Page 26 – Everblue Training

Utah Solar Installer Requirements: Licensure & Certification

First, let’s understand what is meant by “solar installer requirements.” Solar installations are commonly regulated at the state, county, and utility levels. As with many professional occupations, such as architecture and engineering, solar installers may need to be licensed in the state in which they are providing their services. Thus, we have to explore the Utah solar installer requirements, meaning what’s required in Utah to work as a solar installer.

If you want to begin learning about solar energy, visit our Introduction to Solar series.

Professional licensure is usually justified to regulate an activity whereby incompetent execution would be a threat to the public. Licensure is similar to professional certification, and sometimes goes hand-in-hand; however, solar certification is a marketable quality for employment and generally not a legal requirement for practicing the profession.

Some states, such as Utah, have adopted licensing and certification requirements for installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Utah Solar Installer Requirements include:

Being a licensed contractor with a classification in solar PV or electrical
Completing a 30-hour pre-license course
Having a minimum of two years of experience
Possessing a NABCEP Solar PV Certification

Utah’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) is the authoritative body for issuing and renewing occupational licenses. Their website contains the most up-to-date information, including qualifications and contractor applications.

The DOPL issues licenses in approximately 60 categories of licensure, ranging from architects and engineers to contractors, handymen, inspectors, electricians, and plumbers. The most common trades that pursue solar PV installations are electricians, general contractors, roofers, and plumbers.

Any one of the following licenses is required for those interested in becoming a Utah solar installer:

S202 (Solar PV)
S200 (Electrical Contractor)
S201 (Residential Electrical Contractor)

Specifically, the S202 – Solar PV Contractor License is for fabrication, construction, installation, and repair of photovoltaic cell panels and related components including battery storage systems, distribution panels, switch gear, electrical wires, inverters, and other electrical apparatus for solar photovoltaic systems.

solar installation work

The DOPL website features two applications for becoming a Utah solar installer. One application is for existing contractors who want to add the S202 classification to their license. The other is for newer professionals who want to apply for an S202 license. In both cases, the application requires that the candidate include his or her NABCEP Certificate Number.

Interestingly, the application indicates that there is no trade exam required for S202. The DOPL must not be counting the actual NABCEP Certification exam in that assessment. Perhaps this is because the NABCEP exam is not administered by DOPL. NABCEP, or the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, is a third-party standards board for solar and renewable energy; all candidates must take their NABCEP Solar PV Installation Professional exam through NABCEP’s partner, Scantron (formerly called Castle Worldwide).

Solar Installations in Utah

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the leading non-profit organization for solar energy research and industry development. SEIA publishes quarterly reports on the state of the solar industry, with coverage on a national scale down to state-specific successes and facts.

SEIA reported that solar employment grew 12 times faster than the overall U.S. economy in 2015, and many of Utah’s solar installations took shape as 1 kW-1.5 mW installations on homes and businesses to offset their load. The SEIA website showcases even more facts about the Utah solar industry.

Utah Solar Facts image

Utah’s energy portfolio includes coal, petroleum, natural gas, and other fossil fuels; uranium and other unconventional fuels; hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, wind, and biomass renewable resources; as well as energy efficiency. Diversifying and expanding Utah’s energy production and generation will not only provide jobs and revenue but will help maintain the stable and low energy prices that fuel the broader business and industrial sectors.

Energy is a $20.9 billion industry in Utah, generating $656 million in state and local revenues. There are more than 10,000 direct energy jobs in the state. Employment directly related to energy produces a rate almost twice that of other jobs in the state.

What’s Driving Solar Installations in Utah?

Utah’s state energy policy, as well as the governor’s 10-year strategic energy plan, include a targeted, yet modest plan for advancing energy development in Utah. The funding and incentive programs include:

Financing and loans
State incentives
Utility incentives
Federal incentives

Learn more now about about Utah solar financing and incentive programs.

How to Become a Solar Installer in Utah

As we’ve discussed, licensure is required in most states, but requirements vary by region. It appears as though the licensing and certification requirements to become a solar installer in Utah extend to the entire state. Southwest Utah and its 300+ days of sun is definitely a great place to become a solar PV contractor. Falling costs for panels and a set of tax credits in place have had many companies offering low-interest financing and leasing programs for the region’s curious and interested residents.

Solar Training image

So, if we had to break this down into steps, our recommendation for joining this industry would look like this:

Step 1: Enroll in a solar training course, such as our NABCEP PV Installation Professional course. This program provides 106 hours of education, covering topics such as AC-to-DC power, grid-tied and off-grid solar installations, inverters, battery backups, and more!
Step 2: Gain work experience. Not only is this a Utah DOPL requirement, but it is also an eligibility requirement to sit for the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification exam. Candidates must complete solar installations totaling at least 6 Project Credits.
Step 3: It may be required to pass the NABCEP PV Associate Exam before pursuing the advanced NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam. To sit for the advanced exam, a candidate must meet the exam application deadline, pay a $500 exam fee directly to NABCEP, and schedule to sit for the exam at a Scantron testing center.
Step 4: Complete the DOPL application for the S202 license to install solar panels in Utah. There may be a fee associated. The fee appears to range from $55-$110 for existing contractors looking to upgrade to S202.

