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The National Institute For Certification In Engineering Technologies
The NICET Update
Ahmed FaroukiSenior Manager, Program Administration
Kentucky MS4 Workgroup MeetingElizabethtown, KYOctober 17, 2006
What is NICET? A not-for-profit certification organization
established in 1961
A semi-autonomous division of the National Society of Professional Engineers
Policy direction by eight-person Board of Governors
Background ...
NICET: formed in 1981 to replace ICET and ETCI
ICET: Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technicians created in 1961
ETCI: Engineering Technologist Certification Institute established in 1977
Purpose ...
To provide nationally-applicable, voluntary certification programs covering many engineering technology fields and several specialized subfields
Define and support career paths for engineering technicians and technologists.
Licensure/Certification/Diploma
Licensure: is a legal credential conferred by federal, state or local government authorities
Certification: is a voluntary credential conferred by private organizations
Diploma/Certificate of Education: is conferred by an educational institution or a training entity
NICET 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 & control of licensed Professional Engineers
NICET certifies ... Individuals with appropriate engineering
technician or engineering technologist work experience
Partial credit given for relevant work experience as craftsperson, scientist, engineer, etc.
Residents of the United States and territories and certain others living abroad
Reciprocity with Canada in some programs
NATIONAL REGULATORY BODIES
National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
National Association for Competency Assurance
(NOCA). Council of Engineering and Related Scientific
Programs.
Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation
(CLEAR).
International Standards Organization (ISO).
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
American Society For Testing & Materials (ASTM).
Typical National Requirements … Independent governing body which includes
consumers, public, employers and regulators.
A periodic recertification program.
Examination must be totally separate from training,
i.e. not a certificate of accomplishment resulting from
the completion of a training class (with or without a
completion test).
Non-governmental, independent, third-party national
certification.
Engineering Technicians
“Hands-on” members of Engineering Team
Knowledge of components, operating characteristics, and limitations of engineering systems and processes
Knowledge of applied math, physical science, and engineering science equivalent to AS degree program in engineering technology
Technician Programs
Two types of certification offered:
Four levels of certification available:
Job-Task Competency
General Knowledge(under review)
Entry Level to Senior Level
The Civil Job-Task Competency Programs
Transportation Engineering Technology
Highway Construction
Highway Design
Highway Traffic Operations
Highway Surveys
Bridge Safety Inspection
Highway Materials
Highway Maintenance
Construction Materials Testing
Asphalt
Concrete
Soils
Geotechnical Engineering Technology
Geotechnical Construction Inspection.
Geotechnical Exploration.
Geotechnical Laboratory Testing.
Geotechnical Generalist
Underground Utilities Construction
Water and Sewer Lines Construction Inspection
Stormwater and Wastewater System Construction Inspection
Stormwater & WastewaterConstruction Inspection
This program is for engineering technicians engaged in the inspection of stormwater and wastewater systems and is applicable to private and public sector technicians.
Development was initiated in 1999 at the request of the Five Cities Plus Group representing metropolitan, county and city-wide sanitary and wastewater district owners and consultants.
The committee was expanded to include nationwide participation in 2004. In 2005 the program was validated for national use.
Stormwater & WastewaterConstruction Inspection
A National Committee finalized the New four level program. It is similar to the Water & Sewer Lines Construction Inspection Program except:
Without water line inspection elements
With the inspection elements of:
Stormwater systems.
Erosion & Sediment Control
Trenchless Technology
Confined Space & Trench Excavation
Stormwater & WastewaterConstruction Inspection
Areas covered include:
Safety.
Specifications and contract plan interpretation.
Field installation and landscape restoration methods
Surveying.
Field inspection, NPDES compliance, QC and QA
Verbal and written communication.
Recordkeeping and reporting.
Project management duties.
Building Construction Water and Wastewater
Plants
Land Management & Water Control Erosion and Sediment Control
Erosion and Sediment Control
The program is for engineering technicians involved in all phases of erosion and sediment control work.
Development of the program was initiated in 1986 with technical assistance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources.
This program became operational in 1988.
Erosion and Sediment ControlAreas covered include:
Knowledge of soils.
The erosion process.
Small watershed hydrology.
Hydraulics of basic water control structures sedimentation process.
Principles of erosion and sediment control.
Construction practices.
Construction inspection.
Field investigation reports.
Certification requirements ...
Written examination
Relevant work experience
Verification of competency
Professional recommendation (for levels III & IV)
Levels of certification...
Level I – Technician Trainee
Level II – Associate Engineering Technician
Level III – Engineering Technician
Level IV – Senior Engineering Technician
Technician Trainee
Some relevant work experience
Work under constant, direct supervision
Associate Engineering Technician
Two years relevant work experience
Work under general supervision
Engineering Technician
Five years of relevant work experience
Work independently – may supervise others
Senior Engineering Technician
Ten(+) years of relevant work experience
Supervise and manage work of others
Major project involvement
Engineering Technologists
Members of Engineering Team
Work closely with engineers, scientists, and technicians
Thorough knowledge of equipment, applications & established design, and implementation methods
Engineering Technologists
Certification awarded at two levels:
Multitude of certification categories
ASSOCIATE TECHNOLOGIST
BS degree in Engineering Technology from TAC/ABET
accredited program
CERTIFIED TECHNOLOGIST
AT plus five years relevant work experience and two
professional endorsements
Recertification ...
Continuing Professional Development required every three years
90 CPD points: relevant work experience; continuing education; professional activities; certification activities; recertification exam
Active, Retired, Inactive, Expired Status
The NICET Code of Ethics Have due regard for the physical environment and for public
safety, health, and well being.
Undertake only those assignments for which they are competent by way of their education, training, and experience.
Perform their duties in an efficient and competent manner with fidelity and honesty.
Admit and accept their own errors when proven wrong and never distort nor alter the facts in an attempt to justify their decisions.
Avoid conflicts of interest whenever possible. Disclose to their employer or client, in writing, any action that might create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Avoid receiving and granting bribery in all its forms.
Strive to maintain proficiency by updating their technical knowledge and skills.
Not misrepresent or permit misrepresentation of their own or their associate's academic or professional qualifications or degree of responsibility.
Not reveal facts, or information obtained in connection with services rendered without prior consent of the client or employer except as authorized by law.
Violation of the Code of Ethics
Due Process System.
Penalties Include:
Suspension of testing activity.
Suspension of certification
Revocation of certification
Value of NICET Certification for the Technician … Increased professional stature
Increased opportunities for job advancement
Quicker entry into new job assignments or responsibilities
Opportunities for assignments where requirements for NICET certification exists
Provides a marketable credential to an employer, prospective employer or client
Value of NICET Certification for the Employer …. Independent assessment of an employee’s
knowledge and skills based on national standards
Measure of training comprehension and identification of training needs
Recognized credentialing of a pool of qualified professionals in focused career tracks
Mobility of work force across state lines
Value for the Public ….
Protects the health, safety, and welfare of the public from fraudulent, unethical, technically deficient practitioners
Provides high quality engineering products and services, efficiently and at reasonable costs
NICET provides...
Certification program development and administration
Non-NICET exam administration and database management
Training program validation assistance
Assistance with testing and certification issues
45 years of independent service…
Over 32 national certification programs.
Over 118,000 technicians certified.
A database of over 38,000 active certificants.
An expanding network of over 300
(regular & special) test centers.
2006 …. we continue to focus on
Improving customer service.
Building stakeholder relationships.
Updating existing programs.
Developing new programs.
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CERTIFICATION IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
1420 King Street • Alexandria, VA 22314www.nicet.org • 888-476-4238