Course Details

Description

SAP Assessor Course (OCDEA) – 4 Day Live Online Training

Awarding Body: ABBE
Qualification: Level 3 Certificate in Domestic On Construction Energy Assessment
Qualification Number: 600/0361/3

Train to become an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA), commonly known as a SAP Assessor, with Energy Trust.

This professional Level 3 qualification is the recognised route for people who want to assess the energy performance of new-build homes. Once qualified and registered with an approved accreditation scheme, SAP Assessors can produce Building Regulations compliance statements and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for newly built dwellings.

Energy Trust is an ABBE-approved training and assessment centre for this qualification.

Who is this SAP Assessor course for?

The qualification is suitable for complete newcomers to energy assessment as well as people already working within construction, property, architecture, surveying or energy efficiency.

You do not need to already be a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) before taking this qualification.

It may be particularly suitable for:

• New entrants looking to start a career in energy assessment
• Domestic Energy Assessors looking to expand their services
• Non-Domestic Energy Assessors
• Architects and architectural technicians
• Building services professionals
• Construction and building control professionals
• Sustainability and energy consultants
• People looking to establish an independent energy assessment business

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered over four consecutive days in a live virtual classroom using Zoom.

Unlike a purely self-paced online course, you will work directly with an experienced tutor throughout the four days, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss technical concepts and work through practical SAP examples using specialist assessment software.

Following the live training, you will complete your assessed qualification portfolio with ongoing support from your assessor.

Your portfolio includes five SAP design assessments covering the skills required to demonstrate occupational competence alongside a series of academic and technical assignments to test your knowledge and understanding. Assessed portfolio evidence must be completed as your own work.

What will I learn?

The course and qualification cover the key knowledge and skills required to work as a SAP Assessor, including:

• The professional role and responsibilities of an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor
• Relevant Building Regulations and energy performance requirements
• Preparing for SAP energy assessments
• Understanding construction drawings, specifications and building elements
• Building fabric, heat loss and energy efficiency
• Heating, hot water and ventilation systems
• Low and zero carbon technologies
• Completing SAP calculations using approved software
• Design-stage and as-built energy assessments
• Assessing compliance with relevant Building Regulations
• Identifying improvements where a proposed design does not comply
• Producing Building Regulations compliance documentation
• Producing Energy Performance Certificates for new dwellings
• Maintaining appropriate evidence and an assessment audit trail

What happens once I qualify?

Once you have successfully completed the qualification, you can apply to join an approved On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor accreditation scheme.

Once accredited, you can work professionally as a SAP Assessor / OCDEA, either within an organisation or by providing energy assessment services independently.

Much of the work is desk-based and involves interpreting architectural drawings, construction specifications and technical information supplied by clients, developers and design teams.

Prerequisites

There are no formal previous qualification requirements for entry onto this course.

Learners must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Have a good standard of written English and numeracy
• Be reasonably confident using computers and common office software
• Have access to a suitable laptop or desktop computer
• Have a reliable internet connection
• Have access to Zoom for the live virtual classroom
• Be able to commit additional study time following the four-day course to complete the qualification portfolio

Previous experience in energy assessment, construction or property is useful but not required. You do not need to already be a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor.

Whats Included?

• ABBE qualification registration
• Four days of live tutor-led online training
• Pre-course and post-course learning materials
• Access to SAP Assessor software for training and portfolio completion
• Five assessed SAP projects
• Access to our online e-Portfolio system
• Full portfolio guidance and templates
• Dedicated assessor support
• Portfolio assessment and feedback
• Ongoing support while completing your qualification
• Final ABBE qualification certificate following successful completion
• Guidance on joining an approved accreditation scheme after qualification

There are no additional assessment or certification charges within the advertised course fee.

Please note that once qualified, separate professional costs may apply if you choose to practise as an accredited SAP Assessor. These can include accreditation scheme charges, software licensing and EPC lodgement fees and will vary between providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a SAP Assessor?

A: A SAP Assessor assesses the predicted energy performance of new-build homes using the Government-approved calculation methodology. The professional role is commonly known as an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA). Qualified and accredited assessors can produce Building Regulations compliance documentation and Energy Performance Certificates for new dwellings.

Q: Is an OCDEA the same as a SAP Assessor?

A: Yes. “SAP Assessor” is the widely used industry term for an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA). The ABBE qualification is formally titled the Level 3 Certificate in Domestic On Construction Energy Assessment.

Q: Why do I sometimes see DOCEA and OCDEA used?

A: ABBE's qualification uses the wording Domestic On Construction Energy Assessment and historically uses the abbreviation DOCEA, while the wider industry commonly uses On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor or OCDEA. SAP Assessor is also widely used. All of these terms relate to the new-build domestic energy assessment profession.

Q: Do I need to be a Domestic Energy Assessor before taking this course?

A: No. The qualification is suitable for new entrants and there is no requirement to already hold the Domestic Energy Assessor qualification.

Q: How is the qualification assessed?

A: After the live training you will complete an assessed portfolio demonstrating your knowledge and occupational competence. This includes five SAP design assessments together with supporting evidence required by the qualification.

Q: How long does it take to become a qualified SAP Assessor?

A: The tutor-led training takes place over four consecutive days. You achieve the qualification once your portfolio has been completed, assessed and quality assured. Portfolio completion time varies depending on your previous experience and the amount of study time you can commit after the course.

Q: Is SAP being replaced by HEM?

