Mass Transit Celebration on National Dump the Pump Day

On June 21, 2018, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and mass transit systems across the country will celebrate the 13th Annual National Dump the Pump Day.

Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation as a means of taking them where they need to go, instead of driving a car.

Dump the Pump Day Overview

Started in June 2006, when gas prices were $3 per gallon, this national day emphasizes that mass transit is a convenient travel option that helps people save money and helps communities grow and prosper.

Dump the Pump Day logo

From urban to suburban to rural communities, public transportation is a vital resource to Americans, and a cornerstone of our nation’s economy and local economies. In fact, public transportation helps to make a community economically competitive. Additionally, mass transit provides economic opportunities, since 87% of public transit trips directly impact the economy.

How Mass Transit Plays into Green Building

Everblue was founded on the principles of economic stability and reducing our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. This mission led us to teaching courses on sustainability and green building. Our most popular program teaches architects, engineers, facility managers, and other construction-industry professionals how to design, build, and maintain buildings according to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. LEED, for short, is the leading certification program for buildings, homes, communities, and relevant stakeholders that want to demonstrate their environmental and economic advantages achieved through green building strategies.

If you’ve been following the LEED program, then you know that there has been more and more attention given to buildings that are located near amenities and mass transit. One of the common misconceptions about LEED Certification is that it’s just incorporating a few energy-efficient technologies into your building design, but it’s so much more than that. LEED Certification is about creating a healthy, safe, and durable building in addition to it being energy-efficient.

To offer a point of reference, the U.S. Green Building Council, who created the LEED standards, dramatically updated the LEED program in 2014 to what is called LEED Version 4. One of the major components to this update was the “creation” of the Location and Transportation category. Previously, these focus areas were included in the Sustainable Sites category, but with growing awareness on the benefits of public transportation, the USGBC broke those focus areas into their own section.

The Location and Transportation category provides eight opportunities for a building to provide optimum access to quality alternative transportation and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The sub-sections in this category are:

  • LEED for Neighborhood Development location
  • Sensitive land protection
  • High priority site
  • Surrounding density and diverse uses
  • Access to quality transit
  • Bicycle facilities
  • Reduce parking footprint
  • Green vehicles

For more information about each of these strategies, you should consider enrolling in a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course. This training is designed to take a deep dive into all of the LEED v4 categories so that you can talk confidently about LEED and work on LEED building projects.

Awesome Facts About Public Transportation

Given that June 21 is Dump the Pump Day, I’d like to take a moment to focus on “Access to quality transit.”

Technically, this section is described as having the intent to:

Encourage development in locations shown to have multimodal transportation choices or otherwise reduced motor vehicle use, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and other environmental and public health harms associated with motor vehicle use.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has been kind enough to supply supporting statistics that further show the benefits of mass transit. For example, here’s a snapshot of its awesome facts:

Economic Benefits

  • For every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is returned in economic returns.
  • Every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports and creates more than 50,000 jobs.
  • Public transportation is a $68 billion industry that employs more than 420,000 people.
  • Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.
  • Home values performed 42% better than when located near high-frequency public transit.
  • Hotels in cities with direct rail access to airports raise 11% more revenue per room than hotels in those cities without.

Safety Benefits

  • A person can reduce his or her chance of being in an accident by more than 90% simply by taking public transit as opposed to commuting by car.
  • Traveling by public transportation is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by automobile.

Money Benefits

  • The average household spends 18 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 96% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing.
  • A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car.

Environmental Benefits

  • Public transportation use reduces our nation’s dependence on foreign oil by 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline a year.
  • It also saves 37 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

Personal Benefits

  • Millennials consider public transportation as the best option for digital socializing and among the best for connecting with communities.
  • Public transportation provides personal mobility and freedom for people from every walk of life.
  • Access to public transportation gives people transportation options to get to work, go to school, visit friends, or go to a doctor’s office.
  • A total of 87% of trips on public transit have a direct impact on the local economy.
  • Of all riders, 71% are employed and 7% are students.
  • More than two-thirds of riders walk to their stop or station.

Become an Advocate for Mass Transit

On a more personal note, I just want to share how much I enjoy public transportation. It’s so convenient and reliable and so utterly accessible for so many people.

I rely on mass transit when I go on vacation. Much of my vacation research showed that it was “impossible” to navigate Los Angeles for a week on only public transportation – well I did, and I had no problem. From downtown LA to Hollywood to Santa Monica to Venice Beach to Long Beach, I took buses and light rail for all of my adventures. In recent years, I’ve traversed New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles all through subway, bus, and light rail.

It was only after my most recent trip to LA that I started to consider the possibility of using public transportation in my everyday life. I’ve started to pay more attention to where the bus stops are located near me, and I also found that there are three Park and Ride facilities in my area as well. Now my only difficulty is navigating our local public transportation company’s website to find out the bus schedule! I am adamant about improving this process and getting the word out that public transportation is awesome! I’m super excited that Dump the Pump Day exists, and I hope folks give it a try.

Our local university recently completed its construction on a light rail stop on campus that takes students and riders downtown. A few weeks ago, I chose to take the light rail into the city and geeked out the entire time about how simple and fun it was. Check out my photos below from my experience!

light rail stop 

 

 

Light Rail Stop

 

example of mass transit 

 

 

Incoming Light Rail

 

inside mass transit light rail 

 

 

Inside Light Rail

 

mass transit stop downtown 

 

 

Light Rail Stop Downtown

 

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Online Test Proctoring is a Mess

We partnered with a company called ProctorFree to launch an online proctoring service because everything about online proctoring and testing was hard.

First, we had students and test takers traveling long distances and paying large sums of money to test in live testing centers. That hampered our growth and limited the options and accessibility for students.

Second, we built an automated proctoring business, BUT then we’d spend months integrating with our partners and turning away partners that didn’t already have an integrated Learning Management System. In short, we always, ALWAYS moved faster than any of our partners because their legacy LMS systems were creaky and antiquated.

Finally, we said what if we built an integrated test and proctoring system? What if it was simple to use and start? Like within the same day? Wow! So we did it, and we’ve been delighting customers for a few months now.

The remarkable thing is, we had been doing all of this without a section on our website dedicated to this service! That’s how bad the online testing and proctoring market is! That’s how painful it is! Customers were willing to use our software even though we didn’t even have a webpage.

