Welcome to Everblue Training! We’re an approved training provider for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), a nonprofit organization that certifies solar-industry professionals. NABCEP offers three entry-level solar credentials and eight advanced certifications. If you’re looking to transition into the solar industry, NABCEP PV Associate training is a strong starting point.

To earn one of the advanced NABCEP certifications, you’ll have to pass an exam, which requires a two-part fee paid directly to NABCEP. Part one is the application fee ($125), where you prove that you’ve met the education and work experience prerequisites. Part two is the actual exam fee ($375).

Before you even get to that point, however, you should first consider pursuing the NABCEP PV Associate credential. What’s great about the NABCEP PV Associate training package is that it includes everything you need to earn the credential, in one fee. Unlike the advanced NABCEP certifications, you can pay one time for the package, which includes the training hours AND the exam fee.

Keep reading to learn how that’s possible…

What is the NABCEP PV Associate credential?

The NABCEP Associate program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation, and operation of photovoltaic (PV), solar heating, or small wind energy systems.

NABCEP PV Associate, then, is the entry-level credential for a solar practitioner who specializes in photovoltaics. The NABCEP PV Associate Job Task Analysis (JTA) includes five knowledge content domains:

• Application
• Sales and Economics
• Design
• Installation
• Operation and Maintenance

Who should become a NABCEP PV Associate?

NABCEP PV Associates fill a wide range of entry-level positions within the solar industry, and the extent of their duties may vary considerably.

Most often, those working or seeking employment in the renewable energy industry start with the NABCEP PV Associate training. That includes:

• students in renewable energy programs
• workers at an early stage in their renewable energy career
• experienced professionals (electricians, roofers, firefighters) who are new to the renewable energy field
• those in renewable energy jobs for which there is no professional certification

Why become a NABCEP PV Associate?

The top reasons why you should earn the NABCEP PV Associate credential include:

• adding a marketable credential to your resume
• showing employers that you’ve committed to the solar industry
• highlighting your proficiency and understanding of fundamental solar principles
• becoming a safer hiring choice for employers because you’ve already been trained

In addition, your passing score on the NABCEP PV Associate exam (and the accompanying NABCEP PV Associate training) can both be used as prerequisites if you decide to upgrade to advanced NABCEP solar installer certification.

How to Qualify for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam

To earn the NABCEP PV Associate credential, you must qualify through one of these two pathways:

• Education = taking an approved course (like ours) that covers the NABCEP Associate JTA, or
• Work = 6 months of documented full-time work experience in a role related to the NABCEP Associate JTA

Start Today with NABCEP PV Associate Training from Everblue

As we mentioned earlier, Everblue is an approved NABCEP training provider. So when you take our NABCEP PV Associate training package, you are well on your way to qualifying for the NABCEP PV Associate exam using the Education pathway.

Because we are a “NABCEP Associate Registered Training Provider,” we are responsible for verifying your participation and completion of the NABCEP PV Associate training program.

As this relates to the NABCEP Associate exam, we work directly with NABCEP to confirm your completion of the program, which is to say that we initiate the exam process on your behalf. When you’re ready to take the exam, you can be proctored in person at a Scantron testing center or by using the live online proctoring option. The NABCEP Certification exam is available internationally.

Since we get the exam process started for you, we include the cost of the exam in the NABCEP PV Associate training program. That way, it’s a one-stop-shop experience for you, and we’re able to seamlessly transition you into the exam process without tacking on any unexpected costs.

In a recent webinar with NABCEP, they shared that about 10,000 people have the NABCEP PV Associate credential. While that may sound like a lot, let’s look at the big picture. Forbes and the E2 Clean Jobs America report found that nearly 335,000 people work in the solar industry. So only about 3% of solar professionals currently have the NABCEP PV Associate credential. By earning this designation, you can quickly stand out from the crowd!

What’s holding you back from beginning your career in solar? Simply start today with the NABCEP PV Associate training program, and we will walk you through every step in the journey!

If you have any questions, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.