ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment

Professional (BEAP) Certification

Candidate Guidebook

Effective date: April 1, 2016

 Table of Contents

I. About ASHRAE 1

II. Eligibility & Application 1-3

III. About the Examination 3-5

IV. Scheduling an Examination 5-7

V. On the Day of Your Examination 7-9

VI. Recertification Requirements for ASHRAE Certification Programs 9-10

Appendix A: Detailed Content Outline

Appendix B: Acceptable Professional Development Activities and

PDHs Earned
I. About ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is an international
membership society committed to the advancement of the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning
and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. In support of this mission, ASHRAE offers many
products and services, including the Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) certification program, which is
designed to meet educational needs of the HVAC&R industry.

ASHRAE does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national or ethnic origin in its
policies, procedures, or eligibility requirements for its programs.

Purpose of the BEAP Certification

Founded to meet industry need as identified through market research and developed by subject matter experts,
including those recruited from allied professional organizations, the BEAP certification program validates
competency to audit, assess and analyze residential, commercial and industrial building energy use and develop related
recommendations.

Value
Over 2,300 ASHRAE certifications have been earned in these key built-environment fields: Energy Assessment
l Energy Modeling l Commissioning l Healthcare Facility Design l High-Performance Building Design l Building
Operations. Recognized by over 25 national, state and local government bodies, ASHRAE certifications increasingly
have become the must-have credential for built-environment professionals, employers and building owners.

ANSI Accreditation
The BEAP certification is an ANSI accredited certification program to help ensure quality.

For more than 100 years, ASHRAE resources have earned respect worldwide. The BEAP certification serves to
reinforce that reputation.

About the Candidate Guidebook

The purpose of this guidebook is to provide information about the ASHRAE BEAP certification program. No
information or material in this guide creates a contract between ASHRAE and an individual customer or organization.
ASHRAE will do its best to apply the principles and provisions contained within this guidebook as written, but reserves
the right to change those principles and provisions without actual notice. Nevertheless, ASHRAE will make reasonable
efforts to notify customers of any changes.

Disclaimer of Warranty
ASHRAE does not warrant that this program or its examination certifies a candidates technical competence or
technical ability to design any part of the HVAC&R system. Furthermore, nothing about this program or its examination
is intended to replace, override, or conflict with licensing requirements for design engineers, architects, or other
building professionals.

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II. Eligibility & Application
Who Can Participate
Participation in the ASHRAE BEAP program requires that an applicant meet education and work experience eligibility
requirements and successfully complete the programs examination. Membership in ASHRAE is not a prerequisite to
participate in the program.

Eligibility Requirements
Any individual who submits a completed application and meets one of the following sets of education and work
experience requirements will be eligible to take the examination for the BEAP certification.

Government-issued or government-recognized license as a professional engineer, architect, or building

contractor, and a minimum of two (2) years building energy assessment experience, OR
Minimum of Bachelors degree in engineering or a related field (e.g., building science, architecture, physics, or
mathematics) from an accredited institution of higher learning and a minimum of three (3) years energy-related
HVAC, architecture, lighting, envelope, or renewable energy experience, including a minimum of two (2) years
building energy assessment experience, OR
Associates degree or Technical degree or certificate in design, construction, or a related field from an accredited
institution of higher learning and a minimum of five (5) years energy-related HVAC, architecture, lighting,
envelope, or renewable energy experience, including a minimum of two (2) years building energy assessment
experience, OR
High School diploma or equivalent and a minimum of eight (8) years energy-related HVAC, architecture, lighting,
envelope, or renewable energy experience, including a minimum of two (2) years building energy assessment
experience.

Completing and Submitting the Application

To participate in the ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) program, a candidate must complete
and submit an application. The application fee includes the fee to sit for the certification exam. Within a week
after receiving an application, ASHRAE will notify the applicant by email either of acceptance and approval of the
application or of denial of approval and the reason thereof.

Note: candidates must schedule and take the examination within 90 days of approval.

Application Fees
ASHRAE Member: $395.00; Nonmember: $545.00
ASHRAE Member Exam Retake: $175.00; Nonmember: $225.00
ASHRAE Member Second Exam Retake $395.00; Nonmember $545.00

If an application is declined by ASHRAE or cancelled by the applicant, the amount of the fee, less $50 to cover
administrative costs, will be refunded to the applicant.