For more information about solar installation requirements in Utah, please email us at [email protected].

2015 IECC Code: A Look at Builders’ Compliance Options

2015 IECC code book image The International Energy Conservation Code, which is updated every three years, serves as the national model energy code and becomes mandatory when adopted by a state or local jurisdiction. When a builder builds a home, he/she has to meet the current energy code (in this case, 2015 IECC code) for the jurisdiction in which the home is located.

To satisfy the 2015 IECC code requirements for blower door testing and air leakage, builders usually enlist the help of certified BPI energy auditors or RESNET HERS Raters.

Do you want to become certified in blower door and duct leakage testing to meet code?

Call us at (800) 460-2575 and we’ll guide you to the training you need to start growing your business and meeting this demand!

There are three ways that builders can meet the 2015 IECC code:

Prescriptive – provides clear guidelines in the form of a checklist
Performance – uses REScheck software to offer tradeoff calculations on acceptable insulation, windows, etc.
Energy Rating Index (ERI) – relies on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

The Energy Rating Index is a new compliance path that was introduced with the 2015 version of the IECC code. This option saves the most money because builders can consult the knowledge of a certified professional, such as a HERS Rater.

A HERS Rater is certified to perform home energy audits based on the HERS Index, so he/she can make insightful recommendations on insulation, windows, and equipment to meet code. This option can be viewed as being the most complicated of the three, simply because a builder is relying on the individual expertise of the HERS Rater. Because of the responsibility that this option entails, RESNET HERS Rater training is generally considered a comprehensive and rigorous program. Once an individual earns the HERS Certification, he/she can market their unique skills to builders who are looking for the best bang for their buck on meeting code.

Blower Door & Duct Testing Requirements

The 2015 IECC code requires blower door and duct testing regardless of which option the builder chooses. It is up to the code official in a given jurisdiction to determine whether the person performing the blower door and duct testing needs to be certified. We ask contractors to reach out to their local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to find out what standards are being mandated and enforced.

Home building process

A code official may require that air leakage testing be performed by any of the following:

a contractor or HVAC technician with BPI Certification
a certified HERS Rater
a sub-contractor without either certification

This determination varies by jurisdiction, so if you are a builder needing to meet code, reach out to your local code official to identify what is required in your area. Similarly, if you are a general contractor, HVAC technician, home inspector, etc. wanting to gain credibility and new business, you too might want to reach out to your local code official and see what is required in your area. As a contractor, you can then pursue the required certification and work with builders to meet the blower door and duct leakage requirements in the code.

It has been said that code officials look favorably on a builder who uses a HERS Rater because much of the code compliance documentation already gets factored into a HERS Rater’s home assessment. Therefore, using a HERS Rater takes much of the guess work and inspection checklists off the code inspector’s plate and instead rests on the Rater.

Not to mention, RESNET is more rigorous of a home energy auditor certification than BPI, so if a contractor was between the two designations, it might make sense to pursue the more advanced one in an effort to cover all of his or her bases.

States often adopt the latest version of the IECC with modifications and amendments that are suitable to their state’s unique needs, such as climate zone. Municipalities can override the state’s decision, provided that the local jurisdiction’s requirements are more strict. This further supports the need to contact your local code official to know what exactly will be required and enforced in your local area.

A Review of the Roles

Here is a brief run-down of the organizations and people involved in this process.

International Code Council (ICC) – writes code
States & Municipalities – enforce code
Builders – aim to meet code
Energy Professional – (BPI Building Analyst or HERS Rater) advises builder on how best to meet code
Code Inspector – determines whether certification is required (and which one – BPI or RESNET) for the person performing blower door and duct leakage testing

States Using 2015 IECC

States do not have to adopt the latest version of the code. There are several states in the U.S. that are lagging behind, either using the 2012 version, 2009 version, or earlier versions. Interestingly, though, as a condition of accepting stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009, governors of all 50 states offered assurance that (among other things) their states would adopt the 2009 IECC as the minimum energy standard for residential buildings. Carrying that promise a step further, each state agreed to demonstrate 90% compliance with the code by 2017. A recent article from Ryan Boswell discusses how 16 states currently do not have a statewide mandate requiring 2009 IECC.

