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Navigating the New NICET Certification Model. Computer-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.
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Navigating the New NICET Certification Model Computer-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 135,000technicians 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.
Existing vs. New Testing Model Work Element Model (Existing) Standard Model (New) • 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
Existing vs. New Certification Existing New • 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
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 • 150 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 150 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 170 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 80 Minutes to Complete Test • Allowable Reference: • NFPA 25 (2011) • Test Fee: $135
I & T – Level IIIB Test • Content Outline (Test 1) • Testing (85-89%) • Safety (2-6%) • Work Management (7-11%) • 101 Questions • 110 Minutes to Complete Test • Allowable Reference: • NFPA 25 (2011) • 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 • 135 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 225 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 165 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 225 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 60 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 180 Minutes to Complete Test • Allowable Reference: • No references are allowed in the testing facility. • 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 • 165 Minutes to Complete Test • Allowable Reference: • No references are allowed in the testing facility. • 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 • 105 Minutes to Complete Test • Allowable Reference: • No references are allowed in the testing facility. • 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 • 180 Minutes to Complete Test • 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 • 105 Minutes to Complete Test • 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