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Navigating NABCEP

Understanding NABCEP & NABCEP’s Credentials for Solar PV

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the “gold standard” of PV certifications. NABCEP’s goals are to raise industry standards and promote consumer confidence. NABCEP credentials are widely recognized in the PV industry and are even required for solar installers in some states.

NABCEP Entry Level Exam

  • A description of the Entry Level program can be found on NABCEP’s website HERE.
  • Passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam is a great way to demonstrate to prospective employers that you understand the basic principles of designing, installing and operating PV systems.
  • Attending Ambassador Energy’s 5 Day Entry Level PV Design and Installation Course will qualify candidates to take this exam, which is administered by Ambassador Energy at the end of the course.
  • This credential does not require any previous solar experience or solar training beyond the 5-day class.

NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification

  • A description of the PV Technical Sales Certification can be found on NABCEP’s website HERE.
  • This certification is for people who want to get into solar sales, applications engineering, financial analysis or site assessment.
  • There are many for ways for candidates to qualify for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Exam which can be seen HERE.
  • Passing the NABCEP Entry Level Exam can help candidates qualify for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Exam. Ambassador Energy’s 5 Day Entry Level PV Design and Installation Course includes the Entry Level Exam, administered by Ambassador Energy at the end of the course.
  • Ambassador Energy’s 2-day solar training course Advanced PV Technical Sales is designed to help students prepare for the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Exam.
  • The next exam window and deadlines have not yet been annouced.

NABCEP PV Installer Certification

  • NABCEP says the NABCEP PV Installer Certification is “the hard one to get”. A description can be found on NABCEP’s website HERE.
  • This certification is for those who want to supervise PV installations.
  • Candidates must supervise 3 – 5 PV installations and take 58 hours of training in order to qualify for the NABCEP PV Installer Exam, details can be found HERE.
  • The 5-day Advanced PV Design and Installation class offered through InterCoast Colleges counts as 45 hours of advanced, accredited training.
  • Ambassador Energy also offers a 2-day Advanced Solar PV Design class as a refresher course right before the scheduled exam date.
  • The deadline to apply for the September PV Installer Exam has passed and the deadline for the March 2013 exam has not yet been announced but is typically the beginning of January. Candidates that want to qualify for the March exam should take the September or October class in order to complete the course before the deadline.