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