State Energy Codes Map

The thing is, each new version of the IECC recommends stronger energy efficiency requirements and thresholds, which is great news for the industry, for those working in the industry, and for homeowners who reap the benefits of greater energy efficiency (more durable homes with lower energy bills). The 2009 IECC introduced performance testing of duct system leakage. The 2012 IECC started to require whole-house infiltration testing (i.e. blower door testing). And now, the 2015 IECC is even more aggressive about energy efficiency requirements and thresholds.

The following states have adopted the 2015 IECC and are therefore some of the best locations to find HERS Rater jobs or energy-efficient new homes:

Alabama
Florida
Hawaii
Illinois
Maryland
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
New Mexico – amended 2009 IECC to allow HERS Score as a compliance path
Pennsylvania
Texas
Vermont – called Residential Building Energy Standard, is equivalent to 2015 IECC
Washington

If you’re curious which version of the IECC has been adopted in your area, the best place to visit is energycodes.gov. Make sure that you are on the Residential tab.

If you’re looking to upgrade your skills to include blower door and duct leakage testing, you might consider *either* BPI Certification and/or RESNET HERS Rater Certification. Both programs cover blower door and duct testing. To help narrow down what you actually need, consider whether you’ll be evaluating existing homes (BPI) or new homes (RESNET). You may also want to review the incentive and rebate programs in your area – visit your local utility’s website and search for sections discussing home performance and energy efficiency. When you’re ready for RESNET or BPI training, we’d be happy to help you out!

LEED Certification Salary Among Those Who See a Boost in Value

Professional certification can lead to salary increases of $5,000 to upward of $20,000 annually. Given that the total cost of pursuing a sustainability certification generally ranges between $500-$1,895, the annual potential earnings increase, especially for LEED Certification salary, certainly outweighs the upfront cost.

Why Certification is Valuable

Due to the high bar that it sets, professional certification makes you more valuable to an employer over other colleagues. Certification demonstrates an enhanced understanding of technical concepts, thus a LEED Certification could open doors to new job opportunities.

Some use professional certification programs as an alternative, or in addition to, higher education. According to Robert Half, a professional staffing and recruiting agency, industry-specific certifications like the ones Everblue trains for (LEED, BPI, RESNET, NABCEP) “bring the most value” in terms of marketability and salary increases.

leed green associate salary

What better way is there to make more money doing the job you already have than to earn an industry-specific certification?! Not everyone has the time or money to go back to school and earn a higher education degree. Research shows that vocational certifications offer similar advantages to higher ed degrees at a fraction of the cost. After 2-4 days of training, you can be ready to sit for a certification exam. Sound too good to be true? View our student reviews to see feedback from others who were once in your position. Jumpstart your career today with a professional sustainability certification!

The Skills Gap is Real

We previously wrote about the demand for HERS Raters in NC, but hiring managers across the country have reported a shortage of qualified, skilled workers. In fact, 60% of U.S. manufacturing executives surveyed by Accenture said it has been difficult to hire the skilled people they need. The skills shortage is a problem in many industries and work environments. LEED Certification helps to show that you have a diverse skill set and range of knowledge.

Vocational certification is most effective when it is paired with on-the-job experience because it shows you can apply the concepts in a real-life scenario. Regardless of which level your current position has within your organization, a professional certification can help to elevate your status and your skills. The jobs are out there for the taking!

Expand Range of Skills, Make More Money

Professional certification ultimately enables you to take on new projects and learn new skills that will enhance your authority within your organization. According to USA Today, a skill like project management may increase earnings potential by 7%.

Project management does not have to be its own industry or career path; on the contrary, these skills are needed in all industries. Who among us has not worked at a company with inefficient processes? Conscientious employees do their best to rectify that by streamlining systems, operational strategy, and process design to save companies time and money. Although many employees are responsible for organizing work into a series of projects, few actually receive training with a formal focus on project management skills. The value in pursuing such training is that you’ll learn best practices that will ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

leed certification salary

The Truth About Salary Expectations

Salary.com noted that employers often price the “space” – the position within the organization – before they price the “face,” or person doing that job. After they determine the value of the position by researching the data on pay practices for comparable jobs at comparable companies, they adjust the data to reflect the employee’s background and experience. Make sure that you come across as a skilled and qualified prospect to not only ensure that you get the job but that you take advantage of the allotted salary expectations.

In addition, salary expectations vary by company, location, and candidate qualifications. It would be impossible to say with absolute certainty what the expected pay would be for a given job title. We can only provide educated guesses based on research, surveys, and feedback. Despite not having definitive numbers, the informed answer is that professional certification always helps one’s career.

PayScale.com put together a list of winning certifications and the difference in annual pay between those with the certification and those without. LEED Certification salary made the top 8 list.

The LEED AP credential is most recognized among those working in the construction industry who are responsible for developing schedules, coordinating personnel, and managing budgets for building projects. Now that green building is common practice, it’s almost an industry norm to pursue a LEED certification.

