Associate Program

In a decade, NABCEP has grown from a regional company into the global certification leader.
NABCEP Certifications Associate Program

What is the NABCEP Associate Credential?

The NABCEP Associate Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic, Solar Heating or Small Wind energy systems.

A NABCEP Associate Credential (NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate™, NABCEP Solar Heating Associate™, or NABCEP Small Wind Associate™) is earned by passing an examination based on the related NABCEP Associate Job Task Analysis (JTA) or Learning Objectives.

Why become a NABCEP Associate?

As the market grows for Photovoltaic, Solar Heating, and Small Wind technologies, individuals with a NABCEP Associate Credential enhance their employment opportunities with distinguished resumes. Employers have confidence they are hiring or promoting someone who is committed to the profession, and who has a proven understanding of the basic terms and operational aspects of a Photovoltaic, Solar Heating or Small Wind system.

Passing a NABCEP Associate exam qualifies an individual to design, sell, install, or maintain systems in a supervised capacity.

NABCEP maintains an online Associate Directory, which can be used to verify an individual’s type of credential, credential number, and expiration date.

NABCEP Associates in good standing may utilize the Marks below in accordance with the NABCEP Trademark Policy. Only individuals with active NABCEP Associate credentials are authorized to utilize the Marks; any unauthorized use should be reported to info@nabcep.org.  Please note, Associates do not receive a NABCEP Digital Badge.

Who should take the NABCEP Associate Exam?

The NABCEP Associate Program is intended for individuals working or seeking employment in the renewable energy industry, including students in renewable energy programs, workers at an early stage in their renewable energy career, experienced professionals new to the renewable energy field, or those in renewable energy jobs for which there is no professional certification.

Obtaining this credential is most often the first step toward a NABCEP Board Certification or added recognition in a field with many career paths to pursue.

3 Ways to get a NABCEP Associate Credential

There are three pathways to obtaining a NABCEP Associate credential:

  • Education Pathway — Successfully complete a photovoltaics, solar heating, or small wind training course with a NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider, and pass the relevant NABCEP Associate Examination. Click here to find a class.
  • Experience Pathway — Document at least six months of full-time equivalent work experience in a job that is directly involved with photovoltaics, solar heating, or small wind technologies, and pass the relevant NABCEP Associate Examination.  To begin, go to the Apply Now! page.
  • NABCEP Entry Level Conversion Pathway — You already received a NABCEP Entry Level Achievement Award for photovoltaics or solar heating. If the award was earned more than three years ago, documentation of at least 12 hours of continuing education within the last three years will also be required. To begin, go to the Apply Now! page.

How do I schedule a NABCEP Associate Exam?

If you are completing the Education Pathway, you will need to contact the NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider you took the course with to take the NABCEP Associate Exam.  The Provider will register you to take the exam – you do not submit an application to NABCEP.

If you are completing the Experience Pathway, you will need to complete an Associate application online and submit it for review.  Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from our testing vendor with instructions on how to schedule your online exam.

The NABCEP Associate program is now available internationally, with testing sites in the U.S. and 97 other countries worldwide. To find a testing site, click here.

Practice Exams

Online practice exams are available for the NABCEP PV Associate Credential Exam. By taking the practice exam, you will have the opportunity to become comfortable with the format of the exam. It also allows you to become more comfortable with the timing of the exam and knowing how long to spend on a given question.