The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your NABCEP OMAT Credential

The NABCEP Operations & Maintenance Associate Technician (OMAT) credential is the newest entry-level credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and it officially launched on April 7, 2026.

While the PV Associate has long served as the go-to starting point for folks getting into solar, the OMAT fills a specific and important gap. It is designed for people entering or growing within technician roles, with a dedicated focus on the foundational knowledge that keeps solar systems running safely and at peak performance. If you’re working in, or looking to work in, solar operations and maintenance, this is the credential built for you.

Let’s go through the most commonly asked questions.

What is the OMAT credential?

The OMAT credential ensures that credential holders have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, installation, operation, and maintenance of photovoltaic systems. More specifically, it is built around the skills that technicians use every day in the field: safety, operational protocols, and system maintenance across residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar PV installations.

NABCEP developed the OMAT with two goals in mind. The first was to make clear that O&M work is directly tied to overall system performance. Things like optimizing output, reducing downtime, recognizing normal versus abnormal system behavior, and troubleshooting faults are not afterthoughts in solar; they are core to whether a system delivers on its promise. The second goal was to create an independent, industry-recognized credential that helps document technician knowledge and advance workforce standards across the industry.

How can you qualify for the OMAT?

There are two pathways to sit for the OMAT exam:

Education Pathway — Successfully complete a training course with a NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider. HeatSpring’s OMAT prep course is Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training + NABCEP OMAT Prep.

Experience Pathway — Document at least six months of work experience at a solar company. You will submit a Verification of Work Experience Form along with a letter on company letterhead from your supervisor describing your job duties and length of employment. You can begin your Experience Pathway application directly through NABCEP.

What’s covered on the OMAT exam?

The OMAT Job Task Analysis comes directly from NABCEP and provides a full blueprint for the exam. The content domains are:

• Safety — 20%
• Core Knowledge — 30%
• Existing System Infrastructure Considerations — 28.3%
• Operations & Maintenance — 21.7%

The JTA was developed by volunteer industry Subject Matter Experts under the guidance of testing specialists, and it covers the knowledge areas most relevant to entry-level technician roles across all installation scales.

What can I expect from the exam format?

The OMAT exam can be taken at a Meazure Learning test site or via live remote proctoring from any location. You will have up to 2 hours to complete it.

The exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions with four answer choices each. Sixty of those questions are scored and 10 are unscored pilot questions. Scores are reported on a scaled range of 0 to 99. Make sure all of your exam paperwork matches your valid government-issued ID exactly. No nicknames or abbreviations are allowed.

How do I renew the OMAT?

The OMAT credential needs to be renewed every 3 years. To renew, you must complete 12 hours of approved continuing education and submit documentation to NABCEP before your credential expires. HeatSpring certificates of completion can be used as documentation with NABCEP. You will find the expiration date on your certificate or within your myNABCEP account.

Is the OMAT different from the PV Associate?

Yes. While both are NABCEP Associate-level credentials intended for people earlier in their solar careers and there is some overlap, they cover distinct bodies of knowledge. The PV Associate spans design, installation, sales, and O&M concepts broadly. The OMAT goes deep on the operational and maintenance side, making it the more targeted credential for people in technician roles.

If you currently hold an active PV Associate, the OMAT is worth considering as a companion credential that demonstrates specialized expertise in the O&M space.

Ready to get started?

Visit our OMAT page to learn more, and send any questions to NABCEP@HeatSpring.com.

References: NABCEP OMAT Credential Page, OMAT Job Task Analysis, and NABCEP Associate Handbook