MALTA, N.Y. — The Building Performance Institute Inc. (BPI) has extended its application deadline for candidates wishing to take BPI’s pilot Home Energy Professional (HEP) certification exams. Candidates should send their applications in to BPI by close of business on July 31, 2012.

The four HEP certifications are designed for experienced home performance professionals. To take the exams, candidates must fill out an application and meet work experience prerequisite criteria. Once the application is approved by BPI, candidates should contact a BPI test center directly to schedule their exam.

BPI said the new certifications will not replace its existing certifications. Rather, they will complement and build upon existing credentials in the home performance field.

The organization said the four certifications focus on the most common job classifications in the home energy upgrade industry: energy auditor, retrofit installer, crew leader, and quality control inspector. The results of the pilot test cycle will be used to set passing scores for the national exams, scheduled to roll out this fall.

The new credentials will meet the International Organization for Standardization’s ISO 17024 standard. Under ISO 17024, each new certification is developed and administered using international best practices, such as cross-disciplinary peer review and industry validation of technical materials.

For application forms, prerequisite criteria, and other information, go to www.bpi.org/tools_downloads_pilot.aspx.

Publication date: 6/25/2012