This course teaches key skills and knowledge required to confidently and efficiently build high-performance structures. Passive House requires novel construction details and methods not found in Code-minimum buildings. The quality of construction is crucial to obtaining Passive House certification. Passing the exam entitles the student to call themself a certified Passive House Tradesperson, a badge of competence to proudly display in the marketplace.
This online version provides an alternative pathway to achieving Passive House Tradesperson certification. Eight live two-hour sessions start at 7.30am, allowing attendees to promptly get back on the tools.
The course is taught live on a cohort basis, with the next intake beginning on 22 July 2025 and concluding on 14 August. The (optional) PHI exam takes place on 19 August. This is also conducted online, with appropriate safeguards to ensure the integrity of the results.
The course is designed to prepare qualified students for the Certified Passive House Tradesperson exam. Understand the theory and practical application of:
• building science
• how heat and moisture move through building assemblies
• the overall Passive House concept
• thermal envelopes
• the three construction layers
• high-performance windows and doors
• airtightness
• ventilation
• thermal bridging
• building services for high-performance buildings
• shading and overheating
The course is designed to make it as accessible as possible for busy workers in the construction industry. The online session dates are as follows (two per week, 7.30-9.30am, for four weeks).
- 22 July 2025 & 24 July 2025
- 29 July 2025 & 31 July 2025
- 5 August 2025 & 7 August 2025
- 12 August 2025 & 14 August 2025
In addition, 45-minute small group coaching sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, with the final session on Monday, August 18. This is immediately before the exam, which will take place on August 19.
Printed resources will be mailed to students in advance of the course start date. This pack includes a copy of the presentation slides, a handy reference for the exam and a guide to the exam software. We can’t guarantee these materials will arrive before the first class in the case of last-minute registrations.
Included in the course is the opportunity to participate in the practical training sessions held in Auckland later in 2025. Cost of travel and accommodation (if necessary) is not included.
The optional, online exam is on 19 August 2025.
Early Bird course fee (until 30 June 2025): $2,185.00 (GST included). PHINZ member discounts apply.
The exam fee is NZ$650 (GST included), to be paid in week three of the course (once you are confident that you want to go ahead).
Prerequisites: none