But we do now! Visit our Online Proctoring page to learn more about this service, or give us a call at 800-460-2575.

Join us, as we aim to make your life easier, simpler, and more secure.

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HERS Rater Jobs on the Rise in Tallahassee due to New Homes Program

City of Tallahassee Utilities recently announced a $2,000 energy efficiency rebate as part of its New Homes Program. In addition to encouraging energy-efficient new construction, the New Homes Program will likely lead to an increase in HERS Rater jobs in the Florida Panhandle.

For more information about RESNET, jump over to our New to RESNET? Start Here section. If you’re relatively familiar with the RESNET HERS Rater Certification for home energy auditors, keep reading!

Although it appears that the rebate itself is meant for homeowners, the attractive dollar amount will cause homeowners to seek builders with knowledge of the New Homes Program and energy-efficient skills so that they can be eligible to achieve the reward. Studies have shown that homeowners are becoming more interested in smart, high performance homes. In fact, many are willing to pay top dollar upfront for an energy-efficient house, knowing that they will see monthly energy savings. Now, with a financial incentive hanging over their head, they’re even more likely to pursue an energy-efficient home.

HERS Rater Jobs

About the Tallahassee New Homes Program

What It Is

The Tallahassee New Homes Program offers a rebate of $1.00 per square foot for the purchase or construction of a HERS rated, ENERGY STAR certified home (up to a maximum rebate of $2,000).

Who May Participate

Owners of ENERGY STAR qualified homes, including single-family detached, single-family attached, low-rise multifamily, and existing-home renovations. The home must be served by City of Tallahassee Electric, utilize natural gas for water heating, and achieve ENERGY STAR qualification under current guidelines.

How to Qualify

The program requires that:

  • a homebuilder works with a third-party energy rater, specifically a RESNET-certified Level 1 HERS Rater,
  • the certified RESNET HERS Rater produces a confirmed HERS Index Score, and
  • the home qualifies for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program

The Tallahassee New Homes Program is just another reason why local home performance contractors should pursue RESNET HERS Rater Certification. As this program grows, there will certainly be more HERS Rater jobs to fill. Let’s take a look at the building blocks that led us to where we are now.

Florida Legislation Encourages HERS Rater Jobs

April 2016 – State of Florida Adopted the Energy Rating Index

The Energy Rating Index (ERI) energy code performance option allows homebuilders to achieve, or more likely surpass, local energy code requirements by incorporating energy-efficient products and building techniques that are better-than-code-requirements into their project.

RESNET HERS Index chartTo do this, homebuilders will hire a HERS Rater to perform home energy modeling and home energy auditing services. In addition to providing energy efficiency recommendations, a HERS Rater will also produce an energy efficiency score. The score represents the energy efficiency of the home. HERS Index Scores range from 0-150, where 0 is considered a net-zero energy home (produces as much energy as it consumes). The average house built to code lands at a score of about 100. HERS Raters use building science to encourage energy-efficient products and building strategies, with the goal of lowering the HERS Score.

Note that the Energy Rating Index is not the same as the HERS Index; however, the ERI was largely based on the HERS Index. In fact, the Florida Solar Energy Center conducted an analysis of HERS Index Scores for homes in 16 cities distributed throughout the climate zones to form their basis of the ERI Index. Because the ERI Index is designed to push maximum energy efficiency, it’s top-tier number is 100 (unlike 150 for the HERS Index). Due to their experience working with HERS Index Scores, HERS Raters are usually the professionals who get called in to assist with ERI Scores. There’s a natural relationship here, leading to more HERS Rater jobs.

The State of Florida has announced that an ERI score of 58 (or lower) can satisfy energy code requirements when pursuing the energy code performance compliance path. So, there’s already a natural market for HERS Rater jobs in Florida due to energy code compliance.

For more information about energy code compliance, see our related post: 2015 IECC Code: A Look at Builders’ Options.

Please note, however, that the State of Florida has not specifically adopted the 2015 IECC. Florida has a “state specific” residential energy code.

July 2017 – Florida Energy Code Requires Blower Door Testing on New Homes

We already know that a HERS Rater will be called upon to supply the ERI score for energy code compliance. But the State of Florida has also included a clause in its newest energy code that requires blower door testing to be performed by a certified third party.

Who might qualify as a certified third party for blower door testing? You guessed it! A HERS Rater!

One of the diagnostic tests that a HERS Rater performs while doing a home energy rating is a blower door test.

For more information about this skill set, please visit our Blower Door Testing page.

blower door test

As you can see, homebuilders frequently work with HERS Raters as a means of meeting building code requirements. The Tallahassee New Homes Program is simply another opportunity for homebuilders and HERS Raters to work together!

The Relationship Between ENERGY STAR and RESNET

The New Homes Program wisely pairs together the activities of a certified RESNET HERS Rater and the desirable ENERGY STAR Homes Certification.

Both programs focus on improving energy efficiency in new homes. In fact, the two programs are uniquely tied together.

RESNET HERS Raters Focus on Home Performance and Work Toward Code Compliance

Using building science and diagnostic testing, HERS Raters perform comprehensive home energy audits, energy efficiency recommendations, HERS Score verification, and energy code compliance.

These skills lay the foundation for achieving ENERGY STAR Homes Certification.

What is an ENERGY STAR Home?

ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15% more energy-efficient than homes built to the current International Energy Conservation Code and include energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. ENERGY STAR homebuyers will enjoy better energy performance, greater comfort, and lower utility bills.

Given the breadth of technical knowledge that a HERS Rater possesses, the EPA ENERGY STAR program is only available to certified HERS Raters. In other words, HERS Raters are the only professionals who are able to service and inspect ENERGY STAR-qualified homes.

ENERGY STAR Homes logoSince HERS Raters are qualified to assess energy performance in new construction homes with the goal of meeting or surpassing energy code requirements, they are the perfect choice to also service ENERGY STAR Homes! They are already familiar with leading energy-efficient building practices and energy code requirements. The leap from RESNET HERS to ENERGY STAR is fairly mild in that the technical knowledge builds on the foundation that a HERS Rater already possesses. Essentially, a HERS Rater must become familiar with the ENERGY STAR guidebooks and standards for home features and systems. HERS Raters are required to participate in a unique ENERGY STAR training and certification process (which they can count toward their RESNET continuing education).

