How to Get Your NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification

The NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Board Certification was created for experienced solar sales professionals who have demonstrated knowledge in qualifying prospects, site analysis, conceptual system design, performance analysis and financial incentives of PV systems. PVTS Board Certified Professionals can collect technical requirements, analyze customer needs to determine energy usage to advise and provide customers with the most appropriate solution for their situation. Successful PVTS candidates can be found in a variety of roles, like sales managers, account managers, marketing professionals, sales consultants, business development associates, and more.

Are you ready to boost your resume and professional credentials? Let’s get into the details then!

How can you qualify?

There are 2 categories (A and B) to qualify for the PVTS exam. Regardless of which category you use to qualify, every candidate must submit proof of the following within NABCEP’s PVTS application:

• OSHA 10 for the Construction Industry (or an equivalent safety training for your region)
• 58 hours of advanced PV training – HeatSpring offers several options:
  • NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification Prep: Codes & Standards Focus
  • NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification Prep: Commercial & Industrial Sales + Energy Storage Focus
  • NABCEP PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification Prep: PV Associate Exam Pathway
  • All training must be completed within the 5 calendar years prior to submitting your PVTS application to NABCEP.  
• Verifiable Sales Experience where the candidate is actively engaged in PV installation systems sales-related activities
  • Sales Credits:
    • System size of 1 – 24kW = 2 Sales Credits
    • System size of 25kW – 999kW  = 3 Sales Credits
    • System size of 1 MW and up = 4 Sales Credits
  • 100% of projects must have been sold within the previous 2 year period
  • A minimum of 50% must be sold AND installed

Category A

Applicants must have 8 Sales Credits, following the requirements above.

Category B

Applicants must have 4 Sales Credits, following the requirements above; AND hold a:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering from an accredited institution; OR
• Associate’s degree in solar or renewable energy from an accredited institution; OR
• Current Master or Journeyman Electrician’s License; OR
• Current State or government issued Solar Contractor’s License

What’s covered on the PVTS exam?

The PVTS exam is written by volunteer industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) under the guidance of testing specialists. The PVTS 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 Technical Sales exam:

Reviewing the NABCEP PVTS JTA is a crucial part of preparing for the exam. Be sure to review the document and understand all the concepts listed. 

How much is it to take the PVTS exam? 

Between the PVTS application and exam fees, NABCEP charges $500 to sit for the PVTS 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 PVTS exam?

The PVTS 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 a calculator.

The PVTS 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 75 is required to pass the PVTS 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.

How can I renew my certification?

The PVTS 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. NABCEP charges a $390 recertification fee.

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

• 18 hours – PVTS JTA
• 2 hours – Building and/or Fire Codes
• 10 hours – Renewable Energy 

It’s important to pay special attention to the Building and/or Fire Code hours. That’s because the PVTS JTA and Renewable Energy hours are very easy to get because so many topics qualify under those two areas.

One 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 PVTS page. There is a column titled “Recertification CEU Hours” that shows how much each course counts toward renewing the PVTS.

In addition to 30 hours of CEUs, PVTS certificants must also submit a letter on company letterhead signed by their employer verifying that they are still actively involved in the solar industry.

Still have questions? Send us an email at NABCEP@HeatSpring.com.  

References

NABCEP PV Technical Sales Job Task Analysis – August 2018

NABCEP Certification Handbook – 2023 Update

NABCEP Frequently Asked Questions