ASHRAE retains the right to audit any and all applications at any time. If, at any time, the application information
submitted is found to be incomplete or inaccurate, it may be rejected, examination results may be delayed or voided,
and a certification may be rescinded.

Candidate Responsibilities
Each candidate for ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional certification is responsible for the following:

Submit a completed, signed application form and the application fee,

Schedule an examination appointment within the 90-day eligibility period,
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 Pay a reschedule or cancellation fee if the candidate chooses to cancel or reschedule an exam appointment,
Comply with the rules for examination,
Immediately notify ASHRAE of any suspected violations of the rules for examination,
In the event of certification, successful candidates are required to inform the Certification Committee body,
without delay, of matters that can affect their capability to continue to fulfill the certification requirements, or risk
suspension or withdrawal of the certification,
In the event a certificants certification is suspended or revoked, she/he must return the certificate to ASHRAE.
The certificant also must refrain from any further promotion of themselves as an ASHRAE Certified Professional
and from future use of all references to an ASHRAE Certified status.

III. About the Examination

The examination for the BEAP program is a proctored, closed book/closed notes, two and one half hours (2.5), 115-
item multiple-choice exam. Applicants who self-attest that they are a non-native English speaker shall receive an
additional 30 minutes of testing time.

A candidates score is based on 100 of the items; the other 15 items, which are interspersed throughout the
examination, are included for trial purposes and are not scored.

The detailed content outline for the BEAP examination is provided in Appendix A. This outline identifies the following
information about the examination:

The five major content areas, as well as tasks within each area, that the examination covers
The number of examination items devoted to each major content area
The number of items at each cognitive level that a candidate is likely to use in responding to items in each major
content area

The three cognitive levels tested on the BEAP examination are as follows:

1. Recall: The ability to remember or recognize specific information

2. Application: The ability to comprehend, relate, or apply knowledge to new or changing situations
3. Analysis: The ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources, determine solutions, and/or evaluate
the usefulness of a solution

Examination Preparation
Neither participating in a preparatory activity nor purchasing a publication is a requirement for participating in the
BEAP program or for enrolling to take the BEAP examination. However, candidates who choose to participate in
preparatory activities or to purchase publications are responsible for ensuring that the timing of the activity or purchase
aligns with the timing of the examination session for which the candidate has enrolled.

Resources available to help prepare for the BEAP examination include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Key Resources

BEAP Practice Exam

ASHRAEs Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits
Standard 90.1-2013
Standard 90.2-2007
Standard 55-2013
Standard 62.1-2013
2013 ASHRAE Handbook - Fundamentals (includes CD in dual units)

Related Resources

IESNA Lighting Handbook 9th Edition

ASHRAE does not warrant that participation in or use of any of the above resources will guarantee successful
completion of the examination. Nor does ASHRAE warrant that all information presented in all of the above resources
is non-contradictory. However, ASHRAE will do its best to avoid testing contradictory, out-of-date, or inaccurate
information.

Copyrighted Examination Questions

All examination questions are the copyrighted property of ASHRAE. It is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy,
reproduce, record, distribute or display these examination questions by any means, in whole or in part. Doing so may
subject you to severe civil and criminal penalties.

Score Report
All examinees receive a Score Report, which indicates a Pass or Did Not Pass result and a numerical score. U.S.
examinees receive a paper Score Report immediately following the examination. Within five business days of taking
their exam, international computer-based examinees will receive email notification from AMP that a hard copy Score
Report has been mailed via U.S. mail and that an unofficial Score Report is available for download. Pencil-and-paper
examinees will receive such email notification within 4-6 weeks of taking their exam.

Successful Examinees
Successful examinees will receive a Certification Recognition Kit, which includes a certificate, within six weeks of
their exam, and will be recognized on the ASHRAE website. Scores are not reported over the telephone, by electronic
mail, or by facsimile.

The certificate of certification issued to successful examinees is the sole property of ASHRAE Certification; therefore,
should a certification be suspended or revoked, the certificate shall be returned to ASHRAE Certification.

Successful examinees agree to the following conditions:

Inform the Certification Committee, without delay, of matters that can affect their capability to continue to fulfill
the certification requirements, or risk suspension or withdrawal of the certification.
Make claims regarding HBDP certification only within the scope of the HBDP certification,
Not to use the certification in such a manner as to bring ASHRAE certification into disrepute,
Not to use the certificate in a misleading manner.

