Washington · Who signs
The Qualified Energy Manager
Who can sign a Tier 2 filing, and what each signature means.
In brief
Tier 2 compliance requires a QEM, designated by the owner, who has completed Commerce's free Tier 2 training and has two years of building-operations or energy-management experience (or a supervised energy-efficiency fellowship, or Building Operator Certification Level I), or who is a Qualified Person. The QEM sets the EUIt, calculates the EUI, submits the forms, and signs Form A. (CBPS 017 v3.0, July 30, 2026.)
Signatures on Form A
- Building owner
- Ultimately responsible; reviews, approves and signs.
- Energy manager
- Develops and maintains the EMP; signs Form A. Can be the owner, an employee, a tenant or a contractor.
- Qualified Energy Manager
- States in writing on Form A that the EMP and O&M program have been developed, implemented and maintained; signs Form A.
Who qualifies as a QEM
Who signs
Every package is reviewed and signed by a Qualified Energy Manager (QEM) who meets Washington's definition. The QEM must be designated by the building owner and qualify by one of two routes.
Route A: Commerce training plus experience
Completed Commerce's Clean Buildings Tier 2 training, and at least one of:
- Two years of educational or professional experience with commercial building operations or building energy management
- A full-time energy-efficiency fellowship or internship of six months or more, supervised by a QEM, Qualified Person or qualified energy auditor, that produced a successful compliance application
- Building Operator Certification (BOC) Level I
Route B: a Qualified Person
Training, expertise and three years of professional experience in building energy use analysis, plus any of:
- Washington-licensed professional architect or engineer
- Building Operator Certification (BOC) Level II
- Building commissioning provider certified by an ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024:2012 accredited organization
- Qualified energy auditor
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Association of Energy Engineers, in current standing
- Energy Management Professional (EMP), Energy Management Association
- South Seattle College Sustainable Building Science Technology B.A.S. degree, or an equivalent approved by Commerce
Source, checked October 27, 2026 WAC 194-50-030, definitions of qualified energy manager and qualified person (as amended by WSR 26-15-112, effective Aug. 21, 2026); consistent with Commerce guidance CBPS 017, Roles and Responsibilities, v3.0, published July 30, 2026. Commerce does not vet QEMs; owners confirm qualifications. Our partner QEM will be listed by name and credential, with permission, once an agreement is signed.
Who can act for the owner in the portal?
Commerce can grant “shared access,” which lets an authorized representative view, update or submit an application on the owner's behalf (CBPS 016). Exemption and extension applications can be filed by the owner or an authorized representative (Commerce Tier 2 page; CBPS 044). Clean Buildings Associates never uses owner credentials and never signs Form A.
Our model
We prepare roughly 80% of the work. A partner QEM independently reviews it, signs and submits. Or bring your own QEM, at a lower flat fee. [Partner QEM name and credential, listed with permission once signed.]
Find a QEM yourself: Commerce links a free QEM training and directory through the Smart Buildings Center.
Sources, checked October 26, 2026 WAC 194-50-030, definitions of qualified energy manager and qualified person (as amended by WSR 26-15-112, effective Aug. 21, 2026); Commerce guidance CBPS 017, Roles and Responsibilities, v3.0, published July 30, 2026; Commerce guidance CBPS 016, Compliance Forms (updated June 26, 2025); WA Dept. of Commerce, CBPS Tier 2 compliance page; Commerce guidance CBPS 044, Extension Guidance, published July 17, 2026.