- Review the BPI Small Homes Certification Policies & Procedures.
- Review the Knowledge Area Charts (in policies and procedures), Testable Knowledge List and the BPI National Standards for each certification designation being considered.
- Choose the designation(s) and certification course(s) you want and review the Field Guides.
- Determine if training is required prior to attempting certification.
- Schedule your exam(s) directly with BPI or a BPI Test Center in your area.
- Fill out the Application for BPI Certification and take it with you to your exam.
- Take a 100-question exam and field exam that covers certain fundamentals of building science as well as knowledge specific to the designation being attempted.
- If you are a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater, then you would take a 50-question exam and would need to submit proof of certificate to certification@bpi.org.
- If you are seeking more than one certification, then you would also take a 50-question exam in the certification designation (i.e., Envelope, Heating), plus complete the field exams.
- If you take the Air Conditioning / Heat Pump exam, proof of the CFR 608 Card needs to be sent in prior to testing. Send to: certification@bpi.org.
- Complete the applicable exams successfully, with an overall score of 70% or higher.
- Receive your certification.
- Obtain thirty (30) Continuing Education Units (optional) and recertify every three years.
While BPI does not require training prior to attempting certification, candidates can find training from Independent Training Organizations using our Training Organizations Locator Tool. BPI does not directly perform any training services and it is not a requirement to use training organizations; however individuals completing training typically perform better on BPI examinations.
Complete the Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) sections of the field exams with a grade of 85% or higher.
The process time for exam results are four to six weeks.
