Fitwel Certification: Verifies building and site strategies that support occupant health and well-being

What’s Required

1. Use of Fitwel scorecards

Fitwel uses tailored scorecards for different building and site types. These scorecards include evidence-based design and operational strategies that support health and well-being. Fitwel states that its scorecards include more than 55 evidence-based strategies.

Projects may address:

• Indoor environment.

• Active transportation.

• Stair use.

• Fitness access.

• Outdoor spaces.

• Food environments.

• Occupant safety.

• Emergency preparedness.

• Cleaning practices.

• Health policies.

• Community health.

• Site context.

2. Health-focused design and operations

Fitwel certification includes design strategies and operational policies intended to optimize health and wellness among occupants.

Project teams may need to document:

• Building design features.

• Operational policies.

• Occupant communications.

• Access to amenities.

• Cleaning and maintenance.

• Ventilation and indoor air strategies.

• Active design measures.

• Health-supportive programming.

3. Digital platform documentation

Fitwel uses an online platform for submission and evaluation. Fitwel’s help center notes that the standard can apply to many asset types in design or built and occupied phases, and that documentation is submitted and evaluated through an online platform.

Project teams should prepare:

• Project information.

• Scorecard responses.

• Policy documents.

• Plans or drawings.

• Photographic evidence.

• Operational records.

• Supporting calculations.

• Review responses.

4. Star rating and scoring

Fitwel uses a point-based system and star ratings. Projects that demonstrate higher levels of attainment receive stronger outcomes.

This means project teams should understand:

• Applicable scorecard.

• Available strategies.

• Points required.

• Documentation requirements.

• Review process.

• Final rating outcome.

5. Certification review and final date

Fitwel recognizes the Final Review completion date as the official project certification date, regardless of the number of remediation processes.

This is important for:

• Marketing claims.

• Reporting dates.

• Portfolio dashboards.

• Tenant communications.

• Investor evidence.

• Recertification planning.

6. Evidence-based standard

The Center for Active Design states that the Fitwel Standard is grounded in more than 7,000 peer-reviewed studies covering public health and economic research.

This makes Fitwel especially relevant for organizations linking building performance with health outcomes, employee well-being, and real estate value.

Important Deadlines

Fitwel is voluntary, so there is no universal legal deadline.

Important timing points:

• Certification timing depends on project submission, review, remediation, and Final Review completion.

• Fitwel recognizes the Final Review completion date as the official certification date.

• Center for Active Design guidance states that projects can maintain Fitwel status without lapse by initiating recertification within three years from the initial award and submitting for recertification within one year of expiration.

Current Status

Fitwel is active and used globally. The Center for Active Design states that Fitwel has been adopted across more than 6,000 assets, impacting more than 5 million people worldwide.

Current status:

• Active global certification system.

• Focused on building health and well-being.

• Applies to buildings, sites, and fit-outs.

• Uses tailored scorecards.

• Uses digital documentation review.

• Fitwel products are owned and operated by Active Design Advisors, with research, development, and third-party validation provided by the Center for Active Design.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fitwel does not impose statutory penalties.

Possible consequences include:

1. Certification refusal

A project may fail certification if it lacks sufficient evidence or does not meet score requirements.

2. Lower star rating

A project may receive a lower rating than targeted.

3. Remediation requirements

Projects may need to correct documentation or improve evidence before final review.

4. Contractual consequences

If certification is tied to finance, leasing, procurement, or investor commitments, failure may create commercial consequences.

5. Reputational risk

Healthy building claims may be challenged if not supported by Fitwel certification or comparable evidence.

Examples of Known Violations / Failure Modes

Typical failure modes include:

• Claiming Fitwel certification before Final Review completion.

• Using an incorrect scorecard.

• Submitting incomplete documentation.

• Overstating health or well-being benefits.

• Treating Fitwel as a substitute for building code compliance.

• Failing to maintain policies after certification.

• Not documenting operational practices.

• Assuming design features alone are sufficient.

• Ignoring occupant communication requirements.

• Using expired supporting certifications.

• Not planning for recertification.

• Making portfolio-wide claims based on only a subset of certified assets.

Resources

• https://www.fitwel.org/

• https://www.fitwel.org/about-fitwel

• https://www.fitwel.org/certification

• https://www.fitwel.org/certification-getting-started

• https://www.fitwel.org/fitwel-certification

• https://www.centerforactivedesign.org/

• https://www.centerforactivedesign.org/services