The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Energy Skilled program, recognizes credential programs that are preparing workers for meaningful and in-demand job opportunities for the clean energy transition. Energy Skilled recognition is given to training programs and certifications that align with Building Science Education (BSE) topics. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) manages the Energy Skilled recognition program on behalf of DOE.
See below for recognition categories and criteria, as well as instructions for applying for recognition.
Benefits of Recognition
Energy Skilled recognized programs will receive branding material to communicate their recognition from DOE and will be listed on the DOE Energy Skilled website.
Eligible Programs
To be eligible for Energy Skilled recognition, credential programs must:
- Provide individuals with a certification, certificate, degree or license.
- Certifications attest to an individual’s competence through an examination or demonstration.
- Only certifications from an accredited certification body will be considered for the Home Energy Assessment (Single Family or Multifamily) recognition category.
- Certificates confirm an individual’s participation in a defined course of study or training program.
- Certifications attest to an individual’s competence through an examination or demonstration.
- Cover sufficient technical content as defined in the Scoring Tool.
Categories and Criteria
The table below outlines the Energy Skilled recognition categories, related BSE training material, prerequisite knowledge, and the evaluation criteria for recognition. BSE training material is open-source and can be used by any training program.
| Recognition Category | Related BSE Training Material | Prerequisite Knowledge | Energy Skilled Evaluation Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump Installation | Heat Pump Specialty | ||
| Heat Pump Comfort Advising | Heat Pump Specialty | ||
| Heat Pump Water Heater Installation | Introduction to Heat Pump Water Heaters Installation of Heat Pump Water Heaters | Plumbing | Program Content Requirements – Heat Pump Water Heater Installation |
| Home Energy Assessment | Building Energy Assessments | Additional eligibility criteria apply to home energy audit programs, as recognition has implications for tax credits (see more information). Only certifications from an accredited certification body are eligible for Energy Skilled recognition. Neither certifications from an organization that is not itself accredited nor training programs can be recognized in this category. Program Content Requirements – Home Energy Assessment: Energy Skilled Scoring Tool – Home Energy Assessment: | |
| Residential Envelope Programs | Under development | ||
How to Become Recognized
If your organization meets the eligibility requirements above, we welcome you to submit for Energy Skilled recognition through the following steps:
- Review the relevant material on the BSE website and the Energy Skilled evaluation criteria above and compare them with your program offerings.
- Self-score your program using the Scoring Tool, which lists the program-specific content requirements.
- Gather the materials that support your self-scoring, which could include the syllabus, examination outline, learning objectives, course outlines, or certification requirements.
- Submit your completed scoring tool and supporting materials to energy.skilled@pnnl.gov along with the following information:
- Organization name
- Credential program name
- Which Energy Skilled category are you submitting for?
- How long has the program been offered?
- Do you provide certification or certificate? Do you incorporate other certification bodies?
- How many individuals have been trained through this program?
Questions about Energy Skilled recognition? Reach out to us at energy.skilled@pnnl.gov.