THE FIBER SCHOOL

Certification Renewal

THE IMPORTANCE OF UPDATING YOUR CERTIFICATION RECORDS:

Rapid changes in technology and products have changed the methods used in servicing them. By renewing your ETA certification, you provide verification that, as a certified technician, you are keeping up with current technology and enhancing your abilities and knowledge.

In order to comply with ISO 17024 standards, ETA must be able to prove that it can locate and verify the status of each certification holder’s information. Many ETA certified technicians have changed addresses, jobs or locations over the years. ETA requests that you regularly update your contact information, experience and education at least annually. With updated information, ETA can ensure that all ETA-certified professionals will receive notification of any changes or updates to the CET program that might affect your certification status. Recertification also helps to keep those records up-to-date. ETA can also provide CET credentials, replacement wall certificates, plaques or wallet cards for a nominal fee. Contact ETA to update your certification records or to request replacement materials.

ETA Certification Maintenance Policies:

The date in which you first established your certification determines the rules and process you must follow in order to maintain your ETA certification. The following rules currently apply to all certified individuals who first received their certifications:

December 31, 1995 and earlier – ETA established certifications issued before January 1, 1996 as lifetime certifications. If you received your certification prior to this date, you are not required to maintain it. However, ETA advises that you maintain your certification knowledge and proficiency on a voluntary basis in order to demonstrate your continuing proficiency. If you would like to show that your skills are up-to-date, then you may enter the maintenance program for $50 with employer verification. You will then maintain your certification for only $25 a year with 10 hours of continuing education (or Employer Verification).

January 1, 1996 and later – To continue compliance with ISO 17024, ETA requires that those receiving their certifications after January 1, 1996 to maintain their certifications on an annual basis. Some certification programs—such as Customer Service Specialist (CSS), Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma), and Certified Service Manager (CSM)—are not included at this time.

* Motorola Solutions-specific certifications may have additional rules.

Certification Maintenance Forms

All professionals maintaining their certifications must fill out the below Certification Maintenance Form. If you are currently employed in your certification’s field and would like it to count towards your continuing education requirements, then please have your supervisor fill out the Employer Verification Form.

Online Certification Maintenance Form

Have you had on-the-job training?

You can count on-the-job training towards your continuing education requirements. The Employer Verification Form must be filled out by your supervisor and sent along with your Certification Maintenance Form to ETA.

Online Employer Verification Form

Printable Employer Verification Form

Maintenance vs Maintenance with Hands-On

There are two different maintenance programs-Maintenance and Maintenance with Hands-On. The difference between these two programs is whether or not there is a Hands-On requirement for a particular certification. If your certification required Hands-On training from an ETA-approved institution and practical exam in addition to the regular theory exam, then you will be enrolled in the Maintenance with Hands-On program. If it does not, then you will be enrolled in the general Maintenance program.

What are the annual requirements for Maintenance and Maintenance with Hands-On?

ETA recommends submitting your requirements annually to make sure your account is up-to-date and you can be reached. As a thank you, if you submit annually you will receive a free ETA membership with your $25 payment.

Maintenance certifications must submit over their cycle:
- Certification Maintenance Form
- 10 hours of continuing education per year (40 total over 4 year period)** OR Employer Verification Form (to be filled out by supervisor)
- $25 maintenance fee per year ($100 total over 4 year period)

Maintenance with Hands-On certifications must submit over their cycle:
- Certification Maintenance Form
- 6 hours of continuing education per year (24 total over 4 year period)**
- Employer Verification Form (to be filled out by supervisor)
- $25 maintenance fee per year ($100 total over 4 year period)

* A late fee may be charged for certifications past their maintenance renewal date.

** A few certification programs have differing requirements. Please check your certification(s) information box for confirmation.

What Qualifies for Continuing Education and Certification Maintenance?

In order to receive credit toward maintaining your ETA certification, you must acquire contact hours per year during your certification cycle to enhance your current skills and knowledge in your field. These normally come in the form of continuing education units or credits (CEUs/CECs). You must submit these hours annually to ETA’s headquarters for verification in order to receive credit toward your certification maintenance. When validating your continuing education, list the topic, location, sponsor and date(s).

Would you like to give back to your association and industry? Certification holders can also gain continuing education credits by serving on ETA committees as a Subject Matter Expert, writing an article for the High Tech News, and more!

There are a number of ways to acquire continuing education credits/units during your certification term, including:

Technical webinars (must relate to certification being maintained)
Graduation certificates (must relate to certification being maintained)
College credit transcripts (must relate to certification being maintained)
Technical training sessions or courses (completion certificate required)
Association or manufacturer/supplier-sponsored conferences or seminars (receipt required)
Military training classes
Actively serving on ETA committees as a Subject Matter Expert
Publication of technical article or research
Submission of an article for ETA’s High Tech News magazine. Email the editor for more information at editor@etai.org

** Continuing education must be related to an individual’s certification(s) being maintained.