“There is no independent, profession-wide standardized assessment of leadership judgment — so NACUP formalized one based on how utility leaders are already expected to perform.”
Our Purpose
NACUP exists to address a critical gap in the utility sector: the absence of a neutral, asset-agnostic professional benchmark for operations and capital leadership.
We provide utility professionals with a credible pathway to:
Demonstrate applied leadership competence across operations, capital programs, contractor oversight, and emergency preparedness
Signal accountability and readiness in increasingly complex and regulated environments
Align professional recognition across electric, gas, water, and related utility sectors
How We Operate
NACUP certifications are:
Independent — not employer-sponsored or vendor-driven
Exam-based — focused on applied judgment rather than coursework
Training-supported — NACUP provides structured modules aligned to the professional standard to support candidate readiness
Asset-agnostic — applicable across utility types and infrastructures
Professionally governed — designed to uphold integrity, fairness, and public trust
Professional Impact
NACUP utility leadership certification is designed to support the long-term professionalization of the utility industry by establishing a shared standard of leadership readiness across organizations and asset types.
For individuals, NACUP credentials provide a credible signal of applied competence that extends beyond job titles, tenure, or employer-specific training. For the industry, they promote consistency, accountability, and alignment in how operational and capital leadership capabilities are recognized.
NACUP does not replace regulatory requirements or employer training programs. Instead, it complements existing frameworks by offering an independent benchmark that reflects the realities of modern utility operations and capital delivery.