The solar heating installer certification is offered by the North American Board of Installation Engineers (NABIE). In addition to the NABCEP associate program, there are also two other rigorous certifications: the NABCEP solar heating installer certification and the NABCEP solar PV installer certification. These certifications require that the prospective solar technicians have been trained and certified in at least one of the many techniques that are used on solar PV HVAC systems. So the more training and work experience, the better chance one has of passing the exam. Even if one does not pass the certification examination for the specific specialty, a thorough search of the internet can assure you that the passing rate is relatively low.
The first two certifications are available for free from the official website of the National Association of Home Builders. The third one can only be obtained by paying for the study materials and taking the test. Although a few states do offer the NABCEP certification as a part of the bargain when you purchase a solar heating system through them, many do not. But you cannot pass the examination for the solar PV HVAC installer certification without being trained and tested in the advanced techniques that are involved in that specific field.
The best way to find out which state’s home solar industry organizations offer the exam is to visit their official website. Once there, you should find the link to go to the Solar Training and Certification page. It should take about thirty minutes to review all of the courses offered and decide which one will be most suitable. If there are not any courses listed that match your particular state’s requirements, it may be because the solar industry organizations do not offer the training required in that state. So first check to see if you can find such a program before investing in the equipment necessary for the exam.
Once you have decided on which path you would like to take, you will want to learn more about how to get started getting certified. The National Association of Home Builders and the National Solar Energy Association are both excellent sources for finding more information. In addition, they have valuable websites where you can find application fees, certification cost, and other important information. So find those websites and learn everything you need to make your application fee worth it!
It is also important to note that in order to successfully complete the exam you will need to spend some time studying for it. If you don’t have enough of a base in home energy efficiency, it may be in your best interest to spend a few months getting some additional knowledge and experience. In addition, once you successfully receive your PV installation certificate, you will also need to take a certain number of hours of on-the-job training in order to become certified as a safety professional. Again, this can be done with either a safety professional certification or an NREMT (National Society of Professional Engineers) certification.
Once you have both the test results and certification in hand, you can submit an application for the certificate. This process will include a project management or design identification number. The project management or design identification number will give you a unique identification number for tracking and billing your customers. After you submit your application fee you will be issued your certificate and then have up to one year to use the information systems throughout the country on your project management or design id card.
Once you have received your certificate you will be able to work as a Solar Heating Installer according to the rules and regulations set forth by your region, as well as according to the energy standards set out by your state. For example, if you are installing PV panels, you will need to be licensed in the region where you will be working. Your professional engineer certifications will help protect you from being terminated or fined by your employing association and it will also help protect you from becoming a liability to your employer or to your customers.
