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How to Become a Certified RaterA certified home energy rater must successfully complete training by a RESNET Accredited Rater Training Provider and must be certified by a RESNET Accredited Rating Provider. A rater must successfully complete training by a RESNET accredited rater training organization. The training is conducted in accordance with a syllabus developed by RESNET. The training addresses:
Each candidate rater must perform two ratings including software operations, in the presence of trainers. Certified Raters must also pass examinations that demonstrate a practical, working ability to effectively use the knowledge and skills set contained in Section 5.3 of Chapter Two of the national home energy rating standard to produce accurate and fair Home Energy Ratings. This examination may either follow training or it may be taken as a challenge examination. RESNET National Rater TestThe RESNET National Rater Test is an on-line 50 question true or false / multiple choice test. The test in open book and raters have two hours to complete the test. The test is on building science concepts and rating procedures. Raters receive the results from the test immediately after completing the test. A passing score is 80%. The test must be administered by a RESNET accredited rater training provider. A directory of accredited rater training providers is posted on RESNET's website. There is a $50.00 fee to RESNET for taking the test. A Rater Trainer or Rating Quality Assurance Designee who has passed the RESNET Rater Trainer/Quality Assurance Test with a score of 90 or better is considered having met the testing requirement for rater re-certification. The RESNET National Rater Test's questions are divided into the key categories of building science and home energy ratings. The following are the categories of the test questions and the percentage of questions in each category that are contained in the test:
RESNET National Rating Inspector TestThe RESNET Standards includes a category of rater certification called the Rating Field Inspector. The Rater Field Inspector test will be open-book, consist of a total of 50 questions with a two hour limit and cost $50.00 - as is the case with the current Rater test. The passing score is 80%. The following test question categories will be used for the Rater Field Inspector test:
To view the supporting documentation on this action click on RESNET Rating Field Inspector Test Specifications. How the RESNET Rater Test Was DevelopedThe test was developed over a four-year period using the best minds in the rating industry. The test is based on the tests previously used by RESNET's accredited rater training providers. A training committee composed of representatives of the nation's leading rating providers and rater training providers including Southface Energy Institute, Conservation Services Group, Florida Solar Energy Center, Kansas Building Science Institute, Energy Rated Homes, Northeast HERS® Alliance, and California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services spent three years culling the best questions and weighing their priority among the categories listed above to write the pool of test questions. Once the test question pool was developed, RESNET conducted an alpha test. The alpha test was open to all rater trainers and involved a review and the ability to comment on all questions. Upon completion of the beta test, RESNET staff and the RESNET Training Committee reviewed the comments and reworded a number of questions for clarity, as well as, replacing some of the questions. Upon the completion of this process, a professional technical editor was retained to review and edit each question for consistency and clarity. After the professional edit of the test, RESNET conducted a beta test, which every rater was invited to take. Upon completion of the beta test, RESNET staff compiled those questions that were most often missed and again, RESNET's Technical Committee reviewed and edited the questions for accuracy and clarity. This entire effort was led by Kathy Spigarelli, RESNET's Education and Training Coordinator. Kathy is an adult education professional and has over three decades of professional testing experience. RESNET Rater Test Study Guide OutlineAll of the questions in the national rater test were supported by publications and web sites. It would be good to familiarize or secure these resources prior to taking the test. The following are the source documents for the national rater test:
To assist certified raters to prepare for the national rater test RESNET has developed a study guide line. To down load the study guide click on RESNET Rater Test Study Guide Outline. In addition to the study guide outline, it is suggest that raters review the following documents prior to taking the test:
Many training providers supply rater students with training materials such as John Krigger's "Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for Existing Homes" and the EEBA Builder Guide. Studying these resources should provider a rater with the information needed to pass the test. Please remember, this is a national test and may cover topics that are not addressed in detail in a particular state's program. If you do not have a copy of your rating provider's training manual, you should contact one of RESNET's accredited rater training providers to secure a copy. Click on directory of accredited rater training providers. How to Take the RESNET National Rater TestAn accredited rater trainer must administer the RESNET rater test. Contact an accredited RESNET accredited rater training provider to schedule a test. Click on directory of accredited rater training providers for a listing of accredited rater training providers. After successfully completing the rater training, the rater has one year to be certified by a RESNET accredited rating provider. Supporting Information |
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