When a homebuilder hires a HERS Rater, he/she can move forward confidently knowing that the HERS Rater will evaluate the home’s energy use, produce a qualified HERS Score, and proficiently prepare the home for ENERGY STAR Certification.

HERS Rater Jobs: Positive Employment Outlook in Tallahassee

If you plan to work in a residential trade, such as HVAC, home inspection, or energy auditing, and you want to give your resume a boost, you should become a HERS Rater.

As we’ve mentioned, certified HERS Raters are qualified to perform third-party blower door and duct leakage tests as well as whole-house energy audits and home energy ratings.

Florida Blower Door Test Certification is booming due to the energy code requirement and will certainly continue thanks to utility rebate programs, like the one in Tallahassee.

In fact, according to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, 58% of utilities nationally that had new homes programs in 2017 used the HERS Index as their verification method. This type of residential work isn’t going away.

Especially in the case of Tallahassee, which is the Florida state capital, HERS Rater jobs will be plentiful due to the New Homes Program; the City of Tallahassee utility has over 30,000 customers and is the 22nd largest municipal electric utility in the U.S.

Given the size of the utility’s customer base, the financial incentive, the inherent consumer demand for energy efficiency, and the Florida building code blower door test requirement, it’s a win-win-win-win for local home energy professionals to pursue RESNET HERS Rater Certification!

If you want to be an early adopter and gain a marketable advantage over your competitors, start with Everblue’s HERS Rater Training today! Our top-rated program is completely online, making it convenient and affordable for you to get trained and certified in no time. We provide you with everything you need, including blower door equipment discounts and covered costs for the RESNET HERS Rater Certification exams. To chat more about the HERS Rater Certification process, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

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Looking Forward to 2018 IECC Code

Within the home performance community, 2018 marks the exciting introduction of the newest residential energy code – the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Like a celebrity, the 2018 IECC is something to admire but may seem out of reach for many contractors.

Why the 2018 IECC Matters

2018 IECC code bookYou see, states and municipalities can choose to adopt the latest and greatest IECC code every 3 years – or not. Residential contractors use the building code as their guidebook, performing work in accordance with the code every day.

Environmentally-progressive contractors want to see increased energy efficiency requirements in their state code as a way of mandating that all home performance is done to the same high-quality standards and focuses on energy-saving techniques.

The reality, however, is that the majority of states are still functioning under the 2009 and 2012 IECC codes.

Here we are in 2018, and fewer than 10 states have adopted the 2015 IECC. They include Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, and Vermont. Granted, the code adoption process can take some time, but it’s good to know that these states have made energy efficiency a priority. Of course, there are also state-specific codes with regional amendments (Michigan, Florida) that are comparable to 2015 IECC, as well as individual municipalities that have adopted the 2015 code requirements themselves.

For the most part, the energy efficiency provisions in the building code get better with each 3-year update. For example, 2009 IECC brought to light the importance of blower door testing and duct leakage testing. The 2012 IECC sought to require blower door and duct leakage testing to be performed by a certified third party. The 2015 IECC introduced a new Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance path, which offers homebuilders greater flexibility with their products and strategies. For more information about existing building code requirements, see our post on the 2015 IECC Code: A Look at Builders’ Options.

What to Expect From the 2018 IECC Code

According to the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, some of the key changes that we can anticipate in the 2018 IECC residential code include:

  • Better U-factor on windows
  • More air-sealing measures
  • Better insulation on heated slabs
  • More realistic ERI scores

These changes are not only intended to make a home more energy-efficient and healthy for homeowners but also intended to make the ERI compliance path a more attractive option to builders. When builders work toward code compliance using the ERI pathway, they generally rely on the consultation and guidance of a certified RESNET HERS Rater.

HERS Raters have demonstrated proficiency in the technical requirements of the RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, which is what the ERI Index was largely based on. In fact, in 2017, the ANSI/RESNET/ICC standards 301 and 380 were incorporated into the 2018 IECC code verbiage. Specifically, 301 is the official basis for the ERI calculation. 380 is a referenced standard for building envelope testing.

In other words, states that adopt the 2015 or 2018 IECC code versions will be strong hiring grounds for HERS Raters. They’ll be able to lend their expertise of home energy rating scores to builders in need of code compliance. For more information about RESNET HERS, visit our New to RESNET? Start Here! section.

Which States Will Adopt 2018 IECC?

You might think that the states that were early adopters of the 2015 IECC would likewise be quick to adopt the 2018 IECC. In some cases, this might be true – based on the process that some states have in place to adopt the newest code every 3 years.

However, the folks at REScheck actually see the 2018 IECC as an opportunity for states that have not taken a stance on energy codes in the past to make a bold move toward the future. Instead of adopting an almost decade-old code like 2009 IECC, several states would certainly benefit from adopting the most up-to-date code.

A recent blog from REScheck shared the following insight:

“Through our polling of building officials, lobbyists, and energy code compliance legislators we found the following states most likely to consider the updated IECC 2018 code: Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota, and North Dakota. This follows closely with our hypothesis that the states with the least energy compliance could be looking to catapult towards the front of the pack with adoption of the IECC 2018 codes.”

In states that do adopt the 2018 IECC, homeowners can expect to live in a well-made, safe, durable, energy-efficient, and healthy home. On the employment side, HERS Raters can expect to gain new business and partnerships with homebuilders in need of a third-party, certified energy efficiency professional.

Over the next 6-18 months, we look forward to following this topic and seeing which states will demonstrate energy efficiency leadership. The Urban Land Institute Philadelphia chapter already plans to host an information session at the end of January to discuss 2015/2018 IECC code changes. Pennsylvania appears to be one of those states on 2009 IECC but also has a process in place for “automatic adoption” of code every 3 years, so we’ll see if they make a big step this year!

If you work in a residential trade and want to get in on energy efficiency-related work, consider becoming a RESNET HERS Rater. At Everblue, we provide specialized job training to home inspectors, energy auditors, and other specialty contractors looking to earn an energy efficiency certification like the RESNET HERS Rater. With our all-online HERS Rater training program, you can become a certified home energy rater in no time! Get started today – call us at (800) 460-2575 or learn more on our RESNET HERS Rater Training course page.

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BPI Certification Program Celebrates Its Anniversary

2018 marks the 25th year of operation for the residential energy efficiency nonprofit Building Performance Institute (or BPI). The BPI organization aims to create awareness about the “house-as-a-system” mentality and works to educate contractors on home energy efficiency, comfort, durability, health, and safety. Additionally, the BPI Certification program honors technically qualified home performance contractors who uphold BPI’s standards.

