner's Project
Requirements.
What are the five phases of commissioning? - answer-1.) Pre-
Design
2.) Design
3.) Construction
4.) Acceptance
5.) Post-Acceptance
QUESTIONStudies indicate _ to _% savings in building operating
costs when comparing a comissioned building to a non-
commissioned building. - answer-8 to 20%
QUESTIONWhat is commissioning? - answer-A process of
documentation, adjustment, testing, verification, and training
,performed specifically to ensure that the finished facility operates
in accordance with the owner's documented project requirements
and the construction documents. Commissioning serves the
owner's best interests by delivering a facility with systems that
perform as specified, intended, and paid for.
QUESTIONDesigner's (A/E) services typically (do or do not)
include field verification that their design works as intended. -
answer-Do NOT
QUESTIONConstruction Manager's services typically (do or do
not) include functional verification that the installed systems meet
design intent. - answer-Do NOT
QUESTIONThe CxA has a distinct responsibility to who? -
answer-The Owner
QUESTIONThe CxA is not just another layer of inspection, but a
catalyst for? - answer-Communication that makes quality
solutions possible.
QUESTIONThe CxA (is or is not) an inspector. - answer-Is NOT
QUESTIONThe commissioning process provides verification that
the ____ ____ ____ are implemented in both the ____ and ____.
- answer-Owner's Project Requirements; Design and Construction
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total construction cost. - answer-0.5 to 1.5%
QUESTIONRetrocommissioning costs _ to _% of total operation
cost. - answer-3 to 5%
, QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total mechanical system construction cost. - answer-2 to 3%
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total electrical system construction cost. - answer-1 to 2%
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total comprehensive HVAC construction cost. - answer-2 to 5%
QUESTIONWhat does CxA mean and what is the CxA's job
function? - answer-ACG Certified Commissioning Authority;
leader of the commissioning team that represents the facility
owner.
QUESTIONWhat does CP mean and indicate a few examples of
providers (5 listed). - answer-Commissioning Provider;
1.) Independent third-party commissioning firm
2.) A/E firm
3.) General contractor
4.) Construction manager
5.) Owner's personnel
QUESTIONWhat is retro-commissioning (RetroCx)? - answer-
Commissioning an existing building that has never been
commissioned.
QUESTIONWhat is re-commissioning (ReCx)? - answer-
Commissioning a building that has been previously
commissioned.
QUESTIONWhat is continuous commissioning (CCx)? - answer-
Owner continues to collect and compare baseline data on
selected building systems to ensure that the building functions
optimally throughout its operating life.
100 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS UPDATED
2026
QUESTIONWhat does DID mean and provide a brief definition? -
answer-Design Intent Document - Details functional requirements
and Owner's expectations of how a building will be used and
operated - Owner's Project Requirements
QUESTIONWhat does BOD mean and provide a brief definition? -
answer-Basis of Design - The concepts, calculations, decisions,
and product selections used to meet the Owner's Project
Requirements.
What are the five phases of commissioning? - answer-1.) Pre-
Design
2.) Design
3.) Construction
4.) Acceptance
5.) Post-Acceptance
QUESTIONStudies indicate _ to _% savings in building operating
costs when comparing a comissioned building to a non-
commissioned building. - answer-8 to 20%
QUESTIONWhat is commissioning? - answer-A process of
documentation, adjustment, testing, verification, and training
,performed specifically to ensure that the finished facility operates
in accordance with the owner's documented project requirements
and the construction documents. Commissioning serves the
owner's best interests by delivering a facility with systems that
perform as specified, intended, and paid for.
QUESTIONDesigner's (A/E) services typically (do or do not)
include field verification that their design works as intended. -
answer-Do NOT
QUESTIONConstruction Manager's services typically (do or do
not) include functional verification that the installed systems meet
design intent. - answer-Do NOT
QUESTIONThe CxA has a distinct responsibility to who? -
answer-The Owner
QUESTIONThe CxA is not just another layer of inspection, but a
catalyst for? - answer-Communication that makes quality
solutions possible.
QUESTIONThe CxA (is or is not) an inspector. - answer-Is NOT
QUESTIONThe commissioning process provides verification that
the ____ ____ ____ are implemented in both the ____ and ____.
- answer-Owner's Project Requirements; Design and Construction
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total construction cost. - answer-0.5 to 1.5%
QUESTIONRetrocommissioning costs _ to _% of total operation
cost. - answer-3 to 5%
, QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total mechanical system construction cost. - answer-2 to 3%
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total electrical system construction cost. - answer-1 to 2%
QUESTIONNew construction commissioning costs _ to _% of
total comprehensive HVAC construction cost. - answer-2 to 5%
QUESTIONWhat does CxA mean and what is the CxA's job
function? - answer-ACG Certified Commissioning Authority;
leader of the commissioning team that represents the facility
owner.
QUESTIONWhat does CP mean and indicate a few examples of
providers (5 listed). - answer-Commissioning Provider;
1.) Independent third-party commissioning firm
2.) A/E firm
3.) General contractor
4.) Construction manager
5.) Owner's personnel
QUESTIONWhat is retro-commissioning (RetroCx)? - answer-
Commissioning an existing building that has never been
commissioned.
QUESTIONWhat is re-commissioning (ReCx)? - answer-
Commissioning a building that has been previously
commissioned.
QUESTIONWhat is continuous commissioning (CCx)? - answer-
Owner continues to collect and compare baseline data on
selected building systems to ensure that the building functions
optimally throughout its operating life.
