Coaction Training CIC are adopting the new compact PHI Certified Designer Exam in September 2025

The Passive House Institute (PHI) has updated the Certified Designer exam which will now take 1.5 hours to complete – read on to learn more about our CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER taught by our network of experienced trainers and the new PHI exam which Coaction is offering in September.

Starting in September, the Certified Passive House Designer and Consultant exam will be shortened from 3 hours to 1.5 hours. Despite the reduced duration, the exam will continue to cover all topics outlined in the PHI learning targets, and the certification’s high-quality standards will be maintained. Candidates will still need a minimum score of 50% to pass, that’s 40 points out of 80.

The shorter exam format aims to ease time pressure on students while retaining its technical rigour assessing design understanding.

Instead of 31 questions, the new format will include 12 questions on key Passive House concepts such as windows, U-values, airtightness, PHPP, economics and ventilation. Most questions will be multiple choice, with a few involving calculations. The content has been revised to focus on the most relevant questions and eliminate redundancy.

As before, the second part of the exam will feature three extended questions based on design examples. Students will be provided with plans, sections, and façade drawings that contain typical mistakes. They will be asked to identify accurate statements and recommend suitable components for each scenario.

The global community of certified Passive House professionals continues to grow worldwide. Since 2007, over 16,800 Designers and Consultants have been certified, along with more than 10,200 Tradespeople since 2012.

Will you be the next to join them?

Join our CERTIFIED PASSIVHAUS DESIGNER course to learn the art of designing high-performance, low-energy buildings with our internationally recognised Certified Passivhaus Designer Course.

Through a blend of live webinars, interactive tutorials, and self-study, you'll gain a deep understanding of the Passivhaus standard, building physics, and the essential elements of designing and detailing the building envelope and services. You'll also be introduced to Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP) software, completing a whole PHPP and understanding how to use it effectively to interrogate design.

You will be taught by the UK's leading Passivhaus experts - OUR TRAINERS are all highly-experienced practitioners actively working in the sector, who will share practical insights into best practices and real-world challenges. This course will teach you how to bring this learning to your projects in addition to thoroughly preparing you for the Certified Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam.

What's included:

• Live, online teaching sessions with our experienced trainers, plus additional tutorials
• Ongoing access to all training materials, further resources and case studies on our learning platform for 2 years, to support you in applying your new-found knowledge to your work.
• Hard copy training manuals that you can use during the exam.
• FREE airtightness tapes to support your practical understanding.
• FREE enrolment in the Passivhaus Institute’s Certified Passivhaus Designer exam
• Our foundation course Bitesize Low Energy Design is included for FREE to get you up to speed with design essentials (usual cost £398)
• FREE access to our Introduction to THERM self-study course (usual cost £180)
• Discounts for follow-on training with Coaction, including Passivhaus in Practice and Advanced Retrofit Delivery Courses.
• Access to our alumni group on LinkedIn to connect with your peers, ask questions and share best practice.
• 75 hours CPD

See course structure, fees, and dates HERE

Funding Opportunities

If you are a CITB Registered business, contractor, or sub-contractor the local Employers Network scheme can help you access a 70% grant to train, reskill and upskill your workforce in low energy and Net Zero construction practices. Read more HERE

If you are based in Wales the Wales Flexible Skills Programme offers a 50% Grant for Developing Skills to Tackle Net Zero Challenges. Read more HERE

Spring Design took advantage of the 2025 scheme to upskill four of their staff in Net Zero Skills - Construction and Retrofitting of Residential Buildings. Read more HERE

What our recent Alumni say:

I now feel more confident when it comes to building fabric detailing and integrating services in projects. Having facts and data to back-up conversations with clients is also really helpful. Aurore Baulier, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer - Jan 2025

A couple of schemes I am currently working on in my day-to-day role are to low carbon designs and the sessions and lessons on thermal bridging, bypass and airtightness have been invaluable. Dewi Jones, Chartered Architectural Technologist, Certified Passivhaus Designer - Jan 2025

The breadth of learning was fantastic and have an overview of services design, construction practices and economics that I never expected. I would recommend it to anyone interested in sustainable architecture. Matthew Wilkins, Architect & Sustainability Consultant, Certified Passivhaus Designer - Jan 2025

Further questions?

Please get in touch at hello@coaction.org.uk