Connecticut Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Connecticut is one of a handful of states with a dedicated solar PV trade license. The DCP Occupational and Professional Licensing Division issues the PV-1 Limited Solar Electric Contractor and PV-2 Limited Solar Electric Journeyperson under Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-330 et seq. PV-1 lets a contractor bid and supervise solar PV work statewide; PV-2 lets a journeyperson install PV but only while employed by a licensed PV-1 (or full electrical contractor). PV-1 candidates need 4,000 hours as a PV-2 plus 144 classroom hours per year, then must pass the PSI exam. Residential solar businesses must also register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). Solar thermal hot water is plumbing work under a Connecticut P-1 or P-2 license.

Regulatory Oversight

This license is issued and enforced by Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Occupational and Professional Licensing Division (DCP) pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-330 et seq. (Occupational Licensing: electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling trades); Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-418 et seq. (Home Improvement Act); Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-417a et seq. (New Home Construction Contractors Act). The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection registers home improvement and new home construction contractors, licenses individual electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling tradespeople, administers the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, and conducts disciplinary proceedings for all contractor trades statewide.

Official portal: https://portal.ct.gov/DCP
Address: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 901, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone: (860) 713-6135

Who May Apply

An applicant qualifies only after meeting the age floor of 18 and producing a valid Social Security Number. No Connecticut residency requirement.

Good moral character

DCP reviews criminal history under Conn. Gen. Stat. §20-335.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Required Experience and Education

The applicant must document and verify at least two years (4,000 hours) of documented solar PV installation experience for the PV-2 Journeyperson, or two years as an active PV-2 Journeyperson to qualify for the PV-1 Contractor license. Keep payroll, tax, project, or supervisor records to support the claim, as the board can request proof for any period within its lookback window.

Accepted proof of experience or eligibility

DCP experience affidavits signed by CT licensed contractors
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (counts toward experience)

Education substitution

Approved solar training program and NABCEP certification count toward experience.

Examination Requirements

The licensing examination is delivered by PSI Services LLC (under contract to DCP). All of the following parts must be cleared prior to issuance:

Connecticut PV-1 or PV-2 Examination — NEC Article 690, CT amendments, business and law (PV-1 only) — 80 questions, 180 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $100 examination fee.

Retake policy: Failed exams may be retaken after 30 days.

Insurance and Financial Requirements

The cited state source set does not require a contractor license surety bond for this credential. Contractors should still confirm project-specific bond, permit-bond, or public-works bond requirements before bidding.

General liability

DCP requires $600,000 commercial general liability minimum for PV-1 contractors.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under Conn. Gen. Stat. §31-284 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$150
Examination	$100
Initial license	$150
Renewal (every year)	$150

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Connecticut PV-1 Solar Photovoltaic Contractor / PV-2 Solar Photovoltaic Journeyperson (and HIC Registration) comes due every year. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $150. DCP PV-1/PV-2 licenses renew annually.

Continuing education: Connecticut requires continuing education for PV-1 contractors.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Connecticut Solar License Roadmap (PDF) — a printable step-by-step checklist for the application process.

Download the PDF roadmap →

Reciprocity and License Transfer

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is not accepted by Connecticut for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
No formal bilateral reciprocity agreements identified.

Connecticut does not reciprocate the PV-1/PV-2 with other states because the classification is unique to CT. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry credential of choice but does not substitute for state licensure.

Weighing more than one jurisdiction? The national hub compares Solar license requirements in every state — exam, bond, fee, and experience thresholds side by side.

Application Process, Step by Step

Document two years of solar PV experience. Compile DCP experience affidavits and payroll records.
Pass the PV-2 Journeyperson exam at 70%. PSI administers the exam. This is the entry-level credential.
Work two years as an active PV-2. Required to qualify for the PV-1 Contractor exam.
Pass the PV-1 Contractor exam at 70%. Includes business and law section.
Register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC). Required for residential work.
File the certificate of insurance. $600K CGL minimum for PV-1.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each CT jurisdiction requires local permits.

Frequent Application Errors

Based on the board's own instructions and the sources cited here, the problems below are what most often stall a Connecticut Solar application.

Skipping PV-2 for PV-1

Direct entry to PV-1 is not allowed. You must hold PV-2 for two years first.

Forgetting HIC for residential

Residential work over $200 requires HIC in addition to PV-1.

Letting CGL lapse

DCP will suspend PV-1 immediately upon insurance lapse.

Forgetting solar thermal is plumbing

Solar hot water requires a P-1 or P-2 Plumber license.

Missing CT Green Bank NABCEP preference

CT Green Bank incentive programs strongly favor NABCEP-certified installers.

Recommended References

What follows are the regulator-cited and commonly used preparation references for this trade. They appear here for convenience only; CLR takes no compensation for them.

NEC Article 690 — Solar Photovoltaic Systems — NFPA. Primary technical reference.
Connecticut State Building Code — CT DAS. State amendments to the ICC codes.
PSI Connecticut PV Trades Candidate Information Bulletin — PSI. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Document Checklist

The most critical documents or confirmations the applicant should have in hand before filing with DCP:

☐ Two years of documented PV experience
☐ PV-2 Journeyperson examination pass
☐ Two years as an active PV-2
☐ PV-1 Contractor examination pass
☐ Connecticut HIC registration (for residential)
☐ $600K commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage

Other Connecticut Trade Licenses

Should the Solar path not apply, these other Connecticut trade guides from CLR may help:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does Connecticut have a solar license?

Yes. The PV-1 Contractor and PV-2 Journeyperson are dedicated solar photovoltaic licenses issued by DCP.

What is the difference between PV-1 and PV-2?

PV-2 is the journeyperson — authorizes installation under supervision. PV-1 is the contractor — authorizes bidding and supervising jobs.

Is NABCEP required?

No, but widely expected by CT Green Bank and most incentive programs.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a Connecticut P-1 or P-2 Plumber license.

Do I also need HIC?

Yes for residential work over $200. HIC is separate from PV-1/PV-2.

Primary Sources

Regulatory requirements on this page are drawn from the official board, statute, and exam-provider materials listed below.

Verified 2026-06-04 · Next scheduled review 2026-09-02