The following city and state policies recognize Building Operator Certification (BOC) training and/or certification as a qualification for overseeing various compliance requirements.

Boston
Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) sets requirements for large existing buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time. BERDO is a local law that aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions generated by large buildings in Boston. Building owners subject to BERDO are required to report their buildings’ annual energy and water consumption. Starting in either 2025 or 2030, they will also need to comply with building emissions standards (i.e., emissions limits). These emissions standards decrease over time, with all buildings expected to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. BOC Level II Training Certificate of Completion is approved as a Qualified Energy Professional Credential. More information can be found here: https://www.boston.gov/

Chicago
The Chicago Energy Benchmarking Ordinance applies to commercial, institutional, and residential buildings larger than 50,000 square feet. To ensure data is being tracked and reported correctly, covered buildings must have their energy and building data reviewed and verified every three years by a trained individual whose professional license or training program credential is recognized by the City. The BOC credential is one of the recognized data verifier training program credentials.

Evanston
The Evanston Energy and Water Use Benchmarking Ordinance requires the owners of buildings covered by the ordinance to benchmark, verify, and annually report whole-building aggregate data to the City. Non-condominium buildings in Evanston 20,000-square-feet or greater and condominiums 50,000 square feet or greater are required to comply. This includes apartment buildings, strip malls, schools, churches, hospitals, etc. In addition, City-owned buildings 10,000-square-feet or greater in size are required to comply. The BOC credential is one of the recognized training programs and credentials for data verification.

Oregon
Oregon Building Performance Standard (BPS) was established in 2023, by the Oregon Legislature, establishing mandatory Building Performance Standards for large commercial buildings. The Oregon BPS aims to reduce energy use and emissions across the state and applies to Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings based on size and type larger than 20,000 square feet. Compliance deadlines begin in 2028, with compliance requirements for Tier 1 buildings and include requirements for benchmarking, Energy Use Intensity (EUI) calculations, and operational improvements. 

A Level II Building Operator Certification (BOC) TCOC is recognized as a credential for a Qualified Person under Oregon’s BPS. Individuals with this credential can support building owners with benchmarking, EUI calculations, development of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) programs, and implementation of Energy Management Plans (EMP), aligning with compliance pathways for both Tier 1 and Tier 2 buildings.

San Francisco
San Francisco’s Existing Buildings Ordinance applies to non-residential buildings with 10,000 square feet or more and to multifamily residential buildings with 50,000 square feet or more. The Energy Efficiency Auditor responsible for the Energy Efficiency Audit Report and Confirmation of Energy Audit must possess experience in energy efficiency audits or commissioning of existing buildings, and either a license or recognized certification in energy efficiency evaluations. The BOC credential is recognized as an acceptable qualification for providing energy audit services.

Seattle
Building Emissions Performance Standard:
Seattle adopted a Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) law, which includes Benchmarking Verification and Greenhouse Gas Report requirements and sets emissions targets for existing nonresidential and multifamily buildings larger than 20,000 square feet. A building’s particular emissions targets and compliance deadlines are determined by the use and size of the building, and become gradually stronger every five years. OSE is currently conducting a rulemaking process that will finalize BEPS compliance details ahead of the first deadlines in 2027. BOC Level II is recognized as one of the approved training programs to meet the Qualified Person Requirement.

Tune Up Ordinance:
All buildings with 50,000 square feet or more of nonresidential space must comply with the Seattle Building Tune-Ups requirement every five years. Building Tune-Ups are assessments of building systems to detect and correct operational or maintenance problems. Tune-Ups must be conducted by a qualified Tune-Up Specialist – a building energy professional with seven years of experience in energy management and one of several training or certification programs. BOC Level II is recognized as one of the qualified training programs.

St. Louis
The City of St. Louis has implemented Benchmarking and a Performance Standard for buildings over 50,000 sf. Once a cycle, benchmarking data submitted to the City has to be verified by a third party. A BOC credential is one of the approved verifier credentials.

Washington State
The Washington Clean Buildings Performance Standard is mandatory for all tier 1 and tier 2 covered buildings located in the state of Washington.

Tier 1 covered buildings (formerly known as covered commercial building) are buildings, where the sum of nonresidential, hotel, motel and dormitory floor area exceeds 50,000 gross square feet, excluding the parking garage area. Mandatory compliance and reporting for Tier 1 covered buildings begins June 2026 for buildings greater than 220,000 sq ft. BOC Level II is recognized as one of the qualified training programs that meets the requirements for the “qualified person” responsible for determining compliance with the law.

Tier 2 buildings are buildings where the sum of multifamily residential, nonresidential, hotel, motel and dormitory floor areas exceeds 20,000 gross square feet, but does not exceed 50,000 gross square feet, excluding the parking garage area. Tier 2 covered buildings also include multifamily residential buildings where floor areas are equal to or exceed 50,000 gross square feet, excluding the parking garage area.

The Smart Buildings Center offers a technical assistance helpdesk to support facility personnel responsible for their building’s compliance with the standard. Learn more.