Renewable Energy Professional Certification
If you're planning a solar or renewable energy installation in Rhode Island, you'll need to hire contractors who hold the required Renewable Energy Professional (REP) Certificate for non-electrical work, while all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician. To find qualified installers, contact the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to verify that your contractor holds the appropriate REP certification for your project type.
To operate in Rhode Island's renewable energy market, you must obtain a Renewable Energy Professional (REP) Certificate from the Department of Labor and Training if you perform non-electrical renewable energy work such as installation and mechanical fastening—all electrical work requires a licensed electrician. You can qualify for REP certification by holding NABCEP PV or solar hot water certification, completing an approved installer program (United Illuminating or Everblue), earning an associate degree or higher in renewable/solar energy, obtaining manufacturer-specific certifications, or holding SEI solar professional certification; the license expires annually on the holder's birthday.
The REP Certificate program, enacted through H.B. 8200 in June 2014, separates renewable energy work into electrical (performed by licensed electricians) and non-electrical (performed by REP-certified contractors), with specific requirements for solar thermal work and systems 10 kW or less. The Department of Labor and Training issues REP Certificates to registered Rhode Island contractors who meet one of five qualification pathways, and certificates expire annually on the holder's birthday; the program applies across all renewable technologies including solar PV, geothermal, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric systems.
Program details
- Program ID
- 5526
- Last updated
- 12/17/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- installers/contractors
- Technologies
- solar - passive geothermal electric solar thermal process heat solar photovoltaics wind (all) biomass landfill gas wave ocean thermal wind (small) hydroelectric (small) fuel cells using renewable fuels
Program summary
H.B 8200 enacted in June, 2014 requires all ancillary non-electrical renewable energy work such as advertising, distribution and installation be performed by a person, firm or corporation holding a Renewable Energy Professional (REP) Certificate . All the renewable energy electrical work, including installation, connecting, testing, mounting of modules and inverters are to be performed by a licensed electrician. Except for electrical work, the contractors require REP certification for installation, mechanical fastening and conjoining of listed solar sheathing system that are 10 kW or less. REP certification is also required for to any person, firm or corporation who is engaged in the business of solar thermal technologies. REP certification holders may advertise and bid for solar thermal work provided that they contract with professionals licensed with solar thermal plumbing or mechanical work.
Department of Labor and Training issues Renewable Energy Professional (REP) Certificate to any individual who is currently registered contractor in RI and fulfills at least one of the qualifications:
- The applicant holds certificate from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV installation or solar hot water.
- Certification from United Illuminating's or Everblue's PV installer certification program.
- Associate or higher degree in renewable or solar energy from accredited school.
- Certification from manufacture of a specific technology for installation of that specific technology
- SEI solar professionals certification
Solar
A State Electrical Contractor’s License, Certificate A, is required as well as an electrician’s license and a Journey person's License, Certificate B.
Testing: must pass an exam to become a journeyperson electrician
Duration: two years; license expires on the holder’s birthday
Contact & resources
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
