NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification

The NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems.

PV Education Requirements for the PVDS Certification Exam

A minimum of twenty-four (24) prescribed hours of advanced training is required. Each candidate must have:

• 18 hours of advanced PV design principles and practices as outlined in the NABCEP PV Design Specialist Job Task Analysis (PVDS JTA). Course(s) must have been taken with an accredited institution.
• 6 hours of the National Electric Code (NEC).

"Advanced" is defined as a course which provides instruction beyond the "basic," "fundamental," or "introductory" PV Installation design principles and practices. Courses should be designed for the Professional who is prepared to maintain a decision-making role in the installation, design or service of a PV system.

Our NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification Prep bundle saves you money and time in getting all of the hours and knowledge you need to pass the exam.

Qualifying for the Examination

NABCEP recognizes that professionals in the field of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies receive their training and work experiences in a variety of ways. NABCEP Staff will review each application to determine compliance with eligibility criteria.

To qualify to sit for the NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification Examination, every Applicant, regardless of background, education or experience, will need to document:

• Completion of a minimum of 10 hours of OSHA Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry training (or provincial equivalent); AND
• Completion of 24 hours of advanced training as defined in Section 4.5.2 below (NOTE: These hours of training do not need to be in addition to apprenticeship or degree coursework if the requirements of Section 4.5.2 were met within the curriculum and timeframe); AND
• Completion of designs for installations equaling at least 12 Project Credits Projects Credits are as follows:
  • System size of 1 – 999kW = 2 Project Credits
  • System size of 1MW and up = 3 Project Credits

See the NABCEP Handbook to confirm all of these details and for more details about:

• Eligibility Requirements
• Experience Requirements
• Documenting Experience

Practice Exam

We offer NABCEP PV Design Specialist Practice Exam. By taking the practice exam, you will have the opportunity to become comfortable with the format of the exam.

Documenting Training

HeatSpring will provide you with all of the documentation you need for your courses. To document training, the Applicant must submit a certificate of completion or a transcript for each completed training program or course used to meet the minimum training requirements. All certificates of completion and transcripts must clearly state that the course covered subject matter directly relates to advanced PV Design or the National Electric Code (NEC). If the subject matter of the course is not clearly stated in the title, then the Applicant must provide a course outline or syllabus and a signed letter on letterhead from the training provider or instructor which details how many hours were spent covering the PVDS JTA or relevant codes.

Keep your PVDS Certification - Continuing Education (CEU) Requirements

A total of 30 Advanced PV Training Hours are required to maintain your PVIP certification and documentation must be submitted to NABCEP every 3 years for your certification renewal. HeatSpring certificates of completion can be used as documentation with NABCEP. Training hours must fulfill specific sub-categories including:

• 6 NEC Hours
• 12 JTA Hours
• 2 Building and Fire Code Hours
• Up to 12 RE Elective Hours

These NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours are approved for NABCEP PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification CEU renewal:

+ View All NABCEP Credentials