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| NICET Newsletter | June 2010 |
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This June Issue of News from NICET almost missed June. In fact many of you are probably reading this in July.
A lot has happened since the March issue and we wanted to make sure to include all of the important information.
Levels I, II, and III of the Standard Model/CBT exams for Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) are now available. We are about halfway through the transition period so time is short if you have Work Element testing to complete. I took the FAS Level I exam to see what the procees is like. Plus, the redevelopment schedule for other Fire Protection certifications has been condensed.
NICET has new pricing, the Board of Governors met, and for those that have not yet taken the Salary Survey you have until July 7.
NICET will begin the process of redeveloping the Civil programs this fall.
As we head into the 4th of July holiday weekend, all of us here at NICET wish you a happy and safe Independence Day. NICET offices will be closed on Monday, July 5.
Sincerely,
Chip Hollis
NICET Manager, Marketing & Public Relations |
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Pricing Changes
Due to changing processes and increased administrative costs many NICET fees are changing. These changes include separate pricing for testing and certification applications for the Standard Model/CBT. Please see the list below for fee changes and effective dates.
| Work Element Exam & Evaluation (effective 9/1/2010) | | | Regular Exams: | | $220 | | | | DOT Exams: | | $160 | | | | Students: | | $105 | | | | | | | | | Standard Model/CBT Exams (effective 9/1/2010) | | | Fire Alarm Systems | Level I: | $120 | | | | | Level II: | $150 | | | | | Level III: | $180 | | | | | Level IV: | $210 | | | | Video Security Systems | | | | | Designer | Level I: | $150 | | | | | Level II: | $180 | | | | Technician | Level I: | $100 | | | | | Level II: | $150 | | | | | Level III: | $180 | | | | | Level IV: | $210 | | (Note: Fees for other programs will be available before
the release of the new exams.) | | | | | | | |
Other Testing Fees (effective 7/1/2010) | | | Testing Expediting Fee: | $100 (to fill empty seats after application deadline) | | | Test Rescheduling Fee: | $125 (per Policy 24) | | | Hand Scoring Fee: | | $100 | | | | | | | | | Standard Model/CBT Certification Application (effective 9/1/2010) | | | Technician Level I only: | $100 | | | (Includes 3 evaluations of supplemental materials for first year) | | | Individual or Multi-Level: | $150 | | (Level II or higher. Includes 3 evaluations
of supplemental materials for first year) | | | Reciprocity, A/B & Technologist: | $150 | | | (Includes 3 evaluations of supplemental materials for first year) | | | | | | | | Other Evaluation Fees (effective 7/1/2010) | | | Supplemental Materials Evaluation: | $25/submittal | | | (evaluation of supplemental materials after third submittal or first year) | | | Re-Evaluation Fee: | | $100 | | |
(re-evaluation of all approved materials after 3 years) | | | Evaluation Expediting Fee: | $100 | | | (Perform evaluation within five working days of receipt) | | | | | | | | Practice Tests (priced at approximately $1/question) | | |
(effective upon implementation) | | | | | | | | |
Recertification (effective with 2011 expiration dates) |
Continue to recertify with CPD every 3 years:
| | | Base Fee: | | $40/year - collected as
$120 every 3 years | | | Each Certification: | | $15/year - collected as
$45 every 3 years | | | Retired Status: | | $15/year - collected as
$45 every 3 years | | | Inactive Status: | | $25/year - collected as
$75 every 3 years | | | Reactivation: | | $75 | | | Reinstatement: | | $150 (plus "recertification" exam fee, evaluation fee & annual certification fee) | | | | | | | | Non-Certification Records Maintenance (i.e. NJ-DCA)| | | (effective with 2011 expires) | | | Initial Registration: | | $75 | | | | Records Maintenance: | $55/year - collected as
$165 every 3 years | | | | | | |
Bad Check Service Charge
(effective 7/1/2010):
| $65 each | | | | | | | | | Certificant Directories (effective 7/1/2010) | | | Very Small Subfield (less than 100 certificants): | $10 | | | | Small Subfield (101-1,000 certificants): | $20 | | | | Medium Subfields (1,001-5,000 certificants): | $35 | | | | Large Subfields (more than 5,000 certificants): | $50 | | |
(Note 1: Quarterly Sub: 10% off; Monthly Sub: 25% off)
(Note 2: Directories available only as PDF on CD, flash or email - no print)
(Note 3: Directories produced as National only, but then separated by State) |
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Fire Protection Programs
NICET's Transition to the Standard Model/CBT Format
On February 1, 2010, NICET released the first exam for Fire Alarm Systems (FAS) in the Standard Model/Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format. FAS is NICET's first program to transition from Work Elements to the Standard Model. All NICET programs are scheduled to make the transition over the next few years to provide scheduling convenience, faster scoring, and industry-standard testing methods. The following is the current status and release schedule for the Fire Protection Programs.
