How Fitwel Certification Works, Step by Step (and What Drives Its Cost)

Fitwel certification has become one of the most widely used ways to show that a building supports the health of the people who use it, especially in operating buildings and multi-asset portfolios. Its reputation as "the accessible health certification" is well earned, but to make the most of it you need to understand how the process works and what really drives its cost.

What Fitwel is

Fitwel was developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA), and is now operated by the Center for Active Design. It is grounded in public health evidence and assesses design and management strategies that influence occupant health: from the building's location and access to active transportation to indoor air quality, food options and restorative spaces.

Its strategies are tied to seven health impact categories, including reducing absenteeism and morbidity, increasing physical activity, improving access to healthy food, promoting occupant safety and supporting the health of the surrounding community.

What makes it different

• No mandatory prerequisites. Each project chooses which strategies to implement to earn points.
• No on-site verification visit. Assessment is based on documentation submitted through an online platform.
• Scorecards by building type, tailored to offices, multi-tenant buildings, multifamily residential, retail, sites or campuses, among others.

The process, step by step

1. Gap assessment

The building or project is reviewed against the scorecard for its type. In existing buildings, this step often shows that many strategies are already in place and just need to be documented.

2. Registration and target level

The project is registered on the Fitwel platform and the target is set: one, two or three stars. The target should balance the desired positioning with the available budget and timeline.

3. Implementation

Physical changes are carried out (for example visible, attractive stairs, water fountains, bike racks, restorative areas or lactation rooms) and operational policies are written, such as smoke-free spaces, healthy food or emergency preparedness.

4. Documentation and review

Evidence is submitted for each strategy: drawings, photos, signed policies or vendor contracts. The Fitwel reviewer may request clarifications before issuing the final score.

5. Certification and recertification

Once scored, the building receives the seal, which is valid for three years. Before it expires, the building must recertify to keep it.

What drives Fitwel's cost

• Fitwel fees: a per-project registration fee and a certification fee that varies with the size of the building or site. For portfolios there is Fitwel Scale, a lighter certification that brings many assets up to a health baseline.
• Consulting: choosing the most convenient strategies and preparing complete evidence. Most reviewer comments come from incomplete documentation, not from the building falling short.
• Upgrades and policies: usually low cost, because many strategies are design or management decisions rather than major works.

A practical note: Fitwel works with annual submission deadlines. A project that misses the year's cycle rolls over to the next, so plan the calendar from the start.

Fitwel or WELL?

Fitwel is usually the best option for operating buildings, portfolios with many assets, or residential projects that want a health story without performance testing. WELL makes more sense when the client demands measured air and water results or when the headquarters is a flagship asset. We compare them in detail in WELL vs Fitwel vs LEED: which to choose.

Fitwel by country and building type

See how Fitwel applies in Mexico, Colombia and South Africa, or by building type for offices and residential projects.

Want to know how many stars your building could reach? Contact us and we will assess it against the scorecard that applies to your project.