BER Examination - Further Information

Click HERE to Book a BER Examination

Booking an Exam
Eligibility ID
Special Requirements
Examination Centre Locations
Examination Fee
Rescheduling/Cancellation Policy
Identification Requirements
BER Examination Centre Rules
Examination Format
Examination Results
Examination Preparation
Examination Material
Next Steps after Successfully Completing the BER Examination
Repeat Exams
Appeals
Frequency at which BER Assessors will be re-examined

Booking an Exam

Domestic

You need to be a certified candidate looking to register as a Domestic BER Assessor or an existing registered Domestic BER Assessor or a recognised Domestic BER trainer to be eligible to take the Domestic BER Examination.

Non-Domestic

You need to be a certified candidate looking to register as a Non Domestic BER Assessor or an existing registered Non Domestic BER Assessor to be eligible to take the Non Domestic BER Examination.

As training is recommended but not mandatory for Non Domestic candidates, they must have the following to be eligible to sit the Non Domestic exam:

1. Hold a qualification in a building construction related discipline at Level 7 under the National Framework of Qualifications.

and

2. Hold membership of a professional qualifying organisation at a specified grade

The BER Exams are administered by Prometric on behalf of SEAI. The examination can be taken at any of the Prometric Test Centre locations throughout the country.

You can book an exam online; click here
You can book an exam by phone; call 1890 340 128

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Eligibility ID

Candidates and registered BER Assessors require an Eligibility ID to book an examination. Registered BER Assessor will automatically receive an Eligibility ID via email. If you are a certified BER Assessor who has not yet registered with SEAI, you will need to call 1890 252 738 to request an Eligibility ID.

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Special Requirements

Candidates with special requirements, such as reading difficulties, can be provided with extra time (extra hour) to sit their examination. The additional time is intended to limit the impact of the candidate's special requirements on their examination performance, while not giving the candidate any unfair advantage. If you have special requirements please download and complete the DBER 02 Special Requirement Application Form and submit formal evidence to SEAI, PO Box 780, An Post South City Delivery Office, Togher Industrial Estate, Cork City. If you have received an Eligibility ID and have special requirements please complete the form above, submit it to SEAI and you will receive an updated Eligibility ID.

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Exam Centre Locations

There are 41 different Exam Centres located throughout Ireland; 16 fixed centres and 25 mobile units. The locations can be accessed on this link and are as follows:

Opening times for the Exam Centres may vary but most will be open from 9am to 5pm or 11:15 to 7:15pm.

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Examination Fee

The examination fee is €100 + VAT.
Payment to Prometric can be made using Visa, Laser, MasterCard. Please have these card details when booking your exam.

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Rescheduling / Cancellation Policy

To reschedule or cancel your examination click here or call 1890 340 128. The table below outlines the rescheduling / cancelation fees where applicable:

*NOTE: If you want to book another examination you will need a new Eligibility ID. Call1890 252 738 (anytime after the day your exam was scheduled for) to arrange.

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Identification Requirements

The exact name and date of birth, used when booking an examination, must exactly match the details on the photo ID presented at the examination centre. Acceptable forms of photo ID are a valid passport or driving licence. Candidates who fail to present original forms of ID will not be permitted to sit the examination and will lose their examination fee. Your photograph will be taken when you register for your examination. You will then be signed in and examination centre administrator will explain the examination procedures and show candidates to a workstation to take the examination.

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BER Examination Centre Rules

All candidates will have to adhere to the examination rules. To review the examination rules click here
Examination centres are monitored and video recorded in the event that any rule is breached.

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Examination Format

The examination is taken with an easy to use touch screen, or by using a mouse and keyboard. The 2 hour computer based examination consists of 50 multi choice questions randomly selected from a question bank. There is only one correct answer to each question.

Candidates must achieve at least 50% in each section and achieve an overall score of at least 70% to pass the examination. Domestic BER Trainers must achieve an overall score of at least 85%.

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Examination results

You will be issued with a score report before you leave the examination centre. The score report gives a breakdown of the different sections in the examination and clearly outlines the mark you have achieved in each section and the overall mark achieved. SEAI will maintain all examination data and results will be held centrally and may be used by SEAI for future auditing purposes.

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Examination Preparation

Domestic

Candidates should familiarise themselves with the SEAI training specification which lists the learning outcomes tested in the exam. The specimen papers are indicative of the examination and the topics covered.

Domestic

Domestic training specification
Domestic BER Examination Specimen Paper
Domestic BER Examination Specimen Paper with answers

Non Domestic

Non-Domestic training specification
Non-Domestic BER Examination Specimen Paper
Non-Domestic BER Examination Specimen Paper with answers

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Examination Material

Candidates are allowed the use of a calculator during the examination provided it is a silent, handheld, solar or battery-operated, non-programmable calculator (without paper tape-printing capabilities or alphabetic keypads). An SEAI Examination Manual will be provided to each candidate for use during the exam.

Domestic

1. DEAP Manual;
2. DEAP Survey Guide;
3. Building Regulations Part L and the Technical Guidance Document to Part L;
4. Code of Practice for BER Assessors;
5. EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings

Non Domestic

1. iSBEM User Guide;
2. Non Domestic Survey Guide;
3. Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document Part L - 2008;
4. Code of Practice for BER Assessors;
5. EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings; and
6. Non Domestic Building Services Compliance Guide.

Candidates must not write on any of the materials provided or they will be automatically disqualified.

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Next Steps after Successfully Completing the BER Examination

SEAI will be notified immediately of all examination results. Registered Assessors who successfully pass the examination do not need to take any further action. Certified Assessors who successfully pass the examination and who wish to register as BER assessor should complete the relevant domestic or non-domestic BER assessor registration form.

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Repeat Exams

There must be a 5 working day period between repeat examination dates. The standard charge of €100 + VAT per examination will apply. Please call1890 252 738 to request a new Eligibility ID for repeat examinations.

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Appeals

Candidates wishing to query their result must speak to the Examination Centre Administrator before leaving the Centre. They will be provided with a Customer Service Helpline - Cares Card to contact to request a re-mark of the test. As part of this process, Candidates must:

- Appeal within 10 working days of the date of your test
- Enclose the €15 appeal fee
- Any candidate known to be in breach of the examination rules cannot lodge an appeal.
- Failure to comply with the appeal process will forfeit the opportunity to appeal.

The Prometric Cares helpline 1890 340 128 will conduct the re-marking of all tests and will provide the Candidate with the result of this process within five (5) working days. If it is found that the original marking was wrong Prometric will:
- Refund your appeal fee.
- Notify SEAI of the result of the remark.

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Frequency at which BER Assessors will be re-examined

SEAI regularly updates the Domestic and Non-Domestic BER Examinations to reflect the current methodology and software, survey guide, code of practice and technical bulletins. Registered BER assessors must pass the relevant Domestic or Non-Domestic BER Examination every two years to maintain their registration.

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