After much thought, CHEERS is implementing a mandatory continuing education (C.E.) requirement for all CHEERS New Construction Title-24 Raters. In order to maintain your certified Rater status, you must attend a CHEERS C.E. training class prior to the end of 2003 and then one class every two years thereafter. After you attend the class in 2003, you will have two years in which to attend another C.E. class.

The length of the C.E. classes will be at least four hours but might be longer depending upon the situation. For instance, if the 2005 Residential Energy Standards involve significant changes to the HERS verification procedures, the C.E. would certainly need to be longer than four hours. The classes that have been scheduled for 2003 will be half-day classes and are provided at NO CHARGE to raters.

The C.E. requirements will be effective on January 1, 2003:

Anyone that was originally certified in a CHEERS New Construction Training class prior to the end of 2002 must attend a C.E. class not later than the end of 2003.

Anyone that is certified in 2003 or later must attend a C.E. class not later than the end of the year following certification.

The necessity for C.E. classes has become clear in the last two years with the changes in the standards to include measures such as TXV’s and the changes to verification procedures involving Energy Star. CHEERS wants to ensure that Raters have available to them the training they need to remain the best possible raters.

The attached sheet has the current schedule of C.E. classes. The classes for the first half of the year specify the topic. The topic for the classes later in the year will be determined based upon need and issues that may arise in 2003.

CHEERS appreciates your efforts and is looking forward to providing these classes for you.