RESNET Extends Temporary Remote QA Field Observations; Use of the RESNET QA Protocol for HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Field Evaluations; Online Proctoring Services for all RESNET Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Tests and the Deadline for HERS® Rater Candidates to Complete Probationary Ratings Currently, even though states are in the process of opening up their economies, the national COVID-19 emergency declaration is still in effect. In addition, there are a number of states where the cases of COVID-19 infection are increasing. For these reasons with the emergency authority granted to me, I am extending the following emergency provisions to thirty (30) days after the Presidential Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak is lifted: Extension of Remote QA Field Observations On March 20, 2020, RESNET issued emergency protocols, which included allowing Providers to immediately begin using remote QA and lifting restrictions on its use. These emergency protocols were put into place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and national emergency declaration. The temporary protocol for remote QA field observations ia posted at Remote QA Field Observations Extension of the Use of the RESNET Quality Assurance Protocol for RESNET Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Field Evaluations On April 17, 2020, RESNET adopted COVID-19 Emergency Procedures for probationary ratings, RFI mentored ratings, and RFI Graded Field Evaluations allowed using the remote quality assurance protocol. The temporary protocol is posted at Procedures for Probationary Ratings, RFI mentored ratings, and RFI Graded Field Evaluations. Extension of Online Proctoring Services for all RESNET Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector Tests On April 17, 2020, RESNET adopted emergency procedures that allows online proctoring services are permitted for all RESNET Quality Assurance Designee, HERS® Rater and Rating Field Inspector tests. The temporary protocol is posted at Online Proctoring Services Extension of Deadline for HERS® Rater Candidates to Complete Probationary Ratings On April 1, 2020, RESNET issued emergency rules extending the extend the above 15-month time limit on probationary ratings for HERS® Rater Candidates. This temporary rule was put into place as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Presidential national emergency declaration. The emergency rules were in effect for 90 days. The temporary policy for remote QA field observations are posted at Extension of Timeline for Probationary Ratings These extensions will be revisited by RESNET as necessary in light of developments with the COVID-19 pandemic. To keep the HERS® community up-to-date on developments addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, RESNET has posted the RESNET COVID-19 Updates webpage. The webpage contains RESNET COVID-19 Announcements, Resources for the Rating Industry on the COVID-19 Pandemic and General Resources on the COVID-19 Pandemic. The page is frequently updated, therefore RESNET professionals are urged to check it daily.
