The NJATC, working with the American Institutes for Research, has developed the Inside Electrical Craft Certification program. This program provides evaluation of electrical workers based on the Inside Wireman Job Analysis, completed by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) in 2005. The Job Analysis is a comprehensive analysis of the duties and types of work performed by Inside Wiremen, and is based on extensive research from multiple sources including: electrical contractors, journeymen wiremen, apprentices, training directors, and industry leaders. Verification of these duties and types of work was further verified through meeting with a select group of industry partners, identified as the National Electrical Certification Board, or NECB.
Craft Certification Examinations are designed to evaluate knowledge through the use of six levels of written examinations and skills/abilities through the use of six levels of performance evaluations. To view information relevant to the written examinations click the link titled "The Written Examination". To view information relevant to the performance evaluations click on the link titled "The Performance Evaluation".
Evaluation tools (written examinations and performance evaluations) are hosted locally by JATCs who have certified Test Administrators for written examinations or trained Performance Evaluators for performance evaluations. To offer the Written Examinations, the JATC must have access to an Internet connected computer lab. To offer the Performance Evaluation, the JATC must have a properly configured evaluation spaces or booths consisting of pre-installed equipment as well as tools and materials for the evaluation.
Craft Certification Written Examinations have been developed to evaluate knowledge about electrical theory, materials, tools, and systems. There are six levels of written examinations identified as Level 1 through Level 6. The Level 1 through Level 5 Examinations are designed to evaluate knowledge based on years of experience for apprentices or entry level workers. The Level 1 through Level 5 Written Examinations would be appropriate for someone completing the corresponding year of a formal apprenticeship, someone having completed the Related Instruction in a High School Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program, or someone having completed a Sponsored High School to Registered Apprenticeship Program. The Level 6 Examination covers all of the topics addressed in the Levels 1 through 5 Examinations, and is appropriate for anyone with 5 years of experience, and who is ready to become a Journeylevel Electrician or someone who is already a JW and needs evaluation.
All levels of written examination s are based on the NJATC Job Analysis, conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), and are validated for use in determining training levels for electrical workers.
The following topics are addressed in the Craft Certification Written Examinations:
*Level 1 and Level 2 Examinations may be suitable for use with Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Programs with appropriate prerequisite training.
All written examinations are delivered through over the Internet, and must be proctored by a certificated Test Administrator who has completed electrical training ALLIANCE Test Administrator training. Each Level 1 through Level 5 written examination includes 100 multiple-choice questions, which cover the topics addressed in each level of the examination. The maximum allowable time for Level 1 through Level 5 Examinations is three hours. The Level 6 written examination includes 200 multiple choice questions addressing all of the topics covered in the Level 1 through 5 Examinations, and must be completed in a maximum of four hours. All topics addressed in the written examinations are addressed in the NJATC Inside Wireman Core Curriculum.
Completion of all of the written examinations, along with all of the performance evaluations, is a requirement for Craft Certification.
The passing score for each Level 1 through Level 6 written examination is 70%. Registered apprentices, who achieve a score of 70% or higher on each of the Level 1 through Level 5 Written Examinations, are eligible for Craft Certification, provided they have also satisfactorily complete the appropriate performance evaluations. JATCs which need trained Test Administrators to proctor the written Craft Certification examinations should check the electrical training ALLIANCE course schedule at: https://electricaltrainingevents.org to select a training location to complete training.
All written Craft Certification examinations must be completed following the standards established by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the electrical training ALLIANCE.
Performance Evaluations are hands-on evaluations which include a variety of tasks which must be completed by the individual being evaluated, without assistance, and only using the references and materials provided by the evaluator. The tasks are based on an individual's analysis of a blueprint drawing and a job specification page, and include evaluations of the individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. The documentation provided includes all information necessary to complete each evaluation.
There are currently six levels of performance evaluations. Five of the evaluations are classified as incremental evaluations (seven additional levels of incremental evaluations are under development). Level 1 through Level 5, referred to as incremental evaluations, are task specific evaluations. These evaluations are designed to evaluate specific tasks in a limited topic area. These evaluations are not linked with a specific year of training, but are designed to be used to evaluate Electrical Workers, High School to Registered Apprenticeship Students, or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship High School Students who have completed appropriate training at the time that training is completed. The Level 6 evaluation is identified as a Journeylevel evaluation, and is intended to evaluate a graduating apprentice or Journeylevel worker.
Each of the Incremental Performance Evaluation is designed to be completed within a two-hour time limit. The following descriptions provide details about each level of Incremental Performance Evaluation.
NOTE: Watch for additional Incremental Performance Evaluations in the future.
The Level 6 evaluation is a journeylevel evaluation which addresses several selected topic areas identified by the Job Analysis completed by the American Institutes for Research (AIR). The Level 6 evaluation is a four-hour evaluation.
Skills which are covered in the 4-hour evaluation include:
Tasks which might be necessary are the installation of raceways, wiring and devices; and the configuration of equipment, to meet the needs of the project. As with the Incremental Evaluations, individual completing the Journeylevel Evaluation must complete the evaluations with only the materials and reference documents provided by the trained Performance Evaluator assigned to proctor the evaluation.
In addition to evaluating skills, the performance evaluation also evaluates knowledge, as many of the tasks require analysis and configuration to complete the described systems. The evaluation is completed as if it is a jobsite and individuals being evaluated are treated as workers with responsibility in completing the project.
JATCs that need trained Performance Evaluators to proctor performance evaluations should check the electrical training ALLIANCE course schedule at https://electricaltrainingevents.org to select a training location to complete training.
All Craft Certification performance evaluations must be completed in a validated evaluation space registered with the electrical training ALLIANCE; and must be performed by an IBEW Journeyman Wireman who has completed performance evaluation training provided by the electrical training ALLIANCE. All performance evaluations must be completed using documents available from the electrical training ALLIANCE.
There are no study guides for the written examinations. Analysis of the topics listed in the description included under the written examination page link will however; provide insight into topics to study as you prepare for any level of examination. The level of study for any topic would be similar to that completed by someone enrolled in comprehensive training courses on those topics. The NJATC has training materials and courses for each of the topics.
To successfully complete the Performance Evaluation, individuals should have realistic hands-on classroom lab training, field experience or on-the-job training in the topics covered. While knowledge of these topics will be an enabling factor in completing these evaluations; the level of the tasks to be completed necessitate that individuals challenging any level of performance evaluation have previously installed similar systems either through field experience or in realistic hands-on classroom lab settings, and are familiar with methods and procedures for installing these systems.
Individuals who are registered as a Test Administrator for the electrical training ALLIANCE Electrical Trades Aptitude Test can also become qualified to administer the six levels of the online Craft Certification Written Examination. If you are not registered as a Test Administrator, you must complete that training prior to becoming qualified to administer the Craft Certification Examinations.
Once your credentials have been verified, your Training Director will receive an email providing information about how to enable you to deliver written Craft Certification Examinations online in the electrical training ALLIANCE LMS.
Check with the NJATC at 888.652.4007 for information about the cost of online written Craft Certification examinations.
Individuals who have completed the electrical training ALLIANCE Performance Evaluation Training Course can become qualified to deliver performance evaluations to individuals in their program. Evaluators must be registered with the electrical training ALLIANCE to receive evaluation packets, and to receive scoring of completed evaluations from the electrical training ALLIANCE. In addition, evaluations can only be performed in Performance Evaluation Stations, approved by the electrical training ALLIANCE. To receive a copy of the drawings for the Evaluation Station, send an email to CraftCertification@njatc.org including your name, JATC program or Local Union affiliation, mailing address and phone number requesting the information. The drawings will be shipped to you when your information is verified.
Once you have been qualified as a Performance Evaluator and your evaluation space has been validated, you must order a Performance Evaluation Packets to physically complete Performance Evaluations.
All Incremental Evaluations for a single individual are included in a single packet. For each Performance Evaluation Kit Level 1 - 5 (PEVALIK) that you order, your program will be billed at the current price. This fee includes the cost of printