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Best fiber optic technician certifications
The best certifications for a fiber optic technician are Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC), Certified Fiber Optic Specialist (CFOS), and Fiber Optics Installer (FOIC).
Fiber optic technician certifications demonstrate your competency as a fiber optic technician to employers. However, not all fiber optic technician certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best fiber optic technician certifications. Obtaining a fiber optic technician certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
8 best certifications for fiber optic technicians
| Rank | Fiber optic technician certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC) | ETA |
| 2 | Certified Fiber Optic Specialist (CFOS) | FOA |
| 3 | Fiber Optics Installer (FOIC) | ETA |
| 4 | Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) | ETA |
| 5 | Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing (CFOS/S) | FOA |
| 6 | Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) | FOA |
| 7 | BICSI Technician | BICSI |
| 8 | Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) | PTCB |
8 best fiber optic technician certifications
1. Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC)
A Fiber Optic Technician has a full understanding of inside plant optical fiber, connector, and splice performance characteristics as described in TIA-568C and can use these performance characteristics to create a worst case power budget for a fiber optic cable plant. An FOT can proficiently perform optical loss testing as described in TIA/EIA-526-14A and perform connector endface evaluation as described in TIA-455-57B. Using an OTDR an FOT can effectively locate faults in a fiber optic cable, mated connector pair, or splice as well as evaluate optical fiber performance, mated connector pair performance, or splice performance for compliance with TIA-568C.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
2. Certified Fiber Optic Specialist (CFOS)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
3. Fiber Optics Installer (FOIC)
A Fiber Optic Installer has a general understanding of optical fiber installation, connectorization, splicing, and testing, is familiar with optical fiber, connector, and splice performance characteristics described in TIA/EIA-568B, ITU-T G.671, ITU-T G.652 and Telcordia GR-326 A Fiber Optic Installer can perform connector endface evaluation as described in TIA/EIA-455-57B, is proficient in optical loss testing as described in TIA/EIA-526-14A, and understands the installation requirements described in articles 770 and 250 of the National Electrical Code. A Fiber Optic Installer is proficient at the installation of connectors on various types' fiber of optic cables using various types of epoxies, and can perform mechanical and fusion splicing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
4. Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)
A technician with six or more years combined work and electronics training may be eligible for the ETA Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification. The Master certification was created to showcase those technicians who are able to demonstrate proficiency in the many fields of electronics. In addition to the Associate level certification, one must successfully obtain six other certifications, with no more than two originating from the same specialized category, in order to qualify.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
5. Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing (CFOS/S)
This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic splicing procedures.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT)
Certified Fiber Optic Technician - is the FOA certification for general fiber optics applications. CFOTs have a broad knowledge in fiber optics that can be applied to almost any application - outside plant, premises, manufacturing, etc.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
7. BICSI Technician
BICSI ITS Technician candidates are tested on their ability to understand and apply a comprehensive collection of installation-specific information.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a fiber optic technician?
The best fiber optic technician certification is Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC). The Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC) is awarded by the ETA International. This certification corresponds to a specialty within a recognized occupation.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this fiber optic technician certification:
- To become a certified Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 4 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for fiber optic technicians?
The most in-demand fiber optic technician certification is Fiber Optics Technician based on all active job postings. Having this fiber optic technician certification will give you access to more fiber optic technician jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of fiber optic technician certifications include: Fiber Optics Technician (FOTC), Certified Fiber Optic Specialist (CFOS), and Fiber Optics Installer (FOIC).
Online courses for fiber optic technicians to earn certifications
1. Active Optical Devices
The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5605-5607, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nThis Active Optical Devices specialization is designed to help you gain complete understanding of active optical devices by clearly defining and interconnecting the fundamental physical mechanisms, device design principles, and device performance. You will study and gain active experience with light emitting...
2. Optical Engineering
The courses in this specialization can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5600-5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Enroll here.\n\nOptical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course will teach you how to design such optical systems with simple graphical techniques, then transform those pencil and paper designs to include real optical components...
3. Introduction To Fiber Optic Cabling
Welcome! This course is designed to give you a good understand of fiber optics and fiber data transmission...
4. IT network cabling: The complete fiber optics course
Demystifying fiber optics, the fastest growing ICT network infrastructure sector one lesson at a time!...
5. Waves and Optics
This specialization is for learners who have completed a first-year university-level physics course and wants to continue their study. Through three courses, you will gain a foundation in waves and optics ranging from simple oscillators and waves in strings, to advanced diffraction effects of electromagnetic waves. With an entire semester of lectures and over 100 problems, this comprehensive specialization is similar in detail and rigor to what is taught in on-campus courses. It will thoroughly...
6. Design of High-Performance Optical Systems
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5602, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Optical instruments are how we see the world, from corrective eyewear to medical endoscopes to cell phone cameras to orbiting telescopes. This course extends what you have learned about first-order, paraxial system design and optical resolution and efficiency with the introduction to real lenses and their imperfections. We begin with a description of how...
7. Optical Fiber Transmission Networks Using DWDM Technology
All you require to start with DWDM Technology, fundamentals, components: Mux/Demux, ROADMS, Amplifiers, transponders etc...
8. Optical Fiber Access Networks Using PON/FTTH
All you need to know for getting started with FTTx Technology...
9. Python Optical Character Recognition using Pytorch
Note: The rhyme platform currently does not support webcams, so this is not a live project. This guided project is about optical character recognition using Pythorch, a Python library. This comes under the computer vision domain. While you are watching me code, you will get a cloud desktop with all the required software pre-installed. This will allow you to code along with me. After all, we learn best with active, hands-on learning. Note: This project works best for learners who are based in...
10. Pharmacy Technician Fundamentals
In this foundational Pharmacy Technician Career Training Specialization, students will take four courses to master the fundamentals of a career in pharmacy. The first two courses teach how to communicate and engage professionally in any healthcare setting and the necessary knowledge of human anatomy and physiology required for any medical role. Next, students dive into two pharmacy-related courses - Pharmacy Technician Essentials and Pharmacy Dosages & Prescriptions Essentials - to round out...
11. Introduction To Telecom Networks: Fixed/Wireless Networks
PSTN, Voice Over IP Systems (Softswitch, IMS), Internet, Mobile/cellular systems, Optical Fiber Systems (OFAN, DWDM)...
12. Become a Pharmacy Technician
A Video Study Guide for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam...
13. Zemax/OpticStudio Fundamentals (non-sequential mode)
Complete Beginners Guide on How to Use Zemax/Optic Studio (non-sequential mode)...
14. Computer Vision: Python OCR & Object Detection Quick Starter
Quick Starter for Optical Character Recognition, Image Recognition Object Detection and Object Recognition using Python...
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