Applications for the Updated Energy Auditor and QCI Pilot Exams Open Now

The application period is now open for the Home Energy Professional (HEP) Quality Control Inspector (QCI) and Energy Auditor (EA) 2025 pilot exams.

Why were the Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector exams updated?

The Home Energy Professional certifications are periodically updated in response to the industry’s advancing needs and knowledge. Industry best practice is to review and update job task analyses (JTAs) and certification schemes every 5 – 7 years.

The Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector job task analyses and certification schemes were last updated in 2018 and were due for regular maintenance.

In 2022, the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory convened a group of subject matter experts (SMEs) to update and validate the EA and QCI schemes, including the job task analyses, through a facilitated process with an experienced psychometrician.

In 2023 NREL completed the scheme updates. BPI then convened a panel of subject matter experts to update the exams to reflect the scheme changes.

What changed in the update?

The following items were changed in the update. More detail on each change is available here.

The certification cycle was extended from 3 to 5 years for both certifications.
Prerequisite requirements for EA were streamlined.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were streamlined into four major categories: Technical Conference; Synchronous Training; Asynchronous Training; Trainer/Instructor.
The number of CEUs for EA was raised from 24 over 3 years to 30 in the new 5-year cycle. The number of CEUs for QCI remains the same at 6.
CEUs were streamlined for clarity. One hour of qualifying continuing education activity now equals 1 CEU for both certifications.
The exams were updated to align with the updated schemes and to improve the questions.
The exam's gated items were revised. Gated items are tasks that must be completed successfully to pass the field exam.
Exams are now available in Spanish.

How much does it cost?

Participating BPI Test Centers set their own prices for the pilot EA and QCI exams.

Candidates who participate in the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are eligible to receive a subsidy for the exams. The subsidy amounts are $250 for written exams and $375 for field exams.

Proof of employment should be submitted with your other prerequisites when applying for exams, so your employer’s participation with WAP can be verified. Approval to receive the subsidy will be indicated in the pilot exam approval letter from BPI, which candidates must provide to Test Centers when scheduling their exams. You may take each pilot exam one time.

BPI Test Centers will deduct the subsidy amount from pilot exam fees when charging candidates who have been approved to receive the subsidy. Candidates or their employers must cover any remaining balance not covered by the subsidy.

Candidates who do not participate in WAP can apply to take the pilot exams, but cannot receive the subsidy. They will pay the Test Centers standard prices.

When can I apply?

Now! The Pilot Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector applications are now open. Find the application form below.

Because these certifications are for experienced professionals, candidates must meet prerequisite criteria to take the exams. You must apply to take the pilot exams, even if you received approval in the past. Participating candidates may make one attempt for each exam that they are approved to take.

Applications may take up to four weeks to process.

What happens to my certifications during the pilot period?

If you are participating in the pilots and your certification is scheduled to expire between February 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025, your certification dates will be extended to September 1, 2025. This will prevent certifications from expiring while the pilot analysis is completed.

There will be no change to existing certifications because of the pilot. If you take a pilot exam but do not pass, your existing certifications will not be affected.

Introducing the 5-Year Renewal Cycle

If you certify or renew through the EA/QCI pilot exams, your certification will be on the new 5-year recertification cycle.

If you earn or renew the EA or QCI using the 2019 scheme, without taking part in the pilot exams, your certification will remain on the 3-year cycle until your next renewal. After the updated exams are officially launched later this year, all new and renewed EA and QCI certifications will have a 5-year renewal period.

Apply here

Access the application form below. See the sidebar for other essential documents. More documents will be added soon, including FAQs, a flow chart to help you determine which exams you need, the Spanish Energy Auditor Field Guide, and updated scheme handbooks.

Application for Energy Auditor Pilot Exam

Application for Quality Control Inspector Pilot Exam