The PV Technical Sales Professional (PVTS) Board Certification was created for those who have a demonstrated knowledge and expertise in qualifying prospects, site analysis, performance analysis, and financial incentives of PV systems.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
- 58 hours of Advanced Training
- OSHA 10
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must document experience
Please note that MREA is not a provider of OSHA training, field experience, or project credits. See NABCEP Certification Handbook for details.
Advanced Training Requirements
A minimum of 58 hours of advanced training is required for each candidate pursuing their NABCEP PV Technical Sales Board Certification:
- 40 Hours of advanced PV installation and practices must be taken with an accredited institution (like MREA)
- 18 Hours may be obtained from a non-accredited, non-certified source OR by having an active NABCEP PV Associate credential.
Below are the MREA courses and programs approved to meet these requirements.
Just so you know, while the PV Associate credential is not required to pursue the PVTS Board Certification, it does offer the most expeditious pathway to meet the credit requirements and provides the prerequisite training for our advanced courses. If you already have your PV Associate Credential you meet these prerequisites. If you’ve started training with another training institute please email courses@midwestrenew.org to apply for credit for prior learning.
Please note: these courses do NOT cover every task step outlined in NABCEP’s PVTS Job Task Analysis, so additional experience, training, and/or independent study will be necessary to prepare you for every possible question you may see on the PVTS exam.
What is a PV Installation Professional?
The PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Board Certification was created for those who have a demonstrated knowledge and expertise in qualifying prospects, site analysis, performance analysis and financial incentives of PV systems. PVTS Board Certified Professionals can collect technical requirements, analyze customer needs to determine energy usage to advise and provide customers with the most appropriate solution for their situation.
PVTS Resources
PVTS Content Domains Covered on the Exam
The PVTS Job Task Analysis provides a blueprint for the exam.
The main content areas covered are:
- Qualifying Prospects (30%)
- Site Analysis (21.7%)
- Conceptual Design (16.7%)
- Performance Analysis (6.7%)
- Costs, Incentives, Savings, and Returns (16.7%)
- Proposal Preparation and Presentation (8.3%)
Exam Details
The PVTS exam can be taken in a Meazure Learning test site or at any location via live remote proctoring. The exam must be scheduled and taken within one year of NABCEP approving your application.
Candidates get up to 4 hours to complete the exam. Everyone will have access to a calculator.
The PVTS exam consists of 70 equally weighted multiple choice questions, with 4 choices per question. 60 of the questions are scored and 10 of the questions are un-scored pilot questions. A total scaled score is used to determine if a candidate passed or failed and ranges from 0-99. A scaled score of 75 is required to pass the PVTS exam.
All of your exam paperwork must match your valid government-issued identification, so make sure to not use nicknames or abbreviated names during the application process.
PVTS Exam Fees
Between the PVTS application and exam fees, NABCEP charges $500 to sit for the PVTS exam. In the event you need to retake the exam, the re-exam fee is $275. All NABCEP fees are listed here.
Documenting Training
After completing MREA courses approved for advanced hours for the PVIP exam, students can download a certificate of completion via their student dashboard to submit with their NABCEP application.
Applicants must also submit proof of completing OSHA 10—currently not offered by MREA
Documenting Sales Experience
Applicants must submit a signed letter on company letterhead from a member of senior management from the company verifying the Applicant’s role in the sale of the PV system and the Applicant’s experience in the field for each sale.
If a PV system has been completed, the Applicant must also submit a copy of the electrical and/or building permit and the final inspection report issued by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for each system.
If a PV system is sold but not installed, Applicants must provide the fully signed contract for the project.
See the NABCEP Handbook for more details.
A total of 30 advanced PV training hours are required to maintain your PVTS certification and documentation must be submitted to NABCEP every 3 years for your certification renewal. HeatSpring certificates of completion can be used as documentation with NABCEP. Training hours must fulfill specific sub-categories including:
- 18 PVTS Job Task Analysis (JTA) Hours
- 2 Building and Fire Code Hours
- 10 Renewable Energy (RE) Elective Hours