The Fiber Optic Association Train-The-Trainer Program

How To Become a FOA Certified Fiber Optic Instructor

What Is A FOA Certified Instructor?
Instructors teaching courses at FOA-approved schools are expected to be technically competent and good teachers. FOA has used the knowledge and experiences of many instructors to set standards for instructor certification. The FOA qualifies all instructors wishing to become FOA-certified by reviewing their qualifications and requiring examination in the subjects they teach and the methods accomplished instructors recommend for teaching the materials.



Instructor Training and Certification

The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) offers an online Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program for teachers and instructors that leads to the FOA CFOS/I Instructor Certification. This "first in the industry" program brings all the expertise of the Fiber Optic Association to the process of training and certifying fiber optic instructors, both in industry and in the academic world.

CFOS/I Certification is ONLY available to those currently teaching at a FOA-Approved school.
The school must sponsor the applicant for CFOS/I certification. Another important qualification is that the CFOS/I is only valid at the school which sponsors the instructor for certification. If the instructor leaves or the school replaces the instructor, both must notify the FOA about these changes. Instructors who are no longer teaching for their sponsoring FOA approved school must notify the FOA if they intend to teach at another FOA approved school. The CFOS/I becomes valid after the transfer is approved by the FOA.

CFOS/I Instructor Certification is free.
There is no cost for CFOS/I Instructor Certification for a reasonable number of instructors at FOA-approved schools. Applicants who are applying for the first time to become FOA members and take the CFOT exam are granted one year free membership also. After the first year, instructors must renew their FOA membership at regular rates to remain certified.
Instructor Certification Testing Is Done Online
CFOS/I training and exams are online. All you need to do is study the materials and take the test online on your computer at any time. Directions are below.

Prerequisites

Applicants must be a FOA member in good standing.
Applicants must have already achieved a first level certification (CFOT, CPCT, CFospT) within the prior 12 months before taking the CFOS/I exam and/or teaching an FOA-Approved course.
Applicants must be an instructor at an FOA-Approved school or a school in the process of applying for approval.
Applicants must submit the CFOS/I application and email a resume covering both fiber optic experience and teaching experience.
Two references or letters of recommendation from previous employers or schools where the instructor has taught may be required.

Depending on the applicant's experience and scores on the FOA Certification exams, they may be required to study and take the CFOS/I exam and/or submit additional information before they are approved to teach at an FOA-Approved school. Instructors who have limited knowledge or hands-on experience in fiber optics may be required to take a CFOT class from a FOA-designated instructor.

You will need your FOA Membership/CFOT number and School Number to apply for and take the test.

Your FOA membership and certifications must be current, so check your FOA ID card.

If you have not taken the appropriate FOA certification exam within the last 12 months, you must apply and take the appropriate first level exam online. Use the Instructor first level certification application form online.

Directions For Online CFOS/I Testing
The FOA has made it easy for you to get your CFOS/I Instructor Certification we've made it free and now we've put it online.

Instructions For Taking FOA CFOS/I Instructor Certification Exam Online

Preparing For The FOA CFOS/I Instructor Certification Exam:
The exam covers both technical and teaching topics. You should be familiar with the content of our textbooks and the FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide. We recommend fiber optic instructors review the CFOT Study Guide and AFOT Study Guides on the FOA Online Refence Guide, as the technical questions are generally at the AFOT level. Premises cabling instructors should review the CPCT Study Guide. OSP fiber instructors should review the CFospT Study Guide.

Study Guide for CFOS/I - UPDATED DECECEMBER 2010
The material on teaching topics is from the FOA presentation on the website as an online PPT slideshow, PDF printout (15MB) or if you prefer, the actual PPT (5 MB) to download and run on your computer.

When you are confident of your knowledge of the materials, send in an application and take the test online.

Note: This material is very specific to the FOA certification programs. Experience has shown that even highly qualified, experienced instructors who do not use the FOA provided study guides often fail the exam because they are not familiar with FOA recommendations and practices.

Taking The Exam Online:
First send in an application and have the school director send a letter or email to the FOA authorizing the application. The FOA will contact you with directions, a log-in and password if you elect to take the test online.

Certification Terms and Conditions - by applying for FOA CFOS/I Certification, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:
By making this application, I attest that I have read all the requirements for FOA instructor certification and I understand and meet those requirements. I certify that the information I have provided on this application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any certification granted by The FOA does not consititute licensure to practice or provide services when required by any relevant law. I understand The FOA certification does not in any way imply that The FOA assumes responsibility or liability for my actions, and I hereby indemnify The FOA from any liability resulting from my actions.

CFOS/I: Use the Instructor Certification application form online.

Do You Have The Certifications You Are Teaching?
An FOA requirement is that instructors must take the exam for each certification that they are teaching, ie: AFOT, CFxT, CPCT, CFOS/H, CFOS/T, etc. There is no cost for instructors to take certifications exams. You must take this exam online from the FOA. We are going to start checking to make sure that the instructor are certified in each speciality they teach. Instructors may submit applications for taking FOA advanced certifications themselves only after the school has completed first level certification classes and submitted student certifications to the FOA and has submitted application(s) for offering those advanced classes.
You must take the online version of the exam directly from the FOA. Here is the link to the application to send in the the FOA when you are ready to take the online version of the exam you plan to give to your students.

Advanced/Specialist Exam Application : Use the Instructor Certification application form online.


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