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A Qualified Transportation Workforce through NICET

Certification

Ahmed Farouki Senior Director, Technical Services

M-TRAC Albuquerque, New Mexico

8/6-7/2014

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NICET

Background

Pencil & Paper to Computer Based Testing (CBT)

Transportation Construction Inspection

Additional Products and Services

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What is NICET?

• A not-for-profit independent certification organization

• A semi-autonomous division of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)

• Policy direction by eight-person Board of Governors (BOG)

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53 Years of Proven Performance • 100% financial independence and self-supporting. • Offer 27 certification programs.

• Over 138,600 technicians certified to date.

• Over 44,000 active certifications.

• Over 12,000 exams administered annually (PP and CBT).

• National test center network.

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The Civil Programs …..

• Building Construction – Water/Wastewater Plants

• Construction Materials Testing – Asphalt – Concrete – Soils

• Geotechnical – Generalist – Construction – Exploration – Laboratory

• Land Management and Water Control – Erosion & Sediment Control

• Transportation – Bridge Safety Inspection – Highway Construction – Highway Design – Highway Materials – Highway Surveys – Highway Traffic Operations – Highway System Maintenance &

Preservation

• Underground Utilities Construction – Water and Sewer Lines – Stormwater & Wastewater System

Inspection

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Certification Requirements …. Written examination (passing lower level exams is required for

certification at upper levels)

Work experience in subfield of certification

Performance verification of competency by the direct supervisor, a P.E. or a NICET IV/SET

A professional recommendation (for levels III & IV)

Demonstrated supervisory capacity & major project responsibility (for level IV)

Abide by the NICET “Code of Ethics”

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Typical Certification Career Path …. Level I

– Three to six months of relevant work experience

– Work under constant, direct supervision

Level II – Two years relevant work

experience

– Work under general supervision

Level III – Five years of relevant work

experience

– Work independently and may supervise others

Level IV – Ten years of relevant work

experience

– Supervise and manage work of others

– Major project involvement

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Recertification …. Every three years

Accumulate 90 Continuing Professional Development points (CPDs): – 72 points:

• Maintaining activity of relevant work experience

– 18 points: • Continuing education & training • Professional activities • Certification and testing activities or a recertification exam

Active, Retired, Inactive, Expired Status

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Violation of the Code of Ethics ….

Due Process System

Disciplinary actions include:

– Reprimand

– Suspension of testing activity

– Suspension of certification

– Revocation of certification

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Conversion To CBT Technology Moved from a single candidate (WINNICET) management system:

WINNICET Item banking database (Exam Studio - Zoomorphix) National test delivery database/system (Pearson View) Challenges: Interaction between the three databases Electronic application & registration integration Phase out of P&P for programs under conversion during

overlap period, i.e. ran P&P & CBT in parallel Build staff competencies for handling the design and

troubleshooting issues for electronic test delivery

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Conversion To CBT Technology

Started about 4 years ago

Completed the conversion of all the NICET Fire Protection Programs (about 60 to 65% of our test activity), i.e. about 72 individual tests

Most of the converted programs have gone through at least one review & update since the initial conversion

Starting the conversion & update of the Civil Programs

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Development of The Transportation Construction

Inspection Program In CBT Format

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Legally Defensible …

… stands up in court

• Use sound test development processes to develop & publish the exams.

• Use sound test administration & certification processes to qualify the candidates.

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Credentialing Terms …

Fairness + Reliability + Validity

=

A Defensible Exam

&

A Defensible Certification Program

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Test Design …. …. Characteristics of a Certification Test

• Identifies the right people per the established criteria

• Differentiates between minimally qualified, or baseline, candidates and the unqualified candidates

• Tests significant, important, relevant and necessary knowledge & skills

• Pass/Fail (no letter grades)

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Certification Program Development …

• Industry and Stakeholder Support and Input – Advisory/Industry Leadership Committee

– SME Practice Analysis Development Committee

– Practice Analysis SME Review & Validation

– Practice Analysis Practitioner Review & Validation

– SME Exam Assessment/Design Committee

– SME Exam Development/Question Writing Task Groups

– SME Standard/Score Setting Committee

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Transportation Construction Inspection Certification Tracks

