What’s New with NABCEP Credentials in 2026? Sean White Breaks It Down

NABCEP credentials have always been the benchmark for solar and storage professionals, but 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year for their credential landscape. The PV Associate exam has gotten a Job Task Analysis (JTA) update, the newer Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) certification is gaining traction, and a brand-new O&M credential has been announced.

At the 2026 NABCEP conference in Milwaukee, HeatSpring’s Brian Hayden sat down with Sean White on the Suncast Media stage to get a current read on all of it. Sean is the author of several solar textbooks and the instructor behind some of HeatSpring’s most-taken solar prep courses. Sean lives and breathes solar training, so we wanted to share his perspective on all the NABCEP updates. Here’s three clips from their conversation.

The PV Associate is getting an update. Here’s what that means.

The NABCEP PV Associate is often the first credential solar professionals pursue. It’s a strong foundation for anyone entering the industry, and it signals to employers that you’ve got verified knowledge of core PV concepts.

NABCEP recently updated the JTA for the PV Associate, which is the document that defines what’s actually on the exam. Anytime a JTA changes, people get nervous, and Sean addresses that directly in this clip. He also shares something worth knowing about how the PVA prep course at HeatSpring is being updated to match it.

Ready to prep for the NABCEP PV Associate? Sean White’s Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep course walks you through everything you need to know for the exam, with practice questions built around the current JTA.

Start the Solar PV Boot Camp + NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep course!

The ESIP. The certification for the storage era.

The solar-plus-storage boom has created real demand for professionals who can specifically demonstrate competency with energy storage systems. That’s exactly what the ESIP is designed to certify.

Sean was one of the first people to take and pass the ESIP exam and helped develop a prep course before the exam was even publicly available. In this clip, he walks through what makes the ESIP different from other NABCEP credentials, including the three code references you’re allowed to bring into the exam with you.

The ESIP is built around three key references: the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E: Electrical Safety in the Workplace, and NFPA 855, which covers energy storage systems specifically. Sean’s NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification Prep courses cover all three and teaches you how to navigate them efficiently under exam conditions.

Enroll in the NABCEP Energy Storage Installation Professional (ESIP) Certification Prep courses!

O&M credentials are having a moment. 

Operations and maintenance used to be a side note in the solar industry conversation. That’s been changing fast. As the installed base of solar grows and systems start aging, there’s a growing need for professionals who specialize in keeping PV + storage systems performing at their best.

In this final clip, Sean covers two credentials: the existing PV Commissioning and Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS), and a brand-new one called the Operations and Maintenance Associate Technician (OMAT) that was announced in April 2026.

A few things worth highlighting here. The PVCMS is a serious credential, closer in difficulty to the PVIP than to the PV Associate, so it’s not a light lift. For professionals who want to specialize in O&M, it’s exactly the kind of credential that will carry weight as the market matures.

Since this conversation was recorded, the OMAT has officially launched. It’s now available, offering an associate-level entry point into the O&M career path. HeatSpring offers the Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training + NABCEP OMAT Prep course.

Enroll in the Solar PV and BESS Operations & Maintenance Tech 1 Training + NABCEP OMAT Prep course.

NABCEP credentials are one of the clearest signals you can send to employers and customers that you know your stuff. The fact that NABCEP keeps evolving the JTAs, adding new credentials like the ESIP and OMAT, and expanding access through Spanish-language offerings is a sign that the credential ecosystem is growing to meet the industry where it is.

If you want to explore the full range of NABCEP prep courses available at HeatSpring, including Sean White’s complete catalog, you can browse everything in one place.

Browse all NABCEP credentials and prep courses on HeatSpring.

Watch the full conversation on Suncast Media.