Potential Salary for a LEED Certification

Median Pay of LEED Professionals: $66,800
Median Pay of Non-LEED Professionals: $59,800
Typical Pay Increase: 12 percent

pmp certification salary

At the end of the day, if a prospective job calls for a certification that you don’t have, you might not get the job, or your pay might be set at the lower end of the range. Some employers require employees without certifications to work toward them, and oftentimes, the employer will pay for the training and certification exams. Do your research – look at trade organizations, potential jobs, potential companies, and professionals you admire on LinkedIn. Which certifications do they possess? Should you research that certification? If you’re looking to earn more money this year, take a moment to evaluate the certification programs within your reach and make steps toward earning one (or more, if you’d like)!

Register now for LEED Green Associate Exam Prep

California HERS Rater Program: Is RESNET Accepted?

California has two distinct types of Raters, and they are different from the nationally known RESNET HERS Rater.

The first is a California Whole House Rater.
The second is a Compliance Rater that conducts diagnostic testing per Title 24 Energy Code.

A California Whole House Rater that has gone through CalCERTS training can produce RESNET HERS scores only in CA.

A Compliance Rater that has also gone through ENERGY STAR training from any recognized ENERGY STAR training provider (which Everblue is) can conduct ENERGY STAR inspections in CA.

To that latter point: In the spring of 2022, RESNET announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved it as a Home Certification Organization (HCO) for the California ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

Home Certification Organizations (HCOs) are independent organizations recognized by EPA to implement an ENERGY STAR certification program based on ENERGY STAR Certified Homes or the Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance path of the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction program.

In partnership with CalCERTS, RESNET worked with the EPA to seek approval as an HCO for the California ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program.

Previously, RESNET was approved by EPA as an HCO for ENERGY STAR Homes in every state except California. This recent announcement standardizes the acceptance of RESNET in all states, leaving only this question for aspiring home performance contractors: now should you become a California HERS Rater or earn your BPI Certification?

Should You Become a HERS Rater or BPI Building Analyst?

There are two leading home energy auditing standards in the United States. One was developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), and the other was created by the Building Performance Institute (BPI).

In a nutshell, the RESNET HERS Rater designation focuses on new construction and rating the energy efficiency of a proposed home design according to the RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. The BPI Building Analyst designation focuses on identifying problem areas in existing homes and providing recommendations to homeowners for retrofit upgrades. On the surface, this sounds like a clear difference, however, the gap between these two certification programs has lessened in the last 5 years – both demonstrate competency in offering home energy audit services, complete with combustion safety testing, blower door testing, duct blaster and air leakage testing, etc.

Difference between BPI and RESNET banner image

For a more detailed assessment, check out our previous post on the difference between BPI and RESNET.

If you live in California, and you’re simply looking to become a home energy auditor, you may be more interested in becoming a BPI Building Analyst. The BPI Certification program has far fewer hurdles to jump through than pursuing the RESNET HERS Rater designation. The RESNET Certification program requires ongoing completion of activities for the first year and beyond. The BPI Building Analyst Certification can be achieved much sooner and may be a good foot-in-the-door to adding home energy auditing services to your business.

Michigan HERS Rater Certification Helps Meet Building Code

Starting February 8, 2016, the Michigan Energy Code will adopt the 2015 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (2015 IECC) with “amendments, deletions, and additions deemed necessary for use in Michigan.” The state will be skipping the 2012 IECC, thereby increasing the energy efficiency requirements of its homes by 10-12%. This change will ultimately result in employment opportunities for energy auditors and those with Michigan HERS Rater Certification.

Michigan HERS Rater Certification helps meet code

What is the 2015 IECC?

State building codes exist to provide a standard set of guidelines for all builders, to protect the affordability of homes, and to support enhanced energy efficiency and durability.

A new building code launches every three years, though states are not required to adopt the latest version. Michigan, for example, had been working from the 2009 version until February 2016, when it upgraded to 2015 IECC. The IECC is just one component of the state building code, as it specifically refers to residential energy efficiency only.

What Does This Change Mean?

Michigan state outline The 2015 IECC includes an option for builders to use RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index as a compliance path to meet code. This allows builders a flexible alternative compared to the current codes. The builder will be able to bring in a third-party professional, such as a someone with Michigan HERS Rater Certification, to rate their homes based on the HERS Index. This rating gives the builder and the homeowner a score that represents the total estimated energy use of a given home compared to a standard home.

This is a great news for builders, home buyers, and anyone related to the construction industry. It confirms the importance of energy efficiency in this country.

What we will likely see is an increase of professionals – home inspectors, general contractors, HVAC technicians, and insulation contractors – who choose to become a certified HERS Rater and use the blower door and duct leakage thresholds set by the RESNET standards to help builders meet code.

