FOA Certification FOA Certification
| About FOA Certifications |
Direct - Work-to-Cert Certification |
Renewing Membership and Certification |
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Getting started with FOA Certification
FOA Approved Training Programs FOA's "Work to Cert" Direct Certification Program Online Study Guides and References Study Guides for FOA Certifications FOA Online Reference Textbook particularly the section Understanding Fiber Optics, the Basics FOA Installation Tech Bulletin
FOA Reference Books (Available Printed or eBooks) The fiber book is available in Spanish and French as well as English.
It's now CFOT® The FOA CFOT® (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) is now a registered trademark. With so many fiber optic techs holding CFOTs and the CFOT being recognized worldwide as the foremost certification in fiber optics, the FOA realized the value of the CFOT required trademark protection.
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FOA Certification
Note: Techs doing fiber installation for any particular application should have a CFOT to be qualified for doing fiber optic installation work. The CFOT is the basic certification required for all installation personnel. FOA also offers specialist certifications in three categories:
* Corporate members are organizations and as such are not certified but these companies/organizations get discounts on certifications and renewals among other benefits.
The FOA is a member of ANSI (the American National Standards Institute). FOA certifications conform to the international standard for certification bodies, ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Conformity assessment — General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons.
Quoted from a Georgetown University study on career and technical education: Industry-based Certifications (IBCs) As alternative models in higher education—such as do-it-yourself (DIY) education, competency-based education, and e-learning a.k.a. online education—are becoming more prevalent, the need for a reliable credentialing system has risen in tandem. This need arises because of the difficulty in evaluating the reliability of the credentials established by these alternative systems to ensure that workers have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform proficiently on the job. Industry-based certifications (IBCs) are one model that is being embraced by educators, employers, and policymakers. Market forces, not the educational system, drove the creation of IBCs. They differ greatly from other kinds of postsecondary credentials and awards in that they are exam-based, administered and accredited by third parties, and developed by the private sector with little to no involvement from public institutions. They are not tied to particular programs of study, but can serve as both alternatives and supplements to traditional postsecondary awards, such as college degrees and certificates. Industry-based certifications address several problems that postsecondary credentials currently face: relevance, accountability, consistency, and portability. Because industry-based certifications are more flexible than traditional degrees, they better reflect current industry standards and competencies, which are in constant flux."  Download the full Georgetown University report here. Understanding FOA Certifications
How Does the FOA Program Relate to Other Associations?
FOA Reference Materials For Certification Exams FOA certifications are all based on FOA published reference books shown below, the FOA Online Reference Guide (available in English, Spanish and French), YouTube Videos, and the FOA's web-based training site Fiber U. FOA Textbooks         (Available Printed or eBooks - the printed or Kindle fiber book is available in Spanish and French) Click on any of the books to learn more. Students in training classes for FOA Certification will be trained in basic hands-on skills appropriate for the certification and the instructor will evaluate the student's abilities to learn these skills. Those applying with field experience will submit documentation of their experience and other training plus references which will be evaluated by the FOA staff. Studying For FOA Certification Exams If you are preparing for a FOA exam, either taking a course from an FOA-approved school or directly from the FOA, 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.
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| The Process of Getting Certified By The FOA If you want to become FOA-Certified in fiber optics, there are several paths available. First you should understand how FOA Certifications work. Everyone who is FOA-Certified must begin with a CFOT and can then work toward higher level certifications. To get your CFOT, you must show extensive knowledge of fiber optics and skills in the practices common to the field. How you do this depends on whether you are currently working in the field or are just getting started. Attending FOA Certification Training At An FOA-Approved School If you are just getting started in fiber optics and have no practical experience, you should get training and become certified through one of the FOA-Approved Schools. They offer courses that provide classroom training which will provide the knowledge you need for the CFOT exam and the instruction will include labs to develop the basic skills in fiber optic cable preparation, termination, splicing and testing required by the CFOT. Before taking the class, we recommend you study the CFOT-level material on the FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide. There is a special CFOT Study Guide available for preparation for newcomers to fiber optics that is recommended before you begin your course, which will help you get more out of the course itself. Each school will administer the FOA CFOT exam at the end of the course.
