Sub menu:
 Download Information
Online Store
Career Resource Center
FreedomTest Online Testing Center

 

 

 

Renew or Maintain your Certification

Rapid changes in technology and products have also changed the methods used in servicing them. By renewing your ETA certification, you provide verification that as a certified technician, you are keeping up with current technology and enhancing your abilities and knowledge.

ETA Certification Renewal and Maintenance Policies:
The date in which you first established your certification determines the rules and process you must follow in order to renew or maintain your ETA certification. For more information on the ETA maintenance program, please view the Maintenance Overview. The following rules currently apply to all certified individuals who first received their certifications:

  • January 1, 1996 and earlier: ETA established certifications issued before January 1, 1996 as lifetime certifications. Thus, if you received your certification prior to this date, you are not required to renew. However, ETA advises that you renew your certification knowledge and proficiency on a voluntary basis in order to demonstrate your continuing proficiency.

  • January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2002: Those receiving their ETA certifications between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 2002 must renew their certifications in four years by retesting the specialty exam, participating in the annual ISO Validation Program (requiring 10 hours of continuing education), or showing 40 hours of continuing education credits. After renewal, certification holders will automatically be entered into the maintenance program to conform to ISO 17024 standards. Certification renewal is half the cost of the current exam fee (Example: for a $75 exam, the renewal fee is $37.50).

  • January 1, 2003 and later: To maintain compliance with ISO 17024, ETA now requires that those receiving their certifications after January 1, 2003 to maintain their certifications on an annual basis. CETa, CSS, Master, ASA, CSII, & Cabling (FOI, FOT, DCIC) certification programs are not included at this time.

Maintenance Renewal Process:
Every year, each certification holder must show 10 hours per year of continuing education credits. Certification holders with multiple certifications are only required to pay one maintenance fee but are still required to submit 10 hours each year for each certificate.

What Qualifies for Continuing Education / Certification Maintenance?
In order to receive continuing education credits toward maintaining your ETA certification, you must acquire ten (10) contact hours per year to enhance your current skills and knowledge in your field. You must submit these hours annually to ETA’s headquarters for verification in order to receive credit toward your certification maintenance. When validating your continuing education, list the topic, location, sponsor and date(s).

There are a number of ways to acquire continuing education credits, including:

  • Education credits
  • Graduation certificates
  • College credit transcripts
  • Electronics technician training sessions or courses (completion certificate required)
  • Association- or manufacturer/supplier-sponsored conferences or seminars (receipt required)
  • Military electronics training classes
  • Publication of technical article or research
  • Work experience in a related field (requires Employer Verification Form)

Partial Credit
Some types of classes may not contain sufficient material to qualify for full credit toward continuing education. In those cases, ETA will give individuals a lesser credit for these classes, subject to evaluation.

Certification Maintenance Fees

Each annual certification maintenance fee comes with a 12-month ETA Membership. Annual maintenance fee is $25. Each renewal must have an Employer Verification Form.

Online Renewal:
Online Certification Maintenance Form
Printable CET Employer Verification Form

Print Renewal:
Printable Certification Maintenance Form


Fiber Optics, Data Cabling & B-VoIP Renewals

Methods to Qualify for Renewal:
1. If you have been working in the Fiber Optic/Data Cabling industry, then you will need to have your supervisor complete the Employer Verification and show proof you have received 24 hours of continuing education or retest to renew your certification.

2. If you have not been working in the Fiber Optic/Data Cabling industry since you obtained certification, then you will be required to attend an ETA approved hands-on refresher course and show proof of 24 hours continuing education or retest to renew your certification.

*Renewal letters are sent out to certification holders 6 months prior to expiration and should be renewed within that time period.  ETA will grant a 90-day grace period from the date of expiration to allow those actively employed in the Fiber Optic/Data Cabling industry to renew their certifications without retesting.  After the 90-days, they will be required to retest.


What Type of Training Counts?

Electronics Technicians Association's Approved Fiber Optics Schools provide the training classes or courses that qualify an individual for their original Fiber Optic certification. Look to these quality training providers if you require an exam for FOI certification. These schools will also provide refresher courses to those who have not remained active to bring their knowledge and hands-on skills up to today's standards. Successful completion of training and continuing education can be validated by listing the course topic, location, date and sponsor. FOI's should send any continuing education credits, registration lists, transcripts, graduation certificates, college credit copies or affidavits affirming successful participation at training sessions directly to ETA at the time that their renewal is due.

Full Credit: In addition to credit hours for classes taken at any of ETA Fiber Optic approved schools, full credit will be given for continuing credit hours taken under BICSI's RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer) program.

Partial Credit: Some types of classes may not contain sufficient material to qualify for full credit although the material has value. ETA will give a lesser credit for these classes, subject to evaluation.

Printable Fiber, Cabling & B-VoIP Renewal Form

Printable CET Employer Verification Form



ARINC Renewals

If an individual has been working in the aerospace fiber optic industry as a fiber optic installer, fabricator, quality assurance, or technician since obtaining certification and can provide written documentation from the employer(s), a recertification exam is required.

If an individual has been working in the aerospace fiber optic industry as a fiber optic installer, fabricator, quality assurance, or technician since obtaining certification and have received 8 or more classroom hours of additional aerospace fiber optic training, only the submission of a recertification application is required. Written documentation from the employer(s) and written documentation for additional training must be included with the re-certification application.

If an individual has not been working in the aerospace fiber optic industry as a fiber optic installer, fabricator, quality assurance, or technician since obtaining certification, the individual will be required to attend an approved aerospace fiber optic course to re-certify.


The Importance of updating your certification records
In order to comply with ISO 17024 standards, ETA must be able to prove that it can locate and verify the status of each certificate’s holder. Many ETA certified technicians have changed addresses, jobs or locations over the years. ETA requests that you regularly update your contact information, experience and education at least annually. With updated information, ETA can ensure that all ETA certified professionals will receive notification of any changes or updates to the CET program that might affect your certification status. Recertification also helps to keep those records up-to-date.

ETA can also provide CET credentials, replacement wall certificates, plaques or wallet cards for a nominal fee.

Contact us to update your certification records or to request replacement materials.

Resources:
"Renewal Documentation"
By Richard C. Jaffson
Reprinted, with permission, from the Certification Communications Newsletter - May 2005

More about certification:
Certifications
Why ETA Certification?

Alternative Energy Certifications/Guides

Basic Electronics Certifications/Competencies
Stand-Alone Certifications/Competencies

Journeyman Certifications/Competencies

Senior and Master Certifications

Motorola Certifications

FCC Licensing
Certification Rollovers
Online Certification Tests
Online Self-Study Courses