BPI Certification program logoMany contractors are familiar with the BPI acronym due to the organization’s well-known and nationally recognized home energy auditor certification program. If you’re new to BPI, take a moment to visit our BPI Energy Auditor Overview series to learn more about home energy auditing as a career and the benefits of BPI Certification.

After 25 years, BPI Certification has earned a high reputation in the home performance industry. In an independent Fall 2016 survey, professionals in the home performance and home energy sectors highly rated BPI for brand familiarity, career advancement, and value. In fact, 84% of BPI Certified professionals cited that their BPI Certification had enhanced their careers.

With this momentum in tow, the Building Performance Institute initiated a series of updates and partnerships in 2017 to help reach new highs for their anniversary year. Let’s recap BPI’s accomplishments and evaluate how these activities will keep BPI Certification at the forefront of the home performance industry.

Click on the topics below to learn more or continue reading this post.

Re-Designed Website

It all starts with the website. At the pace that technology is changing, 2017 marked the perfect time for BPI to update its organizational website. With a modern and cleaner look, the new BPI.org website makes it quicker and easier for professionals to access important information. This is particularly important for home performance professionals who are constantly on the go and working in the field.

What’s great, too, about the BPI website is that there’s content available for both industry professionals and homeowners alike. Industry professionals use the BPI website to learn about technical energy auditing standards and the certifications that are available to them. Homeowners benefit from the BPI website by finding certified BPI energy auditors in their area and reading homeowner-centric blog posts. The homeowner blog section garnered over 23,000 page views from 35 blog posts!

Increased Social Media Presence

Speaking of digital communications, BPI has been very active on social media and uses the various platforms as new ways to reach audiences. Social media is not just for millennials and teenagers; it has become a core component of doing business in this virtually progressive world of ours.

Facebook

Facebook logoFacebook is a great avenue for sharing and following blog posts. BPI’s most read-blog posts from Facebook discussed roof ventilation and the R-value of insulation.

As of this posting, BPI has 3,110 Facebook uses who “like” their page and have opted to follow their news and updates. With over 7,000 page “likes” on Facebook, we at Everblue also see the value in Facebook as a way of sharing information with our contacts. Nowadays, everyone has a Facebook, so it’s a great way to tap into peoples’ interests and catch them when they’re in the mood to learn more about a specific topic.

Twitter

Twitter logoTwitter is a great avenue for following topical conversations using hashtags such as #energyefficiency and #EEDay2017.

Let’s quickly explain the hashtag process for those who are less familiar with Twitter. Twitter users can categorize their posts using a hashtag, formatted as such: the pound symbol (#) followed by a keyword. When other Twitter users search for that hashtag, they get a list of posts that have been categorized in this way.

BPI used the hashtags #EnergyEfficiencyDay and #HomePerformanceWeek on October 5 to celebrate the annual “Energy Efficiency Day” awareness campaign on social media. Energy Efficiency Day brings together regional and national organizations, businesses, utilities, and individuals working to promote energy efficiency. Even months later, users can search those hashtags on Twitter to learn about how organizations are spreading the word about home performance in their communities.

Are you one of BPI’s 3,695 Twitter followers? We are! Find BPI on Twitter with username @_BPI_ or follow Everblue on Twitter with username @everblue_edu.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn logoLinkedIn is a great avenue for following blog posts from trusted industry professionals and organizations. Many people view LinkedIn as the professional version of Facebook. It’s a platform for digital networking and vouching for esteemed colleagues.

A user’s LinkedIn network is comprised of many like-minded professionals, which makes it the best outlet for sharing industry-specific information. In addition to connecting with people, Linkedin users have the ability to also follow business pages and join topical groups. Within the home performance industry, there are LinkedIn Groups for topics and organizations such as RESNET.US, RESNET BPI – Energy Audit and Home Performance, Green Building, Construction Project Pros, Building Science Community, BUILDER, and state-specific home builders associations. All of these groups are great outlets for knowledge sharing and discussion.

Listing on the Credential Engine and Credential Finder

BPI recently became part of the Credential Engine and Credential Finder family. Credential Finder is a nonprofit that promotes certifications nationwide. To date, over 1,500 credentials have been submitted to the Credential Registry from more than 170 organizations.

Although the BPI Certification program is already ANSI Accredited, it doesn’t hurt to create further brand awareness and add legitimacy to the program via these credentialing websites. The Internet offers a wide range of websites for home performance professionals to browse, so it’s great that BPI is adding itself to important resources about career certification.

Building Science Training at the High School Level

With the goal of introducing students to home performance as a career path, BPI has partnered with utility companies and the Connecticut Department of Labor to offer Building Science Principles training to 11th and 12th graders.

Connecticut teachers focusing on construction careers (plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, electrical, masonry) will now incorporate whole-house training into their curriculum so that young people can be exposed to the building science aspect of those careers. In the aforementioned Fall 2016 survey, 96% of respondents indicated that they were working in a field related to their BPI Certification, so the parallels between home construction and BPI energy auditing are not going unnoticed. On the contrary, there is a strong tie-in, and many people in the industry believe that home energy auditing is a REQUIRED component of a home construction career.

In addition, the CT Department of Labor is developing a job classification for an Energy Efficiency Technician to be included in the CT DOL Job Index and will call out the BPI Building Analyst Certification as a requirement, which should drive the need for BA Certification in Connecticut.

Between building code requirements for blower door testing and the energy savings earned through a home energy audit, BPI Certification has become a strong career supplement for home performance professionals across the country.

Support for the Residential PACE Financing Program

On Nov. 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released Best Practice Guidelines for Residential PACE Financing Programs. Since 2009, more than 100,000 homeowners have made energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes through residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (R-PACE) programs.

During the open comment period, BPI provided extensive comments to DOE regarding the need for a trained and certified workforce, strong consumer protections, companies who commit to following quality standards in installation, and the inclusion of health and safety upgrades as qualified measures.

Residential home improvement has long been riddled with unscrupulous contractors not looking out for the customer’s best interest and performing subpar work that does not get completed. To curtail such activity, many Energy Efficiency Program Administrators point to BPI Certification as the measure of credibility for home performance contractors. Specifically, in New York and New Jersey, technicians are required to have a BPI Certification in order to participate in their state program.