Once you are FOA certified, you can work toward higher level certifications. FOA offers CFOS Specialist Certifications in both skills and applications. To qualify for higher level certifications, you can have field experience or take a specialist course from one of the FOA-Approved Schools. You should keep a record of your experience in the field to qualify for specialist certifications. When you are ready, you can apply for the CFOS exam in any of the specialties. |
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Guidelines For Direct FOA Certification FOA’s “Work To Cert” Program FOA was founded in 1995 by a group of people representing manufacturers, contractors, users, military/government and others, all active in training those who became instrumental in creating the fiber optic industry. As trainers, we were particularly concerned by the quality of training newcomers to the industry were getting, so we developed standards for the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) expected of professionals in the business. Those KSAs became the basis of the FOA CFOT® certification. Many students have been trained and certified by FOA-approved schools. But in addition, thousands of industry professionals have applied to the FOA directly for certification without the need for classroom training, based on their knowledge and skills developed working the field. Included in that group are most of the current FOA certified instructors teaching in FOA approved schools. With the increasing acceptance of FOA certifications, many experienced field technicians find themselves being required to have a CFOT® certification for employment, bidding on and/or working on a project. These are generally not people who would need to take a traditional CFOT course. FOA has always had a policy of allowing experienced people to join the FOA directly and become certified, starting with the founders and including almost all of our current instructors. The requirements for direct certification have been clear, they are simply an extension of our KSAs for students trained at our schools. We require experience in the field and passing our first level exam. FOA’s “Work To Cert” Program makes it easier for experienced fiber techs to qualify for the FOA certification. Qualifying experience in the industry of at least two years minimum is required.
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FOA Renewal Policy And Certification Renewal Procedures Why is it important to renew your certification? In today's high tech world, certification is considered proof of professional status and is often required for jobs. Employers often contact the FOA to confirm the status of a job applicant. Certification requires actively working in the field. If the person’s membership is not current, we confirm when they got their certification, when it expired, and that if expired, we consider them inactive. How to renew: Your expiration date is on your membership card. If you have misplaced the card, you can contact the FOA – we can check your status and provide you with a new card. You can renew online: http://www.thefoa.org/Paypal/Renewal.html or print a renewal form and send/fax it in: http://www.thefoa.org/CFOTrenew.pdf Be sure to give us your latest address, including e-mail, as that is how we send renewal notices. How to reestablish FOA certifications if membership has expired? Under 3 years: If your FOA membership/certification has expired within the last 3 years, you may simply renew. Follow the directions as outlined above. Over 3 years: If your FOA membership/certification has expired more than 3 years ago, you have to re-establish your FOA credentials. You start by sending in your resume. We will either arrange for you to re-take the CFOT exam or if you are not working in the fiber optic field, we will work with you to sign up for a CFOT review class. What happens if an individual does not renew after the 3 year deadline? The FOA follows international standards for certification that require that we verify the relevant professional/work status of everyone we certify. You are either: 1. Active - you have remained in the fiber optic industry and have renewed your membership every one, two or three years. We will confirm your status to anyone who inquires about your credentials. 2. Inactive - If you have not renewed your membership in 3 years , we will inform anyone who asks that you took an FOA exam in the past but your certification is considered inactive - your current professional/work status in the areas in which you were certified is unknown. To re-establish your FOA certifications, you start by sending in your resume. We will either arrange for you to re-take the CFOT exam online or if you are not working in the fiber optic field, we will work with you to sign up for a CFOT review class.
FOA Certifications Are Recognized By The US Department of Labor  FOA Certifications have been recognized by the US Department of Labor. The DoL reviews certifications and how they relate to job opportunities and training. The DoL Career OneStop website helps individuals explore career opportunities to make informed employment and education choices. The Web site features user-friendly occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools, career exploration assistance, and other resources that support talent development in today's fast-paced global marketplace. FOA Certifications Listed By US Department of Labor - Career OneStop See also The DoL Occupational Outlook Handbook which has a page covering fiber optic technicians under "Line Installers and Repairers" and links to FOA certifications. FOA is listed in the section "How to Become a Line Installer or Repairer."
Where In The US Do Contractors Need Licenses For Fiber Optics? We often get asked where in the US do contractors doing fiber optic installations need licenses. We found a good website for that information, the NECA -NEIS website. You might remember NECA-EIS, as they are the partner with the FOA in the NECA/FOA 301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard. NECA is the National Electrical Contractors Association and NEIS stands for National Electrical Installation Standards. They have a very easy to use map and table that gives you data on every state in the US, so mark these pages for future reference. NECA/NEIS http://www.neca-neis.org (See “State Regulations”) http://www.neca-neis.org/state/index.cfm?fa=state_regs (all electrical licensing) Low Voltage: http://www.neca-neis.org/state/index.cfm?fa=specialty_licensing |
