Navigating the New NICET Certification Model

NAVIGATING THE NEW NICET CERTIFICATION MODELComputer-Based Testing (CBT)

What’s on the Agenda Work Element vs. New Certification Model (CBT)

Status of Fire Protection Programs

Program Requirements

Future Direction

Questions

50 Years of Proven Performance Semi-autonomous division of the National Society of Professional Engineers

(NSPE).

100% financial independence and self-supporting.

Annual budget over $5,000,000.

Offer 27 certification programs.

Over 135,000 technicians certified to date.

Over 42,000 active certificants.

Over 14,000 exams administered in 2011.

National test center network.

Conversion of major programs to CBT by 2012.

Fire Protection Numbers (As of October 2012)

Fire Alarm Systems

Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems

Special Hazards Suppression Systems/ Systems Layout

Water-Based Systems Layout

Level I 3,296 1,267 1,283/105 1,004Level II 7,966 2,334 292/155 854Level III 2,799 897 235/112 2,068Level IV 2,138 N/A 88/86 1,254Total 16,199 4,498 1,898/458 5,180

Existing vs. New Testing Model

Paper & Pencil Exam Up to a 7 hour Test(s) 140 Test Centers Nationally Quarterly Test Dates Basic Multiple-Choice

Questions Pass/Fail Elements “Bank” Passed Elements

Computer Based Tests Composite Exams 1-3 Tests per level

2-4 hour Tests* 5,000 Test Centers/165

Countries Daily Testing Available Advanced Multiple-Choice,

Hot-Spot, Drag & Drop, Performance Simulations

Pass/Fail Tests

Work Element Model (Existing) Standard Model (New)

Existing vs. New Certification

Written Examinations Graduated Work

Experience Verification of Work

Elements Personal

Recommendation Major Project Write-up

at Level IV

Computer-Based Tests Graduated Work

Experience Verification of Work

Tasks Personal

Recommendation Project Write-ups at

Multiple Levels

Existing New

Status of Program Fire Alarm Systems (FAS)

Implementation of Level I CBT – February 1, 2010

Implementation of Level II CBT – April 1, 2010

Implementation of Level III CBT – June 1, 2010

Implementation of Level IV CBT – September 3, 2010

FAS – Level I Test Content Outline

Installation (77-82%) Maintenance (18-23%)

85 Questions

110 Minutes to Complete Test

Allowable References NFPA 70 (2008) and NFPA 72 (2007)

Test Fee: $125

FAS – Level II Test Content Outline

Submittal Preparation and Layout (15-20%) Installation (44-49%) Maintenance (21-26%) Management and Supervision (10-15%)

119 Questions


Allowable References NFPA 70 (2008), NFPA 72 (2007), and IBC (2006)

Test Fee: $156

FAS – Level III Test Content Outline

Submittal Preparation and Layout (23-28%) Installation (28-33%) Testing and Maintenance (15-20%) Maintenance (15-20%) Education and Communication (5-10%) Management and Supervision (17-22%)

102 Questions


Allowable References NFPA 70 (2008), NFPA 72 (2007), NFPA 101 (2006) and IBC (2006)

Test Fee: $187

FAS – Level IV Test Content Outline

Submittal Preparation and Layout (23-28%) Installation (22-27%) Maintenance (13-18%) Education and Communication (12-17%) Management and Supervision (17-22%)

100 Questions


Allowable References NFPA 72 (2007), NFPA 101 (2006) and IBC (2006)

Test Fee: $218

Status of Program Inspection & Testing of Water-Based

Systems (I&T) Implementation of Level I CBT – February 1,

2011

Implementation of Level II CBT – February 1, 2011

Implementation of Level III CBT – April 1, 2011

I & T Level I Test Content Outline (Test 1: Inspection & Testing Fundamentals)

Inspection (85-89%) Testing (11-15%)

66 Questions

Content Outline (Test 2: Work Practices) Documentation (18-22%) Safety (38-42%) Work Management (38-42%)

59 Questions

80 Minutes to Complete Each Test

Allowable Reference: NFPA 25 (2011)

Test Fee: $104 Per Test

I&T – Level II Tests Content Outline (Test 1: Inspection)

Inspection (100%)

55 Questions Content Outline (Test 2: Testing)

Testing (100%)

61 Questions Content Outline (Test 3: Work Practices):

Documentation (12-16%) Safety (14-18%) Work Management (68-72%)

64 Questions 80 Minutes to Complete Each Test Allowable Reference:

NFPA 25 (2011)

Test Fee: $120 Per Test

I & T Level IIIA Test Content Outline (Test 1: Inspection and Responsibilities)

Inspection (79-83%) Documentation (11-15%) Work Management (4-8%)

70 Questions



Test Fee: $135

I & T – Level IIIB Test Content Outline (Test 1)

Testing (85-89%) Safety (2-6%) Work Management (7-11%)

101 Questions



Test Fee: $135

Status of Program Water-Based (formerly Automatic Sprinkler)

