Program requirements

The qualifications required of an energy efficiency advisor vary according to the program that mandates them.

On this page, you’ll find the minimum qualifications required for the Novoclimat, Rénoclimat and Éconologis programs, as published in the calls for tenders used to select service organizations.

A service organization may have additional requirements for hiring a consultant.

Under Novoclimat, the energy efficiency advisor monitors construction sites and inspects new homes, checking that they comply with the program’s technical requirements, with a view to certification.

The Novoclimat advisor represents the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) on the construction site and is responsible for site inspections and the drafting of inspection reports. This individual also performs other tasks related to the Novoclimat certification process.

If you are interested in becoming a Novoclimat advisor, you will need the qualifications and expertise listed below.

Mandatory training

• Hold a three-year college diploma in building sciences (architecture, building mechanics, civil engineering or an equivalent granted by the MELCCFP);

or

• Hold an undergraduate university degree in building sciences (construction engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, architecture or an equivalent granted by the MELCCFP);

In the absence of holding one of these diplomas, the following will also be recognized:

• A secondary school diploma (SSD) recognized by the Ministère de l’Éducation, de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, or the equivalent;

and

• Six years of relevant professional experience in the residential, commercial or institutional sector and in one of the two fields below (see note).

Building inspection : Adherence to inspection, testing and technical analysis procedures; data verification; technical surveys; general computer skills;

Construction site management (new construction or major renovation) : Updates and follow-up of site reports; follow-up and adherence to construction site schedules; ability to propose measures to address site issues; general computer skills.

Note: Years of relevant experience used to compensate for the lack of higher education years will not be considered when calculating professional experience.

A resource may need less than six years of relevant technical experience if, in addition to their SSD, they have an Attestation of College Studies (ACS) in building inspection. The calculation is based on the number of ACS units. For the ACS to be taken into account, the number of units completed must appear on the candidate’s curriculum vitae.

• For a 30-unit ACS, a minimum of four years’ experience is required (instead of six).
• For a 15-unit ACS, a minimum of five years’ experience is required (instead of six).

Mandatory professional experience

• At least three years’ oftechnical experience in the building sector (residential, commercial or institutional).

Each service organization may add other requirements when recruiting advisors.

Under Rénoclimat, the energy efficiency advisor makes home visits, guides the homeowner in their renovation choices and determines the EnerGuide rating of the home before and after the retrofits.

If you are interested in becoming a Rénoclimat advisor, you will need the qualifications and expertise listed below.

• Be registered under Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide Rating System version 15 (ERS v.15).
• Achieve a passing grade on the ERS v.15 Foundation Level Exam and Energy Advisor Exam.
• These examinations take place in supervised testing centres throughout the province.
• Requalification exams must be taken every three years to maintain energy advisor registration.

Once you have passed the exams, you will have to work with an authorized service organization. The service organization will complete the final steps with Natural Resources Canada and the MELCCFP to allow you to act as a registered energy advisor.

Visit the Natural Resources Canada website for all information and conditions.

Service organizations authorized for Rénoclimat can help you apply to Natural Resources Canada to become a registered energy advisor.

Professional experience

Demonstrate knowledge and experience in fields such as:

• the EnerGuide Rating System;
• residential construction practices for low-rise buildings;
• energy-efficient renovation practices;
• building sciences;
• basic arithmetic, geometry and computer skills;
• data collection requirements;
• energy simulation modelling using HOT2000;
• good customer relations.

Each service organization may add other requirements when recruiting advisors.

Under Éconologis, the energy efficiency advisor makes home visits, performs light work and advises the participant on how to improve comfort and better manage energy consumption in their home.

If you are interested in becoming an Éconologis advisor, you will need the qualifications and expertise listed below.

To install certain products and carry out certain work under the Éconologis program, the service organization must hold and maintain a licence issued by the RBQ.

Once an employee has passed the RBQ examinations for subclasses 6.2, 7 and 8, the service organization becomes a licence holder, allowing it to send one of its advisors into the field to conduct information and awareness visits.

Advisors who conduct information and awareness visits are not required to hold a personal licence issued by the RBQ, provided that the person who passed the examinations for which the licence was issued is still employed by the organization.

The advisor is the service organization’s technical resource. They are responsible for providing technical assistance relating to information and awareness of the products covered by the mandate.

This person must hold a diploma of collegial studies (DCS). Their training must be recognized by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur and must be building-related: architecture, building mechanics, building appraisal and valuation, etc.

Each service organization may add other requirements when recruiting advisors.

All advisors working for one of our programs in a licensed service organization also receive comprehensive training on the program in question before they begin.

Next step

Once you’ve checked the expected requirements, consult the list of authorized service organizations in your area. Check directly with them to see if they are currently looking for advisors, and offer your services.