To view and register for upcoming Quality Control Inspector courses, follow this link to the MSU Academic Technology and Outreach's Quality Control Inspector page. 

Course Description

Quality Control Inspector lays the groundwork for individuals interested in understanding and expanding their knowledge of monitoring and inspecting weatherized units. Students will thoroughly cover sessions on regulations and standards, desk monitoring, tools of the trade, building assessment, interpretation of infrared imagery, in-progress monitoring, and what to include in a report. The course follows the Department for Energy’s standardized curriculum for Quality Control Inspector and has been modified to align with the NREL Job Task Analysis for Quality Control Inspector. The structure of the course includes lecture, dialogue and practical experience through hands-on skill sets.

Additionally, this course can serve as a review to prepare participants for the Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) written and field exam for certification as a Quality Control Inspector. Learn more about Home Energy Professional certification. As a BPI Test Center, Montana Weatherization Training Center proctors the written exam for additional fees. This exam can be arranged by request.

This course has 15 contact hours as 3.75 continuing education units (CEU) toward Home Energy Professional Recertification.

Course Objectives

  • Conduct quality checks for a weatherization job
  • Perform post-project inspections
  • Evaluate worker professionalism
  • Inspect and assess the building envelope
  • Interpret energy audit information such as blower door readings, pressure pan testing, and zonal diagnostics reports
  • Understand basic combustion appliance diagnostics

Organization of Course

This is a lecture-lab course geared toward students who have had experience in the field as an Energy Auditor or as a Crew Leader. Most topics are covered first in the classroom and then covered again in the training lab. Student participation in discussions in the classroom and in the lab exercises is very important. This course has a group final exam and student participation is graded as pass/fail.

Grading Criteria and Passing Score (In-House Exam)

The final exam is a group participation exam taken electronically. Group exams better engage students and allow students the opportunity to discuss questions and answers with each other and instructors. Exams are not graded but rather instructors ensure each student leaves with an understanding of course content. 

Students receive course credit through attendance and group participation throughout class. 

Grading Criteria and Passing Score (BPI Exam)

Candidates must be BPI Energy Auditor certified and successfully challenge the QCI online exam to become Quality Control Inspector certified.

Online exam: 50 multiple choice questions
Time Limit: 2.5 hours
Passing Score: 70%

Recertification

BPI Quality Control Inspectors must recertify every three (3) years.

If you have an active Energy Auditor certification and have accumulated and submitted at least six (6) relevant BPI Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the course of the time you were certified, you may bypass the online exam when it comes time to recertify. Once you are QCI recertified, you are automatically agreeing to BPI’s Code of Ethics.

Please refer to the recertification section in the Certification Scheme Handbook for more information.

Audience

  • Energy Auditors
  • Crew Leaders
  • Quality Control Inspectors
  • Program Managers

Course Fees

  • In Person: $575 for the public 
  • Virtually: $525 for the public
  • Free for associates of the Montana Weatherization Workforce
  • BPI Quality Control Inspector certification Online exam: $325

For additional information contact the Center at [email protected] or you can call (406) 586-0070.

Interested in taking this course virtually? Check out our Asynchronous Virtual Courses page!

To view and register for ALL upcoming courses, follow this link to the MSU Academic Technology and Outreach page.