Fiber Optic Specialist Certifications

• Current first level certification (CFOT or CPCT as required for the specific CFOS certification)
• Relevant field experience as documented by your CFOT logbook and/or training courses from FOA-Approved schools, manufacturers or others 
• Passing a Specialist certification exam
  

Typical Field Experience For OSP Specialist Certification

To qualify for the CFOS/O certification, a CFOT plus two years of field experience are required, including documented experience installing and testing OSP fiber optic networks. Training by employers, manufacturers or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements. Experience should be documented by a CFOT logbook.

• Overview of OSP fiber optic installations
• Communications systems utilizing OSP fiber optic cable plant
  
• Fiber optic components appropriate for OSP networks
• Installation of buried, underground and aerial cable
• Splicing and testing cables, including splice closures, OLTS and OTDR testing
• Restoration
  
• Lab Exercises including hands-on splicing and testing on simulated outside plant.
  

Design



This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic network design

Typical 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 manufacturers or vendors of cabling products will be recognized as part of the experience requirements. Experience and/or training should be documented by your CFOT logbook. 

• Introduction to fiber optic design
• Overview of Fiber Optic Installations both 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 and other documentation
  
• Lab Exercises including case studies covering designing several networks, at least one premises and one outside plant.
  

FTTx, Fiber To The Home/Premises/Curb/Node, etc.



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

•   Introduction to FTTx (FTTC and FTTH) networks
•   Overview of FTTx architectures including Point-to-Point and PONs with relevant Standards
•   FTTx Installation Methods
•   FTTx Testing (inlcuding PONs)
  
•   Lab Exercises

CFOS/C: Connectors/Termination

Typical 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 hundreds of connectors
• Testing connectors showing achievement of insertion loss less than or equal to the maximum rating of the connectors.
• Training by manufacturers or vendors of appropriate 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.

 

What To Expect In Training Programs For Connectors Specialist Certification

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

• 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.
• Testing connectors made in hands-on labs showing achievement of insertion loss less than or equal to the maximum rating of the connectors.
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in termination
• Course includes ~50% lab time

Splicing

This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic splicing procedures.

Typical 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 hundreds of splices, including placement of the splice into a splice tray and closure.
• The applicant must have experience with 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.

 

What To Expect In Training Programs For Splicing Specialist Certification

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

• Classroom sessions in all types of splicing, including fusion and mechanical splicing;
• Hands-on training in appropriate splicing types including placement of the splice into a splice tray and closure
• Interpretation of splice loss on OTDR traces
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in splicing
• Course includes ~50% lab time

Testing



This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic testing.

Typical 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 hundreds of links
• OTDR tests on links
• Include both multimode and singlemode fibers
• Manufacturer's training on testing will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification. 

What To Expect In Training Programs For Testing Specialist Certification

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

• Classroom sessions covering all test equipment, methods and standards
  
• Training in both insertion loss testing and optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR testing)
• Include testing of both singlemode and multimode fibers
• Understanding of measurement errors in tests
• May include advanced test methods (SA, CD, PMD)
  
• Instructor verification of achievement of advanced skills in testing
• Course includes ~50% lab time
  

FOA Specialist Certification FAQs

Is there one exam for all specialties?
No. 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 applying directly to the FOA for specialist exams is listed on the application form.

Do you have to be a CFOT or CPCT to take the specialist tests?
Yes, you must have already passed the first level certification exam (CFOT, CPCT) and you must be a FOA member in good standing.

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 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 will be considered as partial experience to qualify for the certification.

Studying For FOA Certification Exams
If you are preparing for a FOA exam, either taking a course from an FOA-approved school, you can study for the exam using the FOA " Fiber U" self study programs. These self-study programs use online references from the FOA websites to guide you through reading material and watching videos, then taking quizzes which should prepare you for the FOA exams.
 

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. 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.

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Application for Advanced and CFOS Certifications (pdf)

 

Experience and/or training must be documented by your CFOT logbook. Download a CFOT logbook. 

 

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