NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)
NABCEP PV Associate
NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate (PVA) Credential Exam
An entry-level solar credential showing knowledge of how photovoltaic systems are sold, designed, installed, and maintained. Solar installers, sales staff, and career switchers use it to get hired, and 18 hours of it count toward the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) requirements.
Full program: 6 decks, 953 cards.
What's on the exam
NABCEP PV Associate Job Task Analysis (PVA JTA) v2026.2 — content domains in effect from April 7, 2026
Safety
20%Hazard identification and hierarchy of controls · Personal protective equipment · Safe work practices and tools · Safety plans, OSHA and NFPA · Electrical safety, arc flash and lockout/tagout · Battery safety · Working at height and fall protection · Ladder safety
Core Knowledge
20%Types of PV systems · Applications and benefits of PV · PV system components · Inverters and power electronics · Photovoltaic effect · Ohm's law, power and energy · AC and DC, single-, split- and three-phase · Series and parallel circuits · Grounding and bonding
Sales and Economics
10%Qualifying a customer · Preliminary system estimate · Utility rate structures and net metering · Incentives and tax credits · Revenue opportunities and SRECs · Financing options (cash, lease, PPA, loan) · Maintenance costs and warranties
Design
18.3%Module and inverter specifications · Codes and standards (NEC, IFC, building codes) · Peak sun hours, tilt, azimuth and shading · System sizing and derating · String configuration and DC:AC ratio · Plan sets and one-line diagrams · Conductor properties · Structural loads and mounting systems
Installation
18.3%Mounting structure types · Roof and structural considerations · Fasteners and material compatibility · Grounding and bonding methods · Electrical equipment installation and working clearances · Labeling and wiring best practices · Energy storage installation · System commissioning
Operations and Maintenance
13.3%Electrical test equipment · IV curve characteristics · Temperature and irradiance effects · Monitoring equipment and data acquisition · Deviations from expected performance · Electrical faults · Maintenance and record keeping
Frequently asked questions
How much does the NABCEP PV Associate cost?
Fees vary. Exam fee is set in the NABCEP Associate Handbook; an additional fee applies for testing outside the United States.
How long is the NABCEP PV Associate and how many questions does it have?
Multiple-choice items (see the NABCEP Associate Handbook for the current item count) — 2 hours.
What do you need to pass the NABCEP PV Associate?
Scaled score of 65 (criterion-referenced).
Can you retake the NABCEP PV Associate?
Permitted after a waiting period set in the NABCEP Associate Handbook.
What is the best way to study for the NABCEP PV Associate?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Safety 20%, Core Knowledge 20%, Sales and Economics 10%, Design 18.3%, Installation 18.3%, Operations and Maintenance 13.3%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our NABCEP PV Associate program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.