FAQ

A certification is issued by a private organization, and offers an individual a path to be evaluated (through knowledge and/or skills assessments) by an independent third-party according to the organization's predetermined qualifications. In contrast, a license is issued by a state agency, and is required for practice in a specific occupation.

ETA is accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC), and follows the ISO 17024 standard for certification bodies.

ETA does not offer training, but partners with many companies that do.

Under the G.I. Bill, the Veteran’s Administration can now reimburse you or an eligible child or spouse for many of the expenses for taking one of our approved certifications, and obtaining or renewing your FCC Commercial License. For more information and forms, please visit the military reimbursement page.

Many companies use ETA-certified individuals for important jobs in electronics-related industries. You can find a list of who employ ETA-certified professionals from the previous year here.

ETA has over a thousand test proctors, or Certification Administrators (CAs), across the globe. They are located in high schools and colleges, businesses, and on military bases. You can find test sites close to you by using ETA's Test Site Locator.

1. Decide which ETA certification(s) you would like to take and review the free objectives/competencies provided by ETA. Each competency includes suggested study materials used by the committee in creation of the certification. Additional study materials may be available through the ETA online store.
2. Find an ETA Certification Administrator (CA) close to you to proctor the exam. You can search ETA’s test sites, or contact ETA by phone at (765) 653-8262 or by eta@etai.org for a test site.
3. Decide whether to take the exam online with Trapeza or paper/pencil. A Certification Administrator must be present regardless of which test format is chosen.
4. Arrange a time and location to take the exam with the chosen Certification Administrator.
5. Arrive early with the proper materials to take the exam. You may bring scratch paper and a non-programmable calculator to the exam. Scientific calculators are permitted. If programmable then you may be asked to remove the batteries and/or reset the calculator. For most exams, you will be given two hours if needed. Photo ID is required. No electronic devices such as phones are permitted. Any scratch paper that is used for the exam must be turned in with the exam. For most exams, you will be given two hours if needed. Photo ID and #2 pencils (if taking a paper exam) required. No electronic devices are permitted. You are not allowed to leave the room once testing has started.
   • Associate CET (CETa), General Communications Technician - Level 1, Electronics Modules (EM1-5), and Student Electronics Technician (SET) may also use the Common Formulas Sheet.
6. Once completed, the Certification Administrator will submit your exam and information along with payment. If you test online with Trapeza, then you will be able to view your score(s) immediately.
7. Exams are processed within 7-10 business days of arrival at ETA headquarters. Certification Administrators are required to send completed examinations in within three business days after the test date. Examinees will either receive a pass letter with certification information, or a fail letter with information on how to retest (if applicable). Scores may be requested online through the ETA website, however, examinations are only processed once payment is received. ETA is not responsible for exams lost through the postal system.

ETA offers multiple ways to pay for exams. Exams can be paid for at the time of the exam, or prepaid prior to taking the exam. For purchase orders, please contact ETA. ETA accepts the following forms of payments:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express
• Discover
• Check
• Money Order
• PayPal

Exams will not be processed without payment.

ETA offers online testing through Trapeza, ETA's online testing system. Trapeza online testing must be proctored by an ETA Certification Administrator onsite.

If you would like to take your certification examination remotely, ETA has partnered with Exam Room.AI to provide that service. You can find information on the Find a Test Site page, and sign-up using the Remote Proctoring Examinee Registration Form. If you are a minor, please fill out the Remote Proctoring Minor Consent Form as well.

Please note that for ETA certification with a hands-on component, you will still need to attend an ETA-approved school.

The Journeyman program offers extended certification tracks for the advanced electronics professional. All Journeyman certifications require the Associate Certified Electronics Technician certification (CETa), which is the foundation for the program. ETA offers higher-level certifications for professionals who exhibit exceptional skills in their field(s):

• Senior Certified Electronics Technician (CETsr)
• Certified Electronics Technician Master Specialty (CETms)
• Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)

ETA offers the Standalone program for those professionals who do not wish to complete a career track. This program does not require the CETa.

You can view Motorola Solutions-specific certifications on the Motorola Solutions partners page. You can find them by going to menu at the top of the website: Certifications > Partners > Motorola Solutions.

Most offer a free retake unless noted otherwise in the certification description, or you pass the exam on the first try. You cannot try to better your score. There are no free retakes on FCC commercial license examinations as they are not ETA exams.

Yes, but you must pay the journeyman fee to take it again. If you do not achieve the 85% score but did pass the examination with 75% to 84%,, then you do not get a free retake.

Most ETA certifications are good for four years, and are maintained yearly. This means that while the certification is on a four-year cycle, it is maintained by yearly maintenance to stay up-to-date. Under ISO 17024, which ETA follows for certification bodies, professionals must stay up-to-date with their skills for their credentials to stay valid. You wouldn't want someone to work on your project who got certified 30 years ago and never worked in that field nor touched any of the technology! You can find how long your specific certification is good for under the Certifications menu. See the information box next to the certification description.

You must attend an ETA-Approved school for training. These approved schools will administer both the exam and hands-on portion at the same time. You can find an ETA-Approved School listing on the ETA-Approved Training Organizations map located at the bottom of the Test Sites page:

• Complete ETA-Approved Schools List

ETA offers rollovers for a few similar industry certifications. Opportunites to roll over other certifications are listed here. You can also find them listed with the appropriate ETA-equivalent certification. So, if you are wanting to rollover a CompTIA A+ (ce) IT certification for example, then the ETA Computer Service Technician (CST) would be the equivalent. The rollover information would be with the CST listing under the Certifications menu in the Information Technology sub-menu.

Please note that while ETA acknowledges many degree programs cover the materials listed in ETA certifications, that is not the intention of the certification program. The certification program was developed to help those not going into a traditional degree program to gain industry credentials to jumpstart their career. ETA believes that you should "show what you know". As such, ETA does not award certifications for degrees.

Test proctors, or Certification Administrators (CAs), are a vital asset for ETA. They administer the exams, and are rewarded with a portion of the fees. They are educators, military personnel, trainers, and business professionals. If you are interested in becoming a CA, then please fill out the certification administrator application. We look forward to working with you!

ETA offers course approvals for schools and trainers who want a third party, accredited body to approve their materials for ETA certification. ETA will review the course, materials, instructor credentials, premises, etc. to ensure you have everything you need to successfully train professionals. You many apply by submitting a course approval application. We look forward to working with you!