THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
CERTIFICATION IN
ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGIES (NICET)
An Overview of NICET Certification
What’s on the Agenda

History & Background

What’s the Value in Certification?

Personnel Qualifications & Certification

How Do I Become Certified?

What’s Next for NICET?

Questions
History & Background
Over 50 Years of Proven Performance

Division of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).

100% financial independence and self-supporting.

Annual budget over $4,000,000.

Offer 25 certification programs.

Over 135,000 technicians certified to date.

Over 40,000 active certificants.

Over 11,000 exams administered in 2014.

National test center network.

Conversion of major programs to computer-based testing (CBT) by 2017.
Purpose

Provide nationally-applicable, voluntary
certification programs covering specialized
engineering technology fields & subfields
Goals of Certification Programs

Produce exams and certification programs that are:
 Valid
 Reliable
 Fair
 Legally
defensible
NICET Certifies…


Individuals with appropriate engineering
technician/technologist work experience
Residents of the United States and territories and
certain others living abroad
Certification vs….
… Engineering Practice


NICET certification DOES NOT entitle certificants to
practice engineering
When not exempted by state law, engineering work
performed by engineering technicians/technologists
must be under the direct supervision of licensed
Professional Engineers (PE)
What’s the Value in Certification?
Value of NICET Certification for the
Technician

Professional stature

Job advancement opportunities



Accelerated entry into new job assignments or
responsibilities
Assignments where NICET certification is a
requirement
Marketable credential to employers, prospective
employers or clients
Value of NICET Certification for the
Employer

Independent assessment of knowledge and skills based on national
industry standards

Increases productivity and competitiveness

Measures training comprehension and needs

Demonstrates employer commitment to competence through ongoing
professional development of knowledge, skills, and abilities

Nationally recognized credential

Mobility of workforce across state lines
Value for the Public


Protects the health, safety, and welfare of the
public from fraudulent, unethical and technically
deficient practitioners
Provides high quality engineering products and
services, efficiently and at reasonable costs
Personnel Qualification &
Certification
Certification Requirements

Written examination

Relevant work experience

Verification of competency by the direct supervisor


Professional recommendation (general performance &
character reference) at Level III and IV
Major Project Involvement at Level IV
Civil Engineering Technicians NICET
Technician Programs

Building Construction


Water/Wastewater Plants
Transportation



Construction Materials Testing




Asphalt
Concrete
Soils





Geotechnical





Generalist
Construction
Exploration
Laboratory
Land Management and Water Control

Erosion and Sediment Control

Bridge Safety Inspection
Highway Construction
Highway Design
Highway Materials
Highway Surveys
Highway Traffic Operations
Highway System Maintenance and
Preservation
Underground Utilities Construction


Water and Sewer Lines
Stormwater and Wastewater System
Inspection
Electrical and Mechanical Systems
Engineering Technology

Electrical Power




Electrical Power Testing*
Fire Protection
Low Voltage Communications Systems


Audio Systems
Security Systems

Fire Alarm Systems*

Video Security Systems Designer*

Inspection and Testing of Water-Based
Systems*

Video Security Systems Technician*

Special Hazards Suppression Systems*

Water-Based (formerly Automatic
Sprinkler) System Layout*
Industrial Instrumentation

Industrial Instrumentation
*Denotes the program is in the Standard Model.
Levels of Certification

Level I

Some relevant work
experience
 Work under constant,
direct supervision
Minimum of five years of
relevant work experience
 Work independently and
may supervise others


Level II
Minimum of two years
relevant work experience
 Work under general
supervision

Level III


Level IV
Minimum of ten years of
relevant work experience
 Supervise and manage
work of others
 Major project involvement

Recertification

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Accumulate 90 CPD points from:
 Relevant
work experience
 Continuing education
 Professional activities
 Certification activities or a recertification exam

Active, Retired, Inactive, Expired Status
How Do I Become Certified?
2-Step Certification Process


Written Exam
Work Experience
 Work
History
 Performance Verification
 Personal Recommendation (Level III & IV)
 Major Project (Level IV only)
Apply for Certification

Paper Application
 Standard
and Work Element Models:
http://www.nicet.org/applicationsforms/technicianapplication-forms/
 Online Application for Testing
https://candidate.nicet.org/login.aspx
Testing

Standard Model CBT
 Apply
through NICET first
 Select a 90 day eligibility window
 Schedule location and time with Pearson VUE
(http://www.pearsonvue.com/nicet/)
Experience Application




Initial review can take up to 90 days from meeting the testing
requirement. The timeframe can vary based on the number of
application received by NICET. The applications are reviewed in the
order they are received.
If additional information is required a Conditional Decision Letter
(CDL) is issued. Review of CDL response can take up to 60 days.
Take the time to make sure all required forms are completed
correctly.
Keep a copy, for your records, of all documents submitted to NICET.
Training
NICET Does Not Provide Training




In order to protect the integrity of the test and to
avoid any implication of “teaching to the test”
NICET does not offer training.
NICET lists references used in development of the
exams.
Content Outlines or Program Detail Manuals can
provide guidance for preparation.
Training is not required for certification.
Other Training Sources



Any training that teaches the best practices of the
industry will help with the NICET exams.
NICET does not review or endorse training.
There is a list of training providers on NICET’s
website. These companies and organizations have
either paid to advertise or support NICET
certification development.
What’s Next for NICET?
Program Changes


Moving away from Work Element to Standard
Model.
Changing the administration of the test from paperpencil to CBT.
Programs Currently Under
Development

Fire Alarm Systems Inspection and Testing

Highway Construction Inspection

Construction Materials Testing
International Testing

Meeting the testing needs of global companies.

Under development.

Pilot program coming soon.
Resources



NICET Policy:
http://www.nicet.org/about-us/policies/
NICET Code of Ethics:
http://www.nicet.org/about-us/code-of-ethics/
Subscribe to the NICET Newsletter:
http://www.nicet.org/about-us/nicet-news/
Questions???
Thank you for your time…