NABCEP Proposes Changes to Entry Level Exam Program

December 22, 2014 (Clifton Park, NY)

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is seeking stakeholder input on proposed changes to the NABCEP Entry Level Program, including the PV, Solar Heating, and Small Wind Entry Level Exams. Since 2005, more than 25,000 individuals have taken one of NABCEP’s Entry Level Examinations after completing training from one of over 300 Registered NABCEP Entry Level Exam Providers. The proposed changes will:

1. change the name of the program to the “NABCEP Certified Associate Program,” and recognize those individuals who complete the eligibility requirements and pass the examination as being a “NABCEP Certified Associate” (I.E. “NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Associate”);
2. expand the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam by adding an experience-based pathway whereby individuals can qualify for the certification after 6 months of related employment;
3. implement recertification requirements such that individuals must obtain 12 hours of continuing education every three years to maintain the Associate Certification;
4. and, initiate a process through which any individual who previously passed a NABCEP Entry Level Exam may obtain the appropriate NABCEP Certified Associate designation.
   Feedback on the proposed changes is being collected through an on-line survey, open to the public until January 22, 2015. The survey can be accessed via the following URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NABCEP_Associate_Survey.

“The changes proposed to the Entry Level Program are long overdue. For good reason, tiered certification programs with both associate and professional levels are common across all kinds of different industries. Once adopted, NABCEP will finally have a mechanism in place for those who have passed the challenging entry-level examinations to be able to publicize their achievement with an industry recognized credential,” says NABCEP’s Executive Director, Richard Lawrence.

Don Warfield, NABCEP’s Chairperson says, “The NABCEP Board of Directors has put careful thought into the proposed changes to the Entry Level Exam Program and is now seeking input from the public to help guide our decision on these important changes. At the heart of the changes is the ability for those who have obtained employment in a job that did not require prior training, to be able to distinguish themselves with an associate-level credential while working on gaining the experience and education required for professional-level certification. We believe these changes will have a tremendously positive impact on the careers of thousands of people working in the renewable energy industry, and we look forward to receiving feedback from the industry on the proposal.”

Comments on the proposed changes may also be submitted by email to info@nabcep.org; faxed to (518) 899-1092; or mailed to 56 Clifton Country Road, Suite 202, Clifton Park, NY 12065. All comments and survey responses must be received by January 22, 2015.