Updates to NABCEP PV Technical Sales Certification – Qualification and Recertification

NABCEP has recently announced changes to the PV Technical Sales (PVTS) exam qualification and recertification requirements to align with changes in the industry and the other NABCEP professional certifications. These changes will go into effect November 1st, 2022. The current recertification requirements (18 hours of CEUs and 6 sales proposals) will no longer be available after August 31, 2023. From November 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023, it will be possible to use either the current or new requirements to recertify.

New Recertification Requirements

Continuing education requirements for PVTS will increase to 30 hours.  

• 18 hours specific to the PVTS job task analysis (JTA)
• 10 hours specific to renewable energy related topics
• 2 hours must be building and/or fire codes

Industry Involvement 

To be eligible for recertification, PVTS Professionals must submit a letter on letterhead, signed by an employer stating the applicant is still actively involved in the renewable energy industry and describing the industry activity of the applicant.

1. Industry activity must meet one of the minimum requirements as described below.
2. Alternative activities may be submitted for review and acceptance by NABCEP. 
3. Letter must include specific details as described below

Minimum Industry Involvement Requirements

1. Applicant had a decision-making role in the installation(s) of at least 3 completed installs within the applicant’s 3 year certification period
2. Teacher/trainer/instructor who teaches at least 120 hours of an advanced PV course(s) or a Registered NABCEP PV Associate course within the applicant’s 3 year certification period
3. Leadership role for at least 1 year in a business or organization that trains students  customers, or clientele to design, install, commission, maintain, inspect or carry out other activities in the PV market within the applicant’s 3 year certification period
4. Leadership role for at least 1 year in a business that designs, installs, sells, commissions, maintains, inspects, or finances PV systems, or manufactures solar industry equipment within the applicant’s 3 year certification period
5. Leadership role relating to PV within the renewable energy industry for at least 36 hours within the applicant’s 3 year certification period (e.g. committee or board member in a renewable energy association or company)

New Exam Requirements

To qualify to sit for the PV Technical Sales exam, every applicant must complete all requirements for the qualifying category they choose, regardless of background, education, experience or geographic location.

Category A:

• Completion of a minimum of ten (10) hours of OSHA Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry training (or provincial equivalent); AND
• Completion of at least 58 hours of PV training, which includes:
  • At least forty (40) hours of advanced PV-specific training covering the NABCEP PVTS Job Task Analysis
  • A maximum of eighteen (18) may be obtained from non-accredited, non-certified sources; AND
• Completion of installations equaling at least 8 Project Credits*

Category B:

• Completion of a minimum of ten (10) hours of OSHA Outreach Training Program for the Construction Industry training (or provincial equivalent); AND
• Completion of at least 58 hours of PV training, which includes:
  • At least forty (40) hours of advanced PV-specific training covering the NABCEP PVTS Job Task Analyses
  • A maximum of eighteen (18) may be obtained from non-accredited, non-certified sources; AND
• Completion of installations equaling at least 4 Project Credits*:
• An advanced degree in science or engineering (Master’s or Bachelors’)OR
• Associates degree in solar or renewable energy OR
• Electrician’s license (Master or Journeyman) OR
• Solar contractor’s license (assuming the appropriate pre-requisites)

*Projects Credits:

• System size of 1 – 25kW = 2 Project Credits
• System size of 25kw- 1MW = 3 Project Credits
• System Size of 1MW and up = 4 Project Credits

In the coming weeks, HeatSpring will be updating our pages and course information to reflect the updates from NABCEP.