Examination Passing Score

Certification exam passing scores are not published, in part to avoid misunderstanding among examinees. For
instance, the passing score can be different for different ASHRAE certification exams, but that does not mean one
exam is more or less difficult than another.

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Also, if the passing scores were published, then examinees who scored higher than others might infer that they are a
more qualified practitioner, when in fact ASHRAE certification exams are designed only to identify the minimum level
of competency needed to perform critical job tasks, not degrees of competency.

Results Cancelled by ASHRAE or AMP

ASHRAE and AMP are responsible for the validity and integrity of the results they report. On occasion, occurrences
such as computer malfunction or misconduct by a candidate may cause a result to be suspect. ASHRAE and AMP
reserve the right to void or withhold examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is discovered.

Exam Retakes
Examinees who do not pass their exam may retake their exam after a three-month wait period. The fee to apply
to retake an ASHRAE certification examination is discounted at $175 for ASHRAE members and $225 for non-
members. The fee for successive ASHRAE member and nonmember examination retakes will be at the full application
fee amount.

Confidentiality
Information about candidates for testing and their examination results are considered confidential. Studies and reports
concerning candidates will contain no information identifying any candidate, unless authorized by the candidate.
By participating in the BEAP program, each person who earns and maintains this certification agrees to be listed on
the ASHRAE public website. Only those individuals who are active BEAP certificants will be listed on the site.

Duplicate Score Report

Candidates may purchase additional copies of their Score Reports at a cost of $25 per copy. Requests must be
submitted to ASHRAE, in writing. The request must include the candidates name, identification number, mailing
address, telephone number, date of examination and examination taken. Submit this information with the required fee
payable to ASHRAE in the form of a check, money order or cashiers check. Duplicate Score Reports will be mailed
within approximately two weeks after receipt of the request and fee.

IV. Scheduling an Examination

After receiving notification that your application has been approved, you may schedule an examination appointment
by one of the following methods. Be prepared to confirm a date, time, and location for testing and to provide your
ASHRAE identification number.

1. Schedule Online: The candidate may schedule an examination appointment online at any time by using the
Online Scheduling service at www.goAMP.com. To use this service, follow these easy steps:

Go to www.goAMP.com and select Schedule/Apply for an Exam.

Follow the step-by-step instructions to select your examination program and schedule the examination.

2. Telephone Scheduling: Call AMP at 888-519-9901 to schedule an examination appointment. This toll-free
number is answered from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. AMP is equipped with Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf
(TDD) to assist deaf and hearing-impaired candidates. TDD calling is available 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central
Time) Monday through Friday at 913-895-4637. This TDD phone option is for individuals who have compatible
TDD machinery.

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If special accommodations are being requested, please submit a Request for Special Examination Accommodations
form prior to contacting AMP at 888-519-9901 to schedule your examination.

The examinations are administered only by appointment Monday through Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Individuals are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to the chart below for scheduling information.

If you contact AMP by 3:00 p.m. Central Depending on availability, your examination
Time on may be scheduled as early as

Monday Wednesday

Tuesday Thursday

Wednesday Friday/Saturday

Thursday Monday

Friday Tuesday

When the appointment is made, the applicant will be given a time to report to the Assessment Center. Please
make a note of this time because an admission letter will not be sent. The candidate will be allowed to take only
the examination for which the appointment has been made. No changes in examination type will be made at the
Assessment Center. UNSCHEDULED CANDIDATES (WALK-INS) WILL NOT BE ADMITTED to the Assessment
Center.

Assessment Center Locations

Examinations are administered by computer at more than 300 AMP Assessment Center locations in over 40
countries. Assessment Center locations, detailed maps and directions are available on AMPs website,
www.goAMP.com.

Holidays
No exams will be scheduled or administered on these United States holidays.

New Years Day Independence Day (July 4) Christmas Eve Day

Martin Luther King Day Labor Day Christmas Day
Presidents Day Columbus Day New Years Eve Day
Good Friday Veterans Day
Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day (and the following Friday)

Special Arrangements for Candidates with Disabilities

ASHRAE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and strives to ensure that no individual with a disability is
deprived of the opportunity to take the examination solely by reason of that disability. ASHRAE will provide reasonable
accommodations for candidates with disabilities. Candidates requesting special accommodations must complete a
Request for Special Accommodations form found on the ASHRAE Certification Forms webpage at
https://www.ashrae.org/education--certification/certification/ashrae-certification-forms.

