Achieving WELL Certification requires approval during two processes—WELL Documentation Review and WELL Performance Verification—which together evaluate if a project meets the requirements of the WELL Building Standard™. While design, policies and protocols are verified through the documentation review phase, performance verification ensures that the space is actually performing at a high level for human health.

Performance verification is unique to WELL and is one of the most important milestones in the certification process. It verifies that the environmental parameters impacting people’s health and well-being are achieved, and provides assurance and transparency that the site is performing as intended. This third-party performance testing is key to illuminating potential gaps and opportunities for improvement.

What is WELL Performance Verification?

WELL Performance Verification is a data-driven, on-site, third-party assessment of your project to confirm compliance with WELL. Certain WELL feature parts (i.e., those listed as being verified through 'On-site Measurement' and 'On-site Photographs') are verified through on-site performance testing and evaluation. To find out which type of verification is required for each of the feature parts, check out Appendix D in WELL v1, the WELL v2 pilot Appendix: Verification Methods or the WELL v2 Appendix 1: Verification Methods. You can also check out the "Verification" tab available for each feature on the digital version of WELL v2.

When reviewing performance testing requirements and the specific thresholds for each feature, be aware that WELL Performance Testing Agents are not allowed to round results. For example, if the threshold to achieve a feature is 30%, a project rated at 29.99% is determined to not meet the threshold.

Who is involved in the WELL Performance Verification process?

Performance Verification must be completed by an approved Performance Testing Organization. Any performance testing conducted outside of the formal performance testing site visit will not be counted toward achievement of WELL Certification.

It is important to coordinate with all members of your project team when you schedule on-site performance testing and data collection. A project representative must be “on-call” to assist the WELL Performance Testing Agent throughout the entire performance verification process, and other members of your team should be prepared to step in to help answer the technical questions relevant to their specific area of expertise.

• All initial performance testing for projects pursuing v1 certification must be coordinated by IWBI.

• Retesting or recertification for v1 projects, v2 initial/retesting/recertification, v2-pilot initial/retesting/recertification may be coordinated through IWBI or contracted directly with an approved Performance Testing Organization.

When does WELL Performance Verification take place?

Performance Verification may be scheduled once construction is complete and the project is in the final stages of documentation review, regardless of occupancy rates. The 50% occupancy requirement described in the WELL Program Guidebook has been temporarily waived as of July 14, 2022 to support projects that are experiencing lower than expected occupancy rates due to the pandemic. Until further notice, there is no minimum occupancy requirement to conduct onsite testing and achieve WELL Certification.

First step: 45 days in advance—conduct optional pre-testing

As you prepare for your official WELL Performance Verification, you may wish to consider conducting a preliminary benchmark test to identify areas of concern and remediate prior to the official visit from the WELL Performance Testing Agent. This is an optional strategy to ensure your project is ready, and not required. The best time for testing will depend on the project’s construction schedule, taking into account the time it will take to process the results and remediate, if necessary. If you do choose to conduct pre-testing, review and share the Performance Verification Guidebook with your project team to ensure the correct methodologies are followed and the proper equipment is used.

Second step: 3-4 weeks in advance (at least)—schedule your date

Allow at least 3-4 weeks between when the documentation is approved and performance verification is conducted. This allows for coordinating lab equipment and materials, booking travel if necessary and scheduling with the WELL Performance Testing Agent(s). If there are constraints around when the project will be available for testing, communicate these constraints to your WELL Performance Testing Agent as early in the process as possible.

The WELL Performance Testing Agent will send out a questionnaire asking a few questions before scheduling. Some questions may include:

• Is there a limited window for testing?
• Are there certain days the project is not available?
• Are there restrictions the WELL Performance Testing Agent should be aware of?

These online forms need to be completed and returned prior to the on-site visit. Because performance verification includes environmental testing, we recommend postponing any unusual activities that may impact on-site conditions.

You are also encouraged to download, complete and send this project information form to prospective WELL Performance Testing Organizations. This form will provide WELL Performance Testing Agents with a summary of the project scope and enable them to more efficiently plan for on-site testing.

Third step: 15 days in advance—complete a walk-through

At this stage, we recommend completing a walk-through and inspecting all features that you are pursuing on the project. It’s also important to conduct a comprehensive review of the Final Documentation Report so you are aware of which features will be assessed on-site.

Remember, while only some features may be designated as “Pending performance verification,” all features are subject to spot checks!

Fourth step: seven days in advance—inform occupants

As your on-site testing approaches, we recommend informing occupants about WELL and WELL Performance Verification, and providing guidelines to ensure they don’t disrupt testing activity.

Around this time, your WELL Performance Testing Agent will reach out again to schedule a pre-performance verification call (if they have not already). On the call, they will discuss with you the areas they will need to access, the overall agenda, the time period for their visit and other site-specific considerations.

Be sure to add the Performance Testing Agent to your team in your WELL account with the role of Performance Testing Agent - Full Access (can view all documents) or Performance Testing Agent - Limited Access (can only view the documents that they uploaded). This will allow the Performance Testing Agent to upload documentation once the testing is complete.

What to expect on the day of performance verification

During WELL Performance Verification, the WELL Performance Testing Agent will follow the previously discussed agenda as closely as possible. Occasionally, they will make adjustments to the schedule to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. The WELL Performance Testing Agent will verify all features that were pursued by the project, in line with the Performance Verification Guidebook. Note that projects are typically held to the most recent version of the Performance Verification Guidebook unless the project team requests to use the version published at their time of registration. 

Once complete, the WELL Performance Testing Agent will discuss how the performance verification went overall and will confirm if all features were available and accessible for review. Please keep in mind that formal feedback cannot be provided at this time, as the WELL Performance Testing Agent must complete the full standardized review and quality control process.

What happens after performance testing?

Once all on-site testing results have been received and reviewed, the WELL Performance Testing Agent will share the results with you. The Performance Testing Agent will upload passing results to the Documents tab for review in the next review cycle. 

When reviewing performance testing requirements and the specific thresholds for each feature, WELL Performance Testing Agents are not allowed to round results. For example, if the threshold to achieve a feature is 30%, a location rated at 29.99% is determined to not meet the threshold. However, WELL Performance Testing Agents can and are encouraged to retest where WELL requirements are not being met to avoid submitting non-passing results and avoid the need for curative action or further testing.

After performance verification

Once all on-site testing results have been received and reviewed, the Final WELL Report will be issued and sent to the project administrator. If all required features are achieved, the project administrator will just need to confirm receipt and accept the certification.

If all required features are not achieved after performance verification, don’t worry! Curative action is available for projects that need to retest for a specific precondition or wish to retry for an optimization. You won’t be alone in this process; our WELL coaching team will be available to support your team in brainstorming solutions.

To learn more about this process, review the Curative Actions and Appeals section within the WELL Program Guidebook.

Once you’re certified, spread the word! Check out the marketing resources to celebrate your achievement and showcase your certified project on the WELL project directory.