The only course you need to become a Passive House Designer

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Course Features

  • Real World Projects. Real Learning. Real Results.

    Go beyond the theory with immersive case studies from live Passivhaus projects. See how the standard is applied in practice. From detailing to delivery and across single family homes, large-scale housing and public buildings

  • Advance with the Industry’s Leading Qualification

    Our course is fully aligned with the London Plan, Scotland’s Passivhaus-equivalent, and the RIAI’s Design for Performance guidance. It equips you to deliver real results, keeping you ahead of regulation and ready to lead on Net Zero compliance, quality, and comfort.

  • Your Schedule. Our Expertise. Designed to Fit Your Life.

    Our flexible, on-demand course puts you in control - no fixed times, no compromises. Learn at your pace, revisit content anytime, and build towards Certified Passive House Designer success with expert-led modules and live mentoring sessions.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is for built environment professionals who want to lead the transition to performance-led design and deliver buildings that truly work.

  • Architects and Designers ready to future-proof their skillset with the most rigorous energy standard in the world

  • Engineers and Consultants who want to deliver measurable results and align with emerging regulations

  • Developers and Project Managers seeking to understand what’s required to hit Passivhaus performance without compromising quality or cost

  • Policy-makers and Educators looking to embed the highest standards into policy, procurement, and curriculum

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Everything you need to master Passive House design — on your terms.

  • 20 Expert Modules

    Covering every aspect of Passive House design - from building physics and airtightness to PHPP modelling and certification workflows. Practical, detailed, and real-world focused.

  • 12 Months Access

    Study on your terms with full access to all course materials for 12 months. Learn at your pace, revisit modules anytime, and fit study around your schedule.

  • Certification Ready

    Built to help you pass with confidence. The course includes your PHPP software licence and exam prep essentials, so you’re fully equipped to succeed and apply your skills immediately.

A 98% CPHD exam pass rate sets Mosart apart as a leader in Passive House training. Our expert-led CPHD course equips architects and building professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to pass the Certified Passive House Designer exam and apply Passive House standards in practice.

Achieving certification shows you’re ready to lead on Passive House design and opens doors to new projects, roles, and recognition.

  • Add international credibility to your CV

  • Build confidence in your design decisions

  • Show clients and employers you’re ahead of the curve

Bailie Wilson

5 star rating

“As a new sustainability consultant, this course has given me more knowledge and confidence! Having completed my PhD in low energy buildings in Ireland, it's been interesting to see how PHPP is filled out and completed.”

“As a new sustainability consultant, this course has given me more knowledge and confidence! Having completed my PhD in low energy buildings in Ireland, it's been interesting to see how PHPP is filled out and completed.”

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Niamh Guven

5 star rating

“It’s not an easy course or exam, but MosArt provided all the right information and tools to take on the challenge! I learned a lot throughout the process, and the team was always approachable, supportive, and happy to provide feedback whenever I ...”

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“It’s not an easy course or exam, but MosArt provided all the right information and tools to take on the challenge! I learned a lot throughout the process, and the team was always approachable, supportive, and happy to provide feedback whenever I had a question. I’d highly recommend the course!”

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Mark Burgess

5 star rating

“Exceeded my expectations! SO glad I chose Mosart's course. Thank you. I want to be a Certified Passive House designer because I think it could lead to fewer but higher-value commissions. Value in terms of:- Fee per order; interacting with clients ...”

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“Exceeded my expectations! SO glad I chose Mosart's course. Thank you. I want to be a Certified Passive House designer because I think it could lead to fewer but higher-value commissions. Value in terms of:- Fee per order; interacting with clients who want high design quality in terms of environmental/economic performance and comfort; working with contractors who are genuine skilled construction professionals. I've practiced solo since 2010 and before that worked for over twenty years in large commercial practice. And before that with two smaller architects. So I have adapted. And now see PH as an exciting new phase in my career (I'm 65 and qualified in 1986). The main point:- Tomas is an excellent teacher and presenter and he and his colleagues have created an excellent effective experience. Which I have really enjoyed! What's not to like about Passive House when you realise its pure goodness? ”

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Sarah Schutter

5 star rating

“Light bulb moment doing this course. Wish I had done it 10 years ago. Its well paced, easy to follow and good balance of text, videos and diagrams to explain concepts. Very pleased!”

“Light bulb moment doing this course. Wish I had done it 10 years ago. Its well paced, easy to follow and good balance of text, videos and diagrams to explain concepts. Very pleased!”

