Fiber Optic Specialist Certifications*

Updated January, 2009

FOA Specialist Certifications

For those who already have a CFOT and wish to pursue the rewards and recognition of higher level certifications, The FOA offers specialist certifications in Fiber Optic Network Design, Termination, Splicing and Testing, FTTH and Premises Cabling. THe FTTx and Premises Cabling Certifications are available independently of the CFOS.  A specialist certification for instructors is also available only to instructors at FOA-approved schools. The CFOS designation is for advanced, experienced fiber optic technicians, thus the requirements for these certifications are more stringent than those for the CFOT. The requirements for specialist certification include extensive experience and/or training as described in these curriculum requirements and listed below.

CFOTs interested in Specialist certifications should first begin by taking the AFOT exam. It requires one year of work experience in fiber optics plus a comprehensive exam. The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide is recommended for preparation for the exam.

If you are a CFOT interested in specialist certifications, you should log your field experience in a FOA logbook. Download a FOA Logbook (pdf file) to keep records of your experience and training from vendors or other sources and/or take a course from a FOA-approved school. When you meet requirements, contact the FOA for your application for specialist certification exams. Local test proctoring is available at FOA approved training centers or may be arranged by the individual. Application for CFOS Certification (pdf)

All FOA CFOS Certifications Require:

• Current CFOT
• Relevant experience or training courses from FOA-Approved schools, vendor training or others 
• Passing a Specialist certification exam

Note: With any of the specialist certifications, you do not get a new CFOT/Membership number. Upon completion of the requirements, you will receive a new FOA ID Card with your new certifications listed. Your CFOT number and expiration data will not change.

Information On FOA CFOS Certifications

FAQs 

CFOS: Premises, Design, FTTx,  Connectors Splicing Testing

Premises Cabling (New 9-2008)

Field Experience For Premises Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CPCT certification, the applicant must have two years field experience documented by a logbook or resume listing experience and letter(s) of recommendation. Training by manufactors or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements. Preparation for the exam may be done by self-study or taking an appropriate class. 

• Instructor certified to CPCT
• Introduction to premises cabling
• Overview of Structured Cabling and Standards
• Premises Wiring
• Premises Fiber Optics (optional for CFOTs)
• Wireless
• Lab Exercises including copper, fiber and wireless
  

Fiber Optic Network Design (NEW, 3-2008)

Field Experience For Design Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CFOS/D certification, a CFOT plus two years of field experience are required, including documented experience designing at least 5 fiber optic networks. Training by manufactors or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements.

• Instructor certified to CFOS/D
• Introduction to fiber optic design
• Overview of Fiber Optic Installations Outside plant and premises
• Planning A Fiber Optic Network
• Choosing components 
• Design Review (Component compatibilities, Power budget, Environmental requirements etc.)
• Testing And Documentation
• Estimating 
• Writing A Project Specification
• Lab Exercises including case studies covering designing several networks, at least one premises and one outside plant.
  

Fiber To The Home

This is a specialist certification covering FTTX cabling design and installation, which includes PON networks

Requirements for Certification CFxT Fiber Optic Network Design

Prerequisites: CFOT

Field Experience For FTTX Specialist Certification
To qualify for the CFxT certification, two years field experience designing and installing FTTx networks are required.

Connectors/Termination

Requirements for Certification CFOS/C Connectors

The Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Connectors certification requires one of two approaches:

• attendance at a specialist training program and passing a connector specialist examination; or
• field or factory installation of connectors, a recommendation from a customer, client or employer, and passing a connector specialist examination. 
• Manufacturer's training on specific termination types will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification. 

Field Experience For Connectors Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CFOS/C certification, the field, or factory installation experience needs to meet the following requirements:

• Installation of at least 200 connectors
• Achievement of insertion loss less than or equal to the maximum rating of all connectors.
• The applicant must provide their CFOT Logbook supporting this experience
  and a recommendation from a client or customer.
• Training by manufactors or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements.

The applicant must provide their CFOT Logbook supporting this experience
and a recommendation from a client or customer.

 

Training Programs For Connectors Specialist Certification

FOA-Approved training for Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Connectors certification meets the following requirements:

• Instructor certified to CFOS/C
• Classroom sessions on termination methods, connector types and testing.
  
• Hands-on labs covering several styles of connectors and installation methods, such as epoxy/adhesive, Hot Melt, anaerobic or prepolished/splice connectors.
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in termination
• Course includes ~50% lab time

• The CFOS/C examination will be proctored by persons acceptable to the FOA, e.g. superviosrs or instructors at FOA-approved schools.
• The CFOS/C examination includes questions regarding all installation methods and test methods.

