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 FOA Direct Certification Process
For Experienced Fiber Optic Technicians
 

 

FOA certifications

More On FOA Certifications
 
First Level
CFOT®
CPCT 

 
Specialist Certifications
CFOS Specialist Certifications

KSAs for CFOT and all Fiber Optics

FOA Approved Training Programs

Online Study Guides and References
fiberu.org
Free online self-study programs on many fiber optics and cabling topics are available free at Fiber U, FOA's online web-based training website.

Applications
FOA Direct Certification Application (XLSX worksheet, experienced technicians only, no students)

Renewals
FOA Renewal Policy  
Renewal Application(pdf)
Renewal Online 

FOA Reference Guide  

FOA Reference Books (Available Printed or eBooks)
The fiber book is also available in Spanish and French.

FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics book  FOA Reference Guide to Premises Cablng book  FOA Reference Guide to OSP Fiber Optics book
  FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics book FOA Text in French
FOA Reference Guide to OSP Fiber Optics book FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics Design book  FOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optics Testing bookFOA Reference Guide to Fiber Optic OSP Construction book

Lennie printed
Printed copies of Lennie Lightwave's Guide at Amazon.com


Lennie's and Uncle Ted's Guides are also not available as free iBooks on iTunes.
Lennie Lightwave's Guide To Fiber Optics   Uncle Ted's Guide to Premises Cablling
Click on any of the books to learn more.


 

It's now CFOT®  The FOA CFOT® (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) is now a registered trademark.  

FOA Direct Certification Program For Experienced Fiber Optic Technicians

FOA welcomes experienced technicians to apply directly to the FOA to become certified.

FOA’s Direct Certification Program makes it possible for experienced fiber techs to qualify for the FOA certifications directly without attending a course at an FOA Approved School.
The FOA Direct Certification Program requires documented relevant experience in the field and passing a certification exam.

All applicants for FOA certification must use the FOA Direct Certification Application (MS XLSX worksheet file)

When your FOA Direct Certification Application is received at FOA, an FOA advisor will be assigned and they will contact you regarding the certification process.


Steps For Direct FOA Certification

If your application meets FOA’s requirements for experience and knowledge, you will be accepted in the FOA Direct Certification program.The steps leading to direct certification are these.

1. Verify your experience
2. Verify your knowledge
3. Interview (may be required)
4. Take the certification exam

Also, this process is available in English only – you must have adequate English language skills to participate in this program.

Applicants should understand the FOA certifications and ensure they meet the requirements for the certification they apply for. Most begin with the CFOT certification which is the basic fiber tech certification.

 



Step 1. Verify Your Experience

Applicants are expected to review the FOA requirements for the certification applied for and verify that their experience meets FOA requirements themselves before applying. 

Your current experience documented on your application will be reviewed by the FOA advisor. If there are any questions, you may be asked to submit further documentation, your references may be called and you may be asked to have an in-person interview.

Once your experience is verified and your application accepted, you are ready to prepare for the certification exam.




Step 2. Verify Your Knowledge

Before taking an FOA Certification exam, you must be prepared for the FOA certification exam. FOA certifications are based on the FOA reference material, including textbooks and sections of the FOA Online Guide. See links to the left. 

The best way to study for the FOA certification exam is to take the
Fiber U online course corresponding to the certification you apply for. You will be required to verify your knowledge by taking the Fiber U Certificate of Completion online exam that corresponds to the FOA certification exam you wish to take. The Certificate of Completion Exam cost $20.

The free Fiber U online courses are an excellent way to prepare for your exam. At the end of each lesson in the course there is a quiz for you to test your comprehension. When you take the quiz online, it will grade your answers and give you the correct answers along with an explanation. After you check your answers, return to the study materials to find out why you missed any questions.

Once you are confident of your knowledge, take the Fiber U
Certificate of Completion exam. You will get a Fiber U Certificate of Completion in pdf format. This Fiber U Certificate of Completion becomes documentation of your knowledge of fiber optics and should be part of your portfolio of documented knowledge, other training and work experience that can qualify you to apply for FOA direct certification through the FOA "Work to Cert" program.

How To Get Your Certificate of Completion



Step 3. Arrange to take your online exam

FOA all FOA Direct Certification exams are taken online. When you are prepared, your FOA advisor will provide the directions and a link to the exam.

The FOA certification exam is a closed-book, monitored and timed exam. The exam you take is unique with millions of possible versions. You will verify you took the exam alone without assistance. The test service monitors the exam and records the time you start the exam and limits your time available to take the exam.

A practice exam is available to familiarize you with the process if you are not familiar with online exams.
Here is a link and password for the practice exam:

Practice Test 
Password: Password

When you take the exam, you will pay the fee for the exam with a credit card.



Step
5. Take the exam and pay the certification fee


When you are ready, log in to take the exam. You will fill in the required information (similar to the
certificate of Completion exam) and make a payment of $150US for the exam with a credit card.

Your test results will automatically be sent to you and your FOA advisor.

If you pass the exam, FOA will inform you when your certification is verified and your online credential is posted.  Links to your online certification will be emailed to you as soon as your certification is registered, a process that takes about one month.

If you fail the exam, you will get  results showing which test categories were problems. You have 2 additional opportunities to take the exam at no cost. You may not retest until you have studied the materials on the subjects you did poorly on the exam and have the approval of your advisor.

Please note: If any irregularities occur,  your exam will be voided immediately.   A decision will be made about allowing retesting or a permanent ban according to FOA policies (see About the FOA Certification Exam - https://www.foa.org/Certs.htm)




All applicants for FOA certification must use the FOA Direct Certification Application (MS XLSX worksheet file, for experienced technicians only)
 

  FOA Direct Certification   


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