Vermont Solar Contractor License Requirements (2026)

Vermont does not issue a standalone solar contractor license. Solar PV installation is regulated as electrical work under 26 V.S.A. ch. 15 and is administered by the Vermont Electricians Licensing Board under the Office of Professional Regulation. Any solar business must employ a Master Electrician as the qualifying party. Solar thermal water heating requires a Vermont Master Plumber license. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is the industry standard but is voluntary in Vermont.

Regulatory Oversight

This license is issued and enforced by Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) pursuant to 26 V.S.A. (Professions and Occupations); Vermont Act 21 of 2019 (Residential Contractor Registration); Administrative Rules of the Electricians and Plumbers Licensing Boards. The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation, housed within the Secretary of State, administers the Residential Contractor Registration program and supports the Electricians' Licensing Board and the Plumbers' Licensing Board, which set examination, experience, and discipline rules for the licensed trades.

Official portal: https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/
Address: 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402
Phone: (802) 828-2363

Who May Apply

At a minimum the applicant has to be 18 years old and supply a valid Social Security Number. No Vermont residency requirement.

Good moral character

Board reviews criminal history.

Background investigation

Mandatory criminal history disclosure on the application.

Required Experience and Education

The applicant must document and verify at least two years as a Vermont Journeyman Electrician on top of 8,000 hours of apprenticeship. 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

Board experience affidavits signed by Vermont Master Electricians
Certified payroll covering the qualifying period
VT-registered apprenticeship completion certificate

Education substitution

VT-registered apprenticeship satisfies the apprenticeship hours.

Examination Requirements

Examinations are administered by Prov Inc. (under contract to the Board). The applicant must pass the following examination parts before the license can issue:

Vermont Master Electrician Examination — NEC, VT amendments, business and law — 100 questions, 240 minutes, passing score 70%

Examination fee: $95 examination fee.

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

Insurance and Financial Requirements

This credential carries no state-level surety bond requirement under the cited sources. Individual jobs may still trigger a permit or public-works bond, which should be verified before bidding.

General liability

Board requires commercial general liability insurance appropriate to the scope of work.

Workers' compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is mandatory under 21 V.S.A. ch. 9 for any business with employees.

Additional financial requirements

No financial statement required.

Licensing Fees

Fee	Amount
Application (non-refundable)	$125
Examination	$95
Initial license	$125
Renewal (every 3 years)	$125

Keeping the License Current

Renewal of the Vermont Electricians Licensing Board Master Electrician License comes due every 3 years. As cited, the renewal fee stands at $125. Vermont Master Electrician licenses renew every three years.

Continuing education: Fifteen hours of Board-approved CE every three years.

Downloadable Asset

2026 Vermont 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 Vermont for this classification.

Reciprocal State	Accepted Exam	Conditions
New Hampshire	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).
Maine	Trade exam waived	Limited reciprocity (verify with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare).

Vermont maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with New Hampshire and Maine.

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

Complete a VT electrical apprenticeship. 8,000 hours under a VT Master Electrician.
Pass the Journeyman Electrician exam. Prerequisite to the Master credential.
Document two years as a Journeyman. Required for the Master Electrician exam.
Pass the Master Electrician exam at 70%. Prov Inc. administers the exam.
Apply for the Master Electrician license. File with the application fee.
File the certificate of insurance. CGL appropriate to scope.
Pull local building and electrical permits per project. Each VT jurisdiction requires local permits.

Frequent Application Errors

Working from the cited board instructions, here are the snags most likely to trip up a Vermont Solar filing.

Missing the 15-hour CE

Mandatory every three years.

Letting workers compensation lapse

Mandatory for any business with employees.

Forgetting solar thermal is plumbing

Solar hot water requires the Master Plumber license.

Skipping local permits

State licensure does not exempt you from town permits.

Underestimating the journeyman time

Two full years as a Journeyman are required before the Master exam.

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.
26 V.S.A. ch. 15 — State of Vermont. Statutory framework.
Prov Vermont Master Electrician Candidate Information Bulletin — Prov. Free PDF outlining exam content.

Document Checklist

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

☐ 8,000 hours of electrical apprenticeship
☐ Vermont Journeyman Electrician credential
☐ Two years as a Journeyman
☐ Master Electrician examination pass
☐ Commercial general liability insurance
☐ Workers' compensation coverage
☐ NABCEP certification (recommended)

Other Vermont Trade Licenses

If the Solar license is not the right fit, the following published Vermont trade guides are also covered by CLR:

Questions Applicants Ask

Does Vermont have a solar license?

No. Solar PV is regulated as electrical work under the Master Electrician license.

Is NABCEP required?

No. NABCEP is voluntary in Vermont.

How many hours does Vermont require?

8,000 hours of apprenticeship plus two years as a Journeyman.

What about solar thermal?

Solar hot water requires a Vermont Master Plumber license.

Does Vermont reciprocate?

Yes. Vermont maintains limited reciprocity (verify directly with the board; solar-specific reciprocity is rare) with New Hampshire and Maine.

Primary Sources

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

Verified 2026-04-24 · Next scheduled review 2026-07-23