What does it actually take to get BuildSOS Certified?
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO4 min read
The short answer
Three tiers, each one built on the last. Silver just requires being licensed, insured, and active, and it’s free to claim. Gold requires completing all 15 missions in the BuildSOS curriculum and passing an open-book Certification Review. Platinum adds Profile Gorilla, the industry’s most rigorous background and quality vetting, on top of Gold.
The three tiers
Silver. If you’re already a BuildSOS member with an active contractor’s license, current general liability insurance, and at least one permit pulled in the last 6 months, you qualify. Email info@buildsos.com to claim it. BuildSOS verifies through BuildZoom, so there’s no paperwork to send in.
Gold. Everything in Silver, plus completing all 15 missions in the BuildSOS Certified Resilient Contractor workbook curriculum and passing the comprehensive, open-book Certification Review in the BuildSOS RESILIENCE app. Each mission builds toward that final review, so you’re not cramming at the end.
Platinum. Everything in Gold, plus Profile Gorilla certification, the industry’s most rigorous background and quality vetting available. Complete it, then email your credentials to info@buildsos.com.
Why it’s worth claiming
A credential only matters if it means something to the people deciding whether to hire you. In a market where homeowners, insurance carriers, and suppliers are all trying to tell good contractors from bad ones, a real, verified designation is what lets you skip the guessing game.
Silver is nearly frictionless: if you’re already licensed, insured, and active, there’s no reason not to claim it today. Gold takes real time investment, working through the 15-mission curriculum, but it’s built from field-tested material that’s useful on Monday morning, not busywork for a certificate. Platinum signals the deepest level of vetting available and puts you in the smallest, most trusted tier.
Frequently asked
How long does Gold actually take to complete?
Each mission runs roughly 3 hours, so 15 missions is a meaningful but manageable time investment, typically spread over weeks rather than done in one sitting.
Do I need special software to complete the missions?
No. The workbooks are the core material; mission tests happen in the free BuildSOS RESILIENCE app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Is Silver worth claiming if I don’t plan to pursue Gold?
Yes. It’s free, fast, and gives you a verified BuildSOS presence even if you never go further.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy