Previous post had a notice sent to all currently testing on NICET certifications in FP. Ive already been contacted by some wondering if there was anything I could do to change it, and Im not going to try- the unbound notebooks, etc. provide a great place to copy test questions. Does this make it more difficult? Yes. Does this help ensure the integrity of the certification process? Yes. Obviously, NICET had no choice but to institute the change immediately. This is nothing minor, and if anyone was caught stealing test questions, I have no doubt theyd be prosecuted. Repeat- I have no doubt theyd be prosecuted. This is NOT on a level of signing up for Advanced Hydraulics at Level 1 so you get 90 more minutes to answer hanger questions. Mike Clark discussed this with our task group last month, and addressing security/integrity issues are one of the primary reasons driving the change in the certification process weve been working on for over a year. Dropping unbound reference materials is a small change in contrast to the re-write weve done. The big change will take start taking effect early 2009. Unless theres a torpedo appearing between now and then, the format will change from the incremental passing of individual work elements to sitting down and taking the exam for your next level in its entirety. You pass, or you fail. Yes, this will make it more difficult to pass the exam. Were addressing some of the problem problems, and making them more real-world. Youll no longer be made to solve a grid with velocity pressures by hand. You will, however, be required to demonstrate a working knowledge of hand calcs, and a grasp of the interrelationships of the variables in the formulas and how they relate to a systems performance. Incremental passing of elements follows the University Model of education, as a noted industry leader noted in protest. However, NICET certification is NOT an educational process (yes, it certainly can be an education, tho!) it is a certification process. When looking at how others certify, we see the medical boards, the PE Exam, the bar exam- you sit and pass the exam in its entirety as NICET is implementing. When the NICET certification for sprinkler layout was introduced in 1980, it was to provide a process for us to demonstrate competence of the knowledge we employ daily to layout systems. It was never contemplated that it would end up being a requirement for state licensing, a condition of employment, nor was the practice of renting a certified person as an RME as a bastardization of the oversight requirements visualized. And obviously, our industry and the world were in have changed dramatically in 25+ years. There wasnt a lot of residential going on in 1980, there were no ESFRs, etc. The exam was based on the experience of those assembling it working in the 1960s and 1970s.
To address security, integrity, defensibility, and to cure problems in the exam process, this re-write was undertaken. We started with a cornfield, not allowed to look at the current list of work elements as we developed a new list of what a layout techie needs to be able to do at the various levels. The new format will be tested on computers, not pencil and paper. The entire committee is, to the best of my knowledge, unanimously in support of what weve developed and how it will provide additional credibility to the NICET certification. A fuller explanation of the history and changes is planned for release in industry magazines and other means of getting the word out. But I wanted to take a moment to try to cut off the outcry that may arise from this small change by revealing the larger improvement coming soon- it takes time and effort to develop and implement. The NICET notice limiting what can be brought in is a necessary interim step to ensure integrity of the certification. I can vouch for the dedication, professionalism and passion the staff at NICET has for their work. Ive been proud to be a part of the improvement process, and the task group discussions have been thorough and lively. Were not just slapping some band-aids on the exam. While all these changes, large and small, will make it more difficult to pass the exam, the goal of a Certification that is meaningful is well worth the difficulties of not having access to your notes, having to pass the entire exam in one sitting. NICET is not sitting in an ivory tower issuing petty directives. The exam is composed of test questions. The better the questions, the better the exam. Many have bitched about certain questions, and challenged them. Rather than just complaining about the changes and the problems, Id encourage those with the time, experience and knowledge to assist in writing test questions that are better than what weve been using. Information is on the NICET website http://www.nicet.org/write_form.cfm The improvement will be commensurate with the level and quality of participation, so if youre too busy to help, or chose not to help, then frankly, I dont want to hear the bitching. NICET has reached out to the industry for assistance by those in the know. If you elect to ignore the request for assistance, then dont be surprised when your vision isnt realized- they didnt know what it was. The sprinkler industry has put food on my table for over 30 decades, and Im glad to have the opportunity to say thank you by helping improve the system. Can YOU spare some time and energy on improving the industry that provides you a living? George Church Rowe Sprinkler * - * - * Previous post can also be found at this link: A copy of this letter, in PDF format, is available at http://www.nicet.org/about/memotoapplicants110107.pdf _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum To Unsubscribe, send an email to:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Put the word unsubscribe in the subject field)
