To: Existing Certified RESNET HERS® Raters The RESNET Board of Directors Executive Committee unanimously voted to remove the online practical simulation testing requirement for existing certified RESNET HERS® Raters. In July 2017, I communicated to you reports of technical issues with the Practical Simulation Test and an extension granted to existing raters on passing the test until staff and contractors were able to adequately address the issues. Since then, RESNET staff and contractors have worked hard to resolve all of these technical issues. While most of the identified issues have been taken care of, unfortunately there still remain a few we have not been able to resolve. Although the practical simulation is an effective training tool, RESNET has concluded that there is no need to burden existing raters with the added stress of having to take and pass the test. Nevertheless, the Practical Simulation Test remains appropriate for new rater candidates and we have been able to work with them on resolving difficulties on a one-on-one basis. In the case of existing raters, however, due to the sheer volume of numbers, we will be unable to do the same if we are to meet the February 1, 2018 deadline. With this in mind and as a result of your input, the RESNET Board of Directors Executive Committee believes it is best to discontinue the practical simulation testing requirement permanently for existing raters, and has directed staff to proceed accordingly. Therefore, beginning today, existing certified HERS® Raters (those certified prior to July 1, 2016) are no longer required to pass the Practical Simulation Test. HERS® Raters who have already passed the Practical Simulation Test will be credited 18 hours of professional development credits which is required every three years for recertification. What does this mean for you? If you are a previously certified HERS® Rater and have already passed the Practical Simulation Test, you will receive a full 18 hours of Professional Development credit. This will meet your professional development requirements for three years and represents a very inexpensive way for you to achieve them. RESNET staff has received considerable feedback on the value of the simulation as an educational tool for all raters. If you are a HERS® Rater and have paid for the Practical Simulation Test but have not yet been tested, you have three options to choose from: Take and pass the test and receive the 18 hours of Professional Development credits; or Receive a full refund for the cost of the registration you paid for the Practical Simulation Test; or Apply the $200 for the test as a credit toward your registration fee for the 2018 RESNET Building Performance Conference taking place on February 26-28 in Orlando, FL. As I said before, it is truly unfortunate that problems have been experienced with the Practical Simulation Test and we apologize for any inconvenience that these problems may have caused existing HERS® Raters. RESNET staff and our contractors felt that we could resolve all of the technical issues but unfortunately this did not turn out to be the case. Let me assure you that the RESNET Board of Directors and RESNET staff are committed to using products of the highest quality, and when you report problems, we listen and strive to make adjustments and improvements when needed. We highly value the contribution of HERS® Raters and it is only through working together that we can maintain RESNET as the industry gold standard we can all be proud of. Roy Honican RESNET Board President