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 1. Candidates must advise AMP at the time of scheduling if wheelchair access is necessary.

2. Candidates with visual, sensory, or physical disabilities that would prevent them from taking the examination
under standard conditions may request special accommodations and arrangements.

Verification of the disability and a statement of the specific type of assistance needed must be made in writing to
AMP at least 45 calendar days prior to the desired examination date. Please inform AMP of the need for special
accommodations when scheduling the examination.

Rescheduling an Examination Appointment

A candidate may reschedule an appointment for an examination by calling AMP at 888-519-9901 at least two
business days prior to the scheduled testing session. (See following table.)

AMP must be contacted by 3:00

If the examination is scheduled on . . . p.m. Central Time to reschedule the
examination by the previous . . .
Monday Wednesday

Tuesday Thursday

Wednesday Friday

Thursday Monday

Friday Tuesday

The first reschedule request with a two-day notice will be free; any additional reschedules will be at the full certification
application fee. A candidate who wishes to reschedule their examination appointment, but fails to contact AMP at
least two business days prior to the scheduled date, will forfeit the certification application fee and must reapply to sit
for the examination.

Requesting an Extension
A candidate can extend the 90-day deadline for scheduling and taking an exam by emailing
[email protected] at least two business days prior to the end of the 90-day deadline. ASHRAE will provide an
extension of up to 45 days.

Inclement Weather, Power Failure or Emergency

In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies on the day of an examination, AMP will determine
whether circumstances warrant the cancellation, and subsequent rescheduling, of an examination. If power to an
Assessment Center is temporarily interrupted during an administration, your examination will restart where you left off
and you may continue the examination.

Candidates may contact AMPs Weather Hotline at 800-380-5416 (24 hours/day) or visit www.goAMP.com prior to
the examination to determine if AMP has been advised that any Assessment Centers are closed.

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V. On the Day of Your Examination
On the day of your examination appointment, report to the testing room no later than your scheduled testing time.
A CANDIDATE WHO ARRIVES MORE THAN 15 MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED TESTING TIME WILL
NOT BE ADMITTED. To gain admission to the testing room, a candidate needs to present two forms of identification,
one with a photograph. Both forms of identification must be current and include the candidates name and signature.
The candidate will also be required to sign a roster for verification of identity.

Acceptable forms of identification include a current:

1. Drivers license with photograph

2. State identification card with photograph
3. Passport
4. Military identification card with photograph
5. Social security card (secondary form)

Employment ID cards, student ID cards, and any type of temporary identification are NOT acceptable as primary
identification. Candidates are prohibited from misrepresenting their identities or falsifying information to obtain
admission to the testing room.

Security
ASHRAE and AMP maintain examination administration and security standards that are designed to ensure that all
candidates are provided the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

The following security procedures apply during the examination:

No cameras, notes, tape recorders, pagers, or cellular/smart phones are allowed in the testing room.
You are encouraged to bring a non-programmable scientific calculator for the BEAP examination. Only silent,
non-programmable calculators are permitted but they will not be provided for you.
No guests, visitors, or family members are allowed in the testing room or reception areas.
No personal items, valuables, or weapons are allowed in the testing room. Only keys and wallets may be taken
into the testing room and securely stored in the soft locker provided at the Assessment Center. AMP is not
responsible for items left in other areas.
Candidates may be subjected to a metal detection scan upon entering the examination room.
No personal belongings will be allowed in the testing room. Use of a cellular/smart phone or other electronic
device is strictly prohibited and will result in dismissal from the examination.
You will be provided with scratch paper and a pencil to use during the examination. You must sign and return the
scratch paper to the supervisor at the completion of testing, or you will not receive a score report. No documents
or notes of any kind may be removed from the examination room. If you need a second piece of scratch paper,
you need to ask the test proctor for another piece of paper and turn in the one you used before.
AMP will provide U.S. examinees with ear plugs. International examinees may bring their own earplugs, though
the proctor will need to inspect them.
No questions concerning the content of the examination may be asked during the examination.
Eating, drinking, or smoking will not be permitted in the testing room.
You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not be allowed additional time to make up for time lost
during breaks.

