Construction And Solar Tech Jobs Worth Pursuing: The Certifications You'll Need
Licenses, apprenticeships and NABCEP credentials, and what each one actually asks
Oct 29, 2026 · 8 min read
Construction and solar work is one of the few fields where you can start with on-the-job training and build toward a licensed, certified trade. Entry roles such as construction laborer and helper typically need no formal education and short-term on-the-job training, while solar photovoltaic installers typically start with a high school diploma or equivalent and up to a year of training (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
The credentials that matter are state licenses, registered apprenticeships and voluntary industry certifications — and which of those you need depends on your state and the kind of work you take on.
What 'Job Opportunities' Looks Like Here
The work splits into three broad groups: general construction (site prep, framing, roofing, concrete, demolition), the electrical trade organised around apprenticeships and state licensing, and solar — residential rooftop work, commercial and utility-scale projects, and ongoing maintenance.
Employers range from two-truck residential outfits to national contractors, plus roofing and HVAC companies that have added a solar division. Utilities, inspection firms and equipment distributors also hire people with field experience.
Demand is uneven across these roles. Employment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average; electricians 9 percent; and construction laborers and helpers 6 percent, described as faster than average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). Projections describe an occupation nationally, not your town — local hiring follows local building activity and state energy policy.
Industries and Roles Currently Hiring
- Residential solar installation — the main entry door. Typical entry-level education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training usually lasting up to a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Construction laborer and helper roles — typically need no formal education and no related work experience, with short-term on-the-job training (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). A paid way into site work.
- Electrical apprenticeships — the structured route into a licensed trade, combining paid on-the-job hours with technical instruction (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Solar operations and maintenance — servicing arrays already installed; suits people who prefer diagnostics to lifting.
- Solar thermal installation — hot-water and heating systems; ONET lists Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians among occupations related to solar photovoltaic installers (U.S. Department of Labor, ONET).
- Inspection, commissioning and technical sales — code checks, system sign-off and site assessment, usually after field experience.
- Crew lead and installation management — ONET lists Solar Energy Installation Managers as a related occupation (U.S. Department of Labor, ONET).
How to Start Your Job Search
- Gather your documents: photo ID, proof of work authorization, driving licence and record, and a high school diploma or equivalency certificate if you have one.
- Write a one-page resume built around practical experience — tools used, heights worked at, vehicles driven, and any warehouse, farm, roofing or maintenance work. Candidates with construction experience may have an advantage in solar (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Check your state's rules before aiming at a specific role. Some states require a license for PV installers, and most require electricians to pass a test and be licensed; requirements vary by state, and licensing board details are available through CareerOneStop (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Apply for an apprenticeship alongside job applications. Some PV installers learn panel installation as part of an apprenticeship, and workers with electrical experience from the military or construction may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on experience and testing (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Add a short site-safety credential if you can — it is widely expected on commercial jobs and quick to list on a resume.
- Apply directly to contractors in your metro area, not only through boards. Call, ask who runs hiring, and ask whether they take helpers.
- Track applications, dates and contacts, and follow up once after a week.
Before You Apply: What to Check
- Work authorization. Confirm your own status and what documents an employer will ask you to present. Official rules sit with federal government agencies — check them directly rather than relying on a recruiter's summary.
- State licensing. Find out whether your state licenses the specific work; some states require a license for PV installers, and most require electricians to be licensed (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). Licensing board information is available through CareerOneStop.
- Certification expectations. Certification is not required for employment as a PV installer but demonstrates competency, and some states require it for projects to qualify for solar-related subsidies (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
- Driving record. Many crews travel between sites in company vehicles, so an insurable record can be a condition of the job.
- Physical demands. Ladder work, roof work, lifting limits and heat exposure are real parts of the role — read that section of the posting.
- Screening. Ask early whether drug testing or a background check applies.
- Pay structure. Pay may be hourly, per project, piece-rate per install, or set by prevailing-wage rules on public work. Ask how the employer structures it, and check current local rates through Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational pages and your state workforce agency.
Where to Look for Openings
| Channel | Best for |
|---|---|
| State workforce agency job board | Entry-level helper, laborer and installer trainee roles, plus free resume help |
| CareerOneStop | Finding your state licensing board and certification information (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025) |
| State apprenticeship agency | Registered electrical and construction apprenticeships with paid on-the-job hours |
| Community and technical college career offices | Short solar and electrical courses linked to local employer hiring |
| Construction and staffing agencies | Short-notice site work that builds a verifiable work history |
| Contractor and trade association directories | Identifying local solar and electrical firms to approach directly |
| My Next Move (O*NET) | Checking what related solar roles involve before narrowing your search (U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET) |
| Supply houses and job sites in person | Crews that hire by word of mouth and rarely post openings |
Common Questions About Getting Hired
Do I need a certification before my first application?
No — certification is not required for employment as a PV installer, though it demonstrates competency (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). Apply now and plan certification once you have field hours.
How long does it take to become a licensed electrician?
Most electricians learn through a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship with about 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training a year plus technical instruction (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). After completing it you are considered a journey worker and may work on your own, subject to local or state licensing.
What helps a solar application without experience?
Any construction background helps — candidates with construction experience may have an advantage (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). Say plainly that you are comfortable on roofs and ladders and can start immediately.
How fast does hiring move?
Helper and laborer roles can move within days when a crew is short, while apprenticeship intakes often run to fixed windows once or twice a year. Apply to both rather than waiting on either.
Frequently asked questions
Which solar certifications actually exist, and which should I aim at?
NABCEP's certifications include the PV Installation Professional, Solar Heating Installer, PV Technical Sales Professional, PV System Inspector, Solar Heating System Inspector, and three PV Specialist certifications covering design, installation, and commissioning and maintenance (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, 2018). Start with a specialist-level credential matched to the work you actually do.
What does getting certified involve?
Candidates must meet board-established requirements, agree to a Code of Ethics, pay all required fees and pass an examination (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, 2018). Details are in the certification handbook at http://www.nabcep.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/NABCEP-Certification-Handbook-V2018.compressed.pdf
Does a certification expire?
Certified professionals must complete continuing education and experience requirements and pay a recertification fee during each three-year certification cycle (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, 2018). Budget for that upkeep, not just the first exam.
How is pay usually structured in these jobs?
Most field roles are paid hourly, with overtime common in busy seasons; some installers earn piece-rate or bonuses per system, and public-works projects may fall under prevailing-wage rules. Rates differ by state and metro area — check the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational pages, such as https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm, and your state workforce agency.
I have military or construction electrical experience. Does that count?
Workers who gained electrical experience in the military or the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on experience and testing (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). Ask the apprenticeship sponsor how they evaluate prior hours, and bring documentation.
Is this a realistic career change in my thirties or forties?
Entry roles are built around on-the-job training rather than degrees, and construction experience of any kind transfers into solar (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025). If you are weighing it against other moves, the guide on switching careers covers entry points and training routes in more detail.