Professional Development Rebates

Overview

The City and County of Denver is supporting trainings for individuals to further their knowledge and credentials related to building and operating highly efficient, all-electric buildings. We are investing in passive house trainings through PHIUS and PHI for professionals in the industry. And we're investing in energy efficiency and management trainings for employees in Denver's large buildings. Our goal is to provide rebate support to as many Denver residents and workers as we can during this period of market transformation and the program is subject to available funds.  

Get funding to level up your training! Individuals can apply for a rebate to help offset the cost of trainings and credentials that will give you a career advantage. 

We are offering rebates for several different types of trainings, prerequisites, and credential exams: 

We will cover 100% of the cost of a qualified training, certification, and/or exam (with a passing grade), up to $2,500 per individual, or $5,000 per covered building (for energy management trainings).

The following energy management trainings, certifications, and/or exams are eligible for this rebate: 

See the Full List

The following Passive House credential trainings/exams are eligible for this rebate:

See the Full List

  • Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC) Training and Exam
  • Phius Certified Builder (CPHB) Training and Exam
  • Phius Certified Rater Training and Exam
  • EPA ENERGY STAR Certified Homes v3.0 Training
  • Phius Certified Trades Professional
  • RESNET HERS Rater Training and Exam
  • Phius Certified Verifier Training and Exam
  • EnergyStar Multifamily New Construction V 1/1.1 Rater Training
  • Phius Associate Foundations Training and Exam
  • PHI Certified Passive House Designer Course and Exam
  • PHI PHPP Expert Course and Exam
  • PHI Construction Verifier Course and Exam
  • PHI Certified Passive House Tradesperson
  • PHI Site Supervisor

Eligible participants will be given rebate amounts after a passed exam or training. All Professional Development rebates require pre-approval.

Start your Application

Program Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a rebate for Passive House trainings and/or exams, you must meet one of the eligibility criteria below: 

  • Student enrolled in Denver college/trade school 
  • Current employee of a Denver business
  • A work history in the City and County of Denver
  • Resident of the City and County of Denver

To be eligible to receive a rebate for energy management trainings and/or exams, you must be a current employee of a Denver business that is subject to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy.

Qualified trainings completed on or after October 7, 2024 are eligible.

For exams, interested parties must meet all prerequisites of the respective accreditation requirements and reimbursement is contingent upon successful accreditation. Individuals may take and get reimbursed for more than one exam or training for different credentials.

Program Process

This section provides a step-by-step guide to help you prepare for and receive your rebate.

Before You Apply

Before you start your application, you should gather the documents that you will have to submit with your application to show eligibility and get you preapproved.

Your application will require the following documents to show eligibility and grant you preapproval:

  • IRS W9 for the person or company claiming the rebate funds 
  • For Passive House Trainings: Proof of employment, enrollment in school, residence, or work history in Denver
  • For Energy Management Trainings: Proof of employment in a building subject to the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy
  • Cost of the training/exam 

We recommend you gather this documentation before you start your application. This will ensure a smooth and timely review of your application materials.

Ready to Apply?

  1. Double check that you have gathered all of the required documentation, listed above.
  2. Complete the pre-approval application with all requested information, and submit it through the application portal.
  3. Michaels Energy, the program administrator, will review your application to verify your eligibility.
  4. Once Michaels Energy verifies your eligibility, you will receive a Pre-Approval Letter.
  5. Within eight months of Pre-Approval, complete the training/exam and submit documents for the program administrator to review:
    1. Proof of passed training and/or exam
    2. Receipt for the cost of the training/exam
  6. After review is complete, the program administrator will issue a Professional Development Rebate Approval letter and send the rebate via check to the individual.  

Program Rules

  1. You must comply with eligibility requirements.
  2. Once certified, participant agrees to be listed on one or more of the trained professionals lists on CASR's website.
  3. To be eligible for reimbursement for exams, applicants must meet all prerequisites of the respective accreditation requirements.
  4. Payment is issued after a successful accreditation, if applicable.
    1. If a retake is necessary, you can still receive funding for the original exam fee once proof of passed exam is provided.
  5. You must disclose if you are receiving funding from other funding programs. Total amount will be dependent on additional funding received by the applicant and will not exceed the total cost of the training.
  6. Pre-approval is eligible for up to eight months. If documents for passed training/exam are not provided within eight months of the pre-approval letter, you will have to reapply.
  7. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the program has reached capacity, new applications will be placed onto a waitlist.
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