Misconduct
Individuals who engage in any of the following types of conduct, either in the testing room or during a break, may be
dismissed from the examination, their scores will not be reported, and their examination fees will not be refunded.
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Examples of misconduct are when a candidate does the following:

Creates a disturbance, is abusive, or is otherwise uncooperative,

Displays and/or uses electronic communications equipment such as pagers, or cellular/smart phones,
Gives or receives help or is suspected of doing so,
Attempts to record examination questions or make notes,
Attempts to take the examination for someone else,
Or is observed with notes, books, or other aids.

Practice Questions
Upon signing in, you will be directed to a testing carrel. You will be instructed on-screen to enter your identification
number. You will take your photograph which will remain on screen throughout your examination session. This
photograph will also print on your Score Report.

Prior to attempting the certification examination, you will be given the opportunity to practice taking practice
questions on the computer. The time you use for these practice questions is NOT counted as part of your certification
examination time or result. When you are comfortable with the computer testing process, you may quit the practice
session and begin the timed examination.

Certification Examination
The practice questions should prepare you to navigate through the certification exam. Here are a few additional points
to remember:

Only one examination question is presented at a time. You may change your answer as many times as you wish
during the examination time limit.
If more than one answer seems correct, choose the best answer.
Be sure to answer all questions, and bookmark the ones you want to double check later.
Monitor your time.

Candidate Comments
During the examination, candidates are permitted to submit online comments for any question. Comments will be
reviewed, but individual responses will not be provided.

VI. Recertification Requirements for ASHRAE Certification Programs

Each Certificant is required to renew his/her certification every three years. The purpose of recertification is to
ensure that Certificants maintain a level of continuing competence through acceptable professional development
activities. To be eligible for renewal, Certificants must submit a completed application, which attests to having earned
45 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) in subject matter related to the certification earned, together with
an application fee ($195 for members, $295 for non-members).* Detailed information on acceptable professional
development activities may be found in Appendix B. Please note that the below ASHRAE definitions of acceptable
PDHs are applicable across all countries. In other words, acceptable PDHs may be earned by the Certificant in any
country and/or language.

The renewal deadline is December 31 of the third year of certification. For example, a Certificant who earns a
certification anytime in 2016 will have a renewal deadline of December 31, 2019.

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The certification of individuals who fail to submit renewal fees and a completed application by the December 31
deadline will expire. Individuals with expired certifications will be advised to cease using the specific certification
designation after their names. The names of non-renewing Certificants will be removed from the list of Certificants on
the ASHRAE website.

Non-renewing Certificants, however, may recertify during the three-month grace period from January 1 through March
31 immediately following the expiration of their certification. To do so, they must submit a completed recertification
application.

Note: during the three-month grace period, PDHs may not be earned and applied toward the previous three-year
certification period. After March 31, the grace period will conclude, non-renewing Certificants will no longer be able
to renew their certification and the only way to regain the certification will be to reapply and pass the examination.
Extenuating circumstances, however, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Certification Committee.

Recertification Application Fees

On-time Discount (Application Received by Dec. 31)
ASHRAE Member: $195.00; Nonmember: $295.00

Grace Period (Application Received Jan. 1 - March 31)

ASHRAE Member: $295.00; Nonmember: $395.00

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Appendix A
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels. Shaded
cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

I. ASSESSMENT PREPARATION AND MANAGEMENT 4 7 1 12

A. Development of Objectives 2 2 1 5
1. Define the purpose, scope, and assessment deliverables
2. Identify the data, information, and resources needed to complete the
assessment
3. Determine the current facility requirements
4. Decide on the path of analysis to meet defined purpose and scope e.g.,
applicable programs labelling and rating systems
net zero energy indoor environmental quality

B. Assessment Management 1 2 0 3
1. Define roles and responsibilities of stakeholders
2. Manage assessment schedule and scope
3. Ensure deliverables meet goals and objectives
C. Data Acquisition, Tools, and Baseline Information 1 3 0 4
1. Identify appropriate assessment forms and sources e.g.,
ASHRAE Level 1, 2, 3 Energy Audit Energy usage/intensity database
Guidelines
Other energy and environmental
sources of data
2. Identify data collection tools, methods, and resources e.g.,
Building data from the BAS or customer records and utility data
EMCS
measurements from sensors, meters,
and hand-held devices data
3. Determine appropriate analytical tools e.g.,
simulation/modeling/energy spreadsheets
analysis software

