The Ultimate Guide to NABCEP’s New Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification

The NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Board Certification was created for experienced energy storage professionals who have demonstrated knowledge in energy storage system development, design, installation, commissioning and decommissioning, and operation & maintenance (O&M). Successful ESIP candidates work in a variety of roles in PV and energy storage.

Are you ready to demonstrate your expertise in energy storage while boosting your professional credentials? Let’s get into the details then!

How can you qualify?

All candidates must submit proof of the following within NABCEP’s ESIP application:

• OSHA 30 for the Construction Industry (or an equivalent safety training for your region)
• 58 hours of advanced energy storage training
  • HeatSpring offers the new NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification Prep bundle
  • All training must be completed within the 5 calendar years prior to submitting your ESIP application to NABCEP.  
• Proof of decision-making role in projects involving energy storage
  • Completion of projects within the last 2 calendar years, equaling at least 6 Project Credits. 
  • Projects Credits are as follows:
    •     System size of 1 – 80 kWh = 1 Project Credit 
    •     System size of 81 to 999 kWh = 2 Project Credits 
    •     System size of 1 MWh and up = 3 Project Credits 

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What’s covered on the ESIP exam?

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

Here are the primary content domains covered by the ESIP exam:

Reviewing the NABCEP ESIP 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 ESIP exam? 

If you are one of the first 200 approved applicants for the ESIP exam, your exam fee of $375 will be waived. You will still be responsible for the application fee of $125. 

After the first 200 applicants take the ESIP exam, NABCEP will return to their normal fee schedule, which totals $500 ($125 application fee + $375 exam fee) to sit for the ESIP 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 ESIP exam?

The ESIP 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. ESIP candidates can utilize the National Electrical Code (NEC) 2020, NFPA 855 and NFPA 70E in the exam. Electronic versions of the references will not be provided in the exam, so candidates must have their own copies.

The ESIP exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions, with 4 choices per question. 

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 other NABCEP professional certifications, the ESIP 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 ESIP requires those 30 hours of CEU having the following break down:

• 6 hours – National Electrical Code (NEC)
• 12 hours – ESIP 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 ESIP JTA and Renewable Energy hours are very easy to get because so many topics qualify under those two areas.

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

In addition to 30 hours of CEUs, ESIP certificants must also provide information on their continued involvement in the industry.

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

References

NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional Certification (ESIP) Job Task Analysis – December 2023

NABCEP Frequently Asked Questions