Certifications

 

Certifications

[as of January 2012]

The Colorado State Legislature requires a special license only for AC wiring.  The Colorado State Legislature has now passed a bill requiring that 1 of 4 people working on a PV installation be NABCEP PV Professional [Installer] Certified.

 Each local Jurisdiction is allowed to adopt any local requirements they choose. 

Certification available at this time:

 North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)

 

 NABCEP Entry Level Certification:

-         40 hours of classroom training that includes all the parts of the NABCEP PV Entry Level program learning objectives.

-         Successful completion of the NABCEP Supervised two (2) hour, 60 question PV Entry Level Examination

-         Students receive a NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge

-     This does not qualify as a PV Installer certification.

 

 NABCEP PV Professional Certificate:

 The following is a simplified summary of the more detailed requirements found at www.nabcep.org.

 

 Basic Requirements:

 To be eligible for NABCEP Solar PV Professional Certification, candidates must first meet these basic requirements:

-         Be at least 18 years of age

-         Meet prerequisites of related experience and/or education

o       Experience installing PV systems occurring at some point in the two (2) years prior to submitting an application for the exam in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program

-         Complete an Application Form documenting requirements

-         Sign a Code of Ethics

-         Pay applicable fees

-         Pass a written exam (approx. 4 hours long)

o       The written exam is given twice a year in March/April and in September/October.  Applications need to be submitted 2 months before the exam date.

 

 Definition of Experience:

 The individual must be in a responsible role on the job installing PV systems, in the role of foreman, supervisor, site manager,   or experienced worker performing PV installation work without direct supervision.  This time period must include installation of at least two (2) PV systems totaling 1 kW.  At least one installation must be a system with an inverter and subject to a complete electrical permitting and inspection process by a permitting authority.

 

 NABCEP Training and Education

-         A minimum of 40 hours cumulative (can include product training)

-         Have a formal training format, with a teacher-learner structure, from a NABCEP approved program and Instructor

-         Covers core competencies from the PV Installer Task Analysis, including the National Electrical Code and OSHA safety standards relevant to PV installations

 

 Training Related Installation Experience

 NABCEP recognizes PV installations performed by participants during the course of a training program.

-         One student may use a training installation as one of his/her two (2) required installs.

-         It is acceptable for the student responsible for the installation to use other students as his/her “crew”.

-         Only one (1) person may claim the title of “responsible installer” per installation

-         Only one (1) of these training-related installations is allowed per NABCEP applicant.  (It must be matched with actual installation(s) for a customer.)

 

 Document Work Experience:

-         Copies of Program completion documents

-         List of systems qualifying as experience

-         Description of work done

-         Location of job

-         Copy of Permit

-         Owner contact information

-         Picture of installation

-         License number used if required (Electrical Contractor)