NABCEP Has Changed its Education Requirements: Are you Ready?
Legal Disclaimer: While Infinite Solar is an approved provider of the NABCEP Entry Level Exam, it has no other official affiliation with the organization and the statements below reflects Infinite Solar's interpretation of NABCEP policies, and should not be perceived as a statement directly from NABCEP.
In January of 2012, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) announced that they are augmenting the educational and experiential requirements to sit for the NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification Exam. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify what the new requirements are and how we are restructuring and expanding our curriculum to best help you meet them.
Please note firstly that the following requirements do NOT apply to the NABCEP Entry Level Exam, which remains unchanged.
Additionally, those of you who submitted applications for the NABCEP Installers Exam prior to January 13th (sitting for the exam on March 24th), are NOT subject to the new requirements.
For those of you planning on taking the full NABCEP PV Installer Exam on in September or any later date, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:
1. 58 Hours of Advanced Solar PV Education
Infinite Solar course hours will count towards these 58 hours because we are a NABCEP Entry Level Exam provider, an IREC Accredited Program, a trade school licensed by the state Department of Education, and a state Workforce Development Certified Eligible Training Program Provider.
Secondly, the curricula must focus on objectives spelled out in the NABCEP's Installers Job Tasks Analysis (JTA). Importantly, 40 hour courses covering Entry Level PV content will only count for 18/58 pre-requisite education hours, IF you pass the NABCEP Entry Level Exam. Entry Level PV course hours will still count for the 40 hours required to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam. If you take 58 hours of advanced level training, or complete an OSHA 30 course, you will not need to pass the NABCPE Entry Level Exam to sit for the NABCEP PV Installer Certification Exam.
On March 10th and 11th , Infinite Solar is working with renowned instructor Ken Thames to put on course titled, "Advanced Solar PV: NABCEP PV Installer Certification Exam Review". This 2 day weekend course will cover the subject matter that most frequently appears on the Full NABCEP Installers Certification Exam. The Exam will take place on March 24th and this course will act as both a refresher and provide you with valuable study resources to ensure you earn this important certification before the education requirements to sit for the test are increased. This course will count for 16 hours of Advanced PV Education and will later be expanded to a 40 hour course to be held early this summer prior to the September NABCEP Exam date.
Also- look forward to PVO 201, our next online course debuting this summer, which will allow you to earn 21 hours of Advanced PV Education hours from the comfort of your own home!
In addition the 58 hours of training, NABCEP Installer Exam applicants will need more documented experience acting in a supervisory role for the installation of 3-5 live systems. The number of required installations depends upon your credentials and professional experience. The details of this policy can be viewed here: http://www.nabcep.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/NABCEP-PV-Application-Form-01.14.12.pdf
3. 10 Hour OSHA Safety Course
While the 10 hour course is the only OSHA course that is required, NABCEP recommends all applicants pass an OSHA 30 hour course. If you pass a 30 hour course, this will qualify as part of the 18 non-advanced level hours and you do not need to pass the NABCEP Entry Level Exam in this case.
10 Hour OSHA courses are offered by a myriad of providers. Infinite Solar will not be offering this course, but it can be taken online, often for under $50. This course is offered for under $20: OSHA 10 Online Course
Conclusion
If you have any questions concerning these new requirements and how Infinite Solar can help you reach your goals, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Best regards,
Andrew Zimdahl
Executive Director
Infinite Solar