APEL Application Route
Certify your ability to produce legally required Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for non-domestic buildings across the UK
EPC
CIBSE Certification operates the APEL (Approval of Prior Experience & Learning) Route to certification. This is a fast, low cost route that recognises your prior experience and learning as an alternative to taking a specific Energy Assessor qualification and can provide certification to the highest quality via an application process.
The Pre-APEL is a FREE assessment of your 2 years of full time equivalent experience in the last 5 years and counts towards your main APEL form. You will need to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 2 years of equivalent full time substantial experience in the past 5 years in building services design, energy management, or building surveying and assessments of commercial (non-dwelling) buildings.
Register and submit your EPC Pre-APEL application → here.
If you pass the initial screening of your Pre-APEL you will then need to complete the full Approval of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) form online.
Download our LCEA EPC APEL Requirements → for more information on the Scheme requirements and conditions of Certification.
View Useful Documents →
DEC
CIBSE Certification operates the APEL (Approval of Prior Experience & Learning) Route to certification. This is a fast, low cost route that recognises your prior experience and learning as an alternative to taking a specific Energy Assessor qualification and can provide certification to the highest quality via an application process.
The Pre-APEL is a FREE assessment of your 2 years of full time equivalent experience in the last 5 years and counts towards your main APEL form. You will need to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 2 years of equivalent full time substantial experience in the past 5 years in building services design, energy management, or building surveying and assessments of commercial (non-dwelling) buildings.
Register and submit your DEC Pre-APEL application → here.
If you pass the initial screening of your Pre-APEL you will then need to complete the full Approval of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) form online.
Download our DEC APEL Requirements → for more information on the Scheme requirements and conditions of Certification.
View Useful Documents →
ACI
CIBSE Certification operates the Approval of Prior Experience & Learning (APEL) Route to certification.
The APEL route is a fast, low cost route that recognises your prior experience and learning as an alternative to taking a specific Energy Assessor qualification and can provide certification to the highest quality via an application process.
CIBSE Certification are able to offer this route to all highly skilled/experienced practitioners who already have the knowledge and will be able to demonstrate their competence to meet the National Occupational Standards (NOS) without the need to obtain a specific Energy Assessor qualification.
This route is open to those with a minimum of 2 years of full time substantial experience in the last 5 years, in the following areas:
- (LCEA) A/C - designing, installing, (including commissioning) or maintaining air conditioning systems; Level 4 for complex systems or Level 3 for simple systems. More information here.
The above routes allow the applicant entrance to the LCEA register.
Exam Information
Knowledge of Approved Document L is a mandatory requirement of the Air Conditioning certification. If you have not passed an LCC exam since April 2022 you will be required to take the online Part L 2021 Update exam which you can book here.
Scotland
Following the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) re-cast in Scotland, CIBSE Certification is offering application via the APEL route with The Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government (BSDSG).
The Pre-APEL is a FREE assessment of your 2 years of full time experience in the last 5 years and counts towards your main APEL form. You will need to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 2 years of full time substantial experience in the past 5 in building services design, energy management, or building surveying and assessments of commercial (non-dwelling) buildings.
Register and Submit your EPC Scotland Pre-APEL Application →
New Applicant
The Pre-APEL is a FREE assessment of your 2 years of full time experience in the last 5 years and counts towards your main APEL form. You will need to demonstrate that you have a minimum of 2 years of full time substantial experience in the past 5 in building services design, energy management, or building surveying and assessments of commercial (non-dwelling) buildings.
Register and Submit your EPC Scotland Pre-APEL Application →
If you pass the initial screening of your Pre-APEL you will then need to complete the full Approval of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) form online.
Browse LCEA and LCC Scheme Description Document resources → for more information on the Scheme requirements and conditions of Certification.
Current registered LCEAs in England & Wales
There is an upgrade route in place that, if successfully completed, will allow you to produce EPCs in Scotland in addition to your England and Wales & Northern Ireland certification. To express your interest in this upgrade route please email CIBSE Certification at epc@cibsecertification.org
You will also need to successfully complete the LCC Design Management Scotland examination in order to upgrade.
Section 63
Certification Fees
- One off non-refundable assessment fee: £450 + VAT (an additional assessment fee of £150 + VAT may be applicable for additional reviews)
- Annual registration fee: £330 + VAT
If you are already a CIBSE Certification LCEA DEC Assessor or EPC Assessor the annual registration fee is discounted at £150 + VAT