The NABCEP Associate Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic, Solar Heating or Small Wind energy systems. A NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate™ credential is earned by passing an examination based on the related NABCEP PV Associate Job Task Analysis (JTA).

NABCEP Associates are recognized by NABCEP on an online directory and are provided with rights to utilize NABCEP Associate word and trade-marks to recognize their accomplishment to others. Full program policies and procedures are found in the NABCEP Associate Handbook, which all applicants should read thoroughly before applying.

To be eligible to sit for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam with SEI, students must successfully complete:

Required path:

– PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) – in-person OR PVOL101 Online
– and PV203 – PV System Fundamentals (Battery Based) – in person OR PVOL203 Online

(These course equivalents in Spanish, FVOL101 and FVOL203, also count towards this requirement)

Optional:

– PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct) and

– PV301L: Solar Electric Lab (Battery-Based)

The NABCEP PV Associate Exam includes questions on grid-direct and battery-based PV systems.

To learn more about NABCEP, requirements and recommendations for sitting for exams, and study suggestions, visit www.nabcep.org, also refer to the PV Associate Handbook and the NABCEP Certification Handbook.

Check out SEI’s NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep Package Deal!

To be eligible to sit for the NABCEP Solar Heating Associate Exam with SEI, students must successfully complete:

Required path:

SHOL101 – Solar Hot Water Design & Installation Online.  For more information about this exam please visit this link on NABCEP’s website.

There are two options available:

OPTION 1

Computer-Based Testing (CBT) is facilitated at testing sites around the country. For the CBT, NABCEP has contracted with Scantron to facilitate your exam. You can use their Test Site Locator or call 1-800-722-6876 to ensure there is a suitable location for you. The fee for the Computer-Based Exam is $150/person, which is non-refundable. If you are taking the exam outside of the US, you will be asked to pay an additional $75 at time of scheduling the exam with Scantron testing. If computer-based testing is the option for you, follow these steps:

1. Verify that you have completed the necessary training by calling or emailing Student Services at: sei@solarenergy.org or (970) 527-7657 option 1. You will then be guided by a Student Services Counselor on how to register.

OPTION 2

Paper and Pencil Exams are conducted at our Paonia, CO classroom. For offerings of the NABCEP PV Associate Exam, please see Paper and Pencil Exam for PV for the most current scheduling and details for registering to take the exam at SEI’s Paonia, CO campus. The fee for the Paper and Pencil Exam is $180/person. The fees for all test registrations are non-refundable.

Check out SEI’s NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep Package Deal!

– NABCEP Training Hours Requirement: Depending on category under which you are applying to take the exam under, you will likely need 58 contact training hours, a minimum of which 40 must be advanced level hours. Click here for exact details from NABCEP regarding training hours and field experience requirements.

– Minimum SEI training to satisfy this requirement: PVOL202 (prerequisite course is PV101)

– SEI course recommendations: PV101, PV202 and PV203 (PV350 – optional)

Please note that most of this training can be taken either online or in-person.

– NABCEP Training Hours Requirement: 0-60 training hours depending on the category applied under with NABCEP Click here for details from NABCEP regarding training hours and field experience requirements.

– Minimum SEI training to satisfy this requirement: PVOL206 (prerequisite course is PV101)

– SEI course recommendations: PV101, PV202, PV203, PV206

Please note that most of this training can be taken either online or in-person.

– NABCEP Training Hours Requirement: 24 hours (18 ADV, 6 code). Click here for details from NABCEP regarding training hours and field experience requirements.

– SEI course recommendations: PV101, PV202, PV203

Please note that most of this training can be taken either online or in-person.

– NABCEP Training Hours Requirement: 24 hours (18 ADV, 6 code). Click here for details from NABCEP regarding training hours and field experience requirements.
– SEI course recommendations: PV101, PV202, PV203

Please note that most of this training can be taken either online or in-person.

– NABCEP Training Hours Requirement: 24 hours (18 ADV, 6 code). Click here for details from NABCEP regarding training hours and field experience requirements.
– SEI course recommendations: PV101, PV202, PV203, PV350

Please note that most of this training can be taken either online or in-person.

The NABCEP PV System Inspector Certification is a voluntary certification that provides a set of
national standards by which PV System Inspector Professionals with skills and experience can distinguish themselves from competitors. Certification provides a measure of protection to the public
by giving a credential for judging the competency of practitioners. It is not intended to replace state
license requirements.

There are no specific pre-requisites to taking a NABCEP PV System Inspector Exam. The Exams are
intended to test the knowledge of someone who is familiar with PV systems. Knowledge of applicable
codes and ordinances is presumed. Applicants should know how to assess the safety and operation of
a system, be able to verify code compliance via interpretation of design plans and building documents,
conduct on-site inspections, and report results. Please visit this NABCEP web page for more details!