General registration and renewal guidance
All assessors must meet requirements for insurance, tax, professional practice, CPD and quality assurance.
Documentation to register as a BER assessor
Your application to register as an assessor must include the following documentation. These requirements are additional to the registration application process for:
BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance
The BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance form tells us about your insurance cover. New applicants must submit the form with your assessor application form.
The form must be completed by one of the following people:
- A registered insurance broker
- An agent or insurance company licensed to issue cover in the Republic of Ireland, approved by the Financial Regulator with the cover detailed below
| Type of cover | Level of cover |
|---|---|
| Public/Products Liability | €6.5m |
| Professional Indemnity | €1.3m |
| Employers Liability (applies to employer/employee registrations only) | €13.0m |
Tax Clearance Certificate
New applicants must submit a Tax Clearance Certificate with your assessor application form. You can request the form from Revenue or your employer.
Personal identification
You must provide a copy of a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. It needs to be certified as valid by An Garda Síochána, a Notary Public or a Peace Commissioner.
Declaration and signature
You must also submit a signed Declaration & Signature for Payment form. The person responsible for paying registration / renewal fees and levies should complete it. This could be you or your employer.
Fees and levies
A registration fee is required to register as a domestic or non-domestic BER assessor. There is no fee to register as a DEC assessor. Registration is automatically renewed and charged each year.
Fees are paid by direct debit. No other payment methods are accepted. The direct debit is collected on the 20th of the next month or the nearest working day thereafter. Fees paid to SEAI are non-refundable.
Complete the SEPA Direct Debit Mandate to pay registration and renewal fees, along with ongoing BER publication levies.
Professional practice requirements
Code of Practice
Once registered, BER assessors agree to abide by the Code of Practice. This includes engaging with the BER quality assurance processes.
The code covers domestic, non-domestic and DEC assessments. It details the roles and responsibilities of BER/DEC assessors and SEAI. BER services should be technically proficient, independent and timely. The code details an assessor's duty to provide high-quality services.
Quality assurance
Quality assurance is the process to verify compliance with the regulations, Code of Practice and BER methodology. QA checks the effectiveness, integrity and improvement opportunities of the scheme. It involves routine monitoring and auditing of BER/DEC assessors.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Lifelong learning is important for maintaining and raising your skills and knowledge. CPD is mandatory for all registered BER assessors.
Employers of BER assessors
Some employers offer BER assessment services through their employees, who are registered assessors. Employers can mean a partnership, company or public body.
The employer can enter into a direct relationship with SEAI to assume these Code of Practice obligations:
- Indemnification of SEAI in respect of liabilities arising as a result of employee BER assessor’s activities
- Paying registration fees and levies to register a BER assessor and publish BER certificates on behalf of the employer
- Retention and maintenance of all records, data and documentation as would be required to defend assessments carried out by the BER assessor on behalf of the employer
Documentation to renew your BER assessor registration
Registration expires after one year. About a month before your registration is due for renewal, we will issue a renewal notice. Renewal is subject to payment of fees and in-date insurance policies. It may also be subject to educational or administrative requirements.
Annual declaration
BER assessors must act independently and transparently when discharging their duties and obligations. Section 6 of the Code of Practice requires registered assessors to make an annual declaration of independence.
The annual declaration requires each BER assessor to:
- Confirm their contact details are correct on the National Register of BER Assessors
- Confirm their commitment to adhere by the Code of Practice for BER Assessors
- Confirm they have read and understood the provisions of the code
Certificate of Insurance
The BER Assessor Certificate of Insurance form tells us about your insurance cover. Registered assessors need to submit the form when your insurance is renewed, amended or updated. Email a scanned copy of the form to [email protected]. Include 'Insurance certificate' and your assessor number in the subject.
The form must be completed by one of the following people:
- A registered insurance broker
- An agent or insurance company licensed to issue cover in the Republic of Ireland, approved by the Financial Regulator with the cover detailed below
| Type of cover | Level of cover |
|---|---|
| Public/Products Liability | €6.5m |
| Professional Indemnity | €1.3m |
| Employers Liability (applies to employer/employee registrations only) | €13.0m |
Tax Clearance Certificate
You must maintain a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. Registered assessors need to submit this information when your Tax Clearance Certificate is renewed, amended or updated.
Email a scanned copy of the Certificate to [email protected]. Include 'Tax Clearance Certificate' and your assessor number in the subject.
Resigning from the scheme
A BER assessor may resign from the scheme at any time. To resign, email [email protected] from your registered email address.
If you resign or your registration is suspended or terminated, you must:
- Remove all reference to registration from your notepaper and property
- Not in any way represent yourself or your business as being registered with SEAI
- If requested by us, return all SEAI property including your registration certificate
Registration and renewal fees paid to SEAI are non-refundable. If you later wish to re-register as a BER assessor, you will need to pay the renewal fees.
Supports for registered assessors
BER helpdesk
Email: [email protected]
The BER helpdesk can assist you with any queries about BER registration and carrying out BER assessments. It's open from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
Members area for BER assessors
As a registered BER assessor, you can access our members area. It has training, tools and best practice guidance to support your day-to-day work.
Log in to the members area