A: The Government intends the Home Energy Model (HEM) ultimately to replace SAP. As of September 2026, SAP 10.3 remains the sole approved methodology available for use with the Future Homes Standard. HEM is expected to be introduced alongside SAP during a transition period before eventually becoming the sole methodology.

Q: Is it still worth training as a SAP Assessor before HEM is introduced?

A: Yes. SAP remains the current methodology and this ABBE Level 3 qualification remains a recognised route into the profession. HEM will change the methodology used by assessors, but the underlying profession and the need for competent new-build energy assessors will continue.

Q: Does this course include HEM training?

A: This course delivers the current ABBE qualification and SAP methodology. Final HEM competency and transition requirements for existing assessors have not yet been confirmed. Further training and/or competency development is expected when HEM is introduced, and Energy Trust will provide updates as the requirements become clear.

Q: What happens after I qualify?

A: Once qualified, you can apply to join an approved OCDEA accreditation scheme. Once accredited you can undertake professional SAP assessments and, within the scope of your accreditation, produce and lodge new-build EPCs and compliance documentation.

Q: Are there any hidden or additional costs?

A: The advertised course fee includes ABBE registration, trainee software, course materials, portfolio support and assessment, and your qualification certificate following successful completion. Once qualified, separate ongoing professional costs may apply for accreditation, software and EPC lodgements. These costs vary between providers.

Q: Can SAP Assessors work from home or become self-employed?

A: Much of a SAP Assessor's work is desk-based and can be completed using architectural drawings, specifications and supporting evidence. Qualified assessors may work for consultancies, housebuilders and design practices or establish their own assessment service once appropriately accredited.

Q: Do you offer payment options?

A: Yes. Payment and finance options via Klarna & Clearpay are available at checkout.

Course Schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to SAP and New-Build Energy Assessment

Introduction to the OCDEA / SAP Assessor role, qualification requirements, relevant legislation and Building Regulations, the energy assessment process, construction terminology and the information required to complete a SAP assessment.

Day 2 – Building Fabric, Services and SAP Data

Understanding construction drawings and specifications, building fabric, heat loss, U-values, thermal bridging, ventilation, heating and hot water systems, renewable technologies and the information entered into SAP software.

Day 3 – SAP Software and Building Regulations Compliance

Practical SAP software training, completing design-stage assessments, analysing results, assessing energy performance against regulatory requirements and identifying changes that can improve the performance of a proposed dwelling.

Day 4 – As-Built Assessments, EPCs and Portfolio

As-built energy assessment, Building Regulations compliance documentation, Energy Performance Certificates, evidence requirements, professional record keeping, portfolio guidance and the steps required after qualification to become accredited.

Please note: The exact running order may vary slightly depending on learner experience, questions and updates to regulations or methodology.

SAP, HEM and the Future Homes Standard

Is SAP being replaced by the Home Energy Model (HEM)?

Yes, but SAP remains highly relevant to anyone entering the profession today.

As of September 2026, SAP 10.3 is the sole approved methodology available for use with the Future Homes Standard in England.

The Government intends to introduce the new Home Energy Model (HEM) alongside SAP 10.3. HEM is ultimately intended to replace SAP, but an exact HEM launch date has not yet been confirmed.

Government has stated that, once HEM becomes available, SAP 10.3 and HEM will operate alongside one another during a transition period expected to last for at least 24 months before HEM becomes the sole methodology.

Is it still worth becoming a SAP Assessor?

Yes. The ABBE Level 3 qualification remains the current recognised route into On Construction Domestic Energy Assessment.

The underlying knowledge and skills required by an OCDEA – including building fabric, heat loss, construction, building services, energy assessment, regulatory compliance and interpreting design information – remain fundamental to the profession.

HEM represents a future change to the calculation methodology rather than the end of the energy assessor role.

Will I need additional HEM training in the future?

Further training and/or competency requirements are expected as HEM is introduced. The final requirements for existing qualified assessors have not yet been confirmed.

This course therefore trains you in the current SAP-based qualification and methodology. It does not claim to provide final HEM competency training before those requirements have been formally established.

Energy Trust will continue to monitor Government, ABBE and accreditation scheme requirem

Is SAP being replaced by the Home Energy Model (HEM)?

Yes, but SAP remains highly relevant to anyone entering the profession today.

As of September 2026, SAP 10.3 is the sole approved methodology available for use with the Future Homes Standard in England.

The Government intends to introduce the new Home Energy Model (HEM) alongside SAP 10.3. HEM is ultimately intended to replace SAP, but an exact HEM launch date has not yet been confirmed.

Government has stated that, once HEM becomes available, SAP 10.3 and HEM will operate alongside one another during a transition period expected to last for at least 24 months before HEM becomes the sole methodology.

Is it still worth becoming a SAP Assessor?

Yes. The ABBE Level 3 qualification remains the current recognised route into On Construction Domestic Energy Assessment.

The underlying knowledge and skills required by an OCDEA – including building fabric, heat loss, construction, building services, energy assessment, regulatory compliance and interpreting design information – remain fundamental to the profession.

HEM represents a future change to the calculation methodology rather than the end of the energy assessor role.

Will I need additional HEM training in the future?

Further training and/or competency requirements are expected as HEM is introduced. The final requirements for existing qualified assessors have not yet been confirmed.

This course therefore trains you in the current SAP-based qualification and methodology. It does not claim to provide final HEM competency training before those requirements have been formally established.

Energy Trust will continue to monitor Government, ABBE and accreditation scheme requirements and provide learners and qualified assessors with updates as the transition develops.

Industry position last reviewed: September 2026