It has become increasingly clear that BPI Certification enhances the Residential PACE program by establishing an environment of credibility, quality, and reliability.

BPI-Approved Products

In addition to workforce credibility, BPI also has its hands in product endorsement. The BPI Listed Product program offers a seal of approval for tools, products, and materials being used in the home energy industry. Just as BPI Certification sets the bar for contractor work, the BPI Listed Product program provides confidence that products and materials meet home performance industry standards.

BPI added nine new products to the list in 2017, making up the plug load management, attic access barrier, window, and air pressure balancing categories.

If your company manufacturers a product that is used for residential applications, learn more about the BPI Product Listing Program.

Renamed RBE-WHALCHI Certification

In August, BPI announced the renaming of the Residential Building Envelope – Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer (RBE-WHALCHI) certification to Air Leakage Control Installers (ALC). This designation focuses specifically on weatherization and home retrofit work.

weatherization professional in BPI certification program

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) paved the way for weatherization work, providing funding to organizations across the country to train their contractors on insulation, airsealing, caulking, and other hands-on retrofit measures.

It’s a positive note that BPI is modernizing the name of the weatherization certification; the new name is more straightforward and transparent to what type of skills the contractor has. The name change also shows a renewed focus on growing this certification and encouraging these technical skills in the industry.

With all these changes and updates underway, it’s exciting to see what kind of year 2018 will be for the home performance industry and BPI Certification. As an approved BPI Test Center, we look forward to training even more contractors across the country. Make this the year that you decide to improve your career! We will help you earn a BPI Certification, including every step from start to finish. Give us a call at (800) 460-2575 to learn more or visit our BPI Energy Auditor Training page.

Sign up for BPI Certification training
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Solar Certification Program Prepares for 2018 Solar Growth

With interest and demand for solar energy growing at an unprecedented rate, the organizations managing the solar industry are rapidly adjusting their five-year plans to best reflect the market and account for future growth. If you’re looking for a solar certification program, now is the best time to get started!

For example, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (or NABCEP) expanded and updated many of its programs in the second half of 2017 to prepare for a successful 2018 and beyond. NABCEP leads the charge as the preeminent organization for solar standards development and manages the most well-known solar certification program.

nabcep logo

Here’s a brief listing of the NABCEP Certification changes we spotted in 2017. For more information about these changes, please keep reading below the bullet points or click the desired link.

Solar Certification Program Changes

May 2017

September 2017

October 2017

December 2017

Before we dive into all the updates, let’s do a quick history lesson on NABCEP’s solar certification program so you can get a better sense of why the new and, in some cases, improved certifications are important.

Prior to 2017, there were three designations for solar photovoltaic (PV) professionals.

  • NABCEP PV Associate (formerly called NABCEP Entry Level)
  • NABCEP PV Installation Professional
  • NABCEP PV Technical Sales

NABCEP has also offered a solar certification program for solar heating and wind professionals, but the solar PV certifications are far more common.

As the solar industry has matured, it has become very apparent that there are roles and responsibilities held by a variety of professionals on the job. It’s not always boiled down to just three designations. For this reason, NABCEP has taken a serious look at the responsibilities and job titles in the field and has worked on introducing (or modifying) certifications to best align with these skill sets. Over the course of one year, NABCEP introduced five solar certifications and is constantly looking for ways to improve the certification process for convenience and efficiency.

Now’s let’s take a closer look at the changes.

NABCEP PV Systems Inspector Certification

The NABCEP PV Systems Inspector (PVSI) Certification is designed for professionals who currently work as, or desire to work as, a system inspector of solar electric systems.

The NABCEP PVSI Certification demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency in 15 tasks organized into four performance domains:

  • Inspecting Electrical Components and Systems
  • Inspecting Energy Storage Components and Systems
  • Inspecting Mechanical/Structural Components and Systems
  • Documentation for the System Inspection

There are no eligibility requirements to take the NABCEP PVSI exam, however candidates should have some familiarity with solar photovoltaic systems. Knowledge of applicable codes and ordinances is presumed.

The U.S.-based exams can be taken online from anywhere that has a stable Internet connection. Candidates must complete an application process through NABCEP and prepare to take the exam via live online proctoring. For more information, please see the NABCEP System Inspector Handbook.

NABCEP Solar Heating System Inspector

The NABCEP Solar Heating System Inspector (SHSI) Certification is designed for professionals who currently work as, or desire to work as, a system inspector of solar thermal systems.

The NABCEP SHSI Certification demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency in 13 tasks organized into 5 performance domains:

  • Appropriate System Design for Applications
  • Structural
  • Mechanical and Solar Loop
  • Plumbing/Potable Piping
  • Electrical

There are no eligibility requirements to take the NABCEP SHSI exam, however candidates should have some familiarity with solar hot water systems. Knowledge of applicable codes and ordinances is presumed.

The U.S.-based exams can be taken online from anywhere that has a stable Internet connection. Candidates must complete an application process through NABCEP and prepare to take the exam via live online proctoring. For more information, please see the NABCEP System Inspector Handbook.

NABCEP PV Installation Professional Job Task Analysis

The NABCEP PV Installation Professional (PVIP) designation is the most prestigious solar certification program offered by NABCEP. This is the designation that is most commonly listed as a requirement for state licensure and/or utility programs, where applicable.

Due to its popularity and growing importance, NABCEP has made several changes to the Job Task Analysis (JTA) and certification process for this esteemed credential, including:

  • Adding testable concepts about 2017 National Electric Code
  • Changing the work experience requirement
  • Allowing paper-and-pencil format testing AND computer-based testing
  • Re-organizing the PVIP JTA to align with the new PV Specialist learning domains

Adding testable concepts about 2017 National Electric Code

Adopted in all 50 states, the National Electric Code (NEC) is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards. The NEC code addresses the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways in commercial, residential, and industrial occupancies.

Most states are using the 2014 NEC in its building code, but more progressive states (and the NABCEP Certification program) are starting to require 2017 NEC so that electrical contractors can remain up-to-date on the most modern technology, such as rapid shutdown-compliant systems.

Changing the work experience requirement

To qualify for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional exam, candidates must satisfy Training and Work Experience requirements.

Before 2018, candidates were required to demonstrate proof of work experience on 3-5 permitted solar installations in a leadership role. The number of required solar installations varied depending on a candidate’s education level and work experience.

