1. Navigating the New NICET Certification Model
Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

2. What’s on the Agenda Work Element vs. New Certification Model (CBT)
Status of Fire Protection Programs
Program Requirements
Future Direction
Questions

3. 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 135,000 technicians 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.

4. Fire Protection Numbers (As of October 2012)
Fire Alarm Systems
Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems
Special Hazards Suppression Systems/ Systems Layout
Water-Based Systems Layout
Level I
3,296
1,267
1,283/105
1,004
Level II
7,966
2,334
292/155
854
Level III
2,799
897
235/112
2,068
Level IV
2,138
N/A
88/86
1,254
Total
16,199
4,498
1,898/458
5,180

5. 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
The newly released Level IV Water-Based (formerly Automatic Sprinkler) Systems Layout exam has a completion time of up to 8 hours. However, all other programs have a completion time of between 2-4 hours.

6. Existing vs. New Certification
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

7. 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

8. FAS – Level I Test Content Outline 85 Questions
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

9. FAS – Level II Test Content Outline 119 Questions
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

10. FAS – Level III Test Content Outline 102 Questions
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

11. FAS – Level IV Test Content Outline 100 Questions
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

12. 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

13. 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

14. I&T – Level II Tests Content Outline (Test 1: Inspection) 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

15. 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

16. I & T – Level IIIB Test Content Outline (Test 1) 101 Questions
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

17. 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

18. WBSL- Level I Test Content Outline: 109 Questions
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

19. WBSL- Level II Test Content Outline: 129 Questions/Tests
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

20. 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

21. 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

22. WBSL- Level IV Test Content Outline 63 Questions
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

23. 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

24. VSST – Level I Content Outline: 49 Questions
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

25. VSST – Level II 142 Questions 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

26. VSST – Level III Content Outline: 140 Questions
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

27. VSST – Level IV Content Outline: 98 Questions
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

28. Status of Program Video Security Systems Designer (VSSD)
Implementation of Level I CBT – September 2006
Implementation of Level II CBT – September 2007

29. VSSD – Level I Content Outline 146 Question
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

30. VSSD – Level II Content Outline 77 Question
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

31. Special Hazards Suppression Systems
Remains in the Work Element Format
Currently under development to transition to the Standard Model/CBT Model.

32. 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

33. 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

34. Thank you for your time…