About this course

The BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) certification is a credential for workers in the home performance industry. This certification gives a great entrance to the industry while providing a clear path for professional growth.

A BA-T's work includes data collection and diagnostic testing for a whole-home assessments. The BA-T's skills and knowledge include: buildings & their systems, testing & data collection, and industry standards.

The BA-T is earned by passing a field test with oral questions. BPI's Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge (BSP) is a prerequisite for the BA-T certification exam. You can learn more about how to earn the BSP here.

The building analysis technician is a position where the individual is trained to utilize tools and equipment to conduct energy assessments on a building. The building analysis technician is tasked with "data collection." The Building Analysis Technician (BAT) field exam is a time and proctored field exam where the candidates perform tasks evaluated based on BPI standards. The candidate must achieve a 70% passing score or better to become certified.

NOTE: The BA-T exam fees are not included with the course. When you're ready to schedule your exam you'll be asked to pay the $825 exam fee.

Course outline

5 modules
4 hours to complete
1:13 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 5 assignments
Orientation Materials

This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.

  • Set up email notifications and your student profile
  • Introduce yourself on the discussion board
  • Details about taking the BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Exam
  • Introduction (04:59 minutes)
  • BPI Standards Lecture (03:42 minutes)
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Building Science Tools and Equipment

This module will teach us about the tools and equipment required for home performance work.

  • DG 1000 Pressure and Flow Gauge (06:10 minutes)
  • TEC Blower Door Overview (04:52 minutes)
Module 2 • 4 assignments
BAT Field Exam - Review

Review the following videos and files to learn about the Building Analysis Technician field exam.

  • BAT Oral Question Images PDF (.pdf)
  • Building Analyst Technician (BA-T) Field Guide Review PDF (.pdf)
  • BAT Field Guide Review (10:19 minutes)
  • BAT Pictorial Review (07:25 minutes)
Module 3 • 11 assignments
BAT Field Exam Video Series

Watch the following video series to learn how to perform the required Building Analysis Technician Field Exam tasks.

  • Gated Items (04:47 minutes)
  • Checking for Combustible Gas Leaks (59 seconds)
  • Measuring the Home (01:29 minutes)
  • Windows and Doors (01:17 minutes)
  • Testing Exhaust Fan Flow (02:02 minutes)
  • CAZ Testing (09:52 minutes)
  • Blower Door Test setup (11:05 minutes)
  • Using the Pressure Pan (30 seconds)
  • Using Thermal Imagers (43 seconds)
  • Appliance Testing (02:24 minutes)
  • Field Exam Video Series Introduction (44 seconds)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Schedule your BA-T Field Exam - Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

  • Ready to take the BPI Building Analysis Technician (BAT) Exam?
  • 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
  • Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
  • Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
  • Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate

Instructor

Brynn Cooksey

ESCO's Top 25 Most Influential HVACR Instructors of 2024, HVAC U

Brynn Cooksey Sr., affectionately known as the "Air Doctor," is a Detroit native and the Owner of Air Doctors Heating and Cooling, LLC. Brynn earned that nickname for his renowned engineering solutions in the HVACR and Electrical industries. After spending 15 years in the Utility Gas and Power industry, Brynn took over his family's heating and cooling business and...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 3 module course is delivered entirely online. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes please visit our [HeatSpring for Teams](/for_teams) page to get a group discount.
What is the difference between the BA-T and BA-P?
Here's a nice explanation from the BPA Journal:

The BA-T is limited to data collection and diagnostic testing, does not require the individual to analyze or evaluate the information collected with the exception of safety tests resulting in immediate safety risks, and is earned through a field exam, where the candidate demonstrates specific tasks in a specific fashion. These tasks include data collection and diagnostic testing commonly performed during a comprehensive home energy assessment.

While the hands-on testing rests in the BA-T, the aggregation, evaluation, and interpretation of those tests are covered in the BA-P written exam.  A BA-T learns how to take combustion safety and blower door tests, but its up to the BA-P to interpret them and see if any further action or testing is required. A BA-T can measure the flow rate of a fan, but the BA-P will look at the system as a whole and determine exactly if or when, and how much ventilation is required.
How can I take the BA-T field exam?
Your instructor for this course, Brynn Cooksey, runs HVAC U, an approved BPI testing center. When you're ready to take the BA-T field exam, you'll pay for the exam and then schedule a time to take it. You'll take the exam via video and you are responsible for supplying a location and the equipment to do the exam.

This class is how we get you prepared to pass the exam. You'll see explanations for how the test works and how to use all of the equipment you need to pass.

There's no written exam for the BA-T certification so there are no written practice questions.
Is there a written exam for the BA-T certification?
Nope:)

You just have to pass the field exam.

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