Now, ALL candidates have to demonstrate work experience totaling at least six “Project Credits.”

Project Credits are identified and awarded according to the following scale:

  • System size of 1-999 kW = 2 Project Credits
  • System size of 1 mW and up = 3 Project Credits

Not only has the Work Experience requirement become more straightforward, but candidates may not have to work on as many solar projects in order to qualify for the exam.

Allowing paper-and-pencil format testing AND computer-based testing

Before 2018, the advanced NABCEP installation exam was only offered twice per year – Fall and Spring – and only available in a paper-and-pencil format. In addition to having a specific exam date in the Fall and Spring, NABCEP also posted a series of dates representing application deadlines and exam scheduling deadlines. It was, and still is, important for candidates to satisfy both the Training and Work Experience requirements before these dates so that they are 100% eligible to take the exam when it comes around.

Now, the NABCEP PV Installation exam will be available by paper-and-pencil format AND computer-based testing. In addition to the Fall & Spring exam dates, NABCEP has introduced testing windows for the computer-based exams. Candidates will be able to take their exam at one of Scantron’s (formerly called Castle Worldwide) 600+ test sites in the U.S. and Canada.

For the year 2018, NABCEP is offering four testing windows for computer-based exams. The first window, January 1-5, has actually been extended through February 8. If a candidate chooses the computer-based testing option, he/she will need to submit a scheduling request to Scantron at least four business days prior to the date of the candidate wishes to take their exam. It’s unclear at this time whether candidates of computer-based testing will also be required to submit an application before a particular date.

Re-organizing the PVIP JTA to align with the new PV Specialist learning domains

As we will cover in the last sections of this post, NABCEP has introduced three PV Specialist certifications. We believe that NABCEP has recognized the wide range of skills required to become a solar panel installer and realized that there was a gap between the entry-level PV Associate designation and the advanced PV Installation Professional designation.

As a result, the three PV Specialist certifications were born, each covering a highly focused skill set:

  • Design
  • Installation
  • Commissioning & Maintenance

When you review the updated Job Task Analysis for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification, you’ll see that the learning domains align almost exactly to all three PV Specialist certifications. In other words, to become a NABCEP PV Installation Professional, you must know all of the learning domains for PV Design Specialist, PV Installation Specialist, and PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist.

We have to believe that there is a credentialing hierarchy at play that hasn’t been specifically stated by NABCEP:

  • Step 1: Start with NABCEP PV Associate
  • Step 2: Pursue NABCEP PV Specialty 1
  • Step 3: Pursue NABCEP PV Specialty 2
  • Step 4: Pursue NABCEP PV Specialty 3
  • Step 5: Pursue NABCEP PV Installation Professional

If a candidate pursues all three PV Specialist certifications, he/she will essentially have acquired all the knowledge to prepare for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional exam. This marks the NABCEP PV Installation Professional exam as the highest level of achievement for solar certification program.

NABCEP PV Design Specialist

Developed in conjunction with U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, the NABCEP PV Design Specialist designation enables someone to become an expert at configuring the electrical design of a solar project.

The learning objectives are as follows:

  • Reviewing Customer Expectations
  • Reviewing Project Criteria
  • Assessing Project Site
  • Configuring Mechanical Design
  • Configuring Electrical Design
  • Configuring System Monitoring, Control & Communications Design
  • Preparing Project Documentation
  • Securing Permits and Approvals
  • Adapting System Design

To become a PV Design Specialist, a candidate must complete PV Design and NEC Code training in accordance with the Job Task Analysis. A candidate must also possess an OSHA 10-Hour card. This exam will be administered at Scantron’s 600+ test sites in the U.S. and Canada.

NABCEP PV Installation Specialist

Developed in conjunction with U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, the NABCEP PV Installation Specialist designation enables someone to demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of solar panel installation.

The learning objectives are as follows:

  • Developing a Safety Plan
  • Safeguarding Against Hazards
  • Installing Raceways
  • Installing Electrical Equipment
  • Installing DC PV System Conductors
  • Installing AC PV System Conductors
  • Installing Grounding & Bonding
  • Completing Utility Interconnection Points
  • Installing System Monitoring, Control & Communications Hardware
  • Installing Battery Equipment
  • Installing Ground-Mounted Structures
  • Installing Building-Mounted Systems
  • Installing PV Modules

To become a PV Installation Specialist, a candidate must complete PV Installation and NEC Code training in accordance with the Job Task Analysis. A candidate must also possess an OSHA 10-Hour card. This exam will be administered at Scantron’s 600+ test sites in the U.S. and Canada.

NABCEP PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist

Developed in conjunction with U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, the NABCEP PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist designation enables someone to manage the operations, maintenance, and commissioning aspects of a solar project.

The learning objectives are as follows:

  • Reviewing or Developing Commissioning Protocol
  • Completing Visual and Mechanical Inspection
  • Conducting Mechanical Tests
  • Conducting Electrical Tests
  • Verifying System Operations
  • Confirming Project Completion
  • Orienting End User to System
  • Verifying System Performance
  • Performing Preventive Maintenance
  • Performing Corrective Maintenance

To become a PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist, a candidate must complete PV Installation and NEC Code training in accordance with the Job Task Analysis. A candidate must also possess an OSHA 30-Hour card. Note that this PV Specialist certification is the only one that requires OSHA 30. This exam will be administered at Scantron’s 600+ test sites in the U.S. and Canada.

NABCEP Solar Certification Program Exam Information

Because of its name, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners has long struggled with servicing international solar professionals. The NABCEP Certification exams are administered by Scantron, which is a third-party proctoring company with test centers in many locations around the world. The conflict, however, is that the NABCEP exams themselves were not available outside of North American testing centers until recently.

NABCEP PV Associate

Now, the NABCEP PV Associate exam will be administered at 370 test sites in 97 countries, including China, India, Australia, Germany, Kenya, and many others. International test-takers will be required to pay an additional $75 exam fee, which is standard for all of Scantron’s international exams. Candidates should also know that the exams will be administered in English only.

Everblue’s NABCEP PV Associate Exam Prep is a self-guided online training program accessible to candidates worldwide. After completing the course, individuals will pay the standard $150 exam fee as well as the international $75 exam fee. Once NABCEP validates a candidate’s eligibility, they will work directly with the individual to schedule a computer-based exam at one of Scantron’s testing locations.

