NICET: News

If you have an item of interest to technicians and technologists, or an idea for a "NICET News" article, please send it to news@nicet.org. Be sure to include your name and phone number.

Click here for recent changes to NICET's exam schedule.

Time Allotted for Test Taking Separated by Subfield

NICET applicants are allowed to select up to 34 work elements for a single examination sitting for one fee. Previously, NICET rejected work elements outside the applicants chosen field to make sure work elements were not added purely for additional time. Effective immediately NICET will allow any combination of work elements however, time allotments will be separated by subfield.

The contents and time allotments for NICET test questions are predetermined to be fair and reasonable by a panel of industry experts – and are then “beta tested” to verify that determination. Applicants are expected to be able to answer the questions in the time allotted. Therefore, these time allotments must be upheld to provide a valid test result.

NICET will allow candidates to continue selecting up to 34 work elements for any given day of testing, but NICET will then separate work elements from different specialty areas (i.e., subfields) into separate and distinct examinations (up to three subfields). Candidates will receive appropriate number of confirmation notices (up to three), which will state the total number of minutes allowed for each test. They also will receive separate examination packets at the testing center (up to three exams). When the first examination is finished, they will be given the second packet for testing, etc.

Survey: Construction Materials Testing Soils Field Level II

Take part in the practice analysis for the new NICET Soils Field Testing & Inspection Technician Certification Program. If you are a qualified practitioner, please complete validation survey for Soils Field Testing & Inspection Level II.

Soils Field Level II Survey

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO TESTING PROCEDURES

NICET recently learned that one of its examinations might have been compromised by a published “study guide”. Please read the Official Memo regarding changes to testing procedures from NICET COE, Mike Clark.

The contents of the memo are provided below for your convenience.

NICET recently learned that one of its examinations might have been compromised by a published “study guide”. Please note that all of the Institute’s test questions are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as copyrighted materials owned by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Unauthorized use of NSPE/NICET copyright protected material by any entity, individual, company or group other than NSPE or NICET is strictly prohibited under U.S. Federal Law, and will be subject to legal prosecution.

While NICET paper & pencil tests will continue to be offered in an “open book” format, effective immediately, NICET will restrict the reference materials allowed into any testing session to only those listed within the “Referenced Standards” and/or “Selected General References” pages in the back of each program detail manual. Until further notice, NICET testing candidates will not be allowed to use any interpretive materials (i.e., training guides, study manuals, review manuals, personal notes, etc.) – bound or unbound -- during their examination.

If you are in doubt about the acceptability of any reference - contact NICET before testing begins. Any banned reference should be left outside the testing room altogether or it will be held at the Proctor’s table during the examination. If a referenced document is banned from the testing session, you will be given the opportunity to challenge the affected work element(s) prior to the examination process. The Challenge must list the title of the banned reference, the author, edition and copyright date, and then provide a detailed explanation of its relevance to the test. If a challenged reference is found to be acceptable, NICET will contact you to schedule testing of the affected element(s) -- at no additional fee It is highly recommended, however, that you complete as much of your scheduled examination as possible without the banned reference to avoid rescheduling delays and difficulties. You may also elect to reschedule your entire exam prior to testing, but a rescheduling fee may be required if, you do not submit a Challenge at your scheduled time of testing, and if your Challenge is not accepted.

This revised NICET testing policy may be altered further in the near future as more information is uncovered about the alleged test question compromise and/or additional references are added to the list of “Acceptable References.” If you have any questions or concerns about this change in the meantime, please feel free to contact NICET at 1-888-476-4238 or test@nicet.org. We truly appreciate your assistance and cooperation with this sensitive matter.

Michael A. Clark, CAE
Chief Operating Executive

Please read before testing-
Taking a NICET Exam
Allowable References

Survey: Construction Materials Testing (CMT)

NICET just released a national survey to validate the content of the Soils Laboratory Testing certification program to confirm the requirements for competent practice in this specialty area. The results of the survey will also be used to define the content of the exam for the various levels of the subject subfield.

Upon completion, a statistical report on the ratings of the program content will be prepared and transmitted to the Soils development committee for final review.

NICET expects to complete the subject matter expert (SME) review of the survey data by December of 2007. Following the final review of the survey data, NICET will begin to establish multiple SME groups for test item writing based on the results of the September survey.

Subsequently, test item writing is proposed to take place on a continuous basis beginning in February of 2008 until the beta exam for the program is complete.

A committee of experts has outlined each level of certification (I, II, III and IV). NICET and subject matter experts will use the results of the survey to develop a revised, computer based certification exam.

It is important that all those who are interested in certification provide input to the survey.

Results of the survey will be used to outline the examination content and to direct the number of questions being asked in each area.

The survey is arranged hierarchically; that is Level I content is not tested at Level II, and Level III content is not the same as Levels I or II. NICET presumes that a person who seeks Level IV certification will already have been tested at Levels I, II and III and will not be re-tested on the same content. Therefore, NICET asks that you take a few minutes to provide input to all levels for which you are qualified.

Thank you. NICET appreciates this opportunity to develop certification programs that are highly relevant to you, the practitioner.

If you are interested and you think you are qualified, please complete the surveys listed below.

Soils Laboratory level I survey

Soils Laboratory level II survey

Soils Laboratory level III survey

Soils Laboratory level IV survey

Status of Application Evaluations as of March 1, 2008

NICET has completed evaluations for all examinees who met an exam requirement through December and all pending-status applicants who replied through February 20 to a Conditional Decision Letter. If you fit into either of these categories, and you have not heard from NICET by February 15, then please call us at 888-476-4238.

