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Simple Guide to Renewing Your Passivhaus Designer or Passivhaus Consultant Qualification

PHI Certification Renewal Guide

Passing the Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam is a significant achievement, but now that you are certified, it's essential to start planning straightaway how you will accumulate your professional development credits to retain your status, as the qualification is only valid for five years.
Follow our tips below to make the process as smooth as possible and avoid last-minute stress.
Quick Renewal Facts
<ul>
<li>The certificate expires five years from the date of the examination.</li>
<li>You can renew as many times as desired.</li>
<li>All renewal applications go through the <a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/en/training/certificates/">PASSIVE HOUSE INSTITUTE.</a></li>
<li>Renewing your qualification by retaking the exam is not allowed (this encourages further self-development and learning).</li>
<li>The PHI renewal fee is 450 EUR. iPHA members currently receive a 20% discount</li>
</ul>
There are two routes to accumulate points:
<ul>
<li>Renewal Route 1 - Submit project documentation evidence where you are responsible for the building design and PHPP of a certified Passivhaus project.</li>
<li>Renewal Route 2 - Collect 100 PHI credit points (CP) through webinars, online courses, conferences, or teaching within five years immediately preceding your renewal. Each 45 minutes of learning time equals 1 PHI credit point (CP).</li>
</ul>
Top Tips
Here are a few top tips to quickly boost your points:
1. Record Everything!
You will need to submit the following details for your renewal application. We strongly suggest creating a simple spreadsheet and folder of evidence to keep track of them:
Event Details: Provider, Event name, Start date, Duration, Location (if applicable)
Documentation: Saved screenshot of the event website or certificate of attendance
Course Details: Start and end dates, Short explanation, Additional information on course content (e.g., PHI ID number)
2. Conferences = Credit Points!
You can accumulate up to 36 points in one go just by attending an approved conference. Not only is this big on credit points, but it's great for networking, accessing the latest research, and ensuring you are bang up to date with best practice. You are also guaranteed to bump into a familiar face or two from our cohort of trainers and course participants.
Notable European Passivhaus Events:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://passivehouseconference.org/en/">INTERNATIONAL PASSIVHAUS CONFERENCE</a>: Held most years, this event earns you 36 CP. It’s an excellent networking opportunity to meet the PHI team and other Passivhaus experts from around the world.</li>
<li><a href="https://ukphc.org.uk/">UK PASSIVHAUS ANNUAL CONFERENCE</a>: Typically awards 12-16 CP and is a hotspot for UK Passivhaus experts. Check the Passivhaus Trust website for upcoming details.</li>
<li><a href="https://aecb.net/events/">AECB CONFRERENCE</a>: Held every autumn, this event covers a wide range of sustainable building topics and features renowned experts from across the UK low-energy building sector, awarding 10 CP.</li>
</ul>
For a full list of accredited events, visit <a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/en/training/directory/designers/accredited-trainings/?">THIS PAGE</a>.