In short, now is a great time for these home performance professionals to add onto their existing business strategy and gain more work with Michigan HERS Rater Certification!

How Can I Benefit from This Change?

We’ve heard that many builders in West Michigan are already using and marketing the HERS Score on their homes, so the best way to become part of this growing industry is to become a certified HERS Rater yourself!

RESNET HERS Index HERS Raters are responsible for evaluating the internal and external conditions of a home. They analyze how a building was designed and constructed, looking for opportunities for enhanced energy efficiency. HERS Raters are trained to perform diagnostic tests on multiple systems within the home and input their findings into computer software to receive a score (based on the Home Energy Rating System). This score compares the proposed home design to that of a house built to code. This score gives appraisers, realtors, and home buyers a snapshot of how energy efficient the home is.

Everblue offers RESNET HERS Rater training. Get started now by enrolling in a course or by giving us a call at (800) 460-2575.

* On a side note, we’ve seen an increased interest in BPI Certification in Michigan. Does anyone know what’s driving that? Remember that, on a highly simplistic level, BPI Certification generally refers to retrofitting existing homes, while RESNET HERS Rater Certification is more about evaluating new homes. If your work tends to learn more toward new construction and you want to get in on the Michigan building code changes, you might want to consider the RESNET HERS Rater training!

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

NABCEP Exam Dates 2016: Earn a Solar Certification

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) has announced its schedule of NABCEP exam dates for 2016. NABCEP is the standard-bearer for solar energy concepts. Electricians, roofers, and general contractors looking to pursue a solar certification all look to the NABCEP Solar Certification Program. NABCEP published a series of technical standards (called job task analyses) for solar panel installers, solar sales professionals, and solar heating professionals.

At Everblue, we offer the solar training to help prepare candidates for the NABCEP exams. Oftentimes, the training is only one part of the eligibility requirements to sit for the exams.

Upon reviewing the NABCEP Candidate Handbook in length, participants should have a better understanding of what field experience will be required of them in addition to the education piece.

Once a candidate has completed the necessary eligibility requirements for training and field experience, he/she will then submit an application to NABCEP. There is a specific deadline for submitting this application.

NABCEP will contact candidates and let them know whether they are approved to move forward with the process. Candidates should be aware of a second deadline, meant for scheduling their exam.

Finally, the third deadline (if you will) is the actual exam date. NABCEP only offers its solar certification exams twice per year – once in the spring and once in the fall. The 2016 exam schedule is as follows…

Spring 2016

January 29, 2016: Application deadline for all NABCEP Certification exams
March 4, 2016: Exam scheduling deadline for all accepted candidates
April 16, 2016: Exam date for all NABCEP Certification exams

Fall 2016

August 5, 2016: Application deadline for all NABCEP Certification exams
September 9, 2016: Exam scheduling deadline for all accepted candidates
October 22, 2016: Exam date for all NABCEP Certification exams

If you’re interested in earning a solar certification, please be sure to review the NABCEP Candidate Handbook to understand all of the expectations and requirements.

When you are ready to pursue solar training, consider a live or online Everblue course. Our solar training programs are accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and we are an approved NABCEP Training Provider.

Solar training pictures

For those interested in the advanced solar installation certification, check out our NABCEP PV Installation Professional Exam Prep Training. This package includes 84 hours of solar training, including modules on advanced solar installation as well as solar design & sales proposals.

For those interested in the NABCEP PV Technical Sales Exam, check out our Solar Sales webinar. This 16-hour course is presented completely online and covers all the topics on the NABCEP job task analysis for solar sales professionals.

Join the clean tech workforce with a prosperous career in solar energy! Call us at (800) 460-2575 or start a live chat if you have any further questions.

Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes Continues

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) recently announced that Congress extended the 45L federal tax credit for 2015 and 2016 as part of an omnibus tax incentive and spending bill.

federal tax credit for energy-efficient homes

The existing homes credit (25C) is extended for the same period. This is great news for builders and HERS Raters, as it shows that Congress recognizes the importance of building energy-efficient homes. By extending this tax credit, we can expect that the market for home energy auditing will continue to thrive. We’ve talked at length about the rebate programs sponsored by local utilities and how the building codes are also incorporating energy efficiency into the requirements. These tax credits are yet another incentive for builders and contractors to pursue residential energy efficiency.

RESNET staff noted that the next step is to reform the 45L federal tax credit to give it a whole-house performance credit based on the 2015 IECC Energy Rating Index, which is more dependable for builders. RESNET has been busy educating Congressional committee staff on this. A breakout session on this effort will be presented at the 2016 RESNET Building Performance Conference.

We’re pleased that Congress sees the benefits of energy-efficient housing and has allowed for this respectable industry to grow.