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Anthony Polansky

5 star rating

“I have really enjoyed the course. Thomas's presentations are engaging in that there is some fun threaded into it, his enthusiasm too helped keep me engaged. The presentations are bite sized and therefore manageable albeit some of the later PHPP on...”

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“I have really enjoyed the course. Thomas's presentations are engaging in that there is some fun threaded into it, his enthusiasm too helped keep me engaged. The presentations are bite sized and therefore manageable albeit some of the later PHPP ones were a little long and demanded a lot of concentration so could perhaps be spread out a little more in the future. I thought the regular short quizzes were very good too. I found Stella's responses to my questions to be excellent too, quick responses and a lovely helpful attitude. My story is that I'm an architect in Norwich in the UK, before covid I have had the good fortune to work with Sarah Lewis on several passive house developments and have personally overseen the design and construction of over 130 houses and flats certified to the passive house standard. I had always hoped to learn more and become a certified designer but the practice I worked for weren't prepared to support me. I was recently made redundant so now that I have the time, I didn't want to miss the opportunity so without the distraction of a job I have been able to proceed at a somewhat relaxed pace with the course being both very manageable and enjoyable. I have just under 5 weeks to go before the exam so should have time to go over some of the material again as well as the exam preparation. I'm not sure yet were this new knowledge and certified status will take me as I am between jobs, but the knowledge does feel important. With the knowledge I have now I would hope to be able to influence clients and contractors to engage. Finally a big thank you, an excellent course and really well executed. ”

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David Rice

5 star rating

“I found the course content & delivery exceptional. The on demand format really worked well for me. I was apprehensive at first as I don't have an architecture or engineering background - I am a carpenter/joiner, small builder & project m...”

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“I found the course content & delivery exceptional. The on demand format really worked well for me. I was apprehensive at first as I don't have an architecture or engineering background - I am a carpenter/joiner, small builder & project manager - but the team at Mosart were incredibly helpful & encouraging and gave me the confidence to take on the course. The use of real world case studies & examples helped me to visualise the concepts and gain a better understanding. I undertook the training as I am passionate about sustainable building. I am also intensely quality focused. I have come to believe that Passive House is the only standard worth attaining as it is a modelled and fully certified standard. NZEB, BER etc. are often aspirational and paper based and poorly executed in reality. I am about to embark on a project that I have been conceptualising for some time to build a low impact, low energy home using only natural sustainable materials and building practices. The CPHD training has given me the tools and confidence to incorporate Passive House principles into the design & construction of this project, seek certification and use it as a catalyst for future Passive House projects. Thank you to Tomas and the team. ”

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Next Certified Passivhaus Designer Exam

31st March 2026

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MEET YOUR TUTOR

Tomás O'Leary - Globally Accredited Passivhaus Certifier and Trainer

Tomás O’Leary is a trailblazer in Passivhaus design and one of the most trusted voices in high-performance building. A natural educator, he’s trained thousands of professionals worldwide and helped shape Passivhaus training standards. He delivered the first certified Passive House in the English-speaking world and has spent over 30 years leading mosart at the cutting edge of sustainable architecture, consultancy, and education. His work bridges design innovation and climate impact — always with people and performance at the core.

Tomás O'Leary

Passivhaus Certifier & Trainer

Course curriculum

    1. How to Access the Mobile App

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Welcome!

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Smart Vapour Layer Placement & Leak Pathway Detection

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Inside Ireland’s First Passive House Office: Case Study

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Real-World Fix: How We Solved Parapet Heat Loss

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. How to Ask Your Employer to Cover the Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Welcome to the course!

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Course Onboarding – Quick Survey (30 seconds)

    1. Fundamentals of Passive House Design

    2. Delivering Comfort, Efficiency & Durability

    3. Diverse Exemplars of Passive House in Action

    4. The 5 Passive House Principles in Practice

    5. Design Smarter with Compact Forms

    6. What is Primary Energy Why does it Matter?

    7. Module 1.1 Quiz 1

    1. PHPP: The Essential Tool for Passive House Modelling

    2. Optimising Heat Gains in Passive Design Success

    3. Unlocking Better Thermal Performance

    4. Precision Matters: Area Calculations

    5. Understanding Key Influences on Heat Flow

    6. Calculate Transmission Heat Loss Like a Pro

    7. Module 1.2 Quiz 1

    1. Boost Energy Efficiency by Optimising Insulation Continuity

    2. Guide to Whole Life Carbon in Building Design

    3. Maximize Performance with External Wall Insulation (EWI)

    4. Potential for ICF in Passive Design

    5. Timber Frame and Cellulose in Large Passive House Projects

    6. Minimise Joints with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

    7. Design Flexibility in Passive House Projects

    8. Thermal Detailing at Floor Slabs for Comfort and Efficiency

    9. Module 2.1 Quiz 1

About this course

  • 171 lessons
  • PHI Approved
  • PHPP License, Exam Preparation Course & Official PHI Exam Included
  • 45 CPD Points