4. Develop additional forms and tools as required

 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

II. PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF BUILDING PERFORMANCE DATA 6 6 3 15

A. Engineering and Architectural Document Review 2 2 1 5

1. Review available documents for comparison and analysis
2. Identify potential building deficiencies e.g.,
insulation moisture intrusion
penetrations air leakage
thermal breaks lighting

3. Identify missing and conflicting information for site verification

4. Transfer building information into analysis tools
B. Geographic and Climatic Review 1 1 0 2
1. Select the most appropriate data types and sources for the site e.g.,
local weather government energy office
station local utility

2. Identify consequences of using selected information

C. Energy Details 3 3 2 8
1. Analyze metered data e.g.,
electric energy gas and oil
district energy water and sewage

2. Analyze utility bills and rate structures e.g.,

block (declining, inverted) promotional demand ratchet)
flat interruptible
demand (demand charges, time of use seasonal
(on-peak, off-peak, partial-peak) real-time pricing

3. Identify available incentives e.g.,

financing options rebates
tax benefits

4. Analyze onsite renewable energy sources

5. Perform a preliminary energy use analysis
6. Identify likely sources of energy waste for site verification
7. Establish benchmarks
 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination
Detailed Content Outline

Application

Totals
Analysis
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

III. ON-SITE BUILDING ASSESSMENT 13 20 8 41

A. Occupants and Operations 2 3 0 5

1. Interview occupants, facilities personnel, and maintenance staff
regarding building operations, pending projects, and problems
2. Verify use, operational schedule, and purpose
3. Resolve missing and conflicting information from document review
4. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures
B. Building Envelope and Features 1 1 1 3
1. Evaluate the building envelope e.g.,
vapor barriers glazing
insulation air-tightness

2. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures

C. Electrical Systems 1 2 1 4
1. Evaluate the electrical system e.g.,
power quality emergency back-up systems
load analysis

2. Evaluate miscellaneous plug loads

3. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures
D. Automation Systems 2 2 1 5
1. Evaluate automated control systems e.g.,
lighting process
HVAC&R

2. Evaluate operational performance and response

3. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures
E. HVAC&R Systems 2 4 3 9
1. Evaluate annual hours of use, condition, and energy ratings or
efficiencies of energy consuming equipment
2. Evaluate system performance and response
a. air distribution systems e.g.,
air leakage insulation
pressure drop stack losses
 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

b. hydronic / steam systems e.g.,

insulation traps
variable water volume controls heat trace
steam leaks

c. primary and secondary equipment e.g.,

chiller boiler
cooling tower dry coolers

d. district energy systems

e. system interactions
3. Evaluate operation methods and procedures, e.g.,
economizer operation variable flow designs
simultaneous heating and cooling condensate return
system design pressures
humidification and dehumidification
practice

4. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures

F. Lighting Systems 2 3 1 6
1. Evaluate annual hours of use, condition, power, and equipment e.g.,
interior luminaires exterior luminaires

2. Evaluate daylight availability and suitability

3. Measure illuminance levels
4. Evaluate lighting control types and methods
5. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures
G. Domestic Water Systems 1 1 0 2
1. Evaluate use, condition, ratings, and efficiencies of systems e.g.,
equipment distribution
end uses

2. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures

H. Process Equipment Support Systems 1 1 0 2
1. Evaluate annual hours of use, condition, power or efficiency e.g.,
compressed air process heating and cooling
refrigeration

2. Recognize opportunities for energy conservation measures

 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

I. Indoor Environmental Quality 1 3 1 5

1. Compare ventilation within a building to applicable standards and code
requirements
2. Compare thermal comfort within a building to applicable standards and
code requirements
3. Compare humidity within a building to applicable standards and code
requirements
4. Compare lighting quantity and quality within a building to
applicable standards, practices, and code requirements

IV. ANALYSIS AND PRIORITIZATION 8 9 7 24

A. Analysis Preparation 2 2 1 5
1. Evaluate field data that has been entered into a tool for errors and
completeness
2. Identify problems that cause systems to under-perform
3. Evaluate commissioning opportunities
4. Identify missing information to be collected
B. Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) Development 2 3 3 8
1. Develop a list of potential ECMs
2. Adjust the analysis strategy as appropriate e.g.,
energy modeling bin analysis
spreadsheet daylight study

3. Analyze assessment and related data e.g.,

sample measurements schedule discrepancies
occupancy and operation and energy model results
monthly/hourly data ECM and O&M savings

