To carry out the Building Energy Rating (BER) and Display Energy Certificate (DEC) assessments, you must first register with the SEAI.
Register as a BER or DEC Assessor
Follow the steps below to register as a Domestic or Non-Domestic BER Assessor, or a DEC Assessor
Find out more below
Taking the BER Assessor Exam
Information on what to expect when preparing for your first or renewal BER exam
First evaluate the business opportunity
Before investing in BER Assessor training, we advise that you research the potential business opportunity. You can review the National Register of Assessors for the number of BER Assessors already serving your area. There is no cap on the number of BER Assessors who can operate in Ireland.
How To Apply
Step 1: Satisfy the pre-qualification requirements
Domestic BER Assessors
Domestic Assessors require a NFQ Level 6 Advanced Certificate/Higher Certificate in construction studies (or similar) or a recognised equivalent. Equivalence maybe defined as a combination of an appropriate construction-related qualification and significant relevant experience.
Recognised appropriate construction-related qualifications include:
- The UK Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) course
- The UK Home Inspectors Course
Non-Domestic BER and DEC Assessors
Non-Domestic Assessors are required to satisfy two criteria for pre-qualification. The first is a qualification in a building construction-related discipline. This can be either:
Proof of qualifications in a building or construction-related discipline
| NFQ Level 7 Degree in one of the following | NFQ Level 7 Degree where min. two subjects below covered for min. two semesters each | Memberships are defined as Equivalent Qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| - Architecture - Architectural Technology - Building Services Engineering - Building Surveying - Civil Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Quantity Surveying |
- Architecture - Architectural Technology - Building Construction / Technology - Building Design - Building Energy Performance - Building Services Engineering - Building Surveying - Civil Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Quantity Surveying |
Engineers Ireland Chartered Association of Building Engineers Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Society of Chartered Surveyors |
A copy of the Degree Certificate is to be provided.
Proof of membership in a professional organisation
Membership of one of the following professional bodies at the specified grade demonstrates the second criteria for pre-qualification. A copy of the Proof of Membership is to be provided.
| Professional Body | Eligible Grades | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Fellow (FCIBSE) |
|
||||
| Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) |
Chartered Architectural Technologists (MCIAT) |
||||
| Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) |
Fellow (CIOB) |
||||
| Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) | Corporate members | ||||
| Energy Institute |
Fellow (FEI) |
||||
| Engineers Ireland (EI) |
Fellow (CEng FIEI) |
||||
| Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute (IAVI) | IAVI Member | ||||
| Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) | Full member (IPAV) | ||||
| Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) |
Fellow (FRIAI) |
||||
|
Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) |
Chartered Quantity Surveyor |
Step 2: Complete training courses
Domestic BER Assessors
Completion of Domestic BER Assessor training course
Non-Domestic BER Assessors
Recommended (not mandatory) completion of Non-Domestic BER Assessor training course
DEC Assessors
Completion of the SEAI DEC Assessor Workshop (to register contact the BER Helpdesk)
Training Providers include:
Step 3: Examination
Step 4: Fill in the appropriate registration form
- Domestic BER Assessor Registration Form
- Non-Domestic BER Assessor Registration Form
- DEC Assessor Registration Form*
* Only Non-domestic BER Assessors may choose to become DEC Assessors.
Step 5: Supply the following with your application
1. BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance
- €6.5m Public/Products Liability
- €1.3m Professional Indemnity
- €13m Employers Liability (applies to employer/employee registrations only)
- The BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance form must be completed by a Registered Insurance Broker, Agent or Insurance Company licensed to issue cover in the Republic of Ireland, as approved by the Financial Regulator
New applicants
Submit the certificate of insurance with your application form. You are required to submit this information when your insurance is renewed, amended or updated.
Registered Assessors
Email a scanned copy of the form to the BER Helpdesk. Include 'Insurance Certificate' and your Assessor Number in the subject.
2. SEPA Direct Debit Mandate
Fill in the SEPA Direct Debit Mandate to pay registration fees, subsequent annual renewal fees, and ongoing BER publication levies. View the schedule of fees.
3. Tax Clearance Certificate
Provide a Tax Clearance Certificate
New applicants
Submit the Tax Clearance Certificate with your application form. You are required to submit this information when your Tax Clearance Certificate is renewed, amended or updated.
Registered Assessors
Email a scanned copy of the Certificate to the BER Helpdesk. Include 'Tax Clearance Certificate' and your Assessor Number in the subject.
4. Drivers Licence or Passport
Provide a certified copy of your drivers licence or passport.
Registration Checklist
| Documents Required | Domestic BER Assessor | Non-Domestic BER/DEC Assessor |
|---|---|---|
|
Registration Form BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance SEPA Direct Debit Mandate Tax Clearance Certificate Drivers Licence or Passport (certified copy) Proof of Membership of Professional Organisation (copy) Degree Certificate (copy) |
Domestic BER Assessor Registration Form |
Non-Domestic BER Assessor Registration Form DEC Assessor Registration Form |
Employer status
Where an Employer (partnership, company or public body) offers BER assessment services to its clients through its Employees who are registered BER Assessors, the Employer can enter into a direct relationship with SEAI to assume the following Code of Practice obligations:
- indemnification of SEAI in respect of liabilities arising as a result of Employee BER Assessor’s activities;
- payment of registration fees and/or levies for registration of a BER Assessor and for publication of BER certificates issued on behalf of the Employer; and
- retention and maintenance of all records, data and documentation as would be required to defend, should they be questioned, assessments carried out by the BER Assessor on behalf of the Employer.
Registration renewals
Registration expires after one-year. Approximately one month before a BER Assessor’s registration is due for renewal, SEAI will issue a renewal notice. Renewal of registrations is subject to payment of fees, in-date insurance policies, and may be subject to additional educational or administrative requirements.
Resigning from the scheme
A BER Assessor may resign from the scheme at any time by sending an e-mail from their registered e-mail address to registered@ber.seai.ie. Please note that registration and renewal fees paid to SEAI are non-refundable. If you wish to re-register as a BER Assessor at a later date, you will be subject to the relevant renewal fees. SEAI may, at its discretion, suspend or terminate the registration of a BER Assessor (see SI 243 of 2012 for further detail).
A registered BER Assessor who has resigned their registration, or whose registration has been suspended or terminated, must remove all reference to registration from their notepaper and property and shall not in any way represent themselves or their business as being registered with SEAI. If requested by SEAI, they must return all SEAI property including the BER Assessor registration certificate.
Send your documents
Once you have all your required documents together please send them to:
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
PO Box 135
Cahirciveen
Co. Kerry