Issued by: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
The industry's technical standard for commercial building energy auditors. Certifies expertise in ASHRAE Level I, II, and III energy audits — required by many utility incentive programs, PACE financing, and federal energy assessment initiatives.
The ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) credential certifies expertise in conducting ASHRAE Level I, II, and III energy audits of commercial buildings. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) is the preeminent technical standards body for HVAC and building energy systems, and its energy audit methodology is codified in ASHRAE Standard 211 — the Commercial Building Energy Audit Standard.
ASHRAE also offers related credentials: the Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) for simulation specialists who create detailed energy models using tools like EnergyPlus or eQuest, and the High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) for integrated design experts. The BEAP specifically focuses on the energy audit process, field assessment methodology, findings documentation, and ECM (energy conservation measure) analysis.
ASHRAE Standard 211: ASHRAE Standard 211 defines the requirements for conducting commercial building energy audits at three levels of detail. Level I is a walk-through assessment. Level II is a standard energy survey and analysis. Level III is a detailed investment-grade audit. Many programs reference these levels — and having BEAP certification signals that the auditor has demonstrated competency in all three.
ASHRAE Level II and III energy audits are the industry standard methodology for commercial building energy assessments. Many utility incentive programs, government grant programs (including Department of Energy programs under the Inflation Reduction Act), and PACE financing applications require audits to be conducted per ASHRAE standards.
Having a BEAP credential signals that the auditor understands not just field measurement techniques but also the rigorous financial and engineering analysis required to justify capital investments in energy efficiency. Federal energy audit programs under DOE's Better Buildings Initiative recognize ASHRAE audit standards, and some state energy offices maintain approved auditor lists that require BEAP or equivalent credentials.
The BEAP is increasingly seen as the technical complement to the CEM's management focus. A commercial energy professional with both CEM and BEAP credentials signals complete capability: identifying opportunities through rigorous auditing and managing the implementation process through to financial close.
Commercial signal: BEAP on a proposal tells commercial building owners, utilities, and program administrators that the auditor will deliver an audit that meets ASHRAE Standard 211 — a defensible, financeable assessment that can support incentive applications, PACE financing, and capital investment decisions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based exam, approximately 3 hours, 100+ questions |
| Topics Covered | Building envelope, HVAC systems, lighting systems, plug loads, domestic hot water, energy metering, energy economics, ASHRAE Level I/II/III audit procedures per Standard 211 |
| Exam Cost (ASHRAE Members) | $400 |
| Exam Cost (Non-Members) | $600 |
| ASHRAE Membership | ~$200/year (recommended for exam discount and CE resources) |
| Application to Exam Timeline | 6–8 weeks from application submission |
| Exam Results | Preliminary pass/fail same session; official results 2–3 weeks |
ASHRAE BEAP follows a 3-year renewal cycle. Credential holders must earn 90 continuing education (CE) hours per cycle, including ASHRAE-specific content. This is a higher CE requirement than most other energy credentials, reflecting ASHRAE's emphasis on technical currency in a rapidly evolving field.
CE hours can be earned through ASHRAE conferences (Annual Conference, Building Performance Analysis Conference), ASHRAE webinars, ASHRAE-approved training, and a range of approved third-party providers. ASHRAE provides a CE tracking portal for credential holders. Many ASHRAE local chapter events also offer CE credit.
ASHRAE BEAP is recognized by technical organizations, government programs, and utilities that set standards for commercial energy assessment quality:
Referenced in DOE and federal energy audit requirements. Required by some state energy offices for approved energy auditor lists. Seen as the technical complement to the CEM credential, providing depth in audit methodology that employers value when bidding complex commercial audit contracts.
The ASHRAE BEAP certification is administered exclusively by ASHRAE. Applications, exam scheduling, and renewals are managed through the ASHRAE certification portal.
Official ASHRAE BEAP Certification Page:
https://www.ashrae.org/professional-development/ashrae-certification/building-energy-assessment-professional
ASHRAE maintains a public directory of certified professionals. ASHRAE Standard 211 (the commercial building energy audit standard referenced by BEAP) is available for purchase through the ASHRAE bookstore, and preparation resources are available at ashrae.org.
ASHRAE BEAP credential holders often pair this certification with broader energy management and building performance credentials:
EnergyStackHub does not independently verify certifications. We link to official verification resources. Commercial clients should independently verify any certifications claimed by professionals. Verify ASHRAE BEAP credentials directly with ASHRAE →
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