NABCEP
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. Each member of the board was chosen because of his or her experience and involvement in the solar energy industry. NABCEP’s mission – to support, and work with, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, professionals, and stakeholders – is intended to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners.
NABCEP’s goal is to develop voluntary national certification programs that will:
- Promote renewable energy
- Provide value to practitioners
- Promote worker safety and skill
- Promote consumer confidence.
NABCEP is committed to providing a certification program of quality and integrity for the professionals and consumer/public it is designed to serve. Professionals who choose to become certified demonstrate their competence in the field and their commitment to upholding high standards of ethical and professional practice.
NABCEP Entry Level Exam vs Solar PV Installer Certification
The Solar Living Institute (SLI) is an approved provider for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam.
Students who have completed the SLI’s PV 200 Design & Installation Intensive workshop or our Online Solar Design & Installation program are eligible to register and sit for the test. Passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam indicates proficiency in basic terminology and concepts of PV systems. The NABCEP Entry Level Exam is optional & you will need to register to take it. View our list of solar training courses.
The NABCEP PV Entry Level Program is designed for those individuals wanting to get into the solar field; achievement of the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam is a way for candidates to demonstrate that they have achieved a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation and operation of grid-tied and stand-alone PV Systems.
The knowledge demonstrated by passing this test does not replace the knowledge, skills or abilities of the electrical or other construction trades, or those of other professions or degree programs that require considerably more academic and/or practical experience. Individuals passing the NABCEP PV Entry Level Exam should not be confused with NABCEP Certified PV Installers. The latter can only be achieved by highly experienced individuals who have passed a much more rigorous examination and have demonstrated the capability to supervise complete PV system installations, and who have a detailed working knowledge of the electrical codes, standards and accepted industry practice associated with PV installations.
As the market grows for photovoltaics, students achieving this industry-sponsored Entry Level Exam may find that their employment opportunities are enhanced by starting the job with an understanding of the basic terms and operational aspects of a PV system. However, completing coursework and passing the Entry Level Exam does not qualify an individual to install PV systems.
NABCEP's Solar PV Installer Certification is a high-level credential based on proven installation experience, an extensive application process, and successfully passing a rigorous written examination which is given 2 times a year by NABCEP. It verifies that the certificant has met predetermined and standardized criteria. It is a mark of excellence for the PV practitioner and it becomes a way for consumers to differentiate among vendors. Our PV 300 Advanced Systems course satisfies the coursework hours required to sit for the NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification Exam, & there are additional requirements that are necessary outside of coursework. For more information about the Solar PV Installer Certification, how to apply & the requirements.
For more information, please visit the NABCEP website: www.nabcep.org
