The modular DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor training qualifies you as a certification expert for the DGNB System Buildings In Use. You will gain the necessary knowledge and authorisation to submit Buildings In Use projects for certification under the DGNB System and support property managers and owners throughout the entire certification process.
The training is held in German.
Learning objectives and skills taught
- You will be familiar with strategies for optimising existing buildings, both at a portfolio level and at an individual building level
- You will know how to support and implement sustainability consistently in building operations
- You will be familiar with the requirements and criteria for certification according to the DGNB System Buildings In Use
- You will understand climate action roadmaps and be able to prepare them, advise clients, or commission them strategically
- You will be able to discuss evidence and documentation requirements for individual DGNB criteria with project stakeholders
- You will understand what is important in the conformity check and be authorised to submit Buildings In Use projects for DGNB Certification
Key facts at a glance
- Property owners
- Property managers
- Building operators
- Asset managers
- Real estate specialists
- Property developers
- Climate protection officers
- Architects
- Energy consultants
- Specialist planners
- Sustainability consultants
- DGNB Certification experts and DGNB-Examined Experts, who also aim to offer and carry out DGNB Certification services under the Buildings In Use system
| Development stream | Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon-Neutral Buildings | Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use | Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use | DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| regular | x | x | x | x |
| as a DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy | x | x | x | x |
| as a DGNB Consultant | (x) | x | x | |
| as a DGNB Auditor | (x) | x | ||
| as a DGNB Biodiversity Manager | x | x | x | |
| as a DGNB Construction Site Coordinator | x | x | x |
(x) = optional
x = compulsory
The online exam* for qualification as a DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor takes place once you have completed the three modules
- Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon Neutral Buildings,
- Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use and
- Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use.
Depending on your learning style and prior knowledge, self-study preparation typically takes 15 to 20 hours.
The 30-minute exam consists of a total of 25 questions and is taken online. The exam assesses knowledge of Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon Neutral Buildings and Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use through multiple-choice questions. Contents of Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use are not assessed. A score of at least 70 percent is required to pass the exam.
*Participation in the exam is not compulsory if you are already a licensed DGNB Consultant or DGNB Auditor.
Duration
30 min. on one exam day
Event location
online
Price
€110 for DGNB members/members of a cooperating training institution1/people working for a local authority, a local government body or a municipal enterprise2
€160 for DGNB non-members
All fees are subject to the statutory VAT.
1 When booking, please enclose valid evidence of membership of a cooperating training institution.
2 These terms and conditions apply to local authorities in Germany. If you wish to make use of them, please confirm your eligibility during registration. For more information, see the landing page.
The reduced fees apply according to the DGNB fee schedule for all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.
After successful participation, you will receive a digital copy of certificates of attendance for the modules You have attended.
After signing the licensing agreement:
- Receipt of your officially recognised title as a DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor
- DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor certificate in digital form
- Listing as a DGNB Certification expert on the DGNB website
- DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor logo in digital form incl. DGNB style guide for communicating Your qualification (e.g. email signatures, website, marketing materials)
- Access to the DGNB System Software and the building products platform DGNB Navigator
- Access to the members-only area for DGNB Buildings In Use Auditors on the myDGNB networking website
- Possibilities to participate in the DGNB expert day and receive fast-track and cost-effective training as well as exchange ideas and network with other DGNB Certification experts
- Regular newsletters for DGNB Certification experts
To register for the exam, you must provide evidence that you have attended or booked Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon Neutral Buildings, Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use and Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use. You must take the exam no later than 24 months after participating in these modules.
Furthermore, we require one of the following:
- A degree in construction, property or real estate management, architecture, engineering, energy management or environmental management, plus
- at least one year of relevant work experience (post-master/diploma) or
- at least three years of relevant work experience (post-bachelor) - A degree as a state-certified/recognised technician with three years of relevant work experience
- Full vocational or technical training in an industrial area, construction, manufacturing, property development or the real estate industry, with at least five years of relevant work experience
Under certain circumstances, we also recognise qualifications acquired in other areas.
Under the licensing agreement, to continue to use the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor title you must provide evidence that you have earned 6 CPD points per year.
You can earn CPD points by attending a DGNB expert day or training courses offered by the DGNB Academy. You also receive CPD points upon submission and successful certification of a project. Once you sign the licensing agreement, the CPD obligation begins in the calendar year following the year in which the examination to become a DGNB Auditor Buildings In Use was passed. Licensed DGNB Certification experts are exempt from the mandatory training as DGNB Auditor Buildings In Use. CPD points for maintaining a licence (with the highest number of CPD points required) must still be obtained. An overview of the options for maintaining your licence with the respective DGNB CPD points and the general licensing conditions can be found here.
Note: the licensing conditions for the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor have not yet been published. In the meantime, you can refer to the licensing conditions for other DGNB qualifications (e.g. DGNB Consultant).
| DGNB member/member of a cooperating training institution1/people working for a local authority, a local government body or a municipal enterprise2 | DGNB non-member | |
|---|---|---|
| Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon Neutral Buildings | €390 | €480 |
| Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use | €390 | €480 |
| Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use | €580 | €780 |
| DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor exam | €110 | €160 |
| Total cost | €1,470 | €1,900 |
All fees are subject to statutory VAT.
The reduced fees apply according to the DGNB fee schedule for all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.
1 When booking, please enclose valid evidence of membership of a cooperating training institution.
2These terms and conditions apply to local authorities in Germany. If you wish to make use of them, please confirm your eligibility during registration. For more information, see the landing page.
Groups (10 participants or more)
For group bookings of 10 people or more, please contact us by writing to academy@dgnb.de.
Dates and registration
| We recommend taking the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor training alongside the DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy training. That course covers the minimum regulatory requirements, specifically those relating to EU taxonomy. The title qualifies to carry out ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy and submit projects to the DGNB for review. Further information can be found here. |
Become a DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor
Please note: as training is held in German, please switch to German language settings to make a booking.
Frequently asked questions about the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor
The exam assesses knowledge of Expert Know-How – Climate Action Roadmap for Carbon Neutral Buildings and Expert Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use through multiple-choice questions. Contents of Certification Know-How – Sustainable Buildings In Use are not assessed. To help you prepare for the exam, we provide you with exam instructions and cover the relevant examination topics at the end of each chapter in the respective training courses.
If you do not pass the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor examination the first time, you will be given a second chance free of charge. It is also possible to attempt to pass the exam a third time but we do charge 50% of the examination fee for this.
If you have not passed by the third attempt, you have the final option of taking an oral examination. This will only take place on request and in person at the DGNB office. We charge the full examination fee for this.
To use the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor title and logo, and submit projects for DGNB Certification, we require you to sign a licensing agreement. The general licensing conditions can be found here.
Note: the licensing conditions for the DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor have not yet been published. In the meantime, you can refer to the licensing conditions for other DGNB qualifications (e.g. DGNB Consultant).
Once you have obtained your licence of one of your DGNB titles (6 or 8 CPD points) you’ve also secured your DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor licence. The required CPD points are therefore not added together – despite two separate licences: licensing conditions (see exceptions).
As DGNB Buildings In Use Auditor, we recommend expanding your service portfolio through training to become a DGNB-Examined Expert on EU Taxonomy. This qualification will enable you to carry out ESG Verification for the EU Taxonomy and submit projects to the DGNB.
In addition, you can specialise on the audit of new construction, renovation and interior projects through training to become a DGNB Consultant (and, building on this, with training to become a DGNB Auditor).