The following is a general list of the changes contained in the proposed revised quality-assurance standard:

In Chapter 1: Changes the name of “Rating Providers” to “Quality Assurance (QA) Providers;” clarifies Rater Candidate requirements; updates recertification requirements for rating field inspectors; creates a rater ID card to be issued by QA providers; establishes minimum requirements for written rater-discipline procedures; and adds language for the new RESNET National Buildings Registry.

In Chapter 9: Establishes quality assurance file and field-review requirements for sampled ratings; establishes quality assurance field-review requirements for rating field inspectors; clarifies corrective action requirements for noncompliant QA reviewed ratings; clarifies QA designee requirements; establishes whistleblower protections for QA designees; clarifies how RESNET handles QA for energy-efficiency programs (EEPs); moves recently approved QA requirements for CEQ providers from Chapter 10 to Chapter 9; differentiates ethics and compliance complaints, and simplifies how they are handled; updates probation, suspension, and revocation provisions for providers, and simplifies the language for appeals.

There also were several miscellaneous recommendations: Remove Chapter 4 on Building Option Packages (BOPs) which was sunset on Jan. 1, 2012; add a provision to Chapter 5 regarding how changes to the standards will be managed; cleans-up items in Chapter 6; and updates definitions in Appendix B.

The draft revisions were vetted by RESNET staff, QA designees, and accredited rating providers. The amendment is undergoing an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-compliant public review and comment process. Interested parties are encouraged to comment on the proposed amendment. Public comments on the proposed amendment will be accepted until March 27.

Publication date: 3/18/2013