During the COVID-19 pandemic, RESNET® adopted a number of emergency protocols to allow the HERS® industry to function safely during the crisis. The emergency provisions expired on June 11, 2023. The following were the emergency protocols: • Use of Default Values in Lieu of Conducting Airtightness Tests for Dwelling Unit Enclosures and Duct Systems as Well as for Measuring the Airflow of Mechanical Ventilation Systems • Use of Remote Inspections for HERS® Ratings •Remote QA Field Observations •Use of the RESNET® Quality Assurance Protocol for RESNET ® Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Field Evaluations •Online Proctoring Services for all RESNET® Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Tests • Extension of Deadline for HERS® Rater Candidates to Complete Probationary Ratings • Allowance of Online Proctoring Services for RESNET® Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Tests • Extension of Removal of the RESNET® Designation of Quality Assurance Delegates • Emergency Payment Terms for Rating Fees • Waiver of Application Fee a Rating Provider to become a Rating Sampling Provider • Extension of the 15 Month Time Limit for HERS® Rater Candidates • Extension of Recertification Time Limit for HERS® Raters and Rating Field Inspectors • 30-Day Extension for QA Providers on Deadline to Submit Annual QA Report to RESNET® • Temporary Emergency Terms for Payment of Rating Fees The RESNET® Board of Directors adopted a policy that the emergency protocols would lapse 30 days after the President of the United States lifted the national emergency. President Joe Biden lifted the COVID national emergency effective May 11, 2023. This means that as of June 11, 2023, all of the emergency provisions have lapsed. A standard amendment is proposed for the provision that exams may be proctored in-person or remotely following the RESNET® Procedures for Proctoring Exams. This provision is undergoing through the RESNET® standard amendment process. The RESNET® Standard Development Committee 200 has proposed a standard amendment 73f on remote proctored exams. The standard amendment would permanently allow exams to be proctored in-person or remotely following the RESNET® Procedures for Proctoring Exams. The proposed amendment is currently undergoing the RESNET® standard amendment adoption process. RESNET® will announce the final action on this proposed amendment
