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How To Become a FOA Certified Fiber Optic Instructor
What Is A FOA Certified Instructor? 
FOA instructor certification is only available to instructors actively teaching courses at FOA-approved schools. 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 experienced 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.
FOA Approved Training Class

Instructor certification is only available to those currently teaching at an FOA-Approved school. The school must sponsor  the applicant for certification. Another important qualification is that the instructor certification 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 to transfer their certification. The certification becomes valid again after the transfer is approved by the FOA. 

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.
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 instructor 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.  Directions are below.
 
 Prerequisites

Depending on the applicant's experience and scores on the FOA Certification exams, the applicant may be required to study 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.
 
 
Preparing For The FOA  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 as well as the information we provide on teaching courses for FOA certification.

FOA has created a special online directed self-study program for instructors with directions on what to study and questions to prepare you for the exam.
Note: The technical material and specific teaching 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 self study guides often do poorly on the exam because they are not familiar with FOA recommendations and practices. Instructors who fail the exam may not take to exam for at least 30 days to allow time to study the materials covered on the exam.

Once you have submitted an application and received preliminary approval to take the exam, you will be directed to the online self-study program.

  
Taking The Exam Online
First send in an application to the FOA for the instructor. The FOA will review the applicant's qualifications and contact the instructor with directions to prepare for and take the test online.
Certification Terms and Conditions - by applying for FOA instructor 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 constitute license 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.

Instructors will receive a provisional certification pending one years successful record of instructing.


Applying for FOA CFOS/I Certification

When you have read the requirements for FOA instructor certification and have a sponsoring school, begin the application process by completing the form linked below and sending a resume to the FOA.

 Use the Instructor Certification application form online. 
 

You Must Have The Certifications You Are Teaching

An FOA requirement is that instructors must take the exam for each certification that they are teaching, ie: CFOT, 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.  Instructors may submit student applications for taking FOA advanced certifications themselves only 1) after the school has completed first level certification classes 2) submitted student certifications to the FOA and 3) 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.
  Instructor Exam Application :  Use the Instructor Certification application form online. 
 




 
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