For more information about NABCEP’s solar certification program or qualifying for a NABCEP exam, please call us at (800) 460-2575.

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RESNET Practical Simulation Exam Not Needed by Existing HERS Raters

A little over 18 months after the RESNET Practical Simulation Exam launched as a requirement for all HERS Rater candidates, the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) has announced that they will remove this requirement for existing Raters. That is, anyone who earned the RESNET HERS Rater Certification prior to July 2016.

The announcement came in mid-November 2017 after a unanimous vote from the RESNET Board of Directors Executive Committee.

hands raised photo

RESNET Practical Sim Exam Still Required for New Rater Candidates

To be clear, the RESNET Practical Simulation Exam will continue to be required for new candidates seeking RESNET HERS Rater Certification.

The RESNET Practical Simulation is one of four exams required for an individual to earn this distinguished home energy auditor certification.

A Brief History of the RESNET Practical Simulation Exam

RESNET introduced the new exam on July 1, 2016. From that date forward, all new Rater candidates have been required to pass the Practical Simulation exam as part of their initial certification process.

Existing HERS Raters were given a deadline of July 1, 2017 to take and pass the exam. An extension was granted to September 2017 and then pushed to February 2018 due to technical glitches with the computer software.

The RESNET Executive Committee ultimately decided that it was an unnecessary stressor to require certified Raters to take and pass the new exam.

Get RESNET Continuing Education Hours

On the bright side, existing HERS Raters who proactively passed the RESNET Practical Simulation Exam will be credited 18 hours of professional development credits that can be used toward their HERS Rater renewal.

Given that the RESNET Practical Simulation Exam fee is $250, this is a relatively inexpensive way of satisfying the RESNET HERS Rater continuing education requirements (18 hours every 3 years).

RESNET is being incredibly supportive and flexible with existing HERS Raters by offering multiple options for moving forward with an active HERS Rater status.

If you’re a HERS Rater and have paid for the Practical Simulation Exam but have not yet been tested, you have three options to choose from:

  • Take and pass the test to receive 18 hours of RESNET CEUs
  • Receive a full refund for the amount you paid on the exam
  • Apply $200 of the test fee as a credit toward your registration for the 2018 RESNET Conference

With regard to that last bullet point, most HERS Raters attend the annual RESNET Building Performance Conference as their primary means of acquiring RESNET CEUs. It works out perfectly that the 2018 conference is scheduled in just over 2 months (Feb. 26-28 in Orlando, FL).

Existing HERS Raters can now rest easy and focus on simply earning their 18 hours of continuing education to maintain their certification.

If you’re interested in becoming a HERS Rater, visit our RESNET HERS Certification page to learn more about program requirements or give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

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Solar Energy Opportunities Boom in These 3 U.S. Cities

According to the Energy Information Administration, solar energy opportunities are on the rise – as much as a 75% increase in utility-scale solar panel installations from 2007 on. When it comes to making big strides in the solar industry, utility-scale is where it’s at, which is consistently and steadily on the rise, simply by installing more panels per capita and making a greater impact.

This is great news for the solar job market, says Climate Reality Project. “Solar power is creating jobs almost 12 times faster than the overall U.S. economy. Last year, the U.S. solar workforce grew by more than 20% for the third year in a row. Better for the environment and a dynamic tool for economic growth and job creation, solar power shines in plenty of ways. That’s why many states are investing in it – and seeing the results.”

solar energy opportunities image

You could probably guess that the places with the greatest number of solar energy opportunities and job growth are predictably the sunnier cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, Honolulu, Phoenix, and even San Antonio. Collectively, these cities generate somewhere around 18,195 megawatts of solar energy, which supports a thriving industry of contractors, installers, maintenance and more.

However, there are a few more fledgling solar cities on the rise that might surprise you. Due to an increase in both their residential and non-residential solar panel installation, these cities are well on their way to taking the top slot.

Here are the top three cities with the most potential for solar energy opportunities and business growth.

sunny solar growth image

1. Newark, New Jersey

Were you surprised? Known more for its infinite highways, meatball parm sandwiches, and Tony Sopranos, the Garden State probably wouldn’t have been your first guess at the top growing solar state. Strange as it may seem, Newark, New Jersey – and the state as a whole – has seriously invested in solar. With 528 solar companies, that’s enough to employ over 7,000 people! The once crumbling city of Newark has certainly seen hard times, but it’s improving more and more every day, and we have a sneaking suspicion its investment in solar power has something to do with it. It looks like this is Newark’s time to shine.

2. Denver, Colorado

With an already booming outdoor and wellness industry, it’s no surprise to see Denver on the list of solar cities, but it is surprising to see that Denver hasn’t already been an industry leader. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, many cities haven’t yet tapped into their full solar potential. However, from the looks of Denver’s 44% increase in the number of utility-scale solar powered plants, they are about to do just that. Since 2014, the Centennial State invested approximately $305 million into solar energy, which flows directly into more solar jobs and enough power to light up 103,000 Colorado homes.

3. New York, New York

Another East Coast city with solar on the mind also happens to have the title of the greatest city in the world: New York, New York. Having long lagged behind the West Coast cities in solar growth, New York is finally taking the plunge and investing in climate-friendly energy. The Climate Reality Project reported that in 2015, the city’s solar jobs grew 13.3% over the previous year and are expected to continue growing 11% year over year. That’s a pretty big deal considering that many big businesses are based in the Big Apple, and its thousands of residents can also opt into this renewable resource instead of oil or coal. For solar energy, this is the place to really make it.

Though some cities are more sought-after in the solar industry for business growth, any solar contractor can boost his or her job lead generation if they partner up with companies like Modernize Solar Leads, who connect qualified contractors with homeowners.

If you’re to solar and want to learn the knowledge and skills to join the solar workforce, start with an Everblue solar training course today or call (800) 460-2575.

By Katherine Oakes, images courtesy of Modernize

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How to Find LEED Jobs, Especially When LEED Isn’t in the Title

Those looking to get into the sustainability industry usually begin with researching qualifications, such as education, certifications, and licensure. Then they look for corresponding job titles. If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in green building and sustainability, so we’re going to help you with how to find LEED jobs.

What’s unique about LEED is that the phrase itself represents a skill set as opposed to an occupation.

In some cases, LEED will specifically be referenced in the job title, but more often than not, you’ll find LEED listed among eligibility requirements and knowledge areas.