3. Specialise!
Online courses are an accessible way to enhance your knowledge and earn credit points. We recommend the following courses as a natural progression for Designers.
Follow-On Courses for Certified Passivhaus Designers:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/retrofit">RETROFIT DELIVERY COURSE (16 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/therm">THERM SELF STUDY COURSE (16 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://aecb.net/the-aecb-carbonlite-retrofit-course/">RETROFIT FOUNDATION COURSE (35 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://aecb.net/aecb-training-building-energy-modelling-using-phpp/">PHPP COURSE (50 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://passivehouseschool.com/resources/software/designph/">DESIGN PH (12 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://news.passiv.org/phppexperten">PHPP EXPERT (24 CP)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/en/training/certificates/site-supervisor/">SITE SUPERVISOR &amp; CONSTRUCTION VERIFIER (40 CP)</a></li>
</ul>
4. Webinars
Webinars are often budget-friendly and come with easy-to-access recordings, allowing you to view the content at your convenience.
Many leading Passivhaus organisations offer free events:
<ul>
<li>International Passive House Association (iPHA) Webinars - 2 CP: If you are a PHT member, your iPHA membership is included, granting you free access to these webinars. You can also earn credit points from recordings if you can’t attend live, so it's worth registering your email anyway. (Note: All iPHA webinars are available on Passipedia, but you can't claim any points from there.)</li>
<li>PHT Masterclasses</li>
<li>Check our website for Coaction webinars.</li>
</ul>
5. Found a Relevant Event but It Doesn’t Earn Points?
Event organisers can fill out <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScE74_FJ2OIV4xMiW-1uq5dPhzKqp42lFaVhiQg9ScEBVebbA/viewform">THIS FORM</a> to request event accreditation.
Feel free to contact our training team at (<a href="mailto:hello@coaction.org.uk">hello@coaction.org.uk</a>) if you have any further questions.
6. Further Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/media/filer_public/f1/4e/f14e2177-314d-4ea3-97e8-940c3e4d7674/appendix_iib_application_designer-renewal_cp_en_201908.pdf">RENEWAL SUBMISSION FORM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/media/filer_public/f1/4e/f14e2177-314d-4ea3-97e8-940c3e4d7674/appendix_iib_application_designer-renewal_cp_en_201908.pdf"></a><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/en/training/certificates/designer-consultant/">PHI FULL RENEWAL INFO</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/media/filer_public/68/33/68338111-547a-4978-a7a4-9e481ea50223/exam_regulation_designer_en_de.pdf">PHI EXAMINATION REGULATIONS (SECTION 5: RENEWAL DETAILS, PAGES 18-23)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/media/filer_public/79/71/797136b0-bfc8-4fd7-8ac0-918115e2d3c0/appendix_v_fees_designer-consultants_2016.pdf">PHI FEES DOCUMENT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScE74_FJ2OIV4xMiW-1uq5dPhzKqp42lFaVhiQg9ScEBVebbA/viewform">APPLICATION FOR EVENT CREDIT POINTS (EVENT ORGANISERS)</a><a href="https://cms.passivehouse.com/media/filer_public/f1/4e/f14e2177-314d-4ea3-97e8-940c3e4d7674/appendix_iib_application_designer-renewal_cp_en_201908.pdf"></a></li>
</ul>