Become a Home Energy Auditor If you are a builder looking to learn more about home energy efficiency, consider expanding your skill set and earning a home energy auditor certification such as the RESNET HERS Rater or BPI Building Analyst. Put simply, RESNET HERS Rater Certification focuses on new homes, whereas BPI Certification is great for contractors who work on retrofitting existing homes. For a more detailed explanation of the two designations, please check out this post: Difference Between BPI and RESNET.

Everblue is a leading training provider of RESNET HERS Rater Certification and BPI Certification. To discuss your career goals, give us a call at (800) 460-2575.

LEED Training Preferences Lean Toward Online, Inclusive Packages

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and represents a labeling system that honors and differentiates energy-efficient buildings. Although the LEED green building certification system has been in existence since March 2000, knowledge and training for architects and engineers didn’t really hit the market until the late 2000s.

Everblue was one of the first training organizations established to fill this need in the marketplace, devoted to helping construction-industry professionals prepare for their LEED Accreditation exams. Here we are years later – we’ve trained over 20,000 professionals worldwide with our corporate clients ranging from Starbucks and Disney to Lowe’s and Architect of the Capitol. We are also the only approved USGBC Education Partner that was chosen by the U.S. Green Building Council, the nonprofit that created the LEED standards, to create the first edition of LEED v4 Exam Prep in June 2014.

In short, we’ve specialized in LEED training and exam prep for years. We’re immensely proud that all of the students who have provided us with feedback about their LEED Green Associate v4 exam have reported first-time passing scores. You might think this would cause us to rest on our laurels and stop looking for ways to get even better. But that’s not true. We’re still very active within the LEED green building community and always taking notice of the feedback and trends that surface. So, as we look upon this new year of opportunity ahead of us, we thought we’d share some of the insight and trends we’re seeing in regard to LEED training. Without further ado…

Trend #1

LEED Green Associate: A “Best of Both Worlds” Live & Online Product

These days, the LEED Exam Prep industry is flooded with competition. There are so many options – live classes, online classes, standalone study materials, bundled packages, tiers of bundled packages, reference guides, study guides, course outlines, etc. Preparing for this endeavor can be overwhelming enough. What we aim to do is make the entire process as SIMPLE and STRESS-FREE as possible – the way it should be!

Since 2008, we’ve specialized in providing a live 2-day classroom course as well as online exam prep options. Our course packages include everything you need to prepare for your LEED exam – instruction and study materials.

What’s great about these options is that a participant can choose to enjoy the excitement and interactivity of a live class or the convenience and flexibility of an online class! Both options come with digital course materials, so if you want to get a head-start on studying, you have instant access to the digital materials instantly after you register. If you have any questions, you can discuss them in person with a subject matter expert in class or any time by email or phone!

Trend #2

LEED AP Training: Online Courses Offer the Most Convenience

We mentioned above how there are so many training options to choose from. What we’re seeing is that the majority of LEED AP candidates are now looking to online training options to meet their goals.

Folks who are new to LEED may choose a live classroom course because they need that personal interaction with the instructor in case they have questions about the material. But after you’ve passed the LEED Green Associate exam and worked in the industry a bit longer, you become more familiar with LEED concepts. After all, the folks who pursue a LEED AP designation generally work in an environment where LEED projects are being developed on a regular basis. They look to the LEED AP as an opportunity to enhance their existing skill set and learn new ways to become more involved with LEED projects.

LEED Project Staff

With that foundation and familiarity established, many LEED AP candidates pursue the online webinar training. The on-demand webinar, in particular, is a great way to guide yourself through the content at your own pace and not have to worry about fitting a live classroom session into an already-hectic schedule. Although a subject matter expert is available for email and phone correspondence, LEED AP candidates are generally able to navigate themselves through the online webinar without any additional assistance. At this stage in the process, LEED AP candidates know what they know and know what they don’t know, so it’s easy to fast forward through familiar topics and spend more time on new material.

The LEED AP online webinars were designed with interactivity in mind. As an e-learning presentation, candidates encounter a variety of activities throughout the curriculum, preventing them from losing interest, zoning out, or simply surfing the Internet.

Trend #3

LEED Credential Maintenance: Are You Waiting Until the Last Minute?

It’s hard to say why LEED credential holders wait until the last minute to pursue continuing education. There are a number of potential reasons…

Didn’t realize LEED Credential Maintenance was a requirement
Didn’t know how to get LEED continuing education hours
Wanted to save money
Wanted to make sure the LEED credential was valuable to their career

The reality is, LEED Credential Maintenance IS a requirement for all LEED credential holders. LEED Green Associates must earn 15 hours of continuing education every 2 years, where 3 of those hours are specific to LEED concepts. LEED APs must earn 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years, where 6 of the hours are specific to LEED concepts. If you’ve earned two LEED AP designations, you must earn 6 LEED-specific hours for one specialty (such as BD+C) and 6 LEED-specific hours for your other specialty (such as O+M), bringing you to a total of 36 hours.