If you’re new to LEED and want to get a better understanding of what jobs align best with it, please visit our What is LEED? section.

Important LEED Job Keywords

To aide in your job search, let’s first differentiate between two commonly misunderstood phrases that may come up during your research.

  • LEED Certification is a designation for high-performance green buildings
  • LEED Accreditation is a designation for people who understand LEED requirements

Though LEED has been available for over 15 years, it’s possible that some employers may not be aware of this distinction and may use the wrong phrase in the job listing. It will be up to you to use context clues to decipher which phrase is intended.

A knowledgeable employer may say LEED Accreditation or may list the specific credential name, such as LEED Green Associate or LEED AP, to provide further clarification of what’s expected.

For example…

Example of LEED Green Associate in a job listing

Speaking of LEED Accreditation credentials, there are two other distinctions that we should cover and may come up on a job listing.

  • LEED AP vs. LEED AP Specialty
  • Qualifying for LEED AP

LEED AP vs. LEED AP Specialty

LEED AP can refer to “inactive” LEED professionals who passed their LEED exam under an older version (pre-2009) OR to “active” professionals who have passed the newer LEED AP Specialty exam.

With regard to the second grouping, these professionals are more commonly known as LEED APs with a Specialty, such as LEED AP BD+C, as opposed to LEED AP alone.

Technically, these two sets of acronyms refer to different types of LEED professionals. You should know which one you are.

It’s more likely that employers want a LEED AP Specialty professional because their knowledge is more up-to-date. Seeing LEED AP on a job listing could be an oversight.

Qualifying for LEED AP

Regardless of which LEED AP is listed on a job posting, candidates should be aware of the official LEED credentialing process.

Because LEED AP is outdated, this version of the LEED exam is no longer available. If you’re thinking that “LEED AP” is ultimately your goal, then you should set your sights on “LEED AP with a Specialty.”

To become a LEED AP with a Specialty, a candidate MUST:

  • Pass the entry-level LEED Green Associate exam
  • Choose a LEED AP Specialty to study (there are 5 available)
  • Then pursue & pass the LEED AP Specialty exam

Now that we have an idea of what these LEED terms mean, let’s continue to break down the types of LEED jobs that you will want to find.

Types of LEED Jobs

If you begin your job search by typing “LEED Jobs” into Google, you’ll find USGBC Jobs as one of the top listings. This makes sense, considering that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the LEED standards.

how to find LEED jobs

On this page, you’ll find jobs working for USGBC. Some will be more intimately involved with LEED than others, given that USGBC staff has administrative responsibilities in addition to technical responsibilities.

Looking at a more well-known job search site, Indeed.com, you’ll find a wide range of jobs that reference LEED, such as:

  • Energy Solutions Development Consultant
  • Energy and Sustainability Analyst
  • Sustainability Project Coordinator
  • Energy Analyst
  • Building Sustainability Consultant
  • Data Center Construction Project Manager
  • Designer & Documentation Specialist

As you can see, the common keywords among these job titles are “energy” and “sustainability,” which makes sense since LEED aims to reduce energy and improve sustainability in buildings. In other words, the LEED skill set will be frequently utilized in these positions despite the fact that LEED is not mentioned in the job title.

When LEED appears in a job title, it’s often going to be a LEED Project Manager or LEED Sustainability Consultant. In both of these cases, the individual will directly be involved with managing LEED project documentation and/or advising LEED project members on strategies to incorporate into their sustainable building project.

Finally, we showcased in our Best Jobs for LEED series the ways in which other professional occupations use LEED in their job responsibilities. Virtually anyone interested in improving environmental sustainability can benefit from the LEED skill set. There are applications for interior designers, pest control companies, plumbing contractors, product manufacturers, and real estate attorneys, even though these occupations don’t necessarily scream “building sustainability” at first glance.

To learn more about how LEED can align with your professional goals, you should enroll in a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course today or call us at (800) 460-2575.

Register now for LEED Green Associate
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2017 NEC Code to be Covered on NABCEP Solar PV Exam

The solar certification exams developed by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) assess a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. This testable information is available on NABCEP’s Job Task Analysis (JTA) document, which outlines a wide variety of responsibilities that solar system installation professionals have. Concepts from the 2017 NEC code will soon join that outline.

It is expected that all individuals who achieve the advanced NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification be familiar with and capable of executing all the tasks described in the NABCEP Job Task Analysis document.

If you’re new to solar, take a moment to browse our Solar Overview series to get an understanding of how you can add solar to your resume and your business.

Once you decide that NABCEP Certification is the right move for you, you should begin acquainting yourself with the various NABCEP designations available and the corresponding JTA documents.

About the NABCEP Job Task Analysis

According to NABCEP, the JTA documents “form the blueprint” for all NABCEP certification exams.

The NABCEP JTAs are updated every 3 years to incorporate changes made to the National Electric Code (NEC). The most recent iteration of the NABCEP PV Installation JTA covered the 2014 NEC. Starting January 3, 2018, the NABCEP PV Installation JTA (and thus, the certification exam) will cover 2017 NEC code concepts.

NABCEP JTA to cover 2017 NEC code

Qualifying for the NABCEP Certification Exams

As you research NABCEP Certification, you’ll find that there are a number of eligibility pathways and qualifying requirements. It’s important to review the NABCEP Certification Handbook to get a sense of which qualifying category best fits your education and experience.

Oftentimes, candidates for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional exam will need:

  • 58 hours of training (where 40 hours cover advanced solar installation/design concepts)
  • passing score on the NABCEP PV Associate exam
  • an OSHA 10 card or equivalent
  • work experience totaling at least 6 Project Credits

Since the NABCEP PV Installation JTA for the 2018 certification exams is already updated and published, it’s important to pursue solar training that covers the 2017 NEC code.

How to Learn the 2017 NEC Code

At Everblue, we’re pleased to announce that we have updated our solar training program to reflect the 2017 NEC code changes so that NABCEP candidates have access to the most up-to-date information.

Specifically, our NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam Prep has been designed to align with the eligibility requirements for the NABCEP certification exams. With over 100 hours of solar training concepts covered, the NABCEP PV Installer program is the gold standard for convenience; we offer training in live and online formats. As soon as you enroll, you gain instant access to the online training so you can begin learning right away!

Give us a call at (800) 460-2575 to learn how you can work toward a NABCEP solar certification.

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