For solar PV certification, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) board certification. NABCEP is not a government agency. Its Certification Handbook says: "NABCEP is a non-profit credentialing organization." This explainer answers one practical question from NABCEP's own pages: what do you have to show before NABCEP lets you sit for the PVIP exam? Nothing here describes a rule change. (What it takes to keep the certification is covered in our earlier post on PVIP recertification.)
The facts below come from the handbook that NABCEP's Board Certifications and Apply Now pages link for PVIP eligibility, the Certification Handbook marked "2025 Update".
Is NABCEP certification a license?
No. The handbook states: "NABCEP credentials are not professional licenses issued by a government agency and do not authorize a credential holder to practice." It describes the program as voluntary: NABCEP "offers voluntary personnel board certification for professionals in the renewable energy industry", and the PVIP section calls it "a voluntary board certification". Any license your state or city requires for solar or electrical work is a separate matter.
What are the basic requirements?
Section 3.1 of the handbook lists what an applicant must do "To become Board Certified and maintain certification", including:
- "Be at least 18 years of age"
- "Meet prerequisites of related experience and education as outlined below"
- "Complete an application form documenting all requirements"
- "Sign and agree to uphold the NABCEP Code of Ethics"
- "Pass a written examination"
What must you document to sit for the exam?
Three things. Section 3.3 says that to qualify to sit for the PVIP Certification Examination, an applicant, "regardless of background, education, experience, or geographical location, will need to document:"
- "Completion of a minimum of 10 hours of OSHA Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry training (or government equivalent)"
- "Completion of at least 58 hours of advanced training as defined in Section 3.5.2 below"
- "Completion of installations equaling at least 6 Project Credits"
Which OSHA course counts?
The construction one. Section 3.5.1 is headed "OSHA 10 for Construction Industry Training" and states that applicants must "show proof of completion of a minimum of 10 hours of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry, or government equivalent." goraedu's OSHA construction safety pages are study material on the federal rules, not an OSHA Outreach Training Program course, so they do not count toward this requirement.
What counts as the 58 hours of advanced training?
Section 3.5.2 states: "A minimum of fifty-eight (58) prescribed hours of advanced training is required for each candidate." It splits the hours:
- Forty hours must be taken with an accredited institution and cover advanced PV installation content as outlined in NABCEP's PVIP Job Task Analysis (JTA).
- "Eighteen (18) hours may be obtained from non-accredited, non-certified sources".
There is a time limit: "All training must have been completed within the five (5) calendar years prior to the submission of the application." The handbook defines an advanced course as one that teaches beyond basic, fundamental or introductory PV installation principles and practices.
How do Project Credits work?
By system size. The handbook lists: "System size of 1 – 999kW = 2 Project Credits" and "System size of 1MW and up = 3 Project Credits". By our arithmetic, six credits could be, for example, three installations of 1 to 999 kW, or two of 1 MW and up.
Section 3.2 sets conditions on those installations:
- Your role: "The Applicant shall have performed in a decision-making role (DMR), which had a material impact on the quality and serviceability of the PV installation."
- Size: "All systems must have a minimum rating of 1 kW DC (STC)."
- Timing: "Installations must have been completed within the two (2) calendar years prior to the application submission date."
- Approval: "All installations must be complete and have a permit and a final approved inspection."
Section 3.4.2 covers proof: normally a copy of the permit(s) and final inspection report(s) "issued by the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)". Where permits and inspection reports are not issued, the applicant submits an inspection report from an independent qualified electrician recognized by the AHJ, an independent certified electrical inspector or a NABCEP Board Certified PV System Inspector (PVSI); "Inspections may not be completed by the Applicant, Installation Contractor or customer."
What if you do not have the installations yet?
NABCEP's Board Eligible pathway (Section 4) "allows for those who have completed their advanced training and OSHA requirements to sit for the exam closer to completing their training." The installations may then be completed "within the two (2) calendar years prior to the application submission date or three (3) calendar years after taking and passing the exam." If not, "the applicant will be required to reapply and retake the exam."
Where to check before you act
These are NABCEP's requirements as shown in its 2025 Certification Handbook on the date above. NABCEP's site also links an older 2023 handbook; we compared its PVIP eligibility section and found the same core requirements, but the handbook NABCEP links for PVIP eligibility is the authority, so confirm the current version there and on NABCEP's Apply Now page before you apply or plan training. Solar PV certification is a planned topic on goraedu; see all certifications for its status.
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