Register Interest

City of York Council has a pipeline of 150 Passivhaus homes to deliver, and is offering 100% funding to support vital upskilling for local contractors and tradespeople. The funding provides a golden opportunity to learn about Passivhaus and covers several of the Coaction training courses.

FULLY FUNDED Passivhaus Training for York!

The City of York Council has embraced the Certified Passivhaus standard, to deliver the energy efficient, comfortable, healthy new homes it requires. Their ambitious plan sees <a href="https://www.york.gov.uk/housing/housing-delivery-programme-1/3">DUNCOMBE SQUARE</a> – with 34 homes nearing completion, <a href="https://www.york.gov.uk/housing/housing-delivery-programme-1/4">BURNHOLME GREEN</a> - with 78 homes and 5 self-build plots completing in 2025. <a href="https://www.york.gov.uk/housing/housing-delivery-programme-1/5">ORDNANCE LANE</a> – with 90 new Passivhaus homes is due commence construction in 2025, alongside a retrofit of an existing block of 11 flats, and <a href="https://www.york.gov.uk/housing/housing-delivery-programme-1/6">WILLOW HOUSE</a> – approximately 40 new Passivhaus homes will be submitted for planning consent in 2025.
“City of York Council are pleased to be able fund Passivhaus training for contractors and tradespeople working in the city of York. The council has a strong pipeline of new-build Passivhaus homes and energy efficient retrofit of existing council homes over the next ten years. However, we have a challenge that many tradespeople and contractors lack Passivhaus experience or training. This makes it risky for them to tender for and construct our projects. We hope that by offering training and partnering with CHY Consultancy and Coaction, building contractors can get skilled up to deliver the exciting Passivhaus and Retrofit projects we are developing in York.”
Adam Harper, Housing Development Manager, City of York Council
With this pipeline of work the City of York Council are on a mission to highlight construction as a skillful and rewarding career, and have launched <a href="https://constructionyork.co.uk/opportunities/">CONSTRUCTION YORK</a>, backed by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
“I’m a builder with 40 plus years' experience. I came to the Passivhaus standard in 2009/10 and built <a href="https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/projects/detail/?cId=2">DENBY DALE,</a> the first Certified Passivhaus cavity wall brick and block home in the UK. The standard opened my eyes to how I and my team could take pride in our skills and build quality assured, energy efficient, comfortable homes that perform. We have continued to build several new Passivhaus’s including off-site timber frame and many radical retrofits/conversions in the Huddersfield area. I have been delivering training, alongside a team of practicing professionals for Coaction, to pass on all the knowledge and lessons learnt over the past 15 years on.”** <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/people/bill_butcher">BILL BUTCHER</a>,** Builder, Founding Director 21 Degrees &amp; Coaction Trainer
The council is working with the leading social value enterprise consultancy <a href="https://www.chyconsultancy.com/">CHY</a> to boost the availability of Passivhaus construction skills in York. <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/about">COACTION TRAINING CIC </a>have been selected to deliver the following <a href="https://constructionyork.co.uk/opportunities/">COURSES </a>which are 100% funded by Construction York.
<a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/tradesperson">CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS TRADESPERSON</a>: Discover a proven fabric-first approach to low-energy building with our Certified Passivhaus Tradesperson course, designed for contractors at a supervisory or management level. You will develop skills to deliver successful Passivhaus builds on-site, whether large or small, and the knowledge to achieve the internationally recognized Passivhaus Tradesperson certificate, backed by UK-specific expertise.
<ul>
<li>Courses running: Jan 2025 onwards</li>
<li>Mode: Online (4 x 3hr sessions + 2hr exam) - Intermediate Course</li>
<li>Days: consecutive Mondays and Tuesday Time: 9am – 12pm</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/retrofit">PASSIVHAUS RETROFIT DELIVERY</a>: Gain the knowledge needed to deliver successful deep fabric retrofits on-site. This course focuses on the practical challenges and best practices in retrofit projects, equipping you to manage unforeseen changes and ensure quality.
<ul>
<li>Courses running: Nov 2024 and Jan 2025 onwards</li>
<li>Mode: Online (4 x 3hr sessions) - Advanced Course (some prior knowledge of fabric-first approaches or Passivhaus required)</li>
<li>Days: Consecutive Tuesday and Fridays Time: 9am – 12pm</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/bitesize">BITESIZE LOW ENERGY DESIGN</a>: Design-focused introduction to the essential components of sustainable building design, through the lens of Passivhaus, offering a quality-assured route to achieving healthy, high-performance buildings, with a focus on reducing energy use, while also addressing embodied energy and construction waste. No prior knowledge required.
<ul>
<li>Courses running: Dec 2024 onwards (<a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/bitesize">SEE DATES</a>)</li>
<li>Level: Introductory Course, no prior knowledge required.</li>
<li>Mode: Online (4 x 2hr workshops and 15hrs self-study)</li>
<li>Days: consecutive Tuesday or Wednesday and Friday Time: 1 – 3pm</li>
</ul>
Who can access funding?
You must be a contractor, specialist sub-contractor (groundworks, M&amp;E, facades, timber frame, brickwork etc.) or tradesperson AND either based in York, OR working on projects in York.
For further information:
<ul>
<li>Visit <a href="https://constructionyork.co.uk/opportunities/">CONSTRUCTION YORK </a>to register your interest</li>
<li>Email Adam Harper, City of York Housing Development Manager: adam.harper@york.gov.uk</li>
</ul>

APPLY FOR FUNDING

Wales Flexible Skills Programme now offers a 50% Grant for Developing Skills to Tackle Net Zero Challenges.

