Certification
- In today's high tech world, certification is considered proof of professional status and is often required for jobs. The FOA was founded to approve schools offering training and offer certifications as a service to the fiber optic industry. The FOA programs are developed and maintained by experts in the fiber optic business, many of whom have over 25 years of expereince.
- The FOA offers three levels of fiber optic certification: CFOT or Certified Fiber Optic Technician, AFOT or Advanced Fiber Optic Technician and CFOS or Certified Fiber Optic Specialist. The basic level, CFOT tests for the applicant's level of knowledge of fiber optics in a broad-based exam that covers technology, components, installation and testing.
- New: Preparing For The CFOT Exam
- Who May Take the CFOT Certification
Tests?
Anyone who attends an FOA Approved school or has had training and/or at least 1 year working experience in the fiber optic industry may take the exam. The first level certification test is based on an extensive knowledge of fiber optics technology and application. While it was originally designed for installers or technicians, it is an excellent credential for manufacturing, sales and marketing personnel, indicating their comprehensive knowledge of the industry and building confidence in their assistance to their customers. Consultants and trainers would be expected to have such credentials.
The certification of successful completion of hands-on training would be for those who have been trained as part of FOA approved training courses. Vendors and end users may have their training programs approved and offer certification as a benefit of their training also.
Advanced certification covers termination, splicing and testing, and reqires extensive knowledge and experience in the industry.
- What Are the Benefits of
FOA Certification ?
Like any certification program, the benefits to the members who pass the certification tests are based on the recognition of achieving a level of competence in the fiber optics field. For the end user looking for competent fiber optic personnel, it is the knowledge that this person has demonstrated knowledge and ability in the field and, perhaps even has documented experience. For the vendor of fiber optic products, it offers a technically- qualified pool of employees as well as contractors to recommend to end user customers who need to find installers for their networks. Many companies require FOA certifications or even offer FOA certifications to their personnel through internal training classes.
- What Training Is Required To Take The Exam?
- Although most CFOTs obtain their certification by attending an FOA Approved schook, no specific training is required to take the CFOT exam. The basic knowledge required may be gained from formal training classes, picked up from experience in the field or from self-study. The exam is based on the FOA-written textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual, and the NECA/FOA Installation Standard for those who wish to study for it themselves. For those wanting a formal course of study, there are many FOA-approved schools that include the FOA CFOT in their programs.
- Detailed Curriculum Requirements For FOA-Approved Training Programs
- How Is Certification Done?
For the CFOT certification, there is a certification exam. FOA-Approved Schools offer the CFOT exam at the end of their training classes or allow taking it afterwards. For individuals, arrangements can be made for taking the exam with a local proctor. The proctor may be a supervisor, instructor, teacher or other professional, but may not be a co-worker or relative. Credit for hands-on training at non-FOA-Approved schools will be by presentation of a certificate or written confirmation from the instructor(s) that the training has been completed. Credit for industry experience can be documented by resume. Advanced certification will require extensive documented experience, so members who have passed the CFOT wishing higher level certification must keep a logbook of their experience.
- How Does the Program Relate
to Other Associations
We are often asked how we relate to contractor associations, professional training programs and other organizations involved in related areas. We feel we complement each other quite nicely. Our specialization is one technology - fiber optics. We're not into anything else and many of these other groups often have very broad interests.
We have developed an association that is vendor-independent, application-independent and designed to fit the needs of a large audience, because fiber optics has suffered from a lack of recognized competent personnel. Our charter is to fix that !
- What Does Certification Cost?
Application for certification directly from the FOA costs $145 and includes one year registration. Discounts for CFOT certification testing is available to students in FOA approved training programs. - Certification must be renewed annually. Renewal costs $50/1 year, $80/2 years, $100/3 years.
- Preparing For The CFOT Exam
- If you are planning on taking the CFOT exam, you need to study the materials on which the exam is based. The CFOT exam is a written exam consisting of 100 multiple choice, matching and true false question. You must answer at least 70 questions correctly to pass. The exam is based on the FOA-written textbook, The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual, and the NECA/FOA Installation Standard which should be used for any classes that aim toward FOA CFOT certification.
- The Fiber Optic Technicians Manual: You should read the FOTM and answer all the chapter questions. Pay special attention to the basics, cables, termination and splicing, installation and testing. You need to understand power budgets too!
- NECA/FOA Installation Standard Installation techniques, standards and codes are important and the CFOT exam will cover these topics.
- More
on FOA certifications
FOA CFOT Application (new, non-FOA School) (pdf) - CFOT Renewal Application(pdf)
Information for schools interested in gaining FOA Approval and offering FOA Certifications.