Scottish Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Accreditation Scheme: operating requirements

Accreditation of EPC assessors

This section sets out the minimum requirements that Approved Organisations must ensure are met by prospective EPC assessors, in order for them to become members of an Approved Organisation and the Scottish EPC Accreditation Scheme.

2.1 ‘Fit and Proper’ person check

2.1.1 As set out within Regulation 12(3) of the 2025 Regulations, AOs are responsible “for ensuring that members of the scheme are fit and proper persons who are qualified (by their education, training and experience) to carry out energy assessments”.

2.1.2 AOs must undertake background checks on all applications for membership and verify that, subject to meeting entry criteria, there are no other barriers to membership:

• AOs must take all reasonable measures to verify the identity of applicants (for example, by provision of a valid driver’s licence or passport) and determine whether they are ‘fit and proper’ in terms of EPC production
• all applications should be checked, by reference to all other AOs, to determine if the applicant holds or has previously held membership of another AO and, if the latter, whether circumstances under which previous membership ceased are relevant to the application
• following verification of the identity of applicants, and having granted membership, AOs shall register the assessor details on the EPC Register – resulting in the assessor gaining membership to the Scottish EPC Accreditation Scheme
• EPC assessors may be members of more than one AO, but it is envisaged that assessors will only have one single membership of the Scottish EPC Accreditation Scheme. It is the responsibility of AOs to inform the Scottish Ministers (and, where necessary, other AOs) of any changes to an assessor’s membership status
• all EPC assessor applications must be subject to a Level 1 Disclosure. This should be subject to review by the AO. An existing Level 1 Disclosure may only be accepted if produced within a period of 3 years
• AOs will reject applications where the prospective members or member is considered not to be a ‘fit and proper’ person; and
• AOs will inform applicants of the reason for the decision and how its appeals mechanism operates

2.1.3 Ultimately, it is the responsibility of an AO to take all appropriate measures to determine (and be satisfied) whether a prospective/ current EPC assessor member is considered to be a ‘fit and proper’ person. As a minimum, AOs should consider capability, competence, financial integrity, and unspent criminal history when making a decision.

2.2 Entry criteria for assessors

2.2.1 As part of the approval process, prospective AOs must clearly set out the categories of building(s) which their members will assess.  

2.2.2 AOs must also define the criteria for membership for each building assessment category and ongoing requirements for their members to maintain competence.  

2.2.3 AOs must have procedures in place for the initial assessment, continuing competence and professional development of their assessor members (including upskilling opportunities). Where and when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, AOs shall ensure that their members meet any requirements for further qualification, professional development or upskilling.

2.2.4 Entry criteria for assessors will be determined by the Scottish Ministers and must be based on either:

a) qualifications accredited by an appropriate standard-setting body and awarded by a recognised awarding body and/or

b) through an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) route.

The Scottish Ministers reserve the right to amend these entry criteria.

2.2.5 As part of the application process, prospective AOs must set out how they will determine whether an applicant is competent to undertake their duties as an EPC assessor, specifically what qualifications are offered or how APEL is determined – and the appropriateness of this will be determined by the Scottish Ministers.

2.2.6 AOs must be familiar with the relevant UK National Occupational Standards (NOS) for energy assessment, and ensure any training provided reflects the 2025-26 review (and any future reviews).

2.2.7 In setting criteria for membership, AOs must ensure that those producing EPCs have sufficient skills and knowledge to:

• certify in accordance with the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025
• carry out assessment and calculation in a consistent and accurate manner and in accordance with the relevant National Calculation Methodology under Regulation 10 of the 2025 Regulations, and appropriate guidance and conventions that may apply
• use data recording and calculation software approved for use in Scotland and to understand and be able to explain the correct application of such tools; and
• carry out their role in a manner which accords with the provisions set out in the aforementioned NOS for energy assessment

2.2.8 If an EPC assessor wishes to expand or change the categories for which they are accredited, AOs must ensure that the assessor has sufficient skills and knowledge to assess the categories for which they are applying.

2.3 Assessor membership application, assessment and appeal processes

2.3.1 AOs must publish and adhere to an assessor membership application, assessment and appeals process for prospective EPC assessor members.

2.3.2 As a minimum, this should contain:

• details around membership criteria and how applications will be assessed, identifying roles and responsibilities for all parties involved in the assessment of applications; and
• a route to appeal for those applicants who are rejected because they are deemed not to be ‘fit and proper’ persons

2.3.3 These procedures must be applied in a fair and open way, ensuring that those carrying out assessment of assessor applications declare any conflict of interest.

2.4 Register of Assessors

2.4.1 As set out within Regulation 12(3) of the 2025 Regulations, AOs are responsible “for the keeping of a register of the members of the scheme”.

2.4.2 AOs must maintain a record of EPC assessor members and former members, and maintain records of their activities in accordance with the relevant Data Protection legislation. As a minimum, this must contain:

• assessor current status and contact details (which must include business postal address, telephone and e-mail); and
• information on the scope of assessment services offered and their level of competence

2.4.3 AOs must ensure their members give prior written consent to share information about their status with other AOs and the Scottish Ministers. AOs may choose to do this, for example, through their Terms and Conditions/ Code of Conduct for EPC assessor members.

2.4.4 AOs must respond promptly to any formal requests for information on a member by another AO where that member has, or is applying for, membership of that other AO.

2.5 Changes to assessor member status

2.5.1 Information on current members must be provided to the Scottish Ministers and maintained to enable potential customers to establish the legitimacy of any individual claiming to be an accredited EPC assessor.

2.5.2 AOs must advise other AOs (where appropriate) and the Scottish Ministers of members who have had their membership suspended or withdrawn, together with the reason for suspension or withdrawal, within one working day of such change being recorded.

2.5.3 Prior to the in-force date of the remainder of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations (Scotland) 2025, the Scottish Ministers will define, with input from the newly appointed AOs, the circumstances where the Scottish Ministers (and, where appropriate, other AOs) must be notified of assessor suspensions/ strike-offs – and this document will be updated to reflect that decision.

2.6 Multiple assessor registrations

2.6.1 The Scottish Ministers expect AOs to remain vigilant around EPC assessor ‘cloning’.

2.6.2 AOs must monitor instances where multiple registrations exist for the same energy assessor, to ensure any reason for more than one registration is legitimate.

2.6.3 As a minimum, multiple registrations must be investigated on an annual basis, and the outcome must be recorded within the AOs’ Register of Assessors.

2.6.4 In circumstances where an AO first uploads assessor details onto the Register and then is notified that the assessor has been marked as ‘suspended’ or ‘struck off’ by another AO, they must seek further information from the AO that has suspended or struck the assessor off (within one working day).