The short version: CAPS = Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. NAHB-administered designation requiring 3 courses plus state contractor licensing. Evaluations cost $150-$400 and pay back on any project over $5,000. Find one through the NAHB member directory; verify the underlying state license.

The credential

CAPS stands for Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. The credential is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), which runs the program through its NAHB Education arm.1

To earn the designation, a contractor completes three courses:

  • CAPS I: marketplace of seniors and aging-in-place strategy
  • CAPS II: strategies and techniques for senior home modification
  • CAPS III: customer service and CAPS business management

The certification renews every 3 years with continuing education credits.

CAPS does not replace state contractor licensing. A CAPS-certified contractor is also a licensed remodeling contractor, plumber, or builder under their state’s licensing system. CAPS adds expertise in aging-in-place modifications on top of the core licensure.

What CAPS contractors actually do

CAPS-certified contractors typically do:

  • Pre-project evaluations: walk the home, identify risks, write a recommendation report.
  • Bathroom remodels with senior-specific design: grab bar placement, slip-resistant flooring, walk-in showers, ADA-height toilets.
  • Stair lift coordination: specifying, ordering, install, and post-install training.
  • Kitchen accessibility upgrades: counter heights, cabinet pulls, induction cooktops, pull-out shelving.
  • Whole-home accessibility planning: doorway widening, ramp install, lighting upgrades.

They generally don’t do new-home construction, large-scale renovations unrelated to aging-in-place, or non-residential commercial work.

What an evaluation looks like

A standard CAPS evaluation runs 60-90 minutes and produces a written report. The contractor walks the home assessing:

  • Entry approach: exterior steps, walkway, porch lighting, mailbox reach.
  • Bathroom: tub or shower entry, grab bar opportunities, lighting, toilet height, slip-resistance of flooring.
  • Kitchen: counter heights, cabinet reach, appliance accessibility, lever vs knob faucet.
  • Bedroom and access path: bed height, path width, nightlight coverage, switch reach.
  • Stairs and transitions: railing on both sides, tread depth, threshold heights, lighting.
  • Whole-house systems: flooring transitions, smoke alarm placement, doorway widths.

The deliverable is a prioritized punch list with rough cost estimates. A good CAPS report distinguishes “do this now” from “consider when remodeling” and “outside CAPS scope, ask an OT.”

How to find one

Step 1: NAHB directory

Search the NAHB member directory at nahb.org. Filter by ZIP code and the CAPS designation. Most metro areas have 5-50 CAPS-certified contractors.1

Step 2: State licensing verification

Look up each candidate on your state’s contractor licensing board. Verify the license is active, the type matches your needs, and there are no recent disciplinary actions.

Step 3: References

Three recent references is the standard ask. Call them. Ask: would you hire them again? what surprised you? what would you do differently?

Step 4: Interview

Talk to your top 2-3 candidates. Ask about a recent senior bathroom project, the answer should be specific and the contractor should pull permits themselves. Vague answers are a red flag.

For a step-by-step contractor vetting checklist, see how to find a CAPS-certified specialist.

CAPS vs OT: which do I need

Both, for complex projects. CAPS evaluates the home; OT (occupational therapist) evaluates the user.

QuestionAsk CAPSAsk OT
Where should grab bars go?YesYes
What height is the right toilet seat for this user?NoYes
Is the subfloor strong enough for a walk-in tub?YesNo
Should the user use a stair lift or a home elevator?Yes (home), Yes (user)Yes (user side)
What’s the right slip-resistance rating for this floor?YesNo
Can the user safely transfer from wheelchair to tub seat?NoYes

The pattern is consistent. CAPS knows the building, OT knows the body. Combined evaluations produce the best plans for any project over $10,000.

Geographic availability

CAPS certification is concentrated in metro areas. Rural areas may have few or no CAPS-certified contractors within 50 miles. In those cases:

  • Use a non-CAPS state-licensed remodeling contractor with strong references.
  • Verify they understand ANSI A117.1 grab bar mounting (250 lb pull rating).
  • Get an OT evaluation to compensate for the missing CAPS expertise on the user side.

What to do next

If you’re planning a project over $5,000: search the NAHB directory and book an evaluation in the next 2-3 weeks.

If you’re planning a project under $5,000: skip the formal evaluation, use the bathroom safety 7-step plan as your DIY framework, and pay a CAPS specialist $50-$150 for a 30-minute review of your final plan.

For the bigger aging-in-place context, see the aging-in-place bible and the 50-item home assessment checklist.

The 30-second summary:
  • CAPS = Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, NAHB-accredited.
  • 3 courses plus state contractor license. Renewable every 3 years.
  • Evaluation costs $150-$400, often credited to project cost.
  • Pair with OT evaluation for complex mobility users.