PA Weatherization
The state's primary resource for weatherization-related technical education and training since 1985
The National Sustainable Structures Center (NSSC), formerly known as the Weatherization Training Center (WTC), at Pennsylvania College of Technology is a nationally-recognized Legacy Weatherization Training Center that provides technical expertise and competency-based training courses on-site and on-location for Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) workers, instructors, government officials, and industry partners. NSSC also offers technical consultation and training assistance to other training organizations and state WAPs, and serves as the primary technical resource to Pennsylvania’s WAP on a wide variety of subjects and special initiatives.
In 2009, NSSC expanded operations in response to the growing demand for service fueled by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The center has trained over 5,000 men and women since 2009 to help low-income households reduce energy consumption and costs.
With an established weatherization curriculum, NSSC offers over 20 courses and workshops that include a combination of classroom learning and hands-on application that can be taught in our world-class training lab facility or in-field. NSSC’s weatherization training program is multi-tiered and includes stackable certifications for three job classifications in Pennsylvania.
PA Weatherization Certification Training & Testing
View the list of courses and workshops associated with each weatherization certification below, as well as course descriptions and upcoming course dates.
The following table shows the courses designated as mandatory for each type of weatherization personnel.
PA Weatherization Questions & Answers
What are the Pennsylvania weatherization worker certifications?
There are currently three Pennsylvania weatherization worker certifications: Installer, Crew Chief, and Auditor.
PA Installer – An installer is a crew member or contractor that installs weatherization measures, such as insulation, caulking, and replacement doors and windows, in eligible dwellings according to Pennsylvania Weatherization Assistance Program standards and guidelines.
PA Crew Chief – A crew chief supervises a crew of installers and directs their efforts to weatherize eligible dwellings. Crew Chiefs participate in the weatherization work and check it for accuracy.
PA Auditor – An auditor assesses an eligible dwelling for potential weatherization services. Auditors visually inspect the building shell and mechanical systems; conduct diagnostic, health, and safety tests; record the location, condition, and dimensions of walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, and mechanical systems; enter data into computerized energy audit or use a priority list to select cost-effective measures; and prepare clear and accurate work orders to ensure the most appropriate measures are installed properly.
Special note about HVAC Workers: Many Weatherization Assistance Provider agencies employ HVAC subcontractors to repair or replace heating systems. While HVAC workers are not required to be certified workers as explained above, they must take two courses – DOE Lead and OSHA 10 Safety Training – to work on PA WAP projects.
I have a lot of experience in weatherization or the building and construction industry. Do I need to go through training?
If you have previously attended weatherization training at one of Pennsylvania’s approved weatherization training providers and have completed the necessary coursework for your desired certification, you can be automatically certified. If you have not completed both of these requirements, you must attend training.
How do I become certified?
To become a certified weatherization worker, you must complete the Pennsylvania weatherization coursework for the certification you wish to achieve. Coursework must be taken at an approved PA WAP weatherization training provider. Pennsylvania has three approved weatherization training providers across the state:
- Greater Johnstown Career and Technical Center (Johnstown, PA)
- Lehigh Career and Technical Center (Schnecksville, PA)
- National Sustainable Structures Center (NSSC), formerly the Weatherization Training Center at Penn College (Williamsport, PA)
Work directly with an above weatherization training provider to register for classes. To register for NSSC’s courses, see How do I register for a weatherization course? for more information.
How much does certification cost?
If you are a direct hire of a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) agency employee or a subcontractor to a WAP agency, you are eligible for no-cost training and certification.
If you are not associated with the Weatherization Assistance Program, all of our courses are also available for a fee. Please visit our Home Energy Professional page or contact us for more information.
How do I register for a course?
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) agency employees or subcontractors: If you have previously attended a weatherization class at an approved PA weatherization training provider, follow the Registration Steps below. Course registrations via phone, e-mail, or fax will not be accepted.
If you are a new worker pursuing training for the first time, have not previously attended a weatherization class at an approved PA weatherization training provider, or are requesting that an existing worker obtain a new certification status, you will need to ask your WAP agency to send your training request to us on WAP agency letterhead via e-mail to dlengel@pct.edu or fax to 570-320-5239.
Please include:
- WAP agency confirmation of your employment as a direct hire or a subcontractor
- The certification (Installer, Crew Chief, Auditor, or HVAC/Other Worker) that the worker will be pursuing
All requests for training for new workers, or for existing workers pursuing additional certifications, MUST be on WAP letterhead. Weatherization training providers will not accept proof of eligibility from subcontractors.
Private individuals and companies: If you are not associated with the Weatherization Assistance Program, all of our courses are also available for a fee. Please visit our Home Energy Professional page or contact us for more information.
How do I get a course certificate?
Most weatherization and home energy professional courses have a written exam and field (hands-on) exam at the end of the course. All courses with tests require a passing grade (70% or above) in both the written and lab examinations in order to receive a course certificate. If a participant does not pass both examinations, he/she is encouraged to receive one-on-one mentoring from an instructor to determine whether to take the exam(s) or the whole course again.
Some workshops do not have an end-of-course exam, but are awarded a course certificate based on participation in discussions and course exercises. At the beginning of class, the instructor will review if there are any required exams and what is needed in order to receive a course certificate.
Does my certification expire?
As of January 3, 2012, there is no expiration date for certifications. However, you may be required to take additional courses to maintain your certification. For example, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 training is a new requirement in 2012; all certified workers must take the appropriate course in order to remain certified.
What are DOE Lead-Safe Weatherization Certification requirements?
All individuals, including specialized subcontractors, working on DOE-sponsored weatherization projects must take a lead-safe course that meets DOE lead-safe standards as outlined in Weatherization Program Notice 08-6, Weatherization Program Notice 09-6 , and Weatherization Program Notice 10-1.
All PA approved weatherization training providers offer the course WTC 193 DOE Lead-Safe Weatherization, which meets this requirement. Additionally, individuals who can show proof of completion of a course that meets the standards outlined in the Department of Energy's Weatherization Program Notice 08-6 will be considered as having DOE Lead Certification.
Please note that EPA Lead courses are different from the DOE Lead-Safe Weatherization course, and completion of an EPA Lead course does not satisfy the DOE Lead-Safe Weatherization requirement.
What are the OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Construction requirements?
All HVAC workers, Installers, and Auditors need to complete the OSHA 10 Construction course. HVAC Workers had not been mentioned in former guidance – this is a new clarification from DOE. All Crew Chiefs need to complete the OSHA 30 Construction course.
There are many organizations that offer OSHA training. Please note that if you are attending an OSHA training anywhere other than the PA approved weatherization training providers, you must pay for the training with your T&TA funds. Please note: the required course is OSHA Construction; do not confuse this with OSHA General Industry training.
There are several “electives” available as part of OSHA Construction courses. Pennsylvania WAP strongly recommends, and may in the future require, that the following electives be part of the OSHA 10 course to meet PA WAP requirements: Materials Handling, Storage, Use and Disposal; Stairways and Ladders; and Tools- Hand and Power. If you are spending T&TA money to take an OSHA construction safety course at an outside training provider, it is strongly recommended that you make sure these electives are included.