This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic splicing procedures.

Requirements for Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing

The Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing certification requires one of two approaches:

 

• Attendance at a specialist training program and passing a splicing specialist examination; or
• Field experience in splicing, a recommendation from a customer/client/employer, and passing a splicing specialist examination. 
• Training by manufactors or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements.

Field Experience For Splicing Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CFOS/S certification, the field splicing experience needs to meet the following requirements:

• Making of a total of a at least 200 splices, including application of a splice cover, placement of the splice into a splice tray.
• The applicant must have made at least 100 OTDR splice loss measurements;
• Manufacturer's training on splicing will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification. 
• The applicant must provide their CFOT Logbook supporting this experience
  and a recommendation from a client or customer.

 

Training Programs For Splicing Specialist Certification

FOA-Approved training for Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing certification meets the following requirements:

• Instructor certified to CFOS/S
• Classroom sessions in all types of splicing, including fusion and mechanical splicing;
• Hands-on training in appropriate splicing types 
• Include interpretation of splice loss on OTDR splice traces, application of a splice cover, placement of the splice into a splice tray.
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in splicing
• Course includes ~50% lab time

CFOS/S Examination

 

• The CFOS/S examination will include questions regarding all splicing methods.
• The CFOS/S examination will include questions on the test methods, on tools required for installation, on identification of tools, on correct use of tools and on sequence of steps.

Testing

Requirements for Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Testing

 

The Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Testing certification requires one of two approaches:

• Attendance at a specialist training program and passing a testing specialist examination; or
• Field experience in testing, a recommendation from a customer/client/employer, and passing a testing specialist examination. 
• Training by manufactors or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements.

Field Experience For Testing  Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CFOS/T certification, the field testing experience needs to meet the following requirements:

• insertion loss tests on at least 100 links;
• OTDR tests on at least 50 links;
• include both multimode and singlemode fibers;
• The applicant must provide their CFOT Logbook supporting this experience and a recommendation from a client or customer.
• Manufacturer's training on testing will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification. 

Training Programs For Testing Specialist Certification

FOA-Approved training for Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Testing certification meets the following requirements:

• Instructor certified to CFOS/T
• classroom sessions covering all test equipment, methods and standards
  
• provide training in both insertion loss testing and optical time domain reflectometry;
• include testing of both singlemode and multimode fibers;
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in testing
• course includes ~50% lab time
  

CFOS/T Examination

The CFOS/T examination includes questions on

• test methods
• equipment required for testing
• identification of equipment
• correct use of equipment
• sequence of steps
• error sources
• troubleshooting
  

FOA Specialist Certification FAQs

Since we announced the FOA Specialist Certifications, we have gotten a number of questions repeatedly. We thought a review of the "FAQs" or frequently asked questions, would be a good idea for the newsletter

Is there one exam for all specialties?
Each specialty has its own requirements and exam. You can take one of them or all of them, depending on which you qualify for.

What is the cost?
The fee for specialist exams is listed on the application form.  Schools that offer CFOS training may bundle the exam fee in their training.

Do you have to be a CFOT to take the specialist tests?
Yes, unless otherwise specified, you must have already passed the CFOT exam and you must be a FOA member in good standing also.

What experience level is needed and how do I provide documentation for that experience?
You must have at least the experience level required by the specialty for which you apply to take the exam. Experience can be either specialist training that meets the minimal requirements or actual installation experience, as documented by your CFOT logbook. This is a form you can download from the FOA website and print.  Manufacturer's training on testing will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification.

Do I send the FOA my logbook to verify my experience?
NO. Send only a copy of the logbook to the FOA office- keep the original in your possession.

How do I take the exam?
You must pass a comprehensive exam that will be proctored. Exams can be taken on paper or online. Like the CFOT exam, the specialist exams are closed book exams with a specified time limit. You should make arrangements to have the exam proctored by your supervisor, instructor or teacher or other professional. It may NOT be a co-worker or relative. This person must verify that you took the exam without assistance from other people or reference materials during the specified time interval.

You fill in the CFOS Application  and send to the FOA with a copy of your CFOT Logbook.
Be sure to look over the qualifications carefully - you need to have extensive experience to qualify for each of these three certifications.
The third page should be filled out by the person you have chosen to be your Proctor. Then send or fax it back to the FOA for approval. After verification that applicant meets the requirements, the test will be sent to the Proctor. It will be this person's responsibility to oversee you taking the test, collect the test and mail it back to the FOA.

* Formerly called "Advanced Certification," the name was changed in 2006 to reflect the nature of the certification.

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Application for Advanced and CFOS Certifications (pdf)

 

Schools can print this form to apply for course approval

 

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