For solar PV certification, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) board certification. NABCEP is a non-government organization, and its certification is separate from any government license. This explainer answers one practical question from NABCEP's own pages: once you hold the certification, what does it take to keep it? Nothing here describes a rule change.
How often you recertify
NABCEP's PVIP Board Eligible page reminds readers: "don't forget to RE-CERTIFY every 3 years!" Its recertification page refers to "the applicant's three (3) year certification period," and says continuing education must be earned "within three years of initial certification."
The application has a window: "Certificants may submit their Recertification Application during the third (3rd) year of their current certification."
What recertification requires
For PVIP and NABCEP's other board certifications, the recertification page lists three kinds of requirement.
Continuing education. The page states: "Continuing Education requirements for the Board Certifications listed above is 30 hours." It sorts continuing education into three categories:
- "CEUs related to applicable Code"
- "CEUs related to the corresponding NABCEP Job Task Analysis"
- "CEUs related to PV, Solar Heating, or renewable energy"
The page points to a separate NABCEP breakdown document and its Certification Handbook for how the 30 hours divide among those categories; this post does not restate that breakdown.
An employer letter. The page states: "NABCEP Board Certified Professionals are required to submit a letter on letterhead, signed by an employer," confirming that the applicant is still actively involved in the renewable energy industry and describing the applicant's industry activity.
Minimum industry activity. The applicant must meet one of several activity options during the three-year period. The first is "a decision-making role in the installation(s) of at least 3 completed installs." Other options on the page include teaching at least 120 hours of an advanced PV course or a registered NABCEP PV Associate course, a one-year leadership role in a business or organization that trains students, customers or clientele, a one-year leadership role in a business that designs, installs, sells, commissions, maintains, inspects or finances PV systems or manufactures solar equipment, or at least 36 hours in a leadership role relating to PV within the renewable energy industry (for example, a committee or board member in a renewable energy association or company). The page adds: "Alternative activities may be submitted for review and acceptance by NABCEP."
How you apply
The page describes an online process through the myNABCEP account: complete the recertification code of ethics and fee phase first, then enter the requirements, then "Upload required documentation and submit for review."
The two NABCEP pages used here do not state a grace period or what happens if a certification expires. The recertification page refers readers to NABCEP's Certification Handbook for full recertification details.
Associates renew differently
The NABCEP Associate credential is a separate credential with its own renewal rule. The recertification page states: "To maintain the NABCEP Associate Credential, Associates must obtain 12 contact hours of continuing education (CE) relating to their credential," completed during the three-year credential period. "Associates may submit their Renewal Application during the third (3rd) year of their current credential period."
If you are "Board Eligible"
NABCEP also offers a Board Eligible path for PVIP, which "allows applicants to sit for their PVIP exam prior to completing the experience requirements." Passing the exam gives a temporary status, and the page is clear that "you do not become Board Certified upon passing the exam." It states: "Board Eligible Professionals will have three years from passing the PVIP exam to complete the experience requirements" and then convert to Board Certified.
Where federal safety rules fit
Separately from NABCEP's certification, federal OSHA electrical rules apply on the job (29 CFR 1910 Subpart S in general industry and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K in construction). Our study guides quote them: general industry electrical and construction electrical. Solar PV certification is a planned topic on goraedu; see all certifications for its status.
goraedu is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NABCEP. This post uses only NABCEP's own pages for facts about NABCEP's program.