BEST

 
 

The Building Energy & Sustainability Technician (BEST™)

Course for Professional Certification
 
 

 

The BEST course and certification program was developed to raise the professional standards of those engaged in building energy and sustainability; to improve the practice of building energy and sustainability by encouraging professionals to partake in a continuing education course of professional development for building energy and sustainability technicians; to identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of building energy and sustainability technicians through completing the certification and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance and conduct; and to award special recognition to those energy professionals who have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness in building energy and sustainability.  BEST candidates must meet pre-qualifications and have work experience established by the independent BEST board and pass the BEST certification exam. The written BEST examination deals with such subjects as: Financial Considerations for Equipment Purchases, Building Utilities, Energy Audits and Instrumentation, Lighting, Energy Savings, HVAC Systems, Heating & Refrigeration Systems, Controls and Compressed Air Systems. BEST courses are going to be offered in Las Vegas on a regular basis through the end of 2012.

 

Objectives

To raise the professional standards of those engaged in building energy and sustainability.

To improve the practice of building energy and sustainability by encouraging professionals to partake in a continuing education course of professional development for building energy and sustainability technicians.

To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of building energy and sustainability technicians through completing the certification and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance and conduct.

To award special recognition to those energy professionals who have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness in building energy and sustainability. 
 

BEST Eligibility Requirements

The candidate for BEST certification must meet one of the following criteria:


 Education

 

Work Experience

High school diploma/GED

AND

3+ years of experience in HVAC, refrigeration, central plant, controls, or building automation systems

1 year of technical school or college

 AND

2+ years of experience in HVAC, refrigeration, central plant, controls, or building automation systems

Bachelor's degree, Professional Engineer (PE), or Registered Architect (RA)

 AND

1+ years of experience in HVAC, refrigeration, central plant, controls, or building automation systems

 

 

 
     

Note: Participants who take the course and pass the certification but do not meet one of the previous prerequisites may reapply for the BEST designation once education or experience requirements have been met.

The Required Body of Knowledge

The effective practice of energy and sustainability requires in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. However, the candidate need only demonstrate the knowledge and ability to apply the essentials of building energy and sustainability to the satisfaction of the certification board.
 

BEST Courses

This program is a

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Education Provider Approved Certification Course

The Education Provider Program (EPP) facilitates access to high quality professional development courses to further enrich the knowledge and understanding of green building theory, techniques, and trends for building professionals. Each course is reviewed by third-party-trained reviewers and meets the criteria and guidelines established by the USGBC Professional Development Committee. This course qualifies for GBCI's Credential Maintenance Program (CMP) for LEED® professionals.

The Association of Energy Engineers is a Corporate Member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and an approved EPP.

 

Training for Building Technicians: Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Seminar Date & Locations

4-day course

earns 2.8 CEU

Click Here for BEST Course Outline & Sample Exam Questions

 

BEST Success Stories

BEST Program Helps Create Jobs and Reduce Energy Costs - Read Success Stories

Dr. Scott Dunning of the University of Maine discusses the Building Energy & Sustainability Technician (BEST) certification program.
(view video below)

Gaining the BEST Designation

To be awarded the BEST designation, candidates must attend the Fundamentals of Building Energy & Sustainability Technician Course prior to taking the BEST exam. A minimum pass rate of 70% on the examination is required. The certification director keeps examination scores on file for a period of three years. Applicants that do not receive certification status can request that their application be resubmitted to the BEST Board, if during that three-year period their exam score, education, or experience level changes.

 

Recommended Professional Reference Books

 

The BEST Examination

The examination will be administered by the Association of Energy Engineers.

Each applicant must complete the written exam. The applicant is given four hours to complete the exam. Dates and locations are determined by the BEST Board. Candidates are notified of this information by the BEST Director. The examination questions are based on concepts and experiences basic to energy and sustainability for building technicians from recognized tests and supplemental reading. The certification is open book!

A certification administrator will proctor the certification. The administrator may be an AEE executive, an educator, a testing expert or agency, or whomever the certification board deems appropriate. The examination will consist of multiple choice questions.

Grading is accomplished by the BEST Director. Examinations are identified by number rather than by the candidate's name to assure confidentiality and objective grading.

 

The written BEST examination deals with such subjects as:

  • Financial Considerations for Equipment Purchases
  • Building Utilities
  • Energy Audits and Instrumentation
  • Lighting
  • Energy Savings
  • HVAC Systems
  • Heating & Refrigeration Systems
  • Controls
  • Compressed Air Systems


Fees

Fees for the BEST certification process are as follows:

  • Certification Application and Examination: $300
  • Course Registration: $1695 for AEE members / $1895 for non-AEE members
  • Certification Renewal: $300 every three years

 

These fees must be paid at the time the BEST application and the course registration are submitted.

How to Apply for BEST Certification

Click Here for the BEST Online Certification Application

(Please note you will be prompted to create a username and password)

 

 

 


Maintaining Certification 

For information on maintaining your certification, please go to our certification renewals website.

 

For Additional Information About BEST Course...
If you have any questions about the BEST course, or if you prefer to receive your Building Energy and Sustainability Technician Application Package by mail, please write, call or email:

Jennifer Geho, BEST Course Program Manager
 (770) 279-4391
 emaIl: jenn@aeecenter.org


For Additional Information About BEST Certification...

If you have any questions about BEST certification, or if you prefer to receive your Building Energy and Sustainability Technician Application Package by mail, please write, call or email:

 Michelle Zakin, BEST Certification Administrator
 (770) 447-5083, ext. 219
 emaIl: mzakin@aeecenter.org