The Institute is currently evaluating applicants who tested in January or replied after Febraur 20 to a Conditional Decision Letter. Please allow up to 90 days after the test date for notification of your certification status; allow up to 60 days when awaiting results of a Conditional Decision Letter response. You may hear from us sooner, though, as NICET continually strives to shorten evaluation time and exceed customers' expectations. Please check this page in the next few weeks for an update.

2006 Salary Survey

The results of NICET and ASCET's joint 2006 Salary Survey can be found here.

Board of Governors Increases Examination Fees, Recertification Fees

To continue to provide our customers with quality certification programs and efficient customer service, NICET’s Board of Governors has reluctantly increased the Examination Fee by ten dollars. The new fee applies to all exams that will be administered on or after January 1, 2008. The Board also slightly increased the Exam Rescheduling fee, the Base Recertification fee, and the Retired Status fee. Visit the Fee Schedule.

Veterans' NICET Exam Fees are Eligible for Reimbursement

Select veterans who take NICET Work Element exams are now eligible for test fee reimbursement by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The reimbursement is available to qualified examinees who tested on or after January 11, 2005. Education benefits cover the cost of the exam whether the applicant passes or fails. Applicants can request reimbursement for multiple exams. For qualifications and procedures, please visit www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/LC_brochure.pdf, or call 1-888-GIBILL (1-888-442-4551).

The VA initiated its benefits program to help military personnel transition into civilian occupations. NICET was approved by the Department of Veterans Services, State Approving Agency in Richmond, VA, for the program under the provisions of Section 122 of Public Law 106-419 that extends the coverage of the G.I. Bill.

Read the full press release...

Showcase Your Achievement

Did you know that a NICET-logo mat and frame are available for displaying your certificate? Order your certificate frame today!

Highway System Maintenance and Preservation replaces Highway Maintenance

Effective July 1, 2007, the Highway System Maintenance and Preservation program (Transportation subfield 14) replaces Highway Maintenance (Transportation subfield 09). Highway Maintenance is now closed to first-time Maintenance examinees; these candidates must test in the Highway System Maintenance and Preservation program.

Individuals who previously tested in Highway Maintenance and want to upgrade their certification will have a one-year grace period to complete their Highway Maintenance exam requirement; after July 1, 2008, these candidates must comply with the requirements in the Highway System Maintenance and Preservation program detail manual. Individuals who are currently certified in Highway Maintenance and do not wish to upgrade their certification will be unaffected by the change; these individuals can keep their Highway Maintenance certification in Active Status by recertifying every three years in compliance with NICET Policy #30.

New Fax Number for Conditional Decision Letter Responses

Conditional Decision Letter responses may now be faxed to NICET at 703.519.9050 (Attn: CDL Response). On your fax cover sheet, please explain the reason for your fax submittal. Please keep the original documents in your records; NICET retains the right to request the original, signed documents at any time.

Over 20,000 Certifications in NICET Fire Protection

NICET salutes the Fire Protection industry for its dedication to safety and surpassing 20,000 certifications in February 2007.

View the Press Release.

Three New Video Security Systems Exams Now Open for Certification Testing

NICET recently released three exams in the Video Security Systems suite. Click here to view the press release. For more information about the Video programs, please click here.

New Job/Task Analysis Underway for Sprinkler Program

NICET announces that, with the help of its industry partner, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and other experts from the Fire Protection Industry, it is creating a new job/task analysis for the Automatic Sprinkler System Layout certification program. This new practice outline will form the basis for revision of the program. A survey based on this analysis will be sent to those in the fire protection systems practice area early in 2007. The first meeting to develop this new survey was held on October 16-17 at NICET headquarters. For the full press release, click here.

NICET Issues Statement about Sprinkler Layout Levels and Responsibilities

In a November 1 statement, NICET publicly affirmed its official position that individuals holding a NICET Level III and/or a NICET Level IV certification in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout have the qualifications to independently prepare layout drawings on behalf of fire sprinkler contractors. It is NICET’s position also that design professionals (i.e., licensed professional engineers and registered architects) should provide complete design criteria and detailed design documents (e.g., drawings, hydraulic calculations, water supply information, etc.) to fire sprinkler contractors for preparation of layout drawings; and that the same design professional should review the completed layout drawings to ensure that the original design has not been altered. This position is consistent with that of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). Therefore, this position will also be conveyed to state fire marshals in the future.

For the full statement, please click here.

If you're applying for a NICET exam, check your e-mail regularly!

To speed up communications with its customers, NICET is now using e-mail instead of post mail when we must notify exam applicants about the following situations:

problems with work element selection
incorrect exam fee payment
problems with “Statement of Understanding” signatures
proctor alert notices

(If we don't have an e-mail address on file for you, then these types of notices will be delivered via USPS.) Exam scheduling confirmation notices are also delivered via e-mail. (Sometimes these notices get marked as spam; so check your “bulk mail” folder, too.)

If you’d like to update your e-mail address, please write cert@nicet.org and provide your full name (and NICET Technician Certification number if available).

Score reports, certification documents, and conditional decision letters will continue to be delivered via post mail.

If mailing an application overnight, you MUST use USPS.

If you wish to use overnight/express service when mailing your NICET application to Bank of America, then you must use the United States Postal Service (USPS). To quickly process your payment and get your paperwork to NICET, Bank of America must receive your application through the designated post office box (named in the mailing address provided on your NICET application). And only the USPS delivers overnight/express mail to post office boxes.

From now on, Bank of America will refuse any overnight delivery (UPS, Federal Express, etc.) other than USPS and return the package to sender. The resulting delay may result in your missing the application postmark deadline.

OSHA Standards referenced in NICET Program Detail Manuals

The following OSHA standards are relevant to all NICET Certification programs:

OSHA Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
OSHA Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction

These publication titles are intended to replace all OSHA references found in the work element descriptions and "Selected General References" in all NICET Program Detail Manuals.