LEED CMP logo The USGBC CMP Guide lists a number of ways to earn the LEED continuing education hours, including participation on a LEED project, volunteering, authoring articles, teaching, and education. Everblue offers online LEED Credential Maintenance programs for Green Associates and APs. Our LEED CMP packages are designed to completely fulfill the hour requirements – even the LEED-specific hours.

We offer a one-stop-shop solution for professionals seeking LEED accreditation. Our LEED training discount is a 10% discount when a candidate bundles any combination of LEED webinars – Green Associate, AP, and Credential Maintenance.

The most popular bundles are LEED Green Associate plus LEED AP BD+C or LEED Green Associate plus LEED AP O+M. It surprises me how few people bundle the LEED Green Associate or LEED AP Specialty with the corresponding LEED CMP package. Granted, some folks begin with LEED Green Associate – as you should – with plans to upgrade to a LEED AP within the two-year credentialing period. In that case, I see why the LEED CMP requirements could get sticky. But for the LEED AP candidates interested in online training (as we saw in Trend #2), it seems to make sense to bundle the LEED AP webinar with the corresponding 30-Hour LEED CMP package, no? For more information about this opportunity, visit our LEED Training Discounts page!

Trend #4

How to Get LEED Certified: Quality vs. Quantity

There is a preconceived notion that getting the best bang for your buck means buying a relatively inexpensive exam prep product with 700 practice questions, 6 practice exams, 1000 flashcards, 10-hour MP3 audiobook, a 250+ page book, etc. Who has the time to go through each of those resources and allocate the proper attention to digest the information and learn? In all actuality, having an excessive number of resources can have the adverse effect. It can be overwhelming, tiring, and stressful.

We know that the vast majority of professionals who express an interest in LEED have limited time, energy, and brainpower to devote to studying for the exam. The reason you’ve come to us – or any LEED training provider – is because you want subject-matter experts to cut out the fluff and give you an idea of what information is actually important. What information will actually be on the exam? You could waste countless hours memorizing every term and concept related to LEED only to find out that you won’t be tested on it.

LEED Study Aids

I know it’s shocking to believe, but QUALITY is KING. Our curriculum team is comprised of subject-matter experts who have worked on LEED projects, read the USGBC Reference Guide, taken and passed various versions of the LEED exams multiple times, reviewed up-to-date USGBC changes and addendum, created curriculum and taught LEED exam prep, created curriculum and taught other disciplines. The study materials that we offer are based on tried-and-true solutions.

Our goal is to provide a concise and accurate outline of what to study in order to pass your LEED exam. And we’re effective in doing that – we’ve trained individuals from a variety of educational and occupational backgrounds. I’ve seen new Everblue employees with backgrounds in public relations, English, political science, and financial accounting PASS their LEED Green Associate exams within their first month of employment. All you need is a proven, quality product and a determined work ethic, and you’ll be fine! Let us worry about everything else. That’s what we’re here to do.

Satisfied LEED Class

I had a live chat conversation in September 2015 with one of our LEED students named Chris. I keep the chat transcript in my inbox because Chris’s comments about Everblue’s LEED Exam Prep are especially touching to me. Chris wrote:

“I used materials from other vendors to pass the LEED GA Exam and yours are superior.
I like the contextual info that is delivered with the information. It’s more dimensional
than flat-out memorization.”

I love that! Very eloquent and insightful.

Anyway, thanks for visiting our website and learning about our top trends in LEED training. If you have any questions about your pursuit of a LEED credential, please give us a call at (800) 460-2575 or start a live chat with us.

When you’re ready to become a LEED Green Associate, let us know! Take it from a company whose LEED Exam Prep is like a well-oiled machine. We’ve helped thousands pass the LEED exam, and we can help you too!

NABCEP Exam Schedule, Prerequisites & Application Process

Professionals who are looking to earn a solar certification will likely pursue a designation from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Up until 2018, there was a NABCEP exam schedule wherein the NABCEP Board Certification exams were only offered twice per year – once in the Fall and once in the Spring.

Since 2018, the NABCEP Certification Exams have been offered on a continuous, rolling basis.

That said, there is still a NABCEP exam schedule, of sorts.

Instead of having deadlines organized by date, the new “schedule” is more about meeting specific milestones.

Satisfy education/training requirements (this is where Everblue’s solar training courses come in).
Satisfy work experience requirements.
Upon meeting the eligibility requirements, you will submit an application (which includes paying a fee).
Once your application gets approved, you must then pay for their NABCEP exam.
Finally, you will receive instructions from NABCEP about how to schedule your NABCEP exam with Scantron.

How long does this process take?

Education/Training Requirements

It depends on which certification you are aiming for.

