Building Operator Certification

The Oregon Building Performance Standard (BPS) was established in 2023 by the Oregon Legislature, establishing mandatory Building Performance Standards for large commercial buildings. The Oregon BPS goal is to reduce energy consumption and emissions across the state, and applies to Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings based on their size and type for buildings larger than 20,000 square feet. Compliance deadlines begin in 2028, with compliance requirements for Tier 1 buildings and include requirements for benchmarking, Energy Use Intensity (EUI) calculations, and operational improvements. 

A Level II Building Operator Certification (BOC) Training Certificate Of Completion (TCOC) is recognized as a credential for a Qualified Person under Oregon’s BPS. Individuals with this credential can support building owners with benchmarking, EUI calculations, development of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) programs, and implementation of Energy Management Plans (EMP), aligning with compliance pathways for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings.

BOC is a professional development program created by The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC)–now known as Building Potential (BP)–and delivered in Oregon by NWEEI. It is designed for operations and maintenance staff working in public or private commercial buildings. It provides education to individuals in energy and resource-efficient operation of building systems at two levels.

Who Should Attend?

BOC is ideal for operations and maintenance staff working in public or private commercial buildings, including:

• Engineers
• Technicians
• Architects
• Facility, Maintenance and Energy Managers

Classes, Location, & Schedule

BOC is currently only offered online.  We have been able to serve a wider population for operators by being virtual, so we continue to provide classes via zoom.  We are confident that we can provide you with the same quality content and instruction that participants have come to know from our past in-person classes.

Classes are all day, and usually run from 8:00am to 3:00pm. See schedules below for the dates of our current and upcoming classes.

Level I and Level II classes are available. You can take Level I and Level II back to back, but please check your eligibility to take the courses HERE before registering!

Level I – Building System Maintenance (Course Outline)

Level II – Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance (Course Outline).

Costs

The class price is $2495. Upon completion of the program, you may be eligible for an incentive from Energy Trust of Oregon. The incentive is $1800 for completion of Level I, and for completion of Level II it is $2495. Please refer to the information provided here:

https://www.energytrust.org/incentives/commercial-existing-buildings-building-operator-certification/

Please refer to the BOC main website for eligibility for both Level I and Level II.  There is also other information on their website that is useful to know and refer to, like how to maintain your certification, and additional certifications. Check it out! https://www.theboc.info/certifications/

Completing Certification

To receive the Level I certificate, participants must attend seven classes and complete class exams and project assignments at your facility (74 hours). This reflects both in-class time and student project time.

To receive the Level II certificate, participants must attend four core classes and two elective classes, complete class exams, and assigned projects (61 hours).  This reflects both in-class time and student project time. This Level II classes involve presentations and projects. See the FAQs here.

ANSI 17024 Compliant Certification Status

BOC offers new options for credentialing. Training Certificate of Completion (TCOC) is issued upon the successful completion of classes, as outlined above. ANSI 17024 compliant Certified Building Operator status is available upon successful completion of a separate exam administered after classes have ended. Please see the links or call for further information.

OREGON BOC UPCOMING SCHEDULE

See the tables below for the schedule. Please contact Roger Ebbage or Brenda Cervantes if you have any questions.

Next Level I Class starts in January 2027. Level II starts February 2027. See schedules below. Register early to secure your seat!