Renewable Energy Professional (REP)

Overview

During the 2014 legislative session, the General Assembly passed and Governor Lincoln D. Chafee signed S 2692 A/H 8200 A, amending An Act Relating to Businesses and Professionals - Electricians and Plumbers. The amendment updates the electrical and plumbing licensing laws and creates a new type of contractor: the Renewable Energy Professional (REP). The new rules create a limited license that allows REPs to perform certain renewable energy system installation work without holding an electrical or plumbing license.

The Office of Energy Resources and the Department of Labor and Training partnered to quickly implement this legislation. If you are interested in learning more about this policy, please click here. For the Senate version and for the House version, please click here.

The Electrical Contractor's License already includes the work allowed by the REP limited license. Only contractors or individuals without an electrical license are required to obtain the REP limited license to perform ancillary non-electrical work on renewable energy systems. There are many ways that someone can qualify for a Renewable Energy Professional license. If you have any of the following, you can apply for a license. If you know of a qualification that you believe should be added to this list, please contact OER:

• The applicant holds a certificate from the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate for Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems.
• The applicant currently holds a certificate from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as a: PV Installation Professional OR Solar Heating Installer (solar hot water). The REP will then be able to install only the technology for which they hold a certificate.
• The applicant holds a current certification from Underwriter Laboratory (UL)’s PV Installer Certification Program. This training is available to members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).
• The applicant holds an Associate’s degree or higher in a renewable energy technology or solar PV installation from an accredited school.  
• The applicant holds a certificate of training from a manufacturer of a specific technology for the installation of that specific technology (e.g. solar roof shingles).  
• The applicant holds a certification from Everblue's PV Training Program, NABCEP PV Installation Exam Prep course.
• The applicant holds a certificate of completion from the Department of Energy SunShot Initiative’s Solar Ready Vets® program.  A certificate of completion from any of the military bases offering this training will be accepted.

If you are interested in applying for a Renewable Energy Professional license, you can download the application below. First time applicants need to bring all materials and paperwork to the Department of Labor and Training Professional Regulation Office, located at 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Building #73, Cranston, RI 02920.

Current Rhode Island Licensed Renewable Energy Professionals

The following is a list of the individuals and companies who have received a Renewable Energy Professional (REP) license in Rhode Island by the Department of Labor and Training (DLT). This list will be updated as needed. This list is not an endorsement by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources or the State of Rhode Island for any specific individuals or businesses.

For further information or questions about the Renewable Energy Professionals application, please contact:

Shauna Beland
Office of Energy Resources
401-574-9117 (ext 3)
shauna.beland@energy.ri.gov