Display Energy Certificate (DEC) Training

Accreditation through the Approval of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) route requires that all applicants have a minimum of 2 years out of the last 5 in building services and energy assessment type work.

By completing this expression of interest form your eligibility to progress through the APEL application route will be confirmed but not guaranteed.  You may wish to avoid incurring costs before being confirmed as eligible for the APEL application route. (Please send completed form to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

If you need help to identify whether or not you are likely to be admitted under the APEL route please call the CIBSE Certification team on 020 8675 5211.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they can fulfil 100% of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) before they can become registered as an energy assessor.  The CIBSE Energy Centre website has more detailed information on what is required.

If you do not possess the appropriate skills/experience, you will not be permitted to make an APEL application.

Self assessment and preparation

CIBSE's course is intensive and requires a high level of prior knowledge. Whilst we do not have formal entry requirements for the course, we do ask candidates to self-assess beforehand. To assist you please see the self-assessment questions.  We also have a pre course reading list.

Which DEC training course do I need?

• Two day course: The first training day will primarily be focused on all the theory related to producing Display Energy certificates and during the second day of training you will learn how to use Operational Rating (OR) Software which is the tool used to produce DEC's and that is available as a free download, from the Department of Communities and Local Government Website. Course programme.
• If you have not previously taken training but wish to use an accredited alternative to the OR Calc software, please select the one day theory course only. You will need to liaise with your software provider regarding training and the demonstration of competence in their software, for more information read the notes relating to software on the DEC page of the CIBSE Enegry Centre website.

Training dates

Two-day DEC training

CT194 - 27th and 28th Febraury 2012 - click here for more information

CT195 - 16th and 17th May 2012 - click here for more information

One-day theory DEC training

CT194 - 27th Febraury 2012 - click here for more information

CT195 -  16th May 2012 - click here for more information

Once your application form is received and processed, a member of our training department will contact you to confirm your booking and to provide all the information needed for the training session of your choice.

We are happy to provide in-house training for groups greater than 10 people at special rates. Please contact us in order to request information about DEC in-house training for groups.

Course costs

TWO-DAY fee:

CIBSE Members: £477.75 + VAT

Non CIBSE Members: £535.50 + VAT

ONE-DAY fee:

CIBSE Members: £242 + VAT

Non CIBSE Members: £296 + VAT

About the exam

There are two assessments you need to pass with this course. At the end of day one there is a multiple choice exam consisting of 40 questions. At the end of day two there is a practical assessments on the use of the software.

About Display Energy Certificates

For more information about Display Energy Certificates and the process of accreditation please visit the CIBSE Energy Centre website