Updates For Building Professional And Envelope Professional
Building science and energy auditing practices are continuously evolving. There is a regular flow of new technology and techniques as well as new career ladders for those in the home performance industry, so all BPI certifications are periodically updated.
BPI's Building Analyst (BA) and Envelope Professional (EP) certifications have been a staple in the industry for over 20 years. In 2020, we convened a Scheme Committee comprised of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to evaluate the BA and EP against the current state of industry.
This open and transparent process, which took about 18 months to complete, ensures that BPI Certified Professionals have expertise in the latest best practices. The resulting updates will lead to increased confidence from customers, contractors, participating programs, and the home performance market at large.
Summary of Changes
Three major changes resulted from the recommendations by the Scheme Committee:
1. The Building Analyst certification has absorbed the Envelope Professional and been divided into two work-ready credentials, Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) and Building Analyst Professional (BA-P).
2. The BA-T covers data collection and diagnostic testing. It is awarded by passing a field exam that includes oral questions. The Building Science Principles certificate is a prerequisite for the BA-T exam.
3. The BA-P covers the principles of using computer software to model the energy upgrade potential of a home and developing a scope of work. The BA-P is awarded by passing a written exam. The BA-T is a prerequisite for the BA-P.
The exams for the updated certifications will be available at BPI Test Centers on January 1st, 2023.
Why Were These Changes Created?
BPI assembled a team of Subject Matter Experts to update the JTA for the BA. Through their analysis, the team determined that breaking the updated Building Analyst JTA into two stepped certifications, Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) and Building Analyst Professional (BA-P), would be beneficial to the industry.
Many practitioners currently work within data collection and diagnostic testing but do no energy modeling or scopes of work. The BA-T aligns with this practice: A Building Analyst Technician conducts residential building science-based diagnostic tests and home performance data collection. This certification gives an easier entrance to the industry while providing a clear path for professional growth.
The BA-P is a progression from the BA-T and is defined as follows: A Building Analyst Professional is a certified Building Analyst Technician who also conducts energy modeling, building analysis, and data evaluation to provide a comprehensive report with a list of prioritized home performance recommendations.
These stepped certifications are better aligned with current industry practices, promote career progression, and will encourage the entry of new professionals into the industry.
What does the Building Analyst Technician field exam cover?
Building Science
Buildings & Their Systems
Testing & Data Collection
Industry Standards
This is a field test only, with oral questions included. There is no written exam for the BA-T.
The BSP certificate is a prerequisite for the BA-T certification exam.
What does the Building Analyst Professional exam cover?
Analyzing Collected Data
Energy Modeling and Work Scope Development
This is a written exam only. There is no field test for the BA-P.
The BA-T is a prerequisite for the BA-P certification.
What does this mean to individuals with an active BA and/or EP Certification?
As of June 1, 2023, any BA and/or Envelope Certified Professionals will need to renew to the BA-T and BA-P scheme as explained in the transition plan approved by the Scheme Committee below.
Recertify to the BA-T only
Proof of 1000 hours (over the course of 3 years) of field experience, field exam proctoring, and/or conducting whole-house field training
OR
Pass BA-T field exam
Recertify to both BA-T and BA-P
Proof of 1000 hours (over the course of 3 years) of field experience, field exam proctoring and/or conducting whole-house field training.
OR
Pass BA-T field exam
AND
Pass BA-P written exam
OR
30 whole-house building science related CEUs
What will candidates who do not currently hold the existing BA and/or EP certifications need to do to obtain the BA-T and BA-P certifications?
The path for new candidates approved by the Scheme Committee is listed below:
Building Analyst Technician (BA-T)
Prerequisite: Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge
Pass the BA-T field exam
Building Analyst Professional (BA-P)
Prerequisite: BA-T Certification
Pass the BA-P written exam
Applications and fees will be required for all renewals and new certifications.
Logic Models
We have created the following charts to help understand the paths to renewal.
Certified Building Analyst / Envelope Professional Renewals
Certified Building Analyst / Envelope Professional Renewal to BA-T Only
Certified Building Analyst / Envelope Professional Renewal to BA-T and BA-P
New Candidates to BA-T Only
New Candidates to BA-T and BA-P
Next Steps
Please use the following materials to assist in the transition to the new certifications.
