Electrical Testing
NICET is currently developing a testing and certification program for technicians who are engaged in Electrical Testing.
Scope of Electrical Testing Program
This certification program is intended for technicians who are engaged in inspection, testing, and periodic maintenance of electrical power equipment, and evaluation of such equipment for acceptance for service, continued serviceability, or required maintenance.
Certifications will be offered at each of four Levels, as defined below:
Level I
Under the supervision of a higher-level technician, work safely around electrical power equipment and cabling; identify test equipment; and make basic electrical connections.
Level II
Under general supervision, isolate and ground power equipment safely; connect test equipment; and conduct and document standard tests of basic (single-function) equipment.
Level III
Manage switching procedures; conduct tests of complex (multi-function) equipment in non-standard situations; analyze test and equipment data; and plan a job and lead a team.
Level IV
Conduct tests of complex metering and relay systems; evaluate tests, test equipment, test results, and power system performance; recommend actions to maintain or improve system performance; and lead multi-team projects.
Click on these links to receive notifications about this program, or to obtain information about volunteering.
Program Status
A detailed "practice analysis" has been completed by a panel of industry experts: engineers and senior technicians with broad backgrounds in electrical testing. This document lays out the tasks that are carried out by test technicians at each of the four Levels listed above, together with the knowledge and skills required for competent performance. It will serve as an outline for the development of exams that will test job knowledge for each of the four Levels, and will be made available to candidates on this web page well before testing begins.
NICET is currently involved in preparing the exams for each Level. The tests will be written by industry experts (engineers with field experience and senior test technicians) who will come together in Test Development Workshops. These workshops will be held at various locations around the country during the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011. At each workshop, the attendees will receive training on exam development and question writing, and will then write questions related to specific topic areas from the practice analysis. Completed questions will then face editing by NICET staff and approval by a group of industry experts before they may be used on an exam.
When the tests have been completed, they will be formatted and published by NICET staff for delivery by computer at proctored computer testing centers operated by Pearson VUE. Candidates for certification will be able to apply for testing online, or by downloading a paper application form. Certification will be based on testing and on an evaluation of work experience.
The first exams could be available in early 2011, but this will not be known until the level of participation by electrical testing professionals in the development process is better known. If you are a test technician with 10 years or more experience or an engineer with field experience, click on the link below for more information about participating in a workshop:
Helping to Build the Tests
If you would like to be notified of progress toward completion of this certification program, please click on the link below:
Electrical Testing Notification
NICET thanks the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) for their support.
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