This entire process is estimated to take a minimum of four weeks and $625 to complete.
To complete the process, you must hold an Oregon CCB license for residential contractor, residential specialty contractor license, or residential restricted Home Energy Performance Score Contractor.
STEP 1. Obtain and verify qualifying US DOE credentials.
Complete at least one of the following US Department of Energy (US DOE) qualifying credentials listed on the ODOE - Home Energy Assessor Training Certification Form. After completing the training, email completed form to PDXHES@earthadvantage.org.
Note: If you have yet to complete the US DOE Home Energy Score Simulation Training, disregard the “USDOE online simulation training” fields on the form.
Estimated cost: varies by market rates
Estimated time frame: varies by training provider
STEP 2. Complete Home Energy Score Simulation training.
US DOE will email you access to the Simulation Training. This is a self-paced training process where you will conduct virtual home walk-throughs designed to show a variety of situations you might encounter, in order to learn how to produce an accurate home energy score. Once complete, US DOE will email you to confirm you passed a series of test homes and a multiple choice exam.
Note: For additional assistance, you can optionally attend guided trainings through Earth Advantage. Recommended for those without experience in on-line simulation training modules.
Estimated cost: Free (unguided) or $100 (guided)
Estimated time frame: 12+ hours, usually over a few weeks (unguided) or 12-16 hours over 1.5 to 2 days (guided)
STEP 3. Obtain and verify home energy assessor CCB certificate.
Earth Advantage will email you the approved ODOE – Home Energy Assessor Training Certification Form from Step 1. Submit this approved Form to CCB, WITH the CCB Home Energy Assessor Certification Application. Upon approval, CCB will mail you a certificate and CCB number. Email this information to PDXHES@earthadvantage.org
Note: In order to qualify for this certification, you must have a CCB residential contractor license, residential specialty contractor license, or residential restricted Home Energy Performance Score Contractor license – see CCB Endorsements Form for descriptions.
Estimated cost: $100 Application Fee + $100 One-Year Certification Fee. Ongoing annual renewal fee is $100.
Estimated time frame: 5-7 business days
STEP 4. Complete the home energy assessor participation agreement.
Complete the home energy assessor participation agreement. (Download form HERE). Submit agreement to Earth Advantage at PDXHES@earthadvantage.org.
Estimated cost: None
Estimated time frame: 1-2 business days to process
STEP 5. Attend mandatory orientation.
Contact Earth Advantage to register for the mandatory orientation. Learn about specific local program requirements and messaging to homeowners about the home energy report. Upon completion, Earth Advantage will send an introductory email with next steps to start generating scores.
Estimated cost: $75
Estimated time frame: 2 hr. Orientation session
STEP 6. Successfully complete required mentoring session.
As required by US DOE, you must schedule and score your first home accompanied by a mentor designated by Earth Advantage (unless you already completed this as part of a guided in-person simulation training – see Step 3).
Estimated cost: $150
Estimated time frame: 2 hr. field visit + energy modeling
STEP 7. Authorization.
You are now authorized to conduct City of Portland Home Energy Score assessments and generate the home energy report!
Estimated cost: $25/score quality assurance fee
Estimated time frame: 1.5 hr./home - field assessment, energy modeling, home energy report generation.
For more information contact:
MacKenzie Winchel, Program Manager / Quality Assurance
Email: PDXHES@earthadvantage.org
Phone: 503-468-3482