The Inflation Reduction Act allocated $200 million to train and certify residential energy contractors — BPI Building Analysts, HERS Raters, heat pump installers, and more. Some of that money is still available in 2026. This guide explains what's left, which states have active programs, and how to access subsidized certification.
IRA Section 50123 created the Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) program, appropriating $200 million for state energy offices to train, test, and certify residential energy efficiency and electrification contractors. The goal: build the workforce needed to deliver the HEAR and HOMES rebate programs funded by the same law.
TREC funds were designed to:
The $200 million was structured as: $150 million in formula grants distributed to states based on allocation formulas (announced July 2023), plus up to $40 million in competitive grants (announced March 2024).
However: the $150 million in formula grants that states had already obligated before the rescission remain available. "Obligated" means the state energy office formally committed the funds in a grant agreement with DOE before the rescission date. States that moved quickly to obligate their formula allocation still have live programs.
The practical effect: states that waited, never applied, or didn't obligate their formula grants may have lost access. States that obligated early — and there are several — have programs running through their grant expiration dates (typically 2027–2028).
| State | Allocation | Program Status | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | ~$1M | ACTIVE — Launched Jan 2026 | Everblue Training partner; 200 contractor slots. energy.hawaii.gov/trec-energy-training-program |
| Minnesota | $2.8M | ACTIVE — Through Nov 2028 | Tribal Set-Aside Program (rolling apps through Sept 2026); Contractor Entrepreneurship Pilot (vendor selected Spring 2026). mn.gov/commerce/energy/trec |
| Maine | $1.2M | ACTIVE — 2025-2028 | Delivered through Maine Community College System at 4 locations (Bangor, Auburn, Calais, Presque Isle). maine.gov/energy/trec |
| Colorado | $3.2M est. | ACTIVE — Grants distributed | $1M in grants already distributed to training providers for ~400 HVAC technicians. Contact CEo to find active providers. energyoffice.colorado.gov/trec |
| California | $10.3M | ACTIVE — CA-TREC program | $10.3M awarded December 2024. Search "CA-TREC" at grants.ca.gov for current application status. |
The following states received formula allocations and have active HEAR programs running. Whether they obligated their TREC grants and have live training programs is unconfirmed as of May 2026. Contact your state energy office directly and ask about TREC.
| State | HEAR Status | State Energy Office | TREC Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Live (Mass Save) | mass.gov/doer | Check — MassCEC has related workforce programs |
| New York | Live (NYSERDA) | nyserda.ny.gov | Check — NYSERDA has separate clean energy training funds |
| Maryland | Live (MEA) | energy.maryland.gov | Check |
| Michigan | Live (Michigan Saves) | michigan.gov/egle/energy | Check |
| Washington | Live (WA Commerce) | commerce.wa.gov/energy | Check |
| Illinois | Live (ComEd/Nicor) | illinois.gov/agencies/dceo | Check |
| Oregon | Launching May 2026 | oregon.gov/energy | Check |
| New Jersey | Launching 2026 | njcleanenergy.com | Unknown |
| Connecticut | Launching Q3 2026 | energizect.com | Unknown |
When a state TREC program is active, the subsidy may be delivered as free/reduced-cost seats in a training cohort, a voucher toward exam fees, or reimbursement after completion. What's covered varies by state and which training providers received grant funds. Common covered costs include:
Here's what certification typically costs out-of-pocket if TREC is not available:
The foundational home performance credential. Required for most HEAR contractor enrollment programs. BPI updated the Energy Auditor certification in February 2026 with new written and field exams.
Newer credential distinct from Building Analyst. Focuses on energy assessment and reporting. Two-part exam (written + field). Launched fully February 2026.
Required for the HOMES modeled savings pathway in most states. Includes training, supervised rating practice (mentored ratings), and credentialing through a RESNET Provider.
Home Energy Professional credential. Increasingly required for HOMES pathway work and some state HEAR enrollment requirements.
Hands-on technical training for HVAC technicians. Not a national credential, but required or strongly preferred by some state HEAR programs (Michigan, Minnesota, Washington for cold-climate designation).
Generally no — TREC funds go to state energy offices, who then contract with training providers (community colleges, certification bodies, workforce programs). You access the subsidy by enrolling in a state-approved training program, not by applying for TREC directly.
Both. TREC is designed for any contractor involved in residential energy efficiency and electrification — including HVAC technicians doing heat pump installation, insulation contractors, energy auditors, and weatherization workers. The specific training covered depends on what your state's program funds.
Yes. BPI, RESNET, and DOE HEP credentials obtained through TREC-funded training are the same credentials — they're nationally recognized and accepted by all state HEAR programs. There's no difference between a TREC-subsidized credential and one paid out of pocket.
They were rescinded by Congress before any awards were made. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (Public Law 119-21) rescinded unobligated IRA fund balances, and the $40M competitive pool had not been obligated. Those funds are no longer available.
Yes. Several utilities run certification subsidy programs for contractors in their rebate networks. Check with your state's HEAR program administrator and ask if they have certification support for enrolled contractors. Mass Save, NYSERDA, Michigan Saves, and WA Commerce all have some form of contractor development support separate from TREC.
The IRA Practitioner Brief covers TREC program launches, HEAR certification requirements, and contractor enrollment updates every week. Free for the first three issues.
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