Everything You Need to Know to Get BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Certified

Boost your career in home performance with the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) certification. This early-career credential opens doors while laying the foundation for continued professional advancement.

As a certified BA-T, you’ll conduct comprehensive home assessments through precise data collection and diagnostic testing. The certification equips you with essential knowledge in:

• Building systems and components
• Advanced testing procedures and data analysis
• Industry best practices and standards

If you are looking for ways to set yourself apart in the energy efficiency and home performance industries, let’s dig into the details of the BA-T certification!

How To Qualify

To be eligible to take the BA-T field test, candidates must have first gotten their Building Science Principles Certificate. 

Topics Covered on the Exam

A full list of knowledge, skills, and abilities for a Building Analyst Technician can be found in the Job Task Analysis section of the BPI Building Analyst Technician Scheme Handbook. Below is a high-level exam blueprint.

1. Building Science – 10%
2. Buildings & Their Systems – 30%
3. Testing and Data Collection – 60%

It is also recommended that you are familiar with the BA-T Field Guide. This is the information that will certainly be covered in your field exam. 

How to Prepare

Set yourself up for success with HeatSpring’s comprehensive BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Certification Training course. While the exam is open to all candidates without prior coursework, our specialized prep course from industry expert Brynn Cooksey gives you the knowledge and confidence to excel.

Most students opt to enroll in the BPI Building Analyst Certification Package, which includes prep for the Building Science Principles (BSP) Certificate, the Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Certification, as well as the Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) Certification.

Exam Details

The field exam consists of two parts:

1. Oral Portion
   1. 15 questions testing essential knowledge and skills
   2. Proctor reads questions aloud to candidate
   3. Some questions include visual identification components
2. Performance Evaluation
   1. Candidates complete specific tasks while being assessed
   2. Performance measured against standardized criteria
   3. Will also include verbal discussion of key topics from the BA-T Field Guide

The field exam costs $825. It must be completed within a 4-hour time limit, covering both the performance and oral components. 

While this is an open-book exam where candidates may use reference materials, any form of outside assistance is strictly prohibited. 

Candidates should note that the following five field exam line items are gated, meaning they must be passed to achieve certification.

1. Candidate prepared combustible gas and CO measurement instruments for use according to ANSI/BPI-1200. 
2. Candidate sampled indoor ambient CO levels. Candidate compared results to ANSI/BPI-1200 and stated appropriate action level. 
3. Candidate sampled indoor ambient air for combustible gas levels on one floor of the house. Candidate compared results to ANSI/BPI-1200 and stated appropriate action level. 
4. Candidate monitored ambient CO levels in the combustion appliance zone (CAZ) during all combustion safety testing and stated results. 
5. Candidate set combustion appliances to pilot or standby to ensure they do not fire during the blower door test. 

A passing score is 70% or above. After taking the field exam, you should see your results in your candidate account within 2-4 weeks.

Maintaining Your BA-T Certification

The BA-T Certification requires renewal every 3 years. To be eligible for certification renewal, professionals must:

• Accumulate 1000 hours (over the course of 3 years) of field experience, field exam proctoring and/or conducting whole-house field training in order to bypass the field exam, OR; 
• Successfully challenge the BA-T field exam that is current at the time of renewal

BPI certification renewal fees are $300 for one certification, $400 for 2 certifications, and $500 for 3+ certifications. When you are ready, submit your Application for BPI Certification Renewal, fees, and documentation to BPI via mail or email.

We hope we’ve answered all your questions related to getting your BPI BA-T! If there’s anything else you’d like to know, email us at support@heatspring.com.