50% Skills Grants Now Available!

Changing the way we build, adapt, heat and run our homes is a crucial element in achieving net zero. Open until the end of March 2025, developing industry wide Net Zero Skills in the Construction and Retrofitting of Residential Buildings is a key priority of the Wales business Flexible Skills programme.
If your business success is constrained by the lack of in-house skills and knowledge on energy efficient, comfortable, net zero ready new build or retrofitted homes you can apply for financial support to train your staff and develop skills to help address these challenges.
Essential skills in a wide range of construction and retrofitting techniques will enable you and your workforce to deliver the right outcomes for you and your clients.
Coaction Training CIC offers six industry leading training courses delivered by experienced and practising professionals working at the forefront of Net Zero, energy efficient buildings.
Completing Coaction training will provide you with a working knowledge of the Passivhaus and EnerPHit standards plus Net Zero and building performance, giving you confidence to deliver quality low energy, resource efficient, healthy buildings across all typologies, in both newbuild and retrofit.
<ol>
<li>Introductory level <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/bitesize">BITESIZE LOW ENERGY DESIGN</a> for design teams.</li>
<li>Intermediate level <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/tradesperson">CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS TRADESPERSON</a> for contract managers</li>
<li>Intermediate level <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/designer">CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER</a> for professionals who will be designing, consulting or delivering buildings to the Passivhaus standard</li>
<li>Intermediate level <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/practical">PASSIVHAUS IN PRACTICE</a> - apply Passivhaus theory hands-on to real-world scenarios. Note this course is in-person at BE-ST, G72 0AH</li>
<li>Intermediate level Introduction to <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/therm">THERM</a> (16 PHI credit points)</li>
<li>Advanced level <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/retrofit">RETROFIT DELIVERY</a>  (16 PHI credit points) for designers and contractors working on deep retrofit projects.</li>
</ol>
Builders &amp; Contractors: The Passivhaus Tradesperson course is aimed at construction and site management and is a good place to start if you are new to low energy, Net Zero and Passivhaus construction. The Passivhaus in Practice and Retrofit Delivery courses offer progression to further deepen your understanding in this area.
Architects, Architectural Technologists, Engineers: Bitesize Low Energy Design will benefit all practice staff from junior to senior level. If you’re looking for accreditation, the Certified Passivhaus Designer (which includes Bitesize free as foundational learning) will give you an internationally-recognised qualification; if you want to take your learning further then this can be followed by the Practical (if travel to Glasgow is an option), THERM (if needed) and Retrofit Delivery which provides essential learning for deep retrofit projects at all scales.
Who is Eligible: Your business must be based in Wales, solvent and you must commit to release staff to undertake the requested training by the end of March 2025.
<ul>
<li>Each element of training must advance the learning of the individuals involved in at least one of the areas listed here</li>
<li>Each element of training must improve the capability or capacity of the business.</li>
<li>Funding awards are discretionary and the final decision on eligibility rests with the Welsh Government.</li>
</ul>
Next Steps and Expression of Interest: If you think you are eligible and are interested in applying for this funding, please complete the <a href="https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/form/flexible-skills-programme">EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM</a> under the Net Zero Sills section and tick Construction and Retrofitting of Residential Buildings. The Skills team will respond as soon as possible and no later than 10 working days.
Require more information? For further information or an informal chat contact the Training Team at support@coaction.org.uk. We’re eager to support as many people as possible in accessing this opportunity. By working together, we can upskill the entire industry.
Social Impact: As a Community Interest Company, any profits are reinvested to enhance our courses and support the upskilling of built environment professionals in the UK.
Alternative Funding: New CITB Grant Available: Claim 70% Funding for up to 4 courses! Open to CITB registered businesses only. <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/blog/2024/CITBfunding">LEARN MORE</a>

Contact CITB

A 70% grant is now available from CITB Local Employer Networks for Coaction’s low energy and Passivhaus training courses.  Taking advantage of this funding is straightforward. Read our step by step guide on how to claim. 