Bonus Features

Enrol on mosart’s On-Demand Certified Passivhaus Designer course and you’ll also receive:

  • A full Passivhaus Planning Package (PHPP 10) licence, worth €270, to use on all future projects.

  • Comprehensive exam-prep pathway: self-paced tutorials, timed mock papers and personalised feedback, plus the official Passivhaus Designer/Consultant exam—all fees covered (combined value €800).

  • Membership of the Mosart Community for peer support and knowledge sharing

  • 12 month on-demand access to our resource library of recorded lectures, case-study walk-throughs and downloadable templates.

  • Monthly webinars with a Mosart Passivhaus expert and a live Q&A session

Flexible Ways to Enrol

Learn from Passive House and Net Zero building experts with a payment plan that works for you. Pay in full upfront or spread the cost over three months.

  • €1.795,00

    Pay in Full

    →

  • €665/month

    3 Month Installment

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Trusted by Industry Leaders

Worldwide CPHD Training for High-Performance Building Professionals

The Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) course is available online, allowing professionals anywhere in the world to access accredited Passive House training. Our participants study from Ireland, the UK, and internationally, learning together through the same structured, expert-led programme. Designed for busy professionals, the course offers global access without compromising depth, quality, or technical rigour. One course. One standard. Global reach.

See What Our Alumni Are Building

Our CPHD graduates are shaping the future of sustainable construction. Delivering real Passivhaus projects across Ireland, the UK, and beyond. Their stories show how the CPHD course translates into confidence, expertise, and results.

Explore Alumni Projects

What To Expect

The online exam is structured to help you showcase your skills with confidence. You’ll have:

  • 90 minutes to complete the assessment

  • 15 carefully crafted questions across 7 key Passive House topics

  • A mix of Multiple Choice, True/False, and Calculation-Based problems

  • Just 50% required to pass

FAQ

  • How does this course prepare me for Net Zero regulations?

    The Certified Passivhaus Designer course equips you with the building science and PHPP skills that underpin Net Zero standards worldwide. By training with mosart, you’ll not only meet today’s NZEB requirements but also be ready for 2030’s Net Zero building mandate.

  • How long does it take to complete the course?

    Most learners complete the CPHD On Demand course in 3 months, studying around professional schedules. The flexible format means you can progress at your own pace and revisit modules as needed. Exam sittings are available every quarter, allowing you to choose the date that works best.

  • Do I need an architectural or engineering background?

    No. While many participants are architects or engineers, the CPHD course is open to anyone with experience in construction, design, or sustainability. Project managers, developers, and consultants have all successfully achieved CPHD certification. The training is designed to build your confidence, whatever your starting point.

  • How does CPHD compare to other sustainability courses?

    Unlike shorter awareness courses, the Certified Passive House Designer qualification is internationally recognised and directly linked to delivering high-performance, low-energy, and Net Zero buildings. It’s widely seen as the gold standard for sustainable building training, opening doors to career advancement, regulatory compliance, and competitive advantage.

  • Is Passive House the best way to achieve Net Zero?

    Yes. Passive House is widely recognised as the most reliable pathway to Net Zero energy buildings. By focusing on fabric-first design – airtightness, insulation, elimination of thermal bridges, and balanced ventilation – Passive House dramatically reduces energy demand. When this low demand is combined with renewable energy, buildings can achieve true Net Zero performance. This is why Passive House principles are embedded in many NZEB and Net Zero regulations across Europe, making CPHD training one of the most effective ways to future-proof your skills and projects.

  • Can I take the CPHD course if I’m based outside Ireland or the UK?

    Yes. The Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) course is delivered fully online and is open to participants worldwide. Current students join from Ireland, Great Britain, and across the rest of the world, with the same expert-led teaching, course content, and certification pathway available regardless of location.

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