Adopted Amendment
Rater Categories of Certification
Proponent: RESNET Categories of Rater Certification Task Force
Proposed Changes:
Chapter 202 - Amend as follows:
Rating Field Inspector - A Field Inspector is the entry level of rater certification. A Field Inspector under the direct supervision of a certified home energy rater may conduct the inspections and necessary basic performance tests (blower door & duct blaster) to produce a home energy rating. This category requires the ability to identify and quantify various building components and systems.
Certified Home Energy Rater or Rater - The person trained by an a Accredited Training Provider and certified by an accredited home energy rating provider to inspect a home to evaluate the minimum rated features and prepare an energy efficiency rating (see also Rating Field Inspector and Senior Certified Rater). A rater may employ or use a Rating Field Inspector to perform the physical inspection tasks allowed under that job designation. This definition does not restrict a Rater from conducting the inspections and necessary basic performance tests (blower door & duct blaster) to produce a home energy rating. The certified home energy Rater remains responsible for the accuracy of the information contained in the rating.
Rater Specialty Certification - Professional building performance certification recognized by RESNET as part of a Home Energy Rater's advanced certification.
Senior Certified Rater - A senior rater is the first category of advanced rater certification. Senior Certified Raters have demonstrated that they have the increased experience and knowledge base to interpret the findings of a rating and make recommendations on how the home can be improved.
Chapter 205 - Amend as follows:
205.2 Rating Field Inspector Knowledge and Skills Set
205.2.1 The following comprise a list of knowledge base and skills necessary to be certified as a Rating Field Inspector:
205.2.1.1 Completion of Rating Field Inspector training by a RESNET accredited Rater Training Provider.
205.2.1.2 A Rating Field Inspector candidate has the option of challenging the classroom training by passing the RESNET National Rating Field Inspector Test. A candidate who passes the challenge test must still comply with the training field testing requirement.
205.2.1.3 A Rating Field Inspector shall pass the National Field Inspector Test administered by RESNET. A candidate who passes the test must still comply with the training field testing requirement.
205.2.1.4 Upon successful completion of the training, the Rating Field Inspection candidate shall complete three additional probation tests under the direct supervision of a certified rater.
205.3 Senior Certified Rater Knowledge and Skills Set
205.3.1 The following comprise a list of knowledge base and skills necessary to be certified as a Senior Certified Rater:
205.3.1.1 Experience as a certified energy rater for a period of at least one year.
205.3.1.2 Documentation having accurately completed ratings and performance tests of a minimum of 25 homes.
205.3.1.3 Certification in a minimum of two Rater Specialty Certifications.
205.3.1.4 Demonstrate the ability of to completinge a rating and all required performance testing, without the use of any reference material, in the presence of a rater trainer or quality assurance designee
205.3.1.5 Passing the National Senior Rater Test administered by RESNET.
205.3.2 A National Senior Rater must also publicly demonstrate before a jury of 5, approved by the Technical Committee and composed of at least 3 of his/her peers and at least one Certified Trainer and at least one Quality Assurance Designee, that he or she is competent in all areas by passing an oral exam, designed to determine if the National Senior Rater candidate can successfully diagnose and discuss in detail the building science phenomena that underlie a complex home energy rating case study, approved by the Training and Certification Committee.
205.4 Rater Specialty Certification
205.4.1 RESNET will formally recognize raters' optional specialty certification(s) by independent programs in closely related fields of building performance, above and beyond RESNET's rater certification. In order to be recognized by RESNET the program must submit an application developed by the RESNET Training and Education Committee. The RESNET Training and Education Committee will select programs based upon the following criteria:
205.4.1.1 The organization offering the certification shall have a credible reputation
2.5.4.1.2 The training and certification is conducted by competent and qualified instructors in the prescribed field of instruction.
2.5.4.1.3 The organization offering the certification shall have a credible training and testing process as part of their certification
2.5.4.1.4 The organization shall have clear, effective, and documented independent quality assurance procedures
2.5.4.1.5 The organization shall have a clear, effective and documented discipline process
Justification:
The RESNET Board of Directors recognizes the value of developing a designation of raters' skills, knowledge, and experience above and beyond the basic rater certification. The goal is to create a career path for raters as exists for many of the other trades in the housing industry. In 2004 it appointed a RESNET Categories of Rater Certification Task Force. Chaired by Ken Fonorow of Florida H.E.R.O. the committee members were:
- Ann Maria Apgar, EAM Associates
- Michael Andreuk, Southface Energy Institute
- Frank Champitto, New York State Builders Association
- Frazer Dougherty, Building Performance Contractors Association of New York
- Brett Dillon, Tennessee energy rater
- Skye Dunning, North Carolina energy rater
- Mark Dyen, Conservation Services Group
- Richard Faesy, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
- James Femal, Wisconsin energy rater
- Tom Fitzpatrick, Texas Energy Systems Laboratory
- Mat Gates, Residential Science Resources
- Jay Hall, Building Knowledge
- Rex Hammon, ConSol
- Bruce Harley, Conservation Services Group
- Gary Heederick, California energy rater
- Chip Henderson, CONTECTS
- Kathy Howard, Energy Sense
- Myron Katz. National Energy Raters Association
- Steve Klossner, American Lung Association Health House
- Tei Kucharski, Florida Solar Energy Center
- Galo LeBron, Energy Inspectors
- Michael Lubliner, Washington State University
- C.T. Loyd, Nelrod Company
- Rogge Miller, Guaranteed Watt Saver Systems
- Ron Oltman, Idaho energy rater
- Lee O'Neal, NSpects
- Mark Newey, Southface Energy Institute
- Mike Rogers, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
- Gayle Sampson, Ohio energy rater
- Kristin Shewfelt, E-Star Colorado
- Jimmie Sparks, Minnesota energy rater
- Dick Stone, Minnesota energy rater
- Dennis Storer, Florida energy rater
- Don Swift, MaGrann Associates
- Jim Tenhundfeld, Ohio energy rater
- David Walker, Texas Energy Rater
- Gary Wollin, Washington energy rater
After over two years of deliberations the task force proposed a set categories of certification that will achieve the following:
- Create career path in the rating field
- Formally recognize raters additional experience and certifications
- Provide an opportunity for clients and sponsoring programs to easily identify raters who have achieved additional experience and certification.
- Provide a means to access the certifications required for the senior rater designation
