• Learning Objectives
  • Is it right for me?
  • Course Contents

Develop the technical expertise and practical skills needed to confidently assess commercial refurbishment and fit out projects under BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out (RFO) Version 7.

As the built environment increasingly focuses on retrofit, sustainability, and whole-life carbon performance, understanding how to apply BREEAM to existing buildings has become an invaluable skill. This comprehensive course combines in-depth technical knowledge with hands-on assessment practice, preparing you to operate effectively as a BREEAM assessor in real-world project environments.

Throughout the course, you will:

  • Master the technical requirements and practical application of BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out (RFO) Version 7 for existing buildings and commercial tenancies.
  • Understand the latest energy, carbon, and sustainability principles, including how BREEAM addresses whole-life carbon within refurbishment projects.
  • Build a strong foundation in BREEAM methodology, scheme classifications, and assessment processes.
  • Gain confidence using the BREEAM assessor platform and supporting tools to manage assessments efficiently.
  • Learn how to work collaboratively with project teams and stakeholders to achieve successful sustainability outcomes.
  • Develop best practice approaches for gathering, recording, and referencing compliant evidence.
  • Understand how to plan, conduct, and document site visits as part of the assessment lifecycle.
  • Navigate the quality assurance and certification process to ensure accurate and successful assessment submissions.
  • Strengthen your ability to support clients in achieving higher sustainability performance and improved BREEAM ratings.

Beyond understanding the technical criteria, you’ll develop the practical competencies needed to manage assessments confidently, communicate effectively with project teams, and deliver robust BREEAM assessments that stand up to quality assurance review.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the complete technical and practical toolkit required to assess refurbishment and fit-out projects against the BREEAM RFO V7 standards.

Successful completion of the course and examination will enable you to apply for your BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out V7 assessor licence, allowing you to deliver assessments on commercial refurbishment and fit out projects and advance your career within the sustainable built environment sector.

After completing the course learners will be able to

  • Understand and apply the BREEAM RFO assessment methodology
  • Support project teams in aligning with BREEAM sustainability requirements
  • Prepare for and successfully complete the BREEAM assessor examination
  • Begin your pathway to becoming a licensed BREEAM Refurbishment & Fit-Out assessor
  • Contribute to projects aiming to improve sustainability performance and achieve certification
  • Successfully passing this course and examinations enables you to apply for your assessor’s licence under the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out schemes.

At a glance

Duration
2 days virtual or in-person
CPD
14 hours
Language
English
Requirements
N/A
Timeframe
Once purchased you have 12 months in which to complete your training and any subsequent exams, after this time your course content will expire

Contact us

This training enables you to understand the updated scheme in terms of technical content and application.

It’s ideal if you:

  • Work in architecture, engineering, construction, or sustainability consulting
  • Want to transition into a green building or sustainable design-focused role
  • Are interested in developing expertise in retrofit and tenant improvement projects
  • Are ready to gain a globally recognised professional designation in sustainability assessment

No prior BREEAM experience is required, just a commitment to learning and a passion for sustainable development.

Once this exam is successfully passed, you will be eligible to become licensed under BREEAM Refurbishment & Fit Out.

Please note an annual BREEAM license is required if the person needs to be active (carry out assessments).

This course comprises approximately 30 hours of own-pace online training material introducing you to the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out scheme. This is followed by a classroom or virtual event focusing on the technical aspects of the scheme.

Virtual and classroom courses: Please note that course registration will close 10 days prior to the start date to ensure that you have sufficient time to complete the required pre-course training.

Online Course Material & Core Skills

Resources Provided:

  • Technical manuals and compliance notes
  • Guidance notes and training knowledge base
  • Interactive exercise workbook with associated evidence booklet

Core & Technical Training Modules:

  • Online learning
    • Resources
    • Core skills – Provides the essential knowledge and practical foundations required for new BREEAM Assessors to competently deliver assessments using the latest processes and platform.
  • Unit 1 – Introduction.
  • Unit 2 – Energy.
  • Unit 3 – Water.
  • Unit 4 – Materials.
  • Unit 5 – Waste.
  • Unit 6 – Resilience.
  • Unit 7 – Land Use & Ecology.
  • Unit 8 – Pollution.
  • Unit 9 – Management.
  • Unit 10 – Health & Wellbeing.
  • Unit 11 – Transport.
  • RFO Approved Standards List.
  • Mock examinations.

Classroom / Virtual Training

Day 1: Trainees participate in interactive workshop and group learning activities to help them understand some of the technical issues in more depth and review issues in a wider context. Topics covered are BREEAM certification, adapting the scope of BREEAM, scheme classification assignments and a review of some technical sections.

Day 2: Continues to cover more technical sections. The day also looks at the examination procedure and the BREEAM Quality Assurance process. In addition, there is a question and answer (Q&A) session.

Examinations & Licensing

The course programme concludes with two online examinations, set at a day and time to be agreed between the learner and ProctorU, who invigilate examinations on behalf of BRE Academy. Both examinations must be passed for learners to apply for their official assessor licence.

  • BREEAM General Understanding Examination
  • BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Technical Examination

Both exams use an ‘open book’ format, meaning you can use any technical manuals or course documents to aid you during the testing session.

*If you do not pass an exam on your first attempt, you may resit it up to 2 more times. The resit fee is £120 + VAT per exam.

Book an upcoming classroom course:

Clear
Places required:
£3,150.00 + VAT
per person

 


Develop your career with the built environment experts.

View our other training courses virtually, online and in the classroom.