BA-T Field Test Site Requirements
Comparison of Field Test Site Requirements
BA-T Standards of Reference and Resources
BA-P Standards of Reference and Resources
BA Testing Knowledge List Comparison Guide
EP Testing Knowledge List Comparison Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the prerequisites for BA-T field exam?
BPI's Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge (BSP) is a prerequisite for the BA-T exam. Candidates will provide the certificate to the Test Center when scheduling the exam.
2. What is the BSP and why is it a prerequisite for the BA-T field exam?
The Scheme committee, a group of subject matter experts, determined that the Building Science Principles certificate contains important base knowledge that every home performance professional should understand when entering the trade.
3. How do I obtain my BSP Certificate?
You may purchase the BSP Guide, pay the exam fee, and challenge the exam online from your own home. Visit www.bpi.org/bsp to get started. Some BPI Test Centers provide BSP training and proctor the BSP exam. If you prefer this kind of support, enter your zip code in the Test Center tab of the locator tool to find a Test Center near you.
4. What are the prerequisites for BA-P certification?
You must have an active BA-T certification to challenge the BA-P written exam.
5. Where do I go to take the BA-T and BA-P exams?
BPI's certification exams are administered at BPI Test Centers around the country. Enter your zip code here and select the Locator tab to find a test center near you. Most Test Centers also provide trainings, so reach out to them directly to learn more about training and to schedule tests.
6. How long is the BA-T field exam?
The BA-T field exam must be completed within 4 hours, including oral questions. There is no written exam.
7. How long is the BA-P online exam?
The BA-P online written exam must be completed within 2 ½ hours. There is no field exam.
8. If I currently have an active BA or EP can I renew now?
Active Building Analysts and/or Envelope Certified Professionals will be able to renew their BA and/or EP until May 31, 2023. See the logic model here.
9. If I renew my active BA and/or EP prior to January 1, 2023, what will be my new renewal date?
Certified Professionals who renew their certification more than six months prior to their expiration date will have their new certification begin immediately upon renewal. For example, if your certification expiration date is 6/1/2023, and you elect to renew on 10/1/2022 (more than six months prior), your new expiration date will be 10/1/2025.
10. How long do I have to certify or renew the Building Analyst or Envelope Professional?
You must complete the process, including submitting application, completing documentation of field hours and/or CEUs, passing written and/or field exams, and paying associated fees, by May 31, 2023. No renewals of the BA or EP will be processed after May 31.
11. If I have an active BA and/or EP can I renew to the new BA-T and BA-P?
Yes. See the logic model here.
12. How should proctors get certified as BA-T or BA-P before proctoring the exams?
All active BA and Envelope certified proctors will be given access to the BA-T and BA-P exams as of January 1, 2023. As proctors come up for renewal, they can renew to the new scheme.
13. We currently require BA for our program. Which updated credential should we specify?
Most programs will want to specify the BA-P, which includes energy modeling and work scope development.
14. What references and resources should be used to develop curricula for the BA-T?
The BA-T Scheme Handbook contains all that is needed to develop curricula. Give special attention to the Job Task Analysis and Knowledge Testing List sections.
15. What references and resources should be used to develop curricula for the BA-P?
The BA-P Scheme Handbook contains all that is needed to develop curricula. Give special attention to the Job Task Analysis and Knowledge Testing List sections.
16. Do we need to call out the Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge in our program guidelines?
We recommend that you call out the Building Science Principles in any program guidelines. It is a strong foundation for building science, and all practitioners should have the important base knowledge it contains.
17. Do candidates need to get the BA-P to qualify for the Energy Auditor certification?
No. The BA-P may be used as a related industry certification for points toward meeting the Energy Auditor prerequisites, but it is not required for the certification.
18. Where is the certification renewal form to recertify to the BA-T and BA-P located?
The BA-T and BA-P share the same renewal form that's used for BPI's Primary, Core, and Multifamily certifications. You can find it in the Recertify section of the BA-T and BA-P certification pages, or here.
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