Domestic Energy Assessor accreditation scheme *
Before you can start work you have to complete your diploma successfully and also gain accreditation. You may find the following notes about the process useful:
Accreditation Schemes:
The following companies have been approved by the Secretary of State to operate as accreditation schemes for energy assessment for existing dwellings:
| BRE (Building Research Establishment) | 01923 664 829 | |
| Elmhurst | www.elmhurstenergy.co.uk | 0870 0850 490 |
| NES | www.nher.co.uk | 01908 442277 |
| Northgate | www.northgate-dea.com | 0177 906 4404 |
| RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) | www.rics.org/hips | 0870 333 1600 |
| EPC Ltd | www.epc-solutions.co.uk | 08458 123999 |
| Quidos | www.quidos.co.uk | 01373 475520 |
| Home Inspector Certification Ltd | www.hicertification.co.uk | 0800 0842074 |
| Stroma | www.stroma.com | 01924 870677 |
NOTE: British Gas has not been approved by the Secretary of State as an accreditation scheme. Therefore, British Gas Energy Assessors will need to be accredited by one of the above schemes before they can issue an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Only EPCs that have been produced by an Energy Assessor accredited with one of the approved schemes are valid for inclusion in the Home Information Pack.
Also, at present:
- in order to become a member of the RICS accreditation scheme you must be a full RICS member or student RICS member
As a minimum, accreditation schemes will require the following documents:
- Fully completed and signed application form
- Basic Disclosure Certificate
- Proof of qualification
Contact the schemes for full details of their requirements.
To speed up the accreditation process, you can apply to an accreditation scheme before you have qualified or received your Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. However, you will not be able to become accredited or start work before you are fully qualified and have received your CRB check.
Qualifying:
You can apply to an accreditation scheme before you have completed your qualification, sending your certificate to the scheme as soon as it is issued to you.
Your training/assessment centres will have full details of the process and their particular requirements. However, generally, you can do the five Energy Performance Certificates which you need to do as part of your qualification before passing (or taking) the exam(s) and they can be submitted all together, rather than in sequence.
Speak to your assessment centre about how long it will take you to be issued with your certificate.
CRB Check:
You can get your basic CRB check done in advance of applying to an accreditation scheme. Indeed, some schemes require the certificate to be sent in with the application form. This can be done online at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk and costs £20. Please note that if you have changed address within the last 12 months you will need to fill in a paper-based application instead of applying online. To request an application form call the Disclosure Scotland helpline on 0870 609 6006.
You may already hold a standard or enhanced CRB check, if for instance you do football coaching with children or have worked with vulnerable adults. If this was carried out recently, accreditation schemes may accept this and not require you to have a further check carried out. However, the decision to accept checks lies with the accreditation schemes, not the Government, and if you are in any doubt as to whether they will accept your check, you should check with them directly.
What does the accreditation scheme provide for an Energy Assessor?
The accreditation scheme is responsible for ensuring the quality of energy inspections and Energy Performance Certificates. This is important as Energy Performance Certificates will be a legal obligation, and consumers need to be protected. The accreditation schemes will:
- Provide standards, procedures and codes of conduct that members are expected to adhere to
- Ensure that all their members are qualified to conduct an energy assessment, and produce the Certificate and its accompanying advice and recommendations
- Make sure that Energy Assessors have appropriate professional indemnity
- Provide a register of Energy Assessors
- Ensure that Energy Assessors are 'fit and proper'
- Provide a route for continuing professional development
- Offer a process to enable complaints to be resolved
- Check Energy Assessors initially for competency
- Actively monitor quality assurance of Energy Performance Certificate
- Validate reports before lodgement.
Accreditation schemes will help you, as an Energy Assessor, be part of a reputable profession. They protect both you and your customers.
Documentation is also available that provides information on the Energy Assessor Accreditation process. These documents have been used to determine the suitability of companies wishing to operate accreditation schemes. To download the Certification Scheme and Accreditation Scheme Standards, see the section on the Communities and Local Government website.
* Accreditation schemes referred to on this page relate to existing dwellings only.
For details of other energy assessor accreditation schemes please contact the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) enquiries line on 0845 365 2468 or email help@epbduk.info.
