
The Architectural Glass and Metal Certification Council (AGMCC) is applauding a major legislative victory in Oregon, as the state becomes only the second in the nation to mandate national glazing certifications on select publicly funded construction projects. On June 11, 2025, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 2680 into law, a landmark policy that will require contractors on certain public glazing jobs to hold NACC and AGMT credentials. The law takes effect July 1, 2027.
Under the new rules, contractors receiving public funds for the installation, repair, or renovation of fenestration products or systems in public buildings must have North American Contractor Certification (NACC) and employ at least one Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (AGMT) credentialed worker. These third-party certifications, both sponsored by AGMCC, are the only ones of their kind in North America for the glazing industry.

“On behalf of NACC and AGMT, we celebrate Oregon’s commitment to ensuring public glazing projects are installed by a competent and qualified glazing contractor who hires installers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the job right the first time – minimizing costly defects and failures. I can hardly think of a more responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” said Terry Schaefer, vice president of AMS, Inc., which administers the certifications.
The law applies to publicly funded projects in Oregon where the total project value is $25 million or more for new construction, or $5 million or more for renovations—thresholds designed to ensure that large-scale developments meet a recognized quality standard.
Two Oregon contractors currently hold the NACC certification: South Town Glass, which operates in Salem, Newberg, and Redmond, has been certified since 2020, and Black Line Glazing (BLG, Inc.), operating in Salem and Grants Pass, earned certification earlier this year. Both companies are affiliated with IUPAT District Council 5, though the certification programs are open to both union and non-union contractors.
In Senate testimony, Jenny McNally, RA, president of South Town Glass and a registered architect, emphasized the necessity of certification in Oregon’s often challenging climate. “We live in a difficult area to build – with heavy rain and temperature swings – so if you don’t install glass and glazing correctly, buildings will leak,” McNally testified. “Recognizing the value of professional training in the construction field as a means to ensure quality and to reduce mistakes is one of the reasons our company was an early adopter of the national glazing certification. The new law gives the public 100-year buildings that are built to last.”
BLG Founder and CEO Darand A. Davies also expressed support. “By creating an even playing field, we ensure owners get the level of quality, safety, and durability required by the building designer,” he said. “Especially for work being paid for by taxpayers, it’s important to use the best quality glazing contractors and glaziers on the market.”
The bill enjoyed bipartisan sponsorship from Representatives Rob Nosse (D-Portland), Willy Chotzen (D-Portland), and Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River), along with Senator Mark Meek (D-Oregon City). Advocacy from IUPAT District Council 5 and the PAC/WEST Lobby Group played a significant role in the bill’s advancement through the legislature.
Mark Long, PAC/WEST Vice President of Construction Policy and Regulatory Affairs, praised the law as a meaningful workforce development tool. “HB2680 recognizes the important work of professional glazing installers who have made the personal and professional commitment to maintain and develop their skills through lifelong training and education,” he said. “Credentials like AGMT align well with Oregon’s apprenticeship and industry training goals.”
Oregon follows Rhode Island, which was the first state to mandate use of NACC and AGMT certifications on public glazing projects. Industry experts say these programs are helping set a new standard for accountability and quality control in an era when construction defects can lead to millions of dollars in repairs and delays.
The AGMT program, accredited by ANSI, is the only third-party personnel credential in North America for architectural glass and metal technicians, requiring both written and hands-on testing to validate skills. The NACC credential is similarly rigorous, evaluating glazing contractors on business practices, safety, project management, and quality assurance.
With rising expectations for quality and performance on taxpayer-funded projects, certification-backed legislation like Oregon’s may become a model for other states seeking to modernize public procurement policies. The bill is also a boost to broader efforts in construction to elevate professional standards and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
For more information on the programs, visit www.glazingcertification.com.
Originally reported by Architectural Glass And Metal Certification Council (AGMCC) in Construction Dive.