Professional Recertification & Associate Renewal

Professional Recertification Information

NABCEP Board Certification should be viewed as a dynamic and ongoing process. Those who become NABCEP Board Certified should strive to update and refresh their knowledge and skills related to renewable energy systems.

Recertification provides for continued competence through a learning process that enhances the Board Certified Professional’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the fields of renewable and sustainable energy systems. Recertification assures the public, employers, and practitioners that NABCEP Board Certified Professionals remain committed to continued training and education, and adherence to the NABCEP Code of Ethics.

To maintain certification, NABCEP Board Certified Professionals must obtain continuing education credits or units (CEUs) in specific renewable energy and business-related areas within three years of initial certification:

• CEUs related to applicable Code
• CEUs related to the corresponding NABCEP Job Task Analysis
• CEUs related to PV, Solar Heating, or renewable energy

Details can be found in section 19 of the NABCEP Certification Handbook.  Educators and others who provide training and education in these areas should become familiar with these guidelines.

Applying for Recertification

Certificants may submit their Recertification Application during the third (3^rd) year of their current certification. Certificants are required to log in to their account to complete and submit a recertification application electronically for review.

Follow these steps to recertify:

1. 1. 1. Log in to your myNABCEP account.
      2. Under Credentialing in your account, click on the corresponding certification workflow.
      3. Complete the Recertification Code of Ethics and Fee phase. (The Code of Ethics and recertification fee is required before Certificants may enter recertification requirements.)
      4. Complete the Recertification Requirements phase and steps.
      5. Upload required documentation and submit for review.

Use the NABCEP Course Catalog to find courses to satisfy NABCEP’s requirements for Recertification.

NEW Recertification Requirements for PVTS (Will be active as of November 1)

NABCEP’s recertification requirements for the PV Technical Sales are changing on November 1, 2022 to align with changes in the industry.  The “old” requirements option will no longer be available as of August 31, 2023 (NOTE: you can still use the old pathway to recertify until this date).  The Certification Handbook is not currently up-to-date with these new requirements (a new version will be available soon).

30 Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education requirements for the Board Certifications listed above is 30 hours. For a breakdown of the new CEU requirements for each of NABCEP’s board certifications, click here.

Industry Involvement

NABCEP Board Certified Professionals are required to submit a letter on letterhead, signed by an employer stating the applicant is still actively involved in the renewable energy industry and describing the industry activity of the applicant.

• Industry activity must meet one (1) of the minimum requirements as described below.
• Alternative activities may be submitted for review and acceptance by NABCEP.
• The letter must include specific details as described below.

Minimum Industry Involvement Requirements

• The applicant had a decision-making role in the installation(s) of at least 3 completed installs within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Teacher/trainer/instructor who teaches at least 120 hours of an advanced PV* course(s) or a registered NABCEP PV Associate course within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business or organization that trains students, customers, or clientele to design, install, commission, maintain, inspect or carry out other activities in the PV* market within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business that designs, installs, sells, commissions, maintains, inspects, or finances PV* systems or manufactures solar industry equipment within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

Leadership role relating to PV* within the renewable energy industry for at least 36 hours within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period (e.g. committee or board member in a renewable energy association or company).

Recertification Requirements for PVIP, PVCMS, PVDS, PVIS & SHI

NABCEP’s recertification requirements for the PV Installation Professional, PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist, PV Design Specialist, PV Installer Specialist, and Solar Heating Installer changed on January 1, 2019 to align with changes in the industry. Please use the requirements listed below to complete your recertification.

30 Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education requirements for the Board Certifications listed above is 30 hours. For a breakdown of the new CEU requirements for each of NABCEP’s board certifications, click here.

Industry Involvement

NABCEP Board Certified Professionals are required to submit a letter on letterhead, signed by an employer stating the applicant is still actively involved in the renewable energy industry and describing the industry activity of the applicant.

• Industry activity must meet one (1) of the minimum requirements as described below.
• Alternative activities may be submitted for review and acceptance by NABCEP.
• The letter must include specific details as described below.

Minimum Industry Involvement Requirements

• The applicant had a decision-making role in the installation(s) of at least 3 completed installs within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Teacher/trainer/instructor who teaches at least 120 hours of an advanced PV* course(s) or a registered NABCEP PV Associate course within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business or organization that trains students, customers, or clientele to design, install, commission, maintain, inspect or carry out other activities in the PV* market within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role for at least one (1) year in a business that designs, installs, sells, commissions, maintains, inspects, or finances PV* systems or manufactures solar industry equipment within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period.

• Leadership role relating to PV* within the renewable energy industry for at least 36 hours within the applicant’s three (3) year certification period (e.g. committee or board member in a renewable energy association or company).

PV* to be replaced by Solar Heating for SHI & SHSI recertifications.

Associate Renewal Information

To maintain the NABCEP Associate Credential, Associates must obtain 12 contact hours of continuing education (CE) relating to their credential completed during their 3-year credential period.  Details can be found in section 12 of the NABCEP Associate Handbook.

Associates may submit their Renewal Application during the third (3^rd) year of their current credential period. Associates are required to log in to their account to complete and submit a renewal application electronically for review. Please follow these steps to renew:

1. 1. Log in to your myNABCEP account.
   2. Under Credentialing in your account, click on the corresponding credential workflow.
   3. Complete the Renewal Code of Ethics and Fee phase. (The Code of Ethics and renewal fee is required before Certificants may enter renewal requirements.)
   4. Complete the Renewal Requirements phase and steps.
   5. Upload required documentation and submit for review.

Use the NABCEP Course Catalog to find courses to satisfy NABCEP’s requirements for Renewal.