A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, or CAPS, is a professional trained by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to modify homes so people can keep living in them safely as they age. CAPS is a credential, not a contractor's license. Here's what the training covers, how to verify a CAPS, what one costs, and when you need one.
"Aging in place" means staying in your own home safely as your needs change. An aging-in-place specialist knows how to change a home to make that possible: step-free entries, walker-friendly bathrooms, better lighting, and one-floor living.
NAHB says the program teaches "the technical, business management, and customer service skills" needed for aging-in-place home modifications.1 Only someone who has earned and kept that credential is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist.
NAHB markets CAPS to remodelers, builders, contractors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.1,5 Some design and build, some only assess and plan, and some never pick up a hammer. Ask which kind you're talking to.
The CAPS program has three NAHB courses:1
Graduates learn to work with allied professionals, design for daily living, plan budgets and phased construction, avoid common installation errors, and handle anything from one room to a whole multi-generational home.1
CAPS is not a construction license, a degree or a medical qualification. It also isn't "ADA compliance." ADA standards apply to public spaces, not private homes, and are based on averages rather than a specific person.6 A good CAPS uses those standards as a guide, then fits the design to the people who live there. The result is a tailored assessment and related plan for current and anticipated needs to accommodate aging in place.
A professional completes all three courses, submits an application to the NAHB, and signs the CAPS Code of Ethics. Remodelers and contractors must also show liability and workers' compensation insurance and a business license, where required.2
Remaining current takes yearly renewal and four hours of continuing education. NAHB randomly audits holders,2,3 and missing the requirements can lead to suspension.4 Anyone whose credential has lapsed more than three years must take or retake CAPS III.2 Fees are listed on NAHB's How to Earn Your CAPS page.
Search NAHB's free public Directory of Professionals with Home Building Credentials.7
Search: "NAHB CAPS" which will provide this URL: nahb.org/nahb-community/nahb-directories, then select "Professionals with Home Building Credentials," which then takes you to the master list from which you can search by state.
Per the NAHB, only credential holders who are current on both renewal dues and continuing education appear in the directory.5 A listing proves the credential is active; a certificate on the wall doesn't. If you can't find someone, ask for their listing or call the NAHB Learning Helpline at 800-368-5242 ext. 8154.5
Before you hire, also check:
A well-run project usually includes these steps.
Interestingly, in NAHB's 2023 survey of remodelers who do aging-in-place work, grab bars were the most common project (93%), followed by curbless showers (83%), higher toilets (77%) and widening doorways (63%).8 As you can see, many modifications are relatively inexpensive, while others may require budgeting. The key to success is to have a detailed priorities list; otherwise, adaptations can be overwhelming.
There's no official price. NAHB doesn't publish what CAPS professionals typically charge, and there is no government or nonprofit survey of fees. The initial conversation should be at no cost and a detailed explanation of next steps coupled with good faith estimates of fees related to the assessment and subsequent adaptations should be very easy to understand and accurate.
So you have a ballpark idea of anticipated costs, a recent websearch revealed these specifics:13
That's $160 to $1,250 across four providers — a small sample, not an average. Other CAPS remodelers fold design into the project price. Ask for a written quote and which way they work.
The bigger cost is the work itself, and that depends on what your home needs. For example, the National Council on Aging puts a straight stair lift at about $2,500 to $5,000 and a curved one at $8,000 to $12,000 (2026 figures).12 See what it costs to modify a home for aging in place and how to pay for home modifications. However, don't become overwhelmed with the task or pricing. Like most things, you can take "baby steps" of increasing your safety and accessibility and spend very little to improve your residence, so you can age in place.
So, like with most things, prices vary with scope, whether the visit is in person or virtual, who is doing it (contractor, designer or OT), your region, and the condition of the home.
These roles overlap, and good projects often use more than one.
| CAPS | General contractor | Occupational therapist (OT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | NAHB credential (three courses, yearly renewal) | State- or locally licensed builder | Licensed health care professional |
| Focuses on | Adapting the home for aging in place | Building, trades and permits | The person: abilities, daily tasks, falls |
| Builds the project? | Often; some only assess and design | Yes | No; recommends, trains, checks fit |
| Insurance? | Usually out of pocket | Usually out of pocket | Medicare Part B may help when medically necessary |
Occupational therapists focus on the daily activities you want and need to age in place. Their work includes falls prevention and home safety advice.9 AOTA says home modifications work best when OTs play a central role, and OTs often return afterward to check the fit and train people on new equipment.10
Medicare Part B helps pay for medically necessary outpatient occupational therapy when a doctor or other qualified provider certifies the need; you usually pay 20% after the deductible.14 Original Medicare doesn't cover grab bars or raised toilet seats.15 Some OTs also hold CAPS, and many CAPS remodelers partner with OTs.1,6
No CAPS nearby? An experienced licensed contractor can still do excellent work from a clear, prioritized plan. See finding the right home adaptation specialist. Not sure it's time? Read signs it's time to consider home modifications.
A SafeHome Partners aging-in-place assessment is a good first step. You answer guided questions about the home — or scan it with your phone for a 2D floor plan — then you will receive an AI-generated report with a room-by-room plan, priorities, and a request-for-quote document any contractor can bid on. This approach is useful so you then have a:
For complex needs, a report doesn't replace an in-person CAPS or OT visit; it makes that visit more focused. See a sample report, read how to get the most from your report, or check pricing.
Start your assessment → · See a sample report →
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. It's a National Association of Home Builders credential for professionals trained to modify homes so people can live in them safely as they age.
No. CAPS is a training credential, not a license to build. Many holders are licensed contractors, but some are designers, consultants or therapists. If they'll build, check their state license and insurance separately.
Search NAHB's Directory of Professionals with Home Building Credentials, which lists only holders who are current on renewal dues and continuing education. If you can't find someone, call the NAHB Learning Helpline at 800-368-5242 ext. 8154.
It must be renewed every year, with four hours of continuing education. After a lapse of more than three years, the holder must take or retake CAPS III.
Complete NAHB's three CAPS courses, apply, and sign the CAPS Code of Ethics. Remodelers and contractors also show proof of insurance and a business license where required.
There's no standard fee. Four providers' published prices in October 2026 ranged from $160 to $1,250. Some CAPS remodelers include design in the project price. Ask for a written quote.
Usually not. A CAPS consultation is generally paid out of pocket, and Original Medicare doesn't cover grab bars or raised toilet seats. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited help; see how to pay for home modifications. Part B can help pay for medically necessary occupational therapy.
Often both. An OT evaluates the person; a CAPS designs and often builds the changes to the home. If health or mobility is changing quickly, start with an OT.
Hire a licensed, insured contractor with accessibility experience and references from similar projects. A written, prioritized plan, like a SafeHome Partners report, helps close the gap.
J. Hall C. Thorp is a CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist), a designation from the National Association of Home Builders, and a partner at SafeHome Partners, based in North Carolina.