BPI Credentials

BPI Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) Assessor Certificate

The ccASHP Assessor Certificate defines the knowledge required to evaluate a home’s
suitability for a cold-climate air-source heat pump retrofit.

A ccASHP Assessor has foundational knowledge of residential heating and cooling systems,
particularly cold-climate heat pumps. They can assess how building envelope quality,
existing HVAC and electrical systems, and site conditions affect system feasibility and
homeowner comfort.

What is the ccASHP Assessor Certificate of Knowledge?

Earning the Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) Assessor Certificate of Knowledge proves your knowledge of how to evaluate whether a home is suitable for a cold-climate heat pump retrofit. You'll understand how the building envelope, existing HVAC systems, electrical service, and site conditions interact to determine heat pump feasibility. A ccASHP Assessor demonstrates foundational knowledge across ten critical domains:
  • Cold climate air source heat pump fundamentals
  • Identifying client needs and priorities
  • Site feasibility and constraints
  • Existing HVAC and distribution assessments
  • Building envelope
  • Electrical service overview
  • Equipment compatibility and basic controls
  • Risk communication and mitigation
  • Economics, incentives, and carbon impacts
  • Health and safety

Who Should Get the Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Assessor Certificate?

Anyone involved in evaluating, recommending, or facilitating heat pump installations in cold climates should consider earning the ccASHP Assessor Certificate. Here are a few common professionals that obtain the ccASHP:
  • Energy auditors and home performance contractors
  • HVAC technicians and contractors
  • Weatherization specialists and program staff
  • Utility program representatives managing heat pump incentives
  • Building science consultants
  • Municipal sustainability coordinators and clean energy program managers
  • Federal, state, and local government program staff overseeing electrification initiatives
  • Home inspectors and realtors specializing in energy-efficient properties
  • Nonprofit housing organization staff working on decarbonization
  • Technical sales professionals for heat pump manufacturers and distributors

How Do I Get Started?

Prerequisites: Before taking the exam, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:
  • Hold a qualifying industry credential (BPI certification, NATE Heat Pump, RESNET HERS Rater/RFI, HVAC Excellence Heat Pump, or similar)
  • Complete at least 1 year of technical trades instruction (including HS-level vocational education)
  • Have at least 1 year of work experience related to heating and cooling systems
Training: An exam prep course is recommended but not required. We will be launching the BPI Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Assessor Exam Prep course in 2026.

Exam Details

Scheduling: Because the exam is an online knowledge-based exam, it may be taken at any time from a computer connected to the internet. There is no time limit for completing the exam. A BPI Proctor is not required to be present or record the ccASHP exam session.

Exam Cost: $175

Exam Format: The exam contains 75 scored multiple-choice questions. The passing score is 80%.

Open Book: The ccASHP exam is open book, meaning you can reference materials during the test. However, strong preparation is still essential for success.

View All BPI Credentials

BPI Credentials

The use of technology such as cookies allows HeatSpring to operate and improve the functionality of our website and derive insights about our audience.

You can read more about our privacy policy here.