Rater Training

The E-Star™ Rater Training and Certification courses are typically offered once or twice a year in spring and/or fall. Applicants should begin the registration process early, as entry into all courses is competitive, pretesting and prerequisites must be completed, and class participants are generally selected and notified two months in advance of the course start date. Upon submission of the registration form, E-Star will forward the required pretest for completion and return. Many applicants use this time for preparatory study to assure their successful completion of the coursework and final tests. Becoming an E-Star Certified Energy Rater is a rigorous process that requires experience, home study, and attending the training course.

Prerequisites and Qualification Requirements

Prerequisites for becoming a Rater candidate include sufficient experience, basic abilities, and specific skills.

Professional Prerequisites. Prerequisites for selection are three years of experience, professional or academic, in one or more of the following fields: building, contracting, architecture/design, engineering, weatherization, energy auditing, HVAC contracting, insulation contracting, home inspection, residential appraisal, or renewable energy systems. This information is submitted by applicants on the registration form.

Basic Qualifications. The coursework requires the physical ability to lift and use equipment and tools, including ladders and blower door fans, ability to climb a ladder and to maneuver into tight or awkward spaces such as attics and crawlspaces. The coursework requires certain basic abilities, such as reading a tape measure and compass, and operating a computer.

Rater Skill Areas. There are a variety of skills, from mathematical and mechanical, to economic or customer oriented, that are required to pass the exam and to be a successful Rater. The Skills Table lists these, and shows which skills are presented in the training course (see course schedule) or in the manual, or whether they must be gained through experience, other courses, or home study. The sample questions provided allow applicants to identify areas needing improvement so they can focus their studies. Applicants without prior experience or knowledge may have to pursue home study even in those areas that will be covered in the training course in order to complete the course successfully.

Other Course Requirements

In order to complete the classroom, field training, and homework, there are insurance, computer, and tool requirements that must be met as well.

Insurance Requirements. Commercial general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance (not required for sole proprietorships), Driver's License and auto insurance are required. In addition, all Raters must sign a Rater Agreement and follow standards set forth in the E-Star Rater Guide.

Hardware/Software Requirements. Attendees must have a PC with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP or Windows NT 4.0 with service pack 3 or higher. Minimum system requirements are 16 MB RAM, 30 MB of free disk space, a 28.8 modem or better and a CD drive or access to a CD drive through a network.

Tool Requirements. In addition to the required tools listed in the table below, there are a few recommended tools: Duct Blaster, airflow measurement device, and a low-e detector. A Rater must either own or have access to a Blower Door, a required tool, which measures building tightness (approximate cost $2500), and a Duct Blaster, which measures duct forced air systems (approximate cost $2000).

Selection Criteria

Submission of an application does not guarantee selection. Candidates are selected based on their professional and academic experience in the fields mentioned above, pretest results, and date of application submission. The pretest is sent to applicants upon submission of the registration form. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. All applicants on the waiting list are notified of upcoming classes, and if selected are notified two months in advance of the scheduled course dates.

Course Description

The Rater Training course takes place in the Denver metro area; exact locations are announced prior to each course. The course consists of classroom and field training, home study, software use, and field test and written exams. The course lasts five days. Course Materials include Residential Energy by John Krigger; EEBA Builders Guide Cold Climates, and the Rater Manual, which is supplied by E-Star for home study prior to class start date.

Detailed Course Outline

Rater Certification Requirements

Successful completion of the course and subsequent Rater certification is based on participation, written examination, and field examination performances.

Participation Requirements. All Rater candidates must attend the full Rater Training and Certification training course as well as pass both a written and field examination to become an E-Star Certified Energy Rater.

Written Examination. The written portion of the Rater certification test evaluates the breadth of knowledge that is necessary to conduct a rating, and is designed to examine the Rater candidate's ability to understand and apply a wide range of skills and problems that may be encountered in the field. The test is comprised of six fundamental areas of knowledge: insulation, mechanical systems, utilities, house information and type, energy use, economic priorities, and basic building science.

The RESNET National Rater Exam may be re-taken up to six months after completing the rater training course. The trainee will be required to pay the RESNET fee of $50 and a $30 “proctoring” fee by E-Star to monitor the RESNET test at E-Star offices.

Field Examination. The field examination is given to evaluate the ability of Rater candidates to accurately assess the energy features of the test home and to complete the computer inputs. This portion of the course is pass/fail. All trainees will be given written and oral comments on their inputs to provide feedback on the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated. Field exams may be retaken up to two additional times, at a cost of $100 each time. The student may also be assigned additional work in order to pass. The following are the passing criteria:

• Candidates accurately describe the energy features in the test home, recommend realistic and cost-effective energy upgrades to the house, and accurately obtain required inputs.
• The pass/fail determination is based on the variation of the E-Star score determined by processing the candidate's inputs vs. the score determined by processing instructors' inputs.
• The most important passing criteria are accurate identification and evaluation of energy features present in the test home.

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