LA 4-50
Solar Energy Equipment Installer Exam Prep
Questions & Answers with Rationales
How to use this guide: Each question is followed immediately by its correct
answer and a rationale explaining why that answer is correct. Read the
rationale even when you answer correctly — understanding the underlying
principle is what carries over to the real exam.
Coverage: Louisiana solar contractor licensing law, National Electrical Code
(NEC) concepts for PV systems (Articles 690/705), electrical fundamentals,
PV system components, mounting/structural practices, jobsite safety
(OSHA), and site assessment / utility interconnection.
,Section 1: Louisiana Licensing & Law (LSLBC / R.S.
37:2156.3)
Q1. Under Louisiana law (R.S. 37:2156.3), a Solar Energy Equipment
license is required when the project value is at least what amount?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C) $10,000
Rationale: Louisiana Revised Statute 37:2156.3(A) requires a Solar Energy
Equipment license for the installation of solar energy equipment or systems
where the project value is $10,000 or more.
Q2. Which agency regulates the Solar Energy Equipment license
classification in Louisiana?
A) Louisiana Department of Energy
B) Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
C) NABCEP
D) Louisiana Public Service Commission
Answer: B) Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
Rationale: The LSLBC is the state licensing body that issues, regulates, and
enforces the Solar Energy Equipment specialty classification for contractors.
Q3. To obtain the Solar Energy Equipment specialty classification, an
applicant must hold (or concurrently obtain) which major
classification?
A) Plumbing only
B) Building Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, or Residential Building
Contractor
C) HVAC only
D) General Engineering only
Answer: B) Building Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, or
Residential Building Contractor
,Rationale: State law requires the Solar Energy Equipment classification to
be paired with at least one major classification: Building Construction,
Electrical, Mechanical, or Residential Building Contractor.
Q4. For a PV system project valued at $10,000 or more, who must
connect the electrical wiring or hookups?
A) Any licensed contractor
B) A licensed Electrical contractor
C) The homeowner only
D) A Solar Energy Equipment contractor without an electrical license
Answer: B) A licensed Electrical contractor
Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(C) specifies that an Electrical license is required
to connect wiring or hookups for any photovoltaic panel or system valued at
$10,000 or more.
Q5. For a solar thermal system project valued at $10,000 or more, who
must connect the piping or equipment?
A) Electrical contractor
B) Mechanical contractor
C) General contractor
D) Roofing contractor
Answer: B) Mechanical contractor
Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(D) requires a Mechanical license to connect
piping or equipment for solar thermal systems valued at $10,000 or more.
Q6. Does Louisiana's solar licensing statute impose civil or criminal
liability on homeowners or third-party financiers of a solar installation
performed by a duly licensed contractor?
A) Yes, always
B) No — the statute expressly exempts homeowners and
financing/tax-credit third parties from such liability
C) Only for systems over $50,000
D) Only for commercial property
Answer: B) No — the statute expressly exempts homeowners and
financing/tax-credit third parties from such liability
, Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(E) states that nothing in the section imposes civil
or criminal liability on homeowners or third parties providing financing or
purchasing associated tax credits.
Q7. What did Louisiana SB 447 (2014) require of contractors who did
not already hold a qualifying license classification as of August 1,
2014?
A) Nothing additional
B) Complete a board-approved training course and pass a written
examination (or hold NABCEP certification)
C) Wait five years before applying
D) Obtain an out-of-state reciprocal license
Answer: B) Complete a board-approved training course and pass a
written examination (or hold NABCEP certification)
Rationale: SB 447 required contractors without prior Building Construction,
Electrical, or Mechanical licensure to complete board-approved solar
training and pass an approved exam, or hold NABCEP PV Installer
certification, to earn the Solar Energy Equipment classification.
Q8. Which certification can substitute for the Louisiana board
examination when applying for the Solar Energy Equipment
classification?
A) OSHA 10-hour card
B) NABCEP PV Installer Certification
C) A state driver's license
D) Union apprenticeship card
Answer: B) NABCEP PV Installer Certification
Rationale: Holding the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy
Practitioners) PV Installer Certification satisfies the exam requirement in lieu
of the board's written test.
Q9. By what compliance deadline were Louisiana solar contractors
required to be in compliance with the LSLBC's new solar contractor
rules established under SB 447?
