Advanced Fiber Optic Technician

advanced training Advanced fiber optic technician certification (AFOT) is the next level of FOA certification available only to CFOTs taking a course at a FOA-Approved school teaching extended courses that include more classroom training and provide more hands-on exercises. 
Training For AFOT
Some FOA-Approved schools are teaching extended courses that include more classroom training and provide more hands-on exercises beyond the CFOT level courses.  For example, classroom instruction would include greater depth on components, network design, installation and troubleshooting. Labs for testing would include greater hands-on OTDR experience, termination would require more repetitions of terminations of several different types (e.g epoxy/polish and preterminated/splice connectors), more splicing (fusion and mechanical) as well as some basic fiber optic network design. An alternative to the AFOT is the FOA Specialist Certifications, CFOS, which focus on specific topics as opposed to the more general AFOT.

Reference Material To Study For The AFOT Exam
CFOTs studying for AFOT certification should use the FOA Textbooks or the online AFOT Study Guide that is part of the FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference.

Typical AFOT Curriculum
Advanced fiber optic technician certification (AFOT) is a higher level FOA certification available from schools teaching extended courses that include more detail and provide more hands-on exercises. A CFOT is a required prerequisite for all applying for AFOT certification exams so it is assumed that students have a well-founded background in fiber optics. Classroom instruction would include greater depth on components, network design, installation and troubleshooting. Labs for testing would include greater hands-on OTDR experience, termination would require more repetitions of terminations of several different types (e.g epoxy/polish and preterminated/splice connectors), more splicing (fusion and mechanical) as well as some basic fiber optic network design. Besides more classroom and lab time, students must pass a more stringent exam.

Typical Classroom curriculum for AFOT training includes:
Fiber Optic Installation
Installation types: Outside Plant vs. Premises
Installation practices
Termination and splicing
Designing networks
Choosing appropriate components
Link loss Budgets
Testing and Troubleshooting
Testing requirements and standards
Insertion loss vs. OTDRs
Interpreting test results
Using OLTS (optical loss test sets)
Using OTDRs

Typical Laboratory Sessions:
There is some flexibility in the labs offered with AFOT classes, but they should include sessions designed to develop skills through examples and practice. Topics appropriate to these labs include:
Network Design
Applications including FTTH
Termination
Splicing
Testing. Testing labs should include both OLTS and  OTDRs (OTDR simulator acceptable).

FOA AFOT Certification Exam
The FOA AFOT Certification Exam must be included in a course offering AFOT training.
The exam is closed-book without time limit, although the exam should take about the same time as the CFOT exam. Since those taking the test will be required to calculate power budgets, calculators are allowed.

To better understand the requirements for AFOT certification, see this page on training program requirements.
AFOT certification training is available only from FOA-approved schools. 
 
Here is an  AFOT Study Guide for those working on this certification.

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