 Fire Alarm Systems:
Levels I, II, and III: Currently available
Level IV: September 1, 2010
All Work Element applications for FAS must be received electronically or post marked by January 31, 2011. Work Element testing ends for FAS June 30, 2011.
Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Layout (formerly Automatic Sprinkler Systems Layout):
 Level I: September 1, 2010
Level II and III: October 1, 2010
Level IV: November 1, 2010
Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems
Levels I and II: February 1, 2011
Level III: March 1, 2011
Special Hazards Suppression Systems
Schedule to be determined.
The release of the CBT Level I exam in a given program initiates the beginning of the transition period to complete Work Element testing in that program. Transition for each program will be posted on the NICET website and featured in News from NICET. |
I Failed the Level I Fire Alarms Exam
by Chip Hollis
In April I took the Level I Fire Alarm Systems exam. You may be wondering why the NICET Marketing Manager took a Fire Alarm Systems exam. First, let me say that I am not nor have I ever been a fire alarm technician and even though I have great respect for the work NICET certified Technicians and Technologists do, I am not planning a career change. I took the exam to gain firsthand experience of the entire process that you, the NICET customer, goes through. For those of you who have not yet taken a Standard Model/CBT exam I hope my experience will provide insight into the process. Read More |
Announcements
-2010 Salary Survey: New Closing Date
Have you completed the NICET Salary Survey? Dennis Briggs, Jr. (Forestville, Maryland), Byron Labadie (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Lora Candelaria (Los Lunas, New Mexico), Jared Comastro (Vancouver, Washington), James Carroll (Raleigh, North Carolina), Thomas Anspach, Sr. (Wooster, Ohio), Craig Hagood (Tucson, AZ), Paul Behringer (Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin), and Pam Putnam (Greenville, South Carolina) all have participated, and received giveaways for participating. For completing the survey, you will receive an entry into our grand prize drawing. The grand prize giveaway items include:
- $50 gift card
- $75 gift card
- NICET testing voucher
- Waived NICET base recertification fee
You could be the next giveaway winner by completing the NICET Salary Survey. To date, we have received over 4,400 responses, and would appreciate your response. There's still time, complete the survey. The survey will close and the grand prize drawings will be conducted on July 7.
-Ambassador's Program
NICET continues to receive applications, and will review and make a decision by late Summer 2010. Correspondence will be sent to all individuals that submit an application. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.
For more information please visit the webpage, NICET Ambassadors Program.
-New Program Under Development: Electrical Testing
NICET is currently developing a four level certification program for Electrical Testing technicians. The certification program is intended for technicians who are engaged in the inspection, testing, and periodic maintenance of electrical power equipment, and evaluation of such equipment for acceptance for service, continued serviceability, or required maintenance.
For more information please visit the webpage, Electrical Testing. |
 Technician Spotlight: Civil Engineering Technician George Purvis This month NICET highlights Mr. George Purvis, a Business Development Manager with HVJ Associates. Mr. Purvis has over twenty-nine years of experience in the Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Testing Industries. In addition to his NICET level IV Construction Materials Testing certification in Asphalt, Concrete, and Soils, he also participated in the American Concrete Institute's (ACI) Quality Concrete School. Mr. Purvis demonstrates his dedication to his profession by participating in the following professional and technical organizations: Read More |
Board Meeting Recap
"Because we care..." Phil Gaughan, the outgoing Chair of the NICET Board of Governors, greeted attendees at the opening dinner/reception with these words. The NICET Board of Governors do care; they volunteer their time and meet twice a year to provide direction and policy for NICET. The eight person Board is made up of three NSPE members, three technicians, one technologist, and a public member. The first Board meeting of 2010 was held in Nashville, Tennessee, April 15-17, 2010. The following topics were discussed:
-Transition to Standard Model/CBT
It is a priority of the Board to have all major programs converted to the Standard Model/CBT by July 2012.