Systems Layout (WBSL) Implementation of Level I CBT – September 1, 2010

Implementation of Level II CBT – September 16, 2010

Implementation of Level III CBT – December 9, 2010

Implementation of Level IV CBT – March 29, 2012

WBSL- Level I Test Content Outline:

Safety (2-5%) Contract Documents (7-10%) Survey Existing Conditions (13-15%) Codes and Standards (7-10%) System Layout (53-56%) Submittal and Approval Process (4-7%) Project Management (4-7%)

109 Questions


Allowable Reference NFPA 13 (2007)

Test Fee: $125

WBSL- Level II Test Content Outline:

Safety (2-5%) Contract Documents (4-7%) Survey Existing Conditions (10-12%) Codes and Standards (5-8%) System Layout (68-71%) Submittal and Approval Process (1-4%) Project Management (3-6%)

129 Questions/Tests


Allowable References NFPA 13 (2007), NFPA 14 (2007), NFPA 20 (2007), and Automatic Sprinkler Systems for

Residential Occupancies Handbook (2007)

Test Fee: $156

WBSL- Level IIIA Test General Plans Preparation Content Outline:

Contract Documents (7-10%) Survey Existing Conditions (10-15%) Codes and Standards (7-10%) System Layout (60-70%) Project Management (7-10%)

60 Questions


Allowable References NFPA 13 (2007), NFPA 14 (2007), NFPA 20 (2007), and Automatic Sprinkler

Systems for Residential Occupancies Handbook (2007)

Test Fee: $187

WBSL- Level IIIB Test Hydraulics & Water Supply Planning Content Outline:

System Layout (100%)

60 Questions


Allowable References NFPA 13 (2007), NFPA 14 (2007), NFPA 20 (2007), and Automatic

Sprinkler Systems for Residential Occupancies Handbook (2007)

Test Fee: $187

WBSL- Level IV Test Content Outline

Contract Documents (5-10%) Survey Existing Conditions (5-10%) Codes and Standards (5-10%) System Layout (75-80%)

63 Questions

420 Minutes to Complete Test (plus an hour lunch break)

Allowable References: NFPA 13 (2007), NFPA 14 (2007), NFPA 20 (2007), and Automatic Sprinkler

Systems for Residential Occupancies Handbook (2007)

Test Fee: $360

Status of Program Video Security Systems Technician (VSST)

Implementation of Level I CBT – May 13, 2005

Implementation of Level II CBT – September 2006

Implementation of Level III CBT – September 2006

Implementation of Level IV CBT – June 1, 2007

VSST – Level I Content Outline:

System Installation (55-60%) System Testing and Commissioning (10-15%) Troubleshooting (10-15%) Documentation (15-20%)

49 Questions


Allowable Reference: No references are allowed in the testing facility.

Test Fee: $125

VSST – Level II Content Outline:

Project Planning (10-15%) System Installation (30-35%) System Testing and Commissioning (20-25%) Troubleshooting (20-25%) Planning and Conducting User Training (5-10%) Documentation (5-10%)

142 Questions



Test Fee: $156

VSST – Level III Content Outline:

Project Planning (10-15%) System Installation (25-30%) System Testing and Commissioning (15-20%) Troubleshooting (15-20%) Documentation (15-20%) Project Management (10-15%)

140 Questions



Test Fee: $187

VSST – Level IV Content Outline:

Project Planning (10-15%) System Installation (20-25%) System Testing and Commissioning (20-25%) Troubleshooting (25-30%) Documentation (5-10%) Project Management (5-10%)

98 Questions



Test Fee: $218

Status of Program Video Security Systems Designer (VSSD)

Implementation of Level I CBT – September 2006

Implementation of Level II CBT – September 2007

VSSD – Level I Content Outline

Identify Customer Needs and Project Objective (10-15%) Conduct Site Assessment (20-25%) Lay Out System (25-30%) Prepare Proposals, Contracts, and Documentation (10-15%) Plan and Conduct User Training (10-15%) Project Management (10-15%)

146 Question


Allowable References No references are allowed in the testing facility.

Test Fee: $156

VSSD – Level II Content Outline

Conduct Site Assessment (10-15%) Lay Out System (60-65%) Prepare Proposals, Contracts, and Documentation (5-10%) Project Management (15-20%)

77 Question


Allowable References No references are allowed in the testing facility.

Test Fee: $187

Special Hazards Suppression Systems

Remains in the Work Element Format

Currently under development to transition to the Standard Model/CBT Model.

Future Direction More Electronic Capabilities and Communications

Online Applications and Renewals

All Computer-Based Testing

Interactive/Performance Based Questions

Increased Promotion of “Qualified” Engineering Team Members

International Testing/Certification

Questions? www.nicet.org

1-888-IS-NICET (1-888-476-4238) Customer Services #2 Examination Services #3 Certification Services #4 Program Development #5 Marketing & PR #6

1420 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

http://www.nicet.org/

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Navigating the New NICET Certification Model

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