A) January 1, 2015
Solar Energy Equipment Installer Exam Prep
Questions & Answers with Rationales
How to use this guide: Each question is followed immediately by its correct
answer and a rationale explaining why that answer is correct. Read the
rationale even when you answer correctly — understanding the underlying
principle is what carries over to the real exam.
Coverage: Louisiana solar contractor licensing law, National Electrical Code
(NEC) concepts for PV systems (Articles 690/705), electrical fundamentals,
PV system components, mounting/structural practices, jobsite safety
(OSHA), and site assessment / utility interconnection.
,Section 1: Louisiana Licensing & Law (LSLBC / R.S.
37:2156.3)
Q1. Under Louisiana law (R.S. 37:2156.3), a Solar Energy Equipment
license is required when the project value is at least what amount?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C) $10,000
Rationale: Louisiana Revised Statute 37:2156.3(A) requires a Solar Energy
Equipment license for the installation of solar energy equipment or systems
where the project value is $10,000 or more.
Q2. Which agency regulates the Solar Energy Equipment license
classification in Louisiana?
A) Louisiana Department of Energy
B) Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
C) NABCEP
D) Louisiana Public Service Commission
Answer: B) Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
Rationale: The LSLBC is the state licensing body that issues, regulates, and
enforces the Solar Energy Equipment specialty classification for contractors.
Q3. To obtain the Solar Energy Equipment specialty classification, an
applicant must hold (or concurrently obtain) which major
classification?
A) Plumbing only
B) Building Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, or Residential Building
Contractor
C) HVAC only
D) General Engineering only
Answer: B) Building Construction, Electrical, Mechanical, or
Residential Building Contractor
,Rationale: State law requires the Solar Energy Equipment classification to
be paired with at least one major classification: Building Construction,
Electrical, Mechanical, or Residential Building Contractor.
Q4. For a PV system project valued at $10,000 or more, who must
connect the electrical wiring or hookups?
A) Any licensed contractor
B) A licensed Electrical contractor
C) The homeowner only
D) A Solar Energy Equipment contractor without an electrical license
Answer: B) A licensed Electrical contractor
Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(C) specifies that an Electrical license is required
to connect wiring or hookups for any photovoltaic panel or system valued at
$10,000 or more.
Q5. For a solar thermal system project valued at $10,000 or more, who
must connect the piping or equipment?
A) Electrical contractor
B) Mechanical contractor
C) General contractor
D) Roofing contractor
Answer: B) Mechanical contractor
Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(D) requires a Mechanical license to connect
piping or equipment for solar thermal systems valued at $10,000 or more.
Q6. Does Louisiana's solar licensing statute impose civil or criminal
liability on homeowners or third-party financiers of a solar installation
performed by a duly licensed contractor?
A) Yes, always
B) No — the statute expressly exempts homeowners and
financing/tax-credit third parties from such liability
C) Only for systems over $50,000
D) Only for commercial property
Answer: B) No — the statute expressly exempts homeowners and
financing/tax-credit third parties from such liability
, Rationale: R.S. 37:2156.3(E) states that nothing in the section imposes civil
or criminal liability on homeowners or third parties providing financing or
purchasing associated tax credits.
Q7. What did Louisiana SB 447 (2014) require of contractors who did
not already hold a qualifying license classification as of August 1,
2014?
A) Nothing additional
B) Complete a board-approved training course and pass a written
examination (or hold NABCEP certification)
C) Wait five years before applying
D) Obtain an out-of-state reciprocal license
Answer: B) Complete a board-approved training course and pass a
written examination (or hold NABCEP certification)
Rationale: SB 447 required contractors without prior Building Construction,
Electrical, or Mechanical licensure to complete board-approved solar
training and pass an approved exam, or hold NABCEP PV Installer
certification, to earn the Solar Energy Equipment classification.
Q8. Which certification can substitute for the Louisiana board
examination when applying for the Solar Energy Equipment
classification?
A) OSHA 10-hour card
B) NABCEP PV Installer Certification
C) A state driver's license
D) Union apprenticeship card
Answer: B) NABCEP PV Installer Certification
Rationale: Holding the NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy
Practitioners) PV Installer Certification satisfies the exam requirement in lieu
of the board's written test.
Q9. By what compliance deadline were Louisiana solar contractors
required to be in compliance with the LSLBC's new solar contractor
rules established under SB 447?
A) January 1, 2015
