The mission of NABCEP is to create quality certification programs for installers and practitioners in renewable energy technologies. NABCEP creates quality certification programs utilizing industry accepted standards for accreditation bodies.  NABCEP's first certification program, established in 2002, was the Solar PV Installer Certification.  And in 2006, NABCEP finalized its Solar Thermal Installer certification program.

NABCEP’s philosophy and practice on creation of certification programs is to create them only if and when a significant number of stakeholders within the industry indicate that a certification program would be beneficial for practitioners, the industry and consumers.  The NABCEP Board of Directors voted to move ahead with PV and solar thermal certification after receiving significant support from both stakeholder groups.  As such, NABCEP will continue to follow the same process to consider certification for small wind and other renewable energy technologies.