Fw: Update on NABCEP certification [RE-wrenches]

Allan Sindelar allan at positiveenergysolar.com
Wed Jun 4 21:10:25 PDT 2003



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Wendy Parker 
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners

June 3, 2003

News Update!

NABCEP has been very busy getting ready to launch the PV installer certification, planning to offer the first exam this fall. Some key accomplishments:

Fees: In April, the Board approved the Fee schedule for PV Installer Certification. Applying for certification will be $50, and taking the examination will be $200. If you fail the certification exam, you will be able to re-take it for $150 - so study and be ready! Recertification will be on a three-year cycle and will cost $200.

Candidate Handbook: In our most recent board meeting (May 27th), the Board approved the final draft of the Candidate Information Handbook, which is now being formatted and finalized. Our application form is also being given final review for release by the middle of June.

Exam: NABCEP is planning to offer the first administration of the exam on October 25th. Applications will be due on July 31st, so start compiling copies of permits, inspection certificates, or other evidence of PV installations you've done. More detailed information will be available in the Candidate Information Handbook as soon as it is released.


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Here is a recap of important information about the PV installer certification process:


1) Entry Tracks
To qualify to sit for the NABCEP PV Installer Certification examination, the candidate must demonstrate that he/she meets at least one of the following minimum entry requirement tracks: 
  a.. a) Four (4) years of experience installing PV (definition of years of experience in Section 3.2.2 below); OR 
  b.. b) Two (2) years of experience installing PV systems in addition to completion of a board-recognized training program (see definition in Sections 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 below); OR 
  c.. c) Be an existing licensed contractor in good standing in solar or electrical construction-related areas with one (1) year of experience installing PV systems; OR 
  d.. d) Four (4) years of electrical construction-related experience working for a licensed contractor, including one (1) year of experience installing PV systems; OR 
  e.. e) Three (3) years experience in a U.S. Dept. of Labor-approved electrical construction trade apprentice program, including one (1) year of experience installing PV systems; OR 
  f.. f) Two (2)-year electrical construction-related, or electrical engineering technology, or renewable energy technology/technician degree from an educational institution plus one (1) year of experience installing PV systems; OR 
  g.. g) Four (4)-year construction-related or engineering degree from an educational institution, including (1) year experience installing PV systems. 


2) Documenting experience, training, etc.
To show that you have been working in the PV field for the number of years required by the Qualifying Category you chose, the Application Form will ask you to list PV-related employment in chronological order, starting with most current employment. You will need to write a job description, summarize the # of/type of systems you helped install, and provide contact information for your supervisor. In addition, a supervisor will need to sign off on your current employment (if applicable).

If you are or were self-employed, the Application Form will ask you to provide a detailed description of your work and sign off on it. Your PV installations will act as verification of your employment.

Formal education and training are optional depending on the Qualifying Category you chose, though NABCEP believes that applicants will benefit from quality training when preparing to take the certification exam. If your Qualifying Category requires education, copies of official transcripts or diplomas attesting to your attendance and degrees earned will need to be attached to the application form.


3) Documenting PV installations
In order to document the minimum 2-systems required per year of experience, candidates are asked in the Application Form to list qualifying installed systems and provide a concise description of work performed at the job site, including the system size, a list of components, the level of their responsibility on the jobsite, number of full-time equivalent workers supervised, and any other pertinent information.

In addition, for each system, applicants will need to provide: a) location of the job site, including some combination of the following: county, lot #, and/or physical address; b) if required in the jurisdiction, permit number(s) and permitting authority for any permits required to perform the work; c) system-owner contact information; d) a photograph of the system (optional); and e) copies of any inspection certificates or permits involved.

NABCEP reserves the right to contact system owners/operators, permitting authorities, and responsible contractors to verify work listed in this section. The Application Form will prompt you to attach copies of any permits or inspection certificates acquired. Also attach a photo of the system (if available). In cases where no inspection or permitted process was required on either of your 2 installs, the Application Review Committee will make decisions about eligibility based on supplied documentation. Optional documentation includes anything that you feel verifies the installation and demonstrates your successful role. For example, you might attach letters from customers, design plans, a letter from your employer asserting that you performed the work listed, or other documentation.

If a license for solar installation is required in the jurisdiction in which the work is performed, candidates must submit their license number -- or the license number under which the work was performed.


4) Timeline to Apply
  a.. June 16th Application released. Applicants will have ~ 45 days to fill out the application form. 
  b.. July 31 Application forms due. 
  c.. Sept. 4 Applicants receive their packets of eligibility or ineligibility not later than 5 weeks (35 days) after the application was due. 
  d.. Sept. 15 Return the Exam Scheduling form and checks. 
  e.. October 4 Admission Slip sent to candidates. This leaves candidates ~ three weeks to make any travel arrangements to take the exam. 
  f.. Oct. 25 Exam date! 
  g.. Nov. 22 Candidates receive their score reports: ~ 4 weeks (28 days) after the exam. 
  h.. Dec 20 Candidates get their certificate packet: ~ 8 weeks after the exam. 
5) Exam sites
NABCEP is working on securing exam sites in as wide a geographic distribution as possible. Those locations will be released as soon as possible.


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Upcoming Events:


Friday, June 20 - Workshop from 5- 7 p.m.
Midwest Renewable Energy Fair
Custer, Wisconsin, June 20-22
5 - 7 p.m.: "NABCEP Certification" - the Workshop is planned as a practical Q&A session about how to get certified.


Tuesday, June 24 - Open Meeting
In conjunction with ASES, Austin, TX
4:30 - 5 p.m. in room 19A of the Austin Convention Center, the Board will conduct a Q&A session on any topics attendees are interested to raise


Wednesday, June 25 - Conference Session
ASES, Austin, Texas
10:30 a.m.: "Certification & Accreditation Programs for Solar Electricity"


For additional information or to register:
MREA (715) 592-6595
http://www.the-mrea.org/fair_registration.php

ASES (303) 443-3130
http://www.ases.org/2003_conference/program.html


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This newsletter is prepared for members of the PV community who have expressed an interest in receiving it. If you no longer wish to be on this email distribution list, please email Wendy Parker at wparker at nabcep.org with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

The information in this newsletter is a public communication. Please feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested.

In addition, if you are not subscribed and would like to be, email Wendy Parker with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.
If you have any questions about this newsletter, please contact Wendy Parker.

Wendy Parker, NABCEP Project Coordinator
Phone: (720) 344-0341
Fax: (303) 470-8239
email: wparker at nabcep.org


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