The first-tier credential, called NABCEP PV Associate, is technically not a “certification.” Those who pass this exam instead earn a “certificate of knowledge.”

What’s the difference, you ask?

Put simply, you can qualify for the NABCEP PV Associate credential EITHER through an education/training prerequisite OR work experience prerequisites.

As you read above, the advanced NABCEP certifications require BOTH education/training AND proof of work experience. NABCEP recommends an approved training program of approximately 40 hours OR at least 6 months of documented work experience in a solar PV career.

In summary, it’s possible to earn the NABCEP PV Associate credential faster than you can earn the advanced certifications, especially if you qualify through the education pathway. Let us help, with our 40-hour NABCEP PV Associate training program.

For the advanced NABCEP certifications, the time to prepare for the exam will vary depending on your education and work experience. There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer other than the minimum stated education/training hours listed in the NABCEP Certification Handbook.

For example, the NABCEP PV Installation Professional exam requires a minimum of 68 hours of education/training. We offer exactly that in our IREC-accredited NABCEP PV Installation Professional training program.

Depending on your work/life balance and how much time you want to spend studying each day, it could take you 3-8 weeks to prepare. Everybody is different.

Work Experience Requirements

We touched on the work experience pathway for NABCEP PV Associate above.

Just like the different education needs for the advanced certifications, NABCEP lists different work experience requirements for the advanced certifications in its certification handbook.

Depending on where you are in your solar career, you may be new to researching NABCEP Certification but already have the work experience under your belt. Or you might be new to solar, new to NABCEP, and still have to get the work experience. So, as you can imagine, the time leading up to your NABCEP exam schedule could be 3-8 weeks (just to meet the education requirement) or several months longer (to meet the education and work experience requirements).

NABCEP Application Process

NABCEP staff will typically be able to review your application within 5-10 business days, although it may take up to 30 days. Once their review is done, they will send you an email.

Once you open an application, it will remain active for 2 years. After that time, it will expire.

Paying for & Continuing with the NABCEP Exam Schedule

The fastest and easiest way to pay for your exam is through NABCEP’s application portal online.

After you’ve paid your exam fee, you’ll receive an email from NABCEP’s testing partner, Scantron, that includes the instructions and information you will need to schedule your NABCEP exam.

When all is said and done, remember that the NABCEP exam schedule is largely based on your own timetable of meeting the prerequisites and completing all the necessary steps. You are not held to a specific date/time of your exam until you actually schedule your exam appointment.

There are options for you to be proctored in person at a physical Scantron testing center or remotely through Live Online Proctoring. So with these two options in tow, you can take your NABCEP exam whenever it’s convenient for you!

To get started with solar training, give us a call at (800) 460-2575. To learn more about NABCEP Certification, please visit NABCEP’s website.

Learn more about Everblue's NABCEP PV Associate Training

NC HERS Rater Jobs Unfilled; Need More Certified Professionals

The North Carolina Building Performance Association (NCBPA) worked with the Energy and Environmental Assistance Office of UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) to collect and analyze data on the impact of energy-efficient, high-performance home and building projects across NC. And what they found is that there are more NC HERS Rater jobs available than there are certified professionals to fill them!

Ryan Miller, the NCBPA founder and executive director, indicated that he wanted to collect this data to back up NC’s reputation as a top five state for energy efficiency and home performance. He cited previous state accomplishments such as:

3rd most HERS ratings in the nation
7th most LEED certifications
3rd most ENERGY STAR new home certifications

The study found more than 122,000 energy-efficient and high-performance homes and buildings built or retrofitted in North Carolina since 2007. The data supports that NC is in the top 5 nationally for green and high-performance building and is continuing to grow each year.

However, a key issue identified through the report is that companies working with builders to rate and certify these homes can’t find enough certified professionals to keep up with demand. “We have NC HERS Rater jobs available today and more on the way,” said Miller.

Southern Energy Management is one of the state’s largest home energy rating companies that works in both the Triangle and Charlotte markets and is always looking for new HERS Raters, according to employee Jillian Gonzalez.

“SEM aims to create a more sustainable, healthier environment through improved energy usage. We work with builders across the state to increase the value and quality of the homes they produce, and we rely on certified Home Energy Raters to ensure that each home meets or exceeds standards for many levels of certifications in energy efficiency. We are a company that values its people, and we’re always looking for new HERS Raters to join our team,” said Gonzalez.

What Does a HERS Rater Do? What this short video to learn more:

“Being a HERS Rater is a pretty fun job. The typical day involves driving to job sites to meet with builders and trades to test and rate homes for energy efficiency. The work is consistent, the hours aren’t too long and there’s plenty of opportunity to grow and advance with additional certifications and professional development opportunities,” said Miller.

Join this growing industry and register today for RESNET HERS Rater training! Call (800) 460-2575 for more information.