Top Free AIA-Approved HSW Webinars to Attend in 2025

 Every year, licensed architects in the US face a familiar task. Tracking and completing their required Learning Units (LUs) to stay compliant with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System.


Among these, 18 credits must qualify as HSW (Health, Safety, and Welfare), a category focused on safeguarding the public and improving building performance through better design practices.

The Continuing Education Mandate

The HSW requirement ensures that architects remain up to date on topics like life safety, accessibility, energy conservation, and material health. But while the intent is clear, fulfilling this mandate often creates pressure, especially for small firms or solo practitioners.

The Real-World Challenges Architects Face

  • Budget Constraints: High-quality courses can be expensive, limiting access to everyone
  • Time Pressure: Project deadlines leave little room for learning during work hours
  • Constant Change: Keeping pace with building codes, sustainable design practices, and technology like BIM or IAQ tools is demanding

That’s why no-cost AIA-approved HSW webinars are more than just convenient, they’re essential. In the sections ahead, we’ll explore highly-rated options that help architects meet their education requirements while solving real-world design challenges, without added costs or time strain.

How Free Webinars Help Achieve Mandatory AIA HSW Credits

Architects in the US are required to complete 18 Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) Learning Units (LUs) annually to maintain AIA membership and state licensure. These credits must be earned through content that directly improves building performance and protects the well-being of occupants.

Free AIA-approved HSW webinars offer an accessible path to fulfill these requirements without compromising on content quality or workflow efficiency.

Here’s how these webinars help:

Zero-Cost, High-Quality Learning: Delivered by licensed professionals, code consultants, and manufacturers, these webinars cover critical topics like accessibility, fire safety, sustainable materials, and resilience at no cost.

On-Demand Flexibility: Many webinars are available on demand, letting architects earn credits during non-billable hours or project downtimes.

Up-to-Date Code Knowledge: Courses often focus on recent changes in the IBC, ADA, IECC, and other jurisdictional codes, essential for staying compliant and avoiding costly design errors.

HSW-Specific Focus: Only AIA-approved HSW courses count toward the mandatory 18. These webinars are pre-vetted to meet that criterion.

Documentation & Reporting: Most platforms submit credits directly to AIA, simplifying compliance tracking.

Hence, free webinars eliminate the financial and logistical barriers to staying licensed, making it easier for architects to meet their obligations while staying current with evolving best practices.

Upcoming Top 10 FREE AIA-Approved HSW Webinars — You Must Attend in 2025

With so many webinars available, it can be overwhelming to identify which ones truly deliver value, both in knowledge and practical application. The following curated list features five upcoming no-cost AIA-approved HSW webinars that stand out for their technical depth, relevance to current challenges, and direct alignment with AIA’s continuing education criteria.

Webinar 1 — The Art of Wood Finishing: Techniques, Applications, and Biophilic Design

Overview: Explore innovative uses of sustainable wood products in architecture, covering advanced finishing techniques (e.g., Shou Sugi Ban, brushing, thermal modification) and biophilic design principles.

It emphasizes how natural wood elements and low-VOC finishes enhance occupant health, safety, and welfare. Participants learn to specify high-performance wood products (cedar, fir, pine, etc.) with enhanced durability and aesthetics.

  • Date & Time: August 5, 2025–12:00 pm EDT
  • Credits: 1 LU/HSW
  • Platform: Ron Blank & Associates webinar
  • Cost: Free

Topics include: Biophilic design; sustainable wood materials; advanced wood finishing (burning, brushing); low‐VOC stains and fire-resistant coatings.

Register Here : The Art of Wood Finishing: Techniques, Applications, and Biophilic Design

Webinar 2 — Green Building Through Sun Control Design

Overview: Learn how buildings impact the natural environment through material choice and design, focusing on sun‐control strategies (e.g., sunshade and canopy systems) and recycled materials to improve sustainability

  • Date & Time: August 6, 2025–12:00 pm EDT
  • Credits: 1 LU/HSW
  • Platform: GreenCE
  • Cost: Free

Topics include: Sunshade systems, daylighting canopy design, and specifying sustainable materials.

Register Here : Green Building Through Sun Control Design

Webinar 3 — Light‑Manipulating Materials: Engaging, Biophilic, & Sustainable

Overview: Explore how light‑manipulating materials such as resin, glass, and terrazzo panels with internal light channels can be integrated into architectural elements like privacy screens, signage, countertops, and flooring to enhance sustainability and occupant wellness.

  • Date & Time: August 7, 2025 at 13:00 EDT
  • Credits: 1.5 AIA LU/HSW
  • Platform: AEC Daily webinar
  • Cost: Free

Topics include: Material types & substrates; daylight redirection; biophilic applications; design/installation options; occupant health & engagement.

Register Here : Light‑Manipulating Materials: Engaging, Biophilic, & Sustainable

Explore More about Free AIA‑Approved HSW Webinars list

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