Certification or Licensing
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulates power plants that generate electricity using nuclear reactors. The NRC must license operators in nuclear plants, because only NRC-licensed operators are authorized to control any equipment in the plant that affects the operation of the nuclear reactor. Nuclear reactor operators are also required to undertake regular drug testing. Power plant operators not working in a nuclear facility are often licensed as engineers or firemen by state licensing boards. Requirements vary by state and also depend on the specific job function of the operator and the license needed. Power distributors and dispatchers who work in jobs that could affect the power grid must be certified by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.
Other Requirements
Power plant workers may be required to pass drug and alcohol screenings, along with physical examinations, to be eligible for jobs.
- 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
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- 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
- 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