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PV Design Specialist (PVDS) – NABCEP Board Certification

PV Design Specialist (PVDS) – NABCEP Board Certification

December 23, 2023 Courses

The PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

  • 24 hours of 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 24 hours of advanced training is required for each candidate pursuing their NABCEP PV Design Specialist Board Certification:

  • 18 HOURS of Advanced PV Design Principles Training (JTA)
  • 6 HOURS of National Electrical Code (NEC) training

Below, you will find all the MREA courses and programs that are approved to meet these requirements.

Please note: these courses do NOT cover every task step outlined in NABCEP’s PVDS 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 PVDS exam.

What is a PV Design Specialist?

The PV Design Specialist (PVDS) NABCEP Board Certification recognizes the advanced experience and skill of PV system designers. This NABCEP Board Certification demonstrates your proven ability to configure the mechanical and electrical design components of PV systems.

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Property of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners® (NABCEP®), used here with permission.

PVDS Resources

PVDS Exam

Each applicant must:

  • Complete a minimum of 10 hours of OSHA Training (or provincial equivalent)
  • Complete at least 24 hours of advanced training, including:
    • 18 hours covering the NABCEP PV Design Specialist Job Task Analysis (PVDS JTA)
    • 6 hours of the National Electric Code (NEC)
  • Complete designs for installations equaling at least 12 Project Credits
    • System size of 1 – 999kW = 2 Project Credits
    • System size of 1MW and up = 3 Project Credits

PVDS Content Domains Covered on the Exam

The PVDS Job Task Analysis provides a blueprint for the exam.

The main content areas covered are:

  • Review customer expectations (12%)
  • Review project criteria (12%)
  • Assess project site (15%)
  • Configure mechanical design (13%)
  • Configure electrical design (17%)
  • Configure system monitoring, control, and communications design (7%)
  • Prepare project documentation (8%)
  • Secure permits and approvals (8%)
  • Adapt system design (8%)

PVDS Exam Fees

Between the PVDS application and exam fees, NABCEP charges $500 to sit for the PVDS exam. In the event you need to retake the exam, the re-exam fee is $275. All NABCEP fees are listed here.

Exam Details

The PVDS 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 an electronic copy of the 2017 NEC as well as a calculator.

The PVDS 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 70 is required to pass the PVDS exam.

All of your exam paperwork must match your valid government-issued identification, do not use nicknames or abbreviated names during the application process.

Training Documentation

Upon completion of MREA courses approved for advanced hours for the PVDS exam, students can download a certificate of completion to submit with their NABCEP application.

Applicants must also submit proof of completing OSHA 10.

Experience Documentation

For each design, applicants must submit the following:

  • System summary
    • Location
    • Date project completed
    • PV array size of system
    • Name and phone number of project installation contractor, the contractor listed on the permit or inspection, and the Applicant’s supervisor
  • Design documentation
    • System location
    • Contractor name and phone number
    • Applicant’s name listed under “Designed by” or “Drawn by”
    • System size in kW
    • Modules used
    • Inverters used
    • Max. string size (if string inverters)
    • Max. branch size (if micro inverters)
    • Plot plan
    • Single line
    • Structural details showing racking type and mounting
  • Electrical and/or building permits
  • Final approved inspection records

See the NABCEP Handbook for more details.

Continuing Ed

A total of 30 advanced PV training hours are required to maintain your PVDS certification and documentation must be submitted to NABCEP every 3 years for your certification renewal. These hours must fulfill specific sub-categories including:

  • 6 National Electrical Code (NEC) Hours
  • 12 PVDS Job Task Analysis (JTA) Hours
  • 2 Building and Fire Code Hours
  • 10 Renewable Energy (RE) Elective Hours
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