Highway

Airfield

Rail

Urban streets/Public Works

Engineering Technician / Level III Has knowledge and experience in

Is ready to learn

Associate Technician / Level II Has knowledge and experience in

Is ready to learn

Trainee / Level I Has knowledge and experience in Is ready to learn

Working with design and construction management professionals, and managing teams of inspectors, to assure that large and/or complex

projects meet the quality specified in the contract documents. Competencies include:

- Inspection of Complex Components & Structures - Troubleshooting Specifications and Construction Issues

- Scheduling & Coordination - Project Administration

NICET Certifications for Transportation Construction Inspectors Higher Certifications for Greater Responsibilities

Performing construction inspection tasks that have standardized procedures and criteria, across a range of construction activities, including:

- Earthwork - HMA and Concrete Pavements - Rigid Structures - Roadway Appurtenances - Documentation

- Materials Testing & Certification - Protection of Utilities & Environment - Site Safety

Coordinating, compiling and checking results from, a team of inspectors; and performing construction inspection tasks involving evaluation

skills developed through prior experience with similar materials, processes, and products, such as:

- Soil and Slope Stabilization - Bridges, Deep Foundations, and False-work - Special Treatments

- Verification of Pay Quantities - Report Project Progress and Compliance

Following instructions, safely navigating on site, and beginning to assist with inspection tasks. Competencies include:

- Terminology - Plan Reading - Project Roles - Identification of Equipment - Personal Safety Etc.

Senior Technician / Level IV Has knowledge and experience in

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Proposed Certification Tracks

Certification Requirements: Job Knowledge: Examinations are a requirement for each Level of certification

Work Experience: Each candidate’s work history is evaluated against requirements set by the “Program Committee”

Character Reference: Each ET/SET candidate must obtain a “Personal Recommendation”.

Code of Ethics: All certification-holders are expected to adhere to the NICET Code of Ethics. Enforcement policies are published on the web.

Responsibility: Work histories for higher Levels must show a career progression in inspection responsibilities. SET certification requires senior

inspection responsibility on a major transportation project.

ET/L-III

Highway

Const.

Insp.

AET/Level II

Transportation

Construction Inspection

Inspection

SET/L-IV

Highway

Const.

Insp.

SET/L-IV

Airfield

Const.

Insp.

SET/L-IV

Railway

Const.

Insp.

SET/L-IV

Urban Streets

Const.

Insp.

ET/L-III

Airfield

Const.

Insp.

ET/L-III

Railway

Const.

Insp.

ET/L-III

Urban Streets

Const.

Insp.

Trainee/Level I

Transportation

Construction Inspection

Inspection

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Highway Construction Program Changes

Current Program Proposed Change Reason/Benefit

Four progressive Levels of

certification Four progressive Levels of certification Program content update

Single track for highway construction

inspectors

Single transportation construction track at

Levels I and II

Separate tracks for Highway, Airfield,

Railroad, Urban Streets at Levels III and IV

Enables testing and certifications that reflect

the qualifications related to construction

inspection of specific modes of transportation

Large number of small tests (“work

elements”) Small number of larger tests

Better, more stable scores (higher statistical

reliability)

Simpler applications and record-keeping

Candidates choose some tests to take

and skip others

Testing requirements are the same for all

candidates

More meaningful certifications: less

variability in test content and difficulty

Paper-and-Pencil tests Computer-based tests

Improved graphics / embedded references

More ways to select or combine answers to

questions

Immediate scoring

NICET Paper-and-Pencil test sessions Pearson VUE Computer-Based Test centers

Little lead time required for test applications

Fast, flexible test scheduling

Over 200 centers in US and Canada

Centers open up to 6 days per week

Quiet test rooms designed solely for testing

Professional proctors and enhanced security

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Future Direction ….

• More Electronic Capabilities & Communications

• Customer Web Portals, Online Applications & Renewals

• All Computer-Based Testing

• Interactive/Performance Based Questions

• International Testing/Certification

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ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Career center (Job Board)

Practice Tests

Online Certification Directory

Training Provider Directory

Certification Notification

NICET Store

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Questions???

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afarouki@nicet.org 1 888 476 4238 ext 103