Continuing Ed & Recertification

NABCEP Certification should be viewed as a dynamic and ongoing process.  Those who achieve NABCEP certification should strive to update and refresh their knowledge about installing both PV and Solar Thermal systems.

Recertification is defined as a process designed to facilitate continued competence through participation in a learning process that enhances the certificant’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy and energy efficiency technologies and infrastructure systems.  Recertification assures the public, employers and practitioners that the nationally certified professional in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy and energy efficiency technologies and infrastructure systems remains committed to continued professional training and education and adherence to the NABCEP Code of Ethics.

In order to maintain certification, NABCEP certificants must obtain 18 contact hours of continuing education (CE) in certain PV and business-related areas within three years of initial certification, six hours related to the National Electric Code (NEC), six hours related to the NABCEP Task Analysis, and six hours in a subject area which is helpful in operating a business.  Educators and others who provide training and education in these areas should become familiar with these guidelines, particularly if they are interested in stating that their offerings are "Approved for NABCEP Continuing Education Credits (CEC).

Included within the CE guidelines is the actual Continuing Education Course Application for certain providers of CE. Through the application process, they will be notified as to whether or not their course meets the NABCEP requirements for CE credits. Once approved by NABCEP, providers can indicate that their course is NABCEP approved for continuing education credits.

In addition, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) maintains a database of renewable energy training courses, including PV, solar thermal, small wind and other clean energy technologies. 

NABCEP Approved Continuing Education Courses for Recertification
Those courses which are provided by accredited institutions, such as community colleges, vocational technical schools or government/state licensing boards do not need to be  formally approval by NABCEP.  As long as the course is relevant to the NEC, the PV or Solar Thermal Task Analysis or some aspect of operating a renewable energy business, NABCEP approval (through submission of an application), is not necessary.  

However, courses provided by manufacturers, distributors, dealers or individual trainers MUST be approved by NABCEP (because they are not offered by an accredited institution or  or government/state licensing board.) 

All courses directly relate to the NABCEP PV and Solar Thermal Task Analyses and therefore can be used to meet all or part of the requirement of six (6) hours of continuing education on the Task Analysis. Those greater than six (6) hours in length can be used to offset all or part of the six (6) hours required of technical or non-technical training as well. There are other courses which can be used to meet the required six (6) hours of continuing education credits on the National Electric Code (NEC) and are noted.

Please call the education provider at the phone number shown for training/course offerings:

List of PV Continuing Ed Courses

List of Solar Thermal Continuing Ed Courses