APEL Route to become a Low Carbon Energy Assessor (LCEA) to produce Non Domestic EPCs
CIBSE Certification operates the APEL (Approval of Prior Experience & Learning) Route to certification. This is a fast, low cost route that recognises your prior experience and learning as an alternative to taking a specific Energy Assessor qualification and can provide certification to the highest quality via an application process.
The Pre-APEL is a FREE assessment of your 2 years of full time equivalent experience in the last 5 years and counts towards your main APEL form. You will need to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 2 years of equivalent full time substantial experience in the past 5 years in building services design, energy management, or building surveying and assessments of commercial (non-dwelling) buildings.
Register and submit your EPC Pre-APEL application here.
If you pass the initial screening of your Pre-APEL you will then need to complete the full Approval of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) form online submitting the following:
- Proof of Identity – Submit a copy of your passport, driving licence or relevant photo ID.
- Statement & CV – The statement and CV that you have already provided for your Pre-APEL will be copied across to your main application, however, you may be required to submit an up to date CV. If you have chosen to bypass the Pre-APEL stage you will need to submit your CV and statement.
- Insurance – Submit a copy of your company’s Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) certificate (min £250,000.00 for all levels), and a copy of your company’s Public Liability Insurance (PLI) certificate (min £1,000,000.00).
- Membership – Submit a copy of your current professional membership(s) certificates if applicable.
- Qualification – List your qualifications and submit copies of all supporting certificates. The certificates must be signed and verified by the awarding body, senior manager or a client. You must also provide an examination certificate to demonstrate your competence in the use of your chosen software.
- Continual Professional Development (CPD) – Submit a CPD record for the past two calendar years plus the current year. Full CPD requirements can be found here. NB. CPD is ongoing therefore you are required to complete your record even after achieving registration.
- NOS Requirement – You must be able to meet the NOS Performance Criteria and Knowledge and Understanding sections of the APEL application. Download EPC NOS. You may be exempt from completing NOS sections 1and 2.1 of the form if you are a full member of CIBSE or another professional body listed in the Table of professional bodies.
- Software samples – Provide 2 draft EPCs for assessment.
One draft certificate must be for a non-domestic new building and the other for a non-domestic existing building. If applying for EPC levels 3 and 4 the draft certificates must be for EPC level 4 type buildings, not just a small building with frequently occurring characteristics. If applying for EPC level 5, the draft certificates must be for large complex buildings using DSM software.
CIBSE Certification can provide 2 sample EPCs that you can use for assessment, should you require these please contact Certification at epc@cibsecertification.org. - Referee – Provide the name and contact details of your manager/director or senior client representative that has known you for 2 years or more and can verify your work and APEL application.
- Code of Conduct – You must read and accept the terms in the CIBSE Certification Code of Conduct.
- Declaration – You will need to read all the Scheme documentation on the Declaration page before submitting your APEL form.
- Assessment fee – Once you have submitted the APEL form you will be required to pay a one-off assessment fee; you can do this online by credit/debit card. The assessment fee must be paid before we start the screening process.
Please download the LCEA and LCC Scheme Description Document (CCSDD 201) for full information on the Scheme requirements and conditions of Certification.
Exam Information
If you have not already done so you will need to pass the CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant (LCC) Design Management exam provided by CIBSE Training.
Software Exam Information
Please contact a relevant software provider of your choice.
Complete and pass the assessment with your chosen software provider and upload your relevant software certificate in the online APEL form.
Certification Fees
- One off non-refundable assessment fee: £450 + VAT (an additional assessment fee of £150 + VAT may be applicable for additional reviews)
- Annual registration fee: £330 + VAT
If you are already a CIBSE Certification LCEA DEC Assessor or Air Conditioning Inspector the annual registration fee for EPC is £150 + VAT.
The EPC registration includes FREE entry on the Low Carbon Consultants (LCC) Design Management and Simulation registers.