Certification or Licensing
Power distributors and dispatchers whose work may affect the power grid must be certified by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The organization offers the system operator certification program, which offers specialty exams in reliability; balancing, interchange, and transmission; transmission; and balancing. The Electrical Training ALLIANCE offers several certifications, including one in solar photovoltaic installation.
Some power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must be licensed. Requirements vary by state and type of employer. Check with your state's department of licensing and professional regulation for information on requirements in your state. Nuclear power reactor operators must be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Other Requirements
Many power plant operator jobs require a background check and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Civil Engineers
- Coal Miners
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Electricians
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Radiographers
- Landmen
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Materials Engineers
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Mining Engineers
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Physicists
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Roustabouts
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Traffic Engineers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers