Basic Requirements
To be eligible for NABCEP solar PV installer certification, candidates must first meet these basic requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Meet prerequisites of related experience and/or education
- Complete an Application Form documenting requirements (you may wish to complete the online application)
- Sign a code of ethics
- Pay applicable fees
- Pass a written exam
Prerequisites or Education Requirements
The NABCEP Board and PV Technical Committee identified five different entry tracks for solar PV installer certification.
To qualify to sit for the NABCEP PV Installer Certification examination, the candidate must demonstrate that he/she meets at least one of the following minimum entry requirement tracks:
a) Experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program (see definition in Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 in the Solar PV Candidate Information Handbook); OR
b) Be an existing licensed contractor in good standing in solar or electrical construction-related areas with experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program (see definition in Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 in the Solar PV Candidate Information Handbook); OR
c) Four (4) years of electrical construction-related experience working for a licensed contractor, including experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program (see definition in Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 in the Solar PV Candidate Information Handbook); OR
d) Three (3) years experience in a U.S. Dept. of Labor-approved electrical construction trade apprentice program, including experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program (see definition in Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 in the Solar PV Candidate Information Handbook); OR
e) Two (2)-year electrical construction-related, or electrical engineering technology, or renewable energy technology/technician degree from an educational institution or four (4)-year construction-related or engineering degree from an educational institution, including experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam.
Definition of Experience
For purposes of this process, experience installing PV systems requires being in a responsible role in decision-making on the job. This includes the foreman, supervisor, site manager responsible for the quality of the installation, or experienced person performing the trade without supervision. There may be several workers that do not carry responsible charge on the jobsite who are aspiring to this role. In these cases, the supervisor may be called upon to make a judgment as to the role of the worker in the process of documenting their experience.
Definition: experience = the installation of two PV systems occurring at some point in the two years prior to submitting an application for the exam. The individual must be in a responsible role on the job installing PV systems, in the role of foreman, supervisor, site manager, or experienced worker performing PV installation work without direct supervision. This time period must include installation of at least two PV systems totaling 1kW. At least one installation must be a system with an inverter and subject to a complete electrical permitting and inspection process by a permitting authority — OR — in the absence of such, an appropriate underwriter authorized to provide an inspection certificate. In regions where neither of these inspection options exists, the Application Review Committee will judge experience based on supplied documentation.
Training and Education Optional
Although training is strongly encouraged, it is not a requirement for achieving this certification when candidates meet the experience or other entry requirements. However, the exam is such that some level of training will likely be necessary for most applicants to achieve a passing score. Candidates are therefore encouraged to seek training classes as needed. It is recommended that applicants look for training courses with Institute of Sustainable Power (ISP) accreditation (i.e., Midwest Renewable Energy Association), or similar accreditation.
NABCEP will accept training to meet entry requirement option (a, b, c, and d) when the training meets the following outcomes:
a) A minimum of 40 hours cumulative (can include product training)
b) Have a formal training format, with a teacher-learner structure. This implies a connection between a learner and a learning source. It can include classroom time led by an instructor and/or discussion leader. It can also include activities in which a learner is engaged in a planned learning event in which he/she is separated from faculty and other students but where the learner receives some sort of feedback and the learner’s progress is monitored. Examples include computer-assisted instruction, interactive video/CD/DVD and/or web site learning.
c) Covers core competencies from the PV Installer Task Analysis, including the National Electrical Code® and OSHA safety standards relevant to PV installation
Types of training programs may include but are not limited to:
1. Offered by any accredited university, college, or community college (i.e., Lane Community
College, San Juan College,)
2. Dedicated independent training programs (e.g. Florida Solar Energy Center, Solar
Energy International, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, etc.)
3. Apprenticeship training programs (e.g. National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee,
Department of Labor approved apprenticeship programs)
4. Those approved by State Contractor Licensing Boards
5. Vocational/Technical training programs (e.g. Board of Cooperative Educational
Services/New York, British Columbia Institute of Technology)
6. Industry in-house training programs (i.e. Manufacturers)
Training Related Installations
NABCEP recognizes PV installations performed by participants during the course of a training program. The typical goal of these installations is to provide participants with hands-on experience in simulated on-the-job conditions. Acceptable practices and requirements for purposes of using training related installations to meet experience requirements are listed below:
a) It is acceptable for the student responsible for the installation to use other students as his/her “crew” as would be customary in an regular installation for a customer
b) Only 1 person may claim the title of “responsible installer” for purposes of listing the installation on the NABCEP Application.
c) Only one of these training-related installations is allowed per NABCEP application. (It must be matched with actual installation(s) for a customer.)
Documentation of Employment, Experience, & Education
To show that you have been working in the PV field for the number of years required by the Qualifying Category you chose (see Section 3.2.1 above), the Application Form will ask you to list PV-related employment in chronological order, starting with most current employment. You will need to write a job description, summarize the # of/type of systems you helped install, and provide contact information for your supervisor. In addition, a supervisor will need to sign off on your current employment. If you are self-employed, the Application Form will ask you to provide a detailed description of your work and sign off on it yourself. Your PV installations will act as verification of your employment.
Formal education and training are optional depending on the Qualifying Category you chose, though NABCEP believes that applicants will benefit from quality training when preparing to take the certification exam. If your Qualifying Category requires education, copies of official transcripts or diplomas attesting to your attendance and degrees earned will need to be attached to the application form.
Documentation of System Installations
In order to document the minimum 2-systems required per year of experience, candidates are asked in the Application Form to list qualifying installed systems (see Section 3.2.2 above) and provide a concise description of work performed at the job site, including the system size, a list of components, the level of their responsibility on the jobsite, number of full-time equivalent workers supervised, and any other pertinent information.
In addition, for each system, applicants will need to provide: a) location of the job site, including some combination of the following: county, lot #, and/or physical address; b) if required in the jurisdiction, permit number(s) and permitting authority for any permits required to perform the work; c) system-owner contact information; d) a photograph of the system (optional); and e) copies of any inspection certificates or permits involved.
NABCEP reserves the right to contact system owners/operators, permitting authorities, and responsible contractors to verify work listed in this section. The Application Form will prompt you to attach copies of any permits or inspection certificates acquired. In cases where no inspection or permitted process was required on either of your 2 installs per year of experience, the Application Review Committee will make decisions about eligibility based on supplied documentation. Optional documentation includes anything that you feel verifies the installation and demonstrates your successful role. For example, you might attach letters from customers, design plans, photos, a letter from your employer asserting that you performed the work listed, or other documentation.
Licensure Requirement
If a license for solar installation is required in the jurisdiction in which the work is performed, candidates must submit their license number — or the license number under which the work was performed.