4. Compare the relative costs of available energy sources

5. Reevaluate the rate structure based on implementation of the ECMs
6. Standardize energy use measurements by system / equipment
7. Evaluate the potential application of renewable energy systems
 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

C. Economics 2 2 0 4
1. Identify potential incentives and funding for ECMs
2. Calculate the value of ECMs using engineering economics e.g.,
Simple Payback Annual Worth
Present Worth Cash Flow Diagram
Salvage Value

D. Prioritization of Options 2 2 3 7
1. Compare predicted energy savings to project goals
2. Predict the cost-benefit of ECMs after implementation
3. Base prioritization on the clients criteria, e.g.,
economic goals requirements of incentive and grant
environmental programs programs
pollutant emissions indoor environmental quality
net zero energy building

4. Consider technical issues that impact prioritization, e.g.,

scheduling issues interactions among upgrade options
order of implementation planned infrastructure upgrades
health, safety, and durability

V. COMPLETION ACTIVITIES 4 3 1 8

A. Report Production and Delivery 2 1 1 4

1. Summarize the assessment methodology

2. Document data sources, assumptions, and client objectives and criteria

3. Describe assessment results

4. Compare existing and projected energy performance to peer
buildings
5. Include ECM descriptions and supporting materials
6. Describe funding strategies
7. Present recommendations to the client
8. Assist client with development of an action plan to implement
recommendations e.g.,
post-implementation review period skill sets
required resources verification strategies
scope of work
 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating Items
and Air-Conditioning Engineers Cognitive
Level
Building Energy Assessment Professional Examination

Application
Detailed Content Outline

Analysis

Totals
Recall
Open cells show an examination could include items from indicated cognitive levels.
Shaded cells prevent appearance of items on examinations.

9. Educate the owner on strategies for optimizing the energy

performance of building systems
B. ECM Implementation 1 1 0 2
1. Review ECMs with the implementation team
2. Compare projected to post-implementation building energy
performance
3. Report on verification of results
C. Optional Periodic Reassessment 1 1 0 2
1. Propose future dates for the next energy assessment
2. Recommend ongoing commissioning activities
3. Establish new goals for energy performance based on third-party
recognition, codes, and standards

Totals 35 45 20 100
Appendix B

Acceptable Professional Development Activities and PDHs Earned

Activity PDHs

1 PDH for each hour of

Completion of short courses, workshops and seminars in a related field
documented attendance

Attendance at meetings and conferences (e.g. National, Annual, Regional) or special 1 PDH for each hour of
conferences in a related field documented attendance

Successful completion of a course in a related field from an accredited institution of

15 PDHs per credit hour
higher learning
(semester system) OR 10 PDHs
Note: To qualify for this credit, a course must be offered regularly and must conclude with a test that sets (quarter system)
a passing grade.

Patent in a related field

10 PDHs per patent
Note: PDHs can be claimed after a patent is issued and the inventor submits details to the board. The
invention must be related to engineering.

Publication of article/paper/book in a recognized, peer reviewed journal in a related

field (max. 3 per year). 10 PDHs per published item
Note: A news article in a technical or professional bulletin is not considered a published paper.

Active participation in a professional or technical society in a related field

Note: The certificant must serve as an officer and/or must actively participate in a committee of the
2 PDHs per year per organization
organization. PDHs are earned at the end of each year of service.

5 PDHs per 10 acceptable

Write ASHRAE certification exam items in a related field
exam questions, annually

Pass ASHRAE certification exam (E.g. BEAP should pass BEAP exam) 45 PDHs

Accreditation Visit Evaluator 3 PDHs, annually

Professional awards 2 PDHs per award

PDHs are determined by

Teach courses and workshops in a related field
multiplying by two (2) the total
Note: PDHs may be earned for teaching a course or seminar for the first time only. It does not apply to number of course hours (to take
faculty performing regular duties.
into account preparation time).

Certificants are not required to submit a report of Professional Development activities as part of the recertification application; however,
a percentage of Certificants are randomly chosen for audit each year. If audited, a report of continuing professional development with
documentation must be submitted to the Certification Coordinator for review.

For questions about any of the information about ASHRAE certification renewal requirements, including clarification of
acceptable and reportable qualifying activities, please contact ASHRAE Certification Coordinator at
[email protected].