NABCEP : North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

Requirements
To be eligible for NABCEP solar thermal installer certification, candidates must first meet these basic requirements:

1) Be at least 18 years of age;
2) Meet prerequisites of related experience and/or education
3) Complete an application form documenting requirements
4) Sign a code of ethics
5) Pay applicable fees
6) Pass a written exam

Prerequisites/Education
There are several ways that you may qualify to sit for the NABCEP Solar Thermal Installer Certification examination. NABCEP recognizes that professionals in the field of renewable and sustainable energy and energy efficient technologies receive their training and work experiences in a variety of ways. Therefore each requirement to qualify for the exam stipulates specific training and/or experience. The NABCEP Application Review Committee will review each application to determine compliance with eligibility criteria. Compliance with the requirements of one of the Qualifying Categories must be documented.

Qualifying Categories for the Solar Thermal Installer Certification Examination
To qualify to sit for the NABCEP Solar Thermal Installer Certification examination, the candidate must demonstrate that he/she meets at least ONE of the eight following minimum entry requirement tracks:

1-a) Four (4) years of experience installing Solar Hot Water Systems (definition of years of experience in Section 1.1.1 below); OR
1-b) Two (2) years of experience installing Solar Pool Heating Systems in addition to completion of a board recognized training program (see definition of training in Section 1.1.3 below); OR

Note: It is necessary to choose only ONE of the two requirements listed in category ‘1’ above, if this is your chosen category.

2) Two (2) years of experience installing Solar Thermal Systems in addition to completion of board recognized training program (see Section 1.1.4 below); OR
3) Be an existing licensed contractor in good standing in solar or construction-related areas with one (1) year of experience installing Solar Thermal Systems OR
4) Four (4) years of HVAC, mechanical, pipe-fitting or plumbing-related experience working for a licensed contractor, including one (1) year of experience installing Solar Thermal Systems; OR
5) Three (3) years experience in a government/trade union-approved construction trade apprentice program, including one (1) year of experience installing Solar Thermal Systems; OR
6) Two (2)-year construction-related, or engineering technology, or renewable energy technology/technician degree from an accredited educational institution plus one (1) year of experience installing Solar Thermal Systems; OR
7) Four (4)-year engineering degree from an accredited educational institution, including (1) year experience installing Solar Thermal Systems.
8) NABCEP^© PV Solar Installer Certification AND Board-recognized training (see section 1.1.3 below), AND include installation of at least two solar hot water systems. These two systems require 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 exist, the Application Review Committee will judge experience based on supplied documentation.

One year of experience must include service, repair and/or installation of solar thermal systems. This year of service MUST include:

--A responsible role on the job installing solar hot water systems, in the role of foreman, supervisor, site manager, or experienced worker performing solar hot water installation work without direct supervision. This must include installation of at least two solar hot water systems. These two systems require 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 exist, the Application Review Committee will judge experience based on supplied documentation.

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 the Institute of Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) Accreditation designation offered by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council or a similar accreditation.

NABCEP will accept training to meet entry requirement option (1-b) when the training meets the following outcomes:
      a) A minimum of 16 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; and
      c) Covers core competencies from the Solar Thermal Task Analysis, including demonstration of motor skills; the applicable plumbing, roofing, electrical and other Codes; safety work practices and codes.

NABCEP will accept training to meet entry requirement option (2) when the training meets the following outcomes:
a) A imnimum 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 Solar Thermal Task Analysis, including demonstration of motor skills; the applicable plumbing, roofing, electrical and other Codes; safety work practices and codes.

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)
2. Dedicated independent training programs (e.g., Midwest Renewable Energy Center, Solar Energy International, Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, etc.)
3. Apprenticeship training programs (e.g., National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee*; U.S. Dept. 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*)
6. Industry in-house training programs (i.e., Manufacturers)

Documentation of Employment, Experience, & Education

To show that you have been working in the solar thermal 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 Solar Thermal-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 Solar Thermal 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 Solar Thermal Candidate Information Handbook, Section 3.2.2) 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.

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;

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 two 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.