NEW! CITB Funding now available for Coaction Courses!

If you are a CITB Registered business, contractor, or sub-contractor your local <a href="https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/citb-in-your-local-area/">CITB ADVISOR</a> via the new <a href="https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/grants-and-funding/employer-networks/">LOCAL EMPLOYER NETWORKS</a> scheme can help you access a 70% grant to train, reskill and upskill your workforce in low energy and Net Zero construction practices.
The new Employers Networks have been set up to make it easier for employers in the construction industry to access training and funding. The training can be in anything that supports construction employers. These could be the trade skills you need right now or something you’ll need in the future and because the Employer Networks help organise it all, you don’t need to complete any paperwork to apply for funding.
“This is a great opportunity for contractors and sub-contractors to upskill their staff at a significantly reduced cost and to learn from Coaction’s community of trainers – who each brings their long-standing experience and expertise within the low energy and Passivhaus construction industry.” Emma Braun, Head of Training, Coaction Training CIC
<a href="https://coaction.org.uk/">Coaction Training CIC</a> offers four industry leading training courses that meet CITB training criteria and are delivered by experienced professionals working at the forefront of Net Zero, energy efficient buildings.
The eligible courses are:
<ol>
<li>Introductory Level: <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/bitesize">PASSIVHAUS LOW ENERGY DESIGN</a> for design teams.</li>
<li>Intermediate Level: <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/tradesperson">CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS TRADESPERSON</a> for contractor managers.</li>
<li>Advanced Level: <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/retrofit">RETROFIT DELIVERY</a> (16 PHI credit points) for designers and contractors working on deep retrofit projects.</li>
<li>Intermediate Level: <a href="https://coaction.org.uk/courses/practical">PASSIVHAUS IN PRACTICE </a>- apply Passivhaus theory hands-on to real-world scenarios. (in-person at BE-ST, Scotland G72 0AH)</li>
</ol>
Completing Coaction training will provide you with a working knowledge of Passivhaus and EnerPHit standards plus Net Zero and building performance and building physics skills enabling you to confidently deliver quality low energy, resource efficient, healthy buildings across all typologies, in both newbuild and retrofit.
To access this funding opportunity, contact your local <a href="https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/what-we-do/citb-in-your-local-area/">CITB ADVISOR</a> to discuss your training requirements. You will need to name Coaction Training CIC as your preferred training provider along with the training course title(s), date(s) and the names of your employees.
If you’re not a CIS levy payer but your sub-contractors are, please pass this information on. By working together, we can upskill the entire industry.
For further information or an informal chat contact the Training Team at support@coaction.org.uk. We’re eager to support as many people as possible in accessing this opportunity.

Read Now

Passivhaus Plus Magazine - Issue 45 - Opinion piece by Sally Godber

Passivhaus Plus Editorial: Cynicism & Inspiration 

Listen Now!

How do we build better? Our very own Sally Godber & Peter Warm chat to the Zero Ambitions Podcast about advice and training for low-energy building.

Zero Ambitions Podcast

Grab a cuppa and tune in to Zero Ambitions Podcast with our very own Sally Godber and Peter Warm as they chat about our transition from a grassroots training company, to not-for-profit Coaction.
They also reveal exciting plans to embed Passivhaus training into the current architectural training framework.<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7JamI9h65dSKA5RDg1l9DJ"></a>

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PHI Certification Renewal Guide

FULLY FUNDED Passivhaus Training for York!

50% Skills Grants Now Available!

NEW! CITB Funding now available for Coaction Courses!

Passivhaus Plus Editorial: Cynicism & Inspiration

Zero Ambitions Podcast

Undergrad Course Launch

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