-50th Anniversary Celebration
In 2011, NICET will celebrate its golden anniversary commemorating 50 years of existence. To kick-off the celebration NICET will host an activity during the 2011 NSPE Winter Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, January 13-15. In addition, a reception will be held during the 2011 NSPE Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a celebration finale during the October 2011 Board Meeting in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
-Directory Request
Going forward, technician directories will only be available in electronic format, emailed as an attached PDF, and no longer in paper format. This is one way NICET is attempting to implement sustainable business practices and contribute to the green movement.
-Disciplinary Actions
While disciplinary actions are not new, the NICET Board adopted a set of guidelines that will be used to issue more standardized and consistent penalties for certification process irregularities, as defined in NICET Policy 2.
For more information please review the Disciplinary Action Guidelines.
-Sprinkler Industry Representatives Meet with the Board
Representatives from NFSA and AFSA met with the NICET Board to voice concerns regarding redevelopment of the two Water-Based Fire Protection Systems programs. To continue and improve the working relationships with the Fire Suppression Community, the NICET Board has agreed to expedite its development processes and communicate on a more consistent basis to address concerns of the industry.
-Update to the Board of Governors
Effective July 1, 2010 Arthur B. deWit, P.E. will begin service as the Chair of the NICET Board of Governors; William J. Aaron, Jr., SET will serve as the Vice Chair; and Rudolph Henry, CT will serve as the Recording Secretary. A term on the Board lasts three years, and Board members may serve up to two consecutive terms. The next scheduled board meeting will be held in October in Saratoga Springs, New York. |
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Apply Online For NICET Testing | |
Save Time, Apply Online
NICET is committed to continuously improving our customer service and satisfaction. Therefore, we are pleased to announce the ability for applicants to apply online to schedule a NICET exam.
Key Benefits:
· Reduces the turn-around time necessary to confirm a test date;
· Removes the guesswork of selecting tests and an available test center;
· Instant confirmation;
· Ability to pay using a credit card; and
· Integrates with the NICET database making it easier to complete a testing application.
We encourage you to take advantage of applying online. Only a few steps are necessary. To apply:
· Follow the link entitled "Exam Application" on the left-hand side
· Select your field and subfield
· For Standard Model/CBT Exams:
o Select a 3-month testing window
o Enter/verify billing information
o Enter credit card information
· For Work Element Exams:
o Select the appropriate work elements
o Select a test center using either the zip code, state, or center code
o Select an available test center and date*
o Enter/verify billing information
o Enter credit card information
If you have not tested with NICET previously, and would like to take advantage of the online application process please contact NICET at 888-476-4238 or complete the [Online Access Request Form] to have an account set-up for you.
*NICET ecourages its testing centers to schedule future testing dates at least 6-12 months in advance. However, there are times when they just cannot commit that far into the future. Consequently NICET cannot confirm testing requests for these future unknown/unpublished testing dates -- even though we expect to continue testing at these locations beyond the published testing dates. |
It Only Takes One Bad Apple... NICET has a set of policies, a Code of Ethics, due process, and administers disciplinary actions to protect those that have and will obtain certification through honest and forthright methods. In many cases NICET certification has become a condition of employment and this pressure has led a few to attempt to obtain certification through dishonest and devious methods. NICET does have the authority to apply penalties for unethical actions. Recently NICET developed a matrix of disciplinary guidelines so that all applicants and certificants are aware of the consequences and to ensure that equal infractions receive equal penalty. Thankfully it is rare that disciplinary actions are required but only one person with false credentials can spoil it for the rest. See the Disciplinary Action Guidelines. |
Accountability in the Workplace
Often times we hear the term accountability, but exactly how is accountability characterized? Merriam-Webster defines accountability as "an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions." Though disappointing, it is said that a lack of accountability is the biggest challenge that corporate America faces. The inability of organizations to implement and enforce policies, procedures, and philosophy are what lead to lack of accountability in the workplace. As a result, businesses can be affected in the following ways:
· Low productivity,
· Reduction in morale among employees,
· Increased stress levels,
· Opportunity losses, and
· Reduction in communication.
While there may be losses, this isn't the death of an organization. With an evaluation of business practices and a collaborative effort from staff, an organization can make changes to the lack of accountability in the workplace. A few things to take into consideration when assessing accountability are:
· Expecting different results from repeated behavior is insanity;
· Your organization will receive the behavior your organization rewards;
· Office culture flows from top-down; and
· Inconsistent accountability produces inconsistent performance. In closing, while overall an organization as a whole is held accountable, accountability starts with the individual. Remember, "It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." -Moliere |
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