NABCEP Credentials

Each applicant must:

Upon completion of HeatSpring courses approved for advanced hours for the PVIP exam, learners can download a certificate of completion to submit with their NABCEP application.

Applicants must also submit proof of completing OSHA 10.

For each completed PV system, applicants must submit:

If the Applicant was not named on the permit and inspection documents but held a decision-making role, the Applicant is required to also submit one of the following:

See the NABCEP Handbook for more details. 

NABCEP has introduced a new Board Eligible Status program that allows candidates to complete their PV Installation Professional (PVIP) certification requirements in a more flexible order, separating the process into two main steps: education/examination first, followed by field experience. 

Candidates must complete 58 hours of approved classroom learning and pass the PVIP examination to receive temporary "Board Eligible" status, after which they have 3 years to gain the required solar installation experience in a decision-making capacity. 

The program maintains the same rigorous standards while addressing a common industry challenge by allowing professionals to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge before acquiring hands-on experience. Once all requirements have been completed, candidates will submit a Conversion Application to go from Board Eligible to Board Certified status.

See the NABCEP Handbook for more details on Board Eligible status.

Between the PVIP application and exam fees, NABCEP charges $500 to sit for the PVIP exam. In the event you need to retake the exam, the re-exam fee is $275. All NABCEP fees are listed here.

The PVIP Job Task Analysis provides a blueprint for the exam. 

The main content areas covered are:

The PVIP exam can be taken in a Meazure Learning test site or at any location via live remote proctoring. The exam must be scheduled and taken within one year of NABCEP approving your application. 

Candidates get up to 4 hours to complete the exam. Everyone will have access to the 2017 NEC as well as a calculator.

The PVIP exam consists of 70 equally weighted multiple choice questions, with 4 choices per question. 60 of the questions are scored and 10 of the questions are un-scored pilot questions. A total scaled score is used to determine if a candidate passed or failed and ranges from 0-99. A scaled score of 70 is required to pass the PVIP exam. 

All of your exam paperwork must match your valid government-issued identification, so make sure to not use nicknames or abbreviated names during the application process.

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: 

All NABCEP-approved HeatSpring courses will have a chart at the bottom of the course landing page which summarizes approved hours by exam and sub-categories.