Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT)
CPCT certification
 CFOT total 
techs have been certified by The FOA
through over 200 FOA-Approved training organizations worldwide


CPCT - Certified Premises Cabling Technician - is the FOA certification for designers, installers and operators of premises cabling networks. Premises cabling refers to building and campus cabling that is generally customer-owned and used for local area networks of computers (LANs), security systems (CCTV and alarms), building management systems, distributed antenna systems (DAS for cellular and WiFI) and other applications inside buildings or on a campus. The FOA CPCT certification KSAs cover copper and fiber optic cabling and wireless communications.

Prerequisites: None, online self-study course   Fiber U Premises Cabling, recommended for all students to prepare for the classroom courses or direct exam

What To Expect In Training Programs For CPCT Certification
To qualify for CPCT Certified Premises Cabling Technician certification, a training program will cover at least the following topics:
  • Overview of  premises cabling systems -copper, fiber and wireless
  • Communications systems utilizing premises cabling
  • Premises cabling standards
  • UTP and coax copper cabling
  • Fiber optic cabling
  • Cabling for wireless
  • Design of premises cabling networks
  • Installation of  premises cabling
  • Testing copper and  fiber optic cable plants
  • Hands-On Lab Exercises including cable preparation, termination and testing

  • Typical Field Experience For Direct CPCT Certification (Work to Cert)
    To qualify for the CPCT certification, at least two years of relevant field experience is  required, including documented experience installing and testing  premises cabling networks. Training by employers, manufacturers or vendors of cabling products may be recognized as part of the experience requirements.
    Field experience installing and testing  premises cabling networks must include the following:
    • Participation in multiple installation jobs, preferably including building and campus installations
    • Installing various cable types and hardware
    • Terminating UTP and coax cable and fiber optics,
    • Testing copper and fiber cables
    • Experience with appropriate tools and test equipment

    What To Study To Prepare For The Exam
    For preparation for the CPCT course or direct exam, you should study the FOA textbook take the self-study Fiber U Premises Cabling online course,





    CPCT - Certified Premises Cabling Technician - is the FOA certification for designers, installers and operators of premises cabling networks. Premises cabling refers to building and campus cabling that is generally customer-owned and used for local area networks of computers (LANs), security systems (CCTV and alarms), building management systems, distributed antenna systems (DAS for cellular and WiFI) and other applications like industrial systems, electrical distribution management systems, etc.
    FOA CPCT certification includes all types of infrastructure for premises cabling and communications - copper and fiber cabling and wireless systems. CPCT certification is based on KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) that require a knowledge of cabling and wireless technology and standards along with demonstrated skills in the installation of copper and fiber cabling system to support networks. Most CPCTs will work as contractors and installers, although the certification provides excellent training for IT or security personnel responsible for the operation of networks. CPCT courses will generally be 50% hands-on labs developing the skills necessary for working with premises cabling systems.

    FOA CPCT certification is available as a first level FOA certification for those with no prior FOA certifications. Those who already have CFOTs will learn more about copper, wireless and how fiber is used in structured cabling networks.


    How Does One Qualify for the FOA CPCT?
    FOA CPCT certification means the person has demonstrated extensive basic knowledge of copper cabling, fiber optics and wireless as used in premises cabling systems. They have also demonstrated skills and abilities in the processes used in the industry for installation. These requirements are summarized as  KSAs (knowledge, skills, abilities).

    Knowledge is tested in the FOA CPCT exam taken by all applicants.

    Skills can be demonstrated in hands-on lab exercises and verified by instructors giving an FOA-Approved course or for those already working in the industry, verified industry experience.

    Abilities: Techs need the ability to perform relevant tasks, evidenced by showing skills in hands-on tasks.
    There are two paths to CPCT certification: 1) training at an FOA-Approved school or 2) experience in the industry and other training or self-study using the Fiber U Premises Cabling online course, as preparation for taking the FOA CPCT exam.

    Anyone who attends a CPCT course at an FOA-Approved school will take the exam as part of the course. 

    Find an FOA-Approved school

    Experienced techs can apply directly for FOA  Certification through FOA's "Work to Cert" Direct Certification Program

    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?
    Most CPCTs obtain their certification by attending an FOA Approved school. The exam is based on the FOA-written textbooks, The FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cabling or the FOA Online Reference Guide website for those who wish to study for it themselves.Studying for the exam can also be done online using the Fiber U Premises Cabling online course.
    For those wanting a formal course of study, there are many FOA-approved schools that include the FOA CPCT in their programs. To see what is involved in the courses, see  Detailed Curriculum Requirements For FOA-Approved Training Programs.


    FOA Schools Use These CPCT Curriculum Topics:
    • Introduction to Premises Cabling
    • Structured Cabling Description and Standards
    • Premises Wiring
    • Premises Fiber Optics
    • Wireless
    • Hands-on Labs: Wiring (cable, punchdowns, jacks and plugs) and fiber optics (premises cabling, termination and testing)


    Preparing For The CPCT Exam
    If you are planning on taking the CPCT exam, you need to study the materials on which the exam is based. The exam is a written exam consisting of 100 multiple choice, matching and true false questions. The exam is based on the FOA-written textbook, The FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cabling or the FOA Online Reference Guide website. For a guide to self-study for the FOA CPCT exam, go to Fiber U, the FOA free online self-study website.
    The FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cabling
    You should take the self-study Fiber U Premises Cabling online course and obtain a certificate of completion or read the FOA textbook or Online Reference Guide and answer all the chapter or section questions.
     


    Experienced techs may apply directly for FOA  Certification through FOA's "Work to Cert" Direct Certification Program
     


    Changes

    The FOA reserves the right to make changes to the certification programs without notice.




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