Getting Your NABCEP PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist Certification | Everything You Need to Know

NABCEP’s PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification was created to recognize experienced solar technicians who have a deep understanding of operations, maintenance, and commissioning. These certified specialists excel at the application of verification protocols as well as preventative and corrective maintenance operations. 

If this describes you and your role in the solar industry, let’s dive deeper into the specifics so you too can become a certified PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist! If you are still trying to decide which NABCEP certification is right for you, check out this blog post that compares them all.

How can you qualify to take the exam?

Every candidate must submit proof of the following through NABCEP’s PVCMS application:

• OSHA 30 for the Construction Industry (note that this is above and beyond OSHA 10 which is required for most NABCEP certifications)
• At least 24 hours of advanced PV training
  • 18 hours on PVCMS Job Task Analysis 
  • 6 hours on the National Electrical Code
  • HeatSpring’s most popular option is the NABCEP PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification Prep bundle
  • All training must be completed within the 5 calendar years prior to submitting your PVCMS application to NABCEP.  

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• Completion of services on installations, equaling at least 12 Project Credits
  • Project Credits:
    • System size of 1-999kW = 2 Project Credits
    • System size of 1 MW+ = 3 Project Credits

What documentation is required to demonstrate service experience?

For each PV system serviced or commissioning, applicants must submit the following:

What’s covered on the PVCMS exam?

The PVCMS exam is written by volunteer industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) under the guidance of testing specialists. The PVCMS Job Task Analysis (JTA) comes directly from NABCEP and provides a blueprint for the exam. 

Here are the primary content domains covered by the PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist exam:

Reviewing the NABCEP PVCMS JTA is a crucial part of studying for the exam. Be sure to review the document and understand all the concepts listed to ensure you show up to the exam prepared.

How much is it to take the exam? 

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

What can I expect with the PVCMS exam?

The PVCMS 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 an electronic copy of the National Electrical Code (NEC) as well as a calculator.

The PVCMS 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 PVCMS exam. 

Don’t forget that 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.

How can I renew my certification?

Like all NABCEP certifications, the PVCMS needs to be renewed every 3 years. The first cycle starts on the day of initial credentialing and will expire 3 years later. You can find the date on your certificate or within your myNABCEP account. Each cycle, NABCEP charges a $390 recertification fee.

To renew, you must complete 30 hours of approved continuing education. The PVCMS requires those 30 hours of CEU having the following break down:

• 6 hours – NEC
• 2 hour – Building and/or Fire Codes
• 12 hours – PVCMS JTA
• 10 hours – Renewable Energy 

The most important areas to pay attention to when recertifying are the NEC and Building and/or Fire Code hours. That’s because the PVCMS JTA and Renewable Energy hours are very easy to get because so many topics qualify under those two areas.

With many solar companies adding more energy storage, our most popular option to get recertification hours is Sean White’s 30-Hour Advanced Energy Storage and Code Training + CEUs bundle; although we have many other options as well.

You can see all the courses that HeatSpring offers to renew in the Approved NABCEP CEU Hours chart found here on the PVCMS page. There is a column titled “Recertification CEU Hours” that shows how much each course counts toward renewing the PVCMS.

In addition to 30 hours of CEUs, PVCMS certificants must also submit a letter verifying that they are still actively involved in the solar industry.

Still have questions? We’re happy to help! Send us an email at NABCEP@HeatSpring.com.  

References

NABCEP PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist Job Task Analysis – September 2017

NABCEP Certification Handbook – 2023 Update