Electronics Technicians Association

In 1965 the U.S. Labor Department, Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training (BAT) instigated a jobs program in cooperation with NEA (National Electronics Association). Local school systems, local TV association members and USDL worked together on an 8,000-hour apprenticeship program aimed at solving the labor shortage problem while finding new vocations for those put out of work by modern technology. This new program would reward trainees but would not cover experienced technicians. Because of this, the Certified Electronics Technician (CET) program was created.

In 1970 a group of technicians decided to form an organization to promote the CET program and the electronics industry as a whole. This organization would be a division of NEA called the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET).

In the mid-1970s NEA and an organization called NATESA merged to form the National Electronic Service Dealers Association (NESDA) with ISCET remaining as a division. Due to a power struggle within the organization, ETA was incorporated in Indiana on November 14, 1978 by a group of former NESDA members and officers. Among those were Richard "Dick" Glass and Ron Crow, two of the original founders of the CET program and the only administrators at that time. This made it easy to continue the CET program with the newly formed organization. Their goal was to create an association that represented the technician instead of the dealer.

In 1993 ETA became a COLEM for the FCC Commercial Radio License program and offers professionals the chance to sit for seven different FCC commercial licenses at ETA test sites including the general radiotelephone operator license.

In 2004, ETA helped create the Certified Service Center (CSC) program whose mission is to encourage professionalism with the service industry. The Certified Service Center designation is presented to those service facilities that show they have a percentage of technicians and service managers certified, utilize a code of conduct, provide a service warranty and insurance coverage, adhere to zoning laws, use industry-approved equipment, and provide a clean and accessible facility.

From the 1980s to the present, ETA has continued to expand their certification offerings to fill knowledge and skills assessment gaps in technology. ETA works with many different educators, businesses, and trainers to create vendor-neutral accredited certifications. ETA certifications are used by many different sectors including secondary and post-secondary schools, training businesses, corporations, government agencies, and the U.S. military.

ETA offers certifications in various knowledge areas, but does not offer courses or training in these areas. ETA does, however, offer endorsements of courses offered through educational institutions through their Course Approval program.[2] Maintenance or renewal[3] of certifications is required to keep in line with the ISO-17024 standards. Most certifications are good for four years.

• Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) (designated as CESa in Canada)

The Associate Electronics Technician exam is a certification of entry-level electronics professional knowledge to include not only electronics but also safety, record keeping and professionalism. The CETa is good for four years by itself and can be renewed without a journeyman certification.[4] The CETa was changed in November 2013 to allow renewal on a four year basis.[2][5]

• Journeyman Certified Electronics Technician (CET) (designated as CES in Canada)

To attain the CET, ETA requires the candidate to pass the CETa exam and a qualifying Journeyman Certification Option. The CET is good for four years and can be renewed by retesting or demonstrating 40 hours of upgrade electronics training.[4]

• Senior Certified Electronics Technician (CETsr) (designated as CESsr in Canada)[6]

The Senior Certified Electronics Technician is an upgrade to the Journeyman CET. It requires six-years work experience and an 85% passing score on the CET exam.[4]

• Certified Electronics Technician Master Specialty (CETms) (designated as CESms in Canada)[6]

The ETA Certified Electronics Technician Master Specialty (CETms) certification is designed for any professional with four or more certifications in areas such as fiber optics, information technology, RF communications, and telecommunications.

• Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) (designated as CESma in Canada)[6]

A technician with six or more years combined work and electronics training may be eligible for the ETA Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification. The Master certification was created to showcase those technicians who are able to demonstrate proficiency in the many fields of electronics.[4]

All technical certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC)[7] and align with the ISO-17024 standard. Independent audits are conducted on a regular basis to ensure compliance.[8]

Membership is open to anyone who is involved in one of the industries ETA serves. Membership allows voting rights for such things as biannual officer elections and service awards as well as by-law changes and other association business. ETA offers six types of membership for educators, professionals, technicians, and students.[9] Each membership includes an subscription to the High Tech News, ETA's bi-monthly membership magazine.[10]

• ETA International