The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has announced its plans to offer live online proctoring for the entry-level NABCEP PV Associate exam.

What is the NABCEP PV Associate Exam?

The NABCEP PV Associate exam is the first-level credentialing exam for aspiring solar professionals.

Previously known as NABCEP PV Entry Level, the PV Associate credential highlights fundamental knowledge in the solar industry, such as:

• Types of Solar PV Systems
• Solar Industry Drivers
• Advantages & Disadvantages of Solar PV
• PV System Sizing
• Basics of Electricity
• Solar Energy Principles
• PV System Components
• Relevant Codes
• Safety
• PV System Maintenance

What is Live Online Proctoring?

This method of online exam proctoring means that candidates can now earn the NABCEP Associate credential on their own computer and without having to leave their home. 

The benefits of live online proctoring include:

• Reduced costs associated with traveling to testing sites
• Reduced safety concerns
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Greater accessibility

When will Live Online Proctoring be available?

Eligible candidates can schedule to take the NABCEP PV Associate exam by way of live online proctoring right now. 

To qualify for the NABCEP PV Associate exam, a candidate must satisfy one of these prerequisite pathways:

• Complete an approved training program (such as our NABCEP PV Associate course) or
• Document 6 months of work experience in a solar PV field

If you are qualifying through the education pathway, you will be asked to complete a Candidate Eligibility Form that we provide as part of our program. After you return the completed form to us, we will verify that you completed the program and then upload the application to your myNABCEP account and pay your NABCEP PV Associate exam fee. You will then log into your myNABCEP account and sign up for live online proctoring (LOP).

Candidates may schedule to take their exam through LOP now, but live online proctored exam sessions will only begin on May 1, 2020.

What are the technical requirements for the NABCEP LOP exam?

To take your NABCEP PV Associate exam in a live online proctored environment, your computer must meet the following system requirements:

• A well-working computer with 1 GB of RAM or higher
• An Internet speed of at least 2 Mbps upload and 2 Mbps download. 
• A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution
• Working speakers connected to the computer
• A microphone connected to the computer
• Browser compatibility: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari

A laptop with built-in webcam and built-in microphone is best.

What if I’ve already taken the NABCEP PV Associate exam?

Great! Now you can start preparing for NABCEP’s advanced certifications – what they call the Board Certifications.

NABCEP is actively working on converting its Board Certifications to be offered on the LOP platform and will announce those scheduling and launch dates soon.

In the mean time, make sure that you’ve satisfied all of the educational / training prerequisites. Check out our solar training courses to best prepare for certification exams like NABCEP PV Design Specialist and NABCEP PV Installation Professional.

Here at Everblue, we offer high-quality, accredited solar training courses to help you break into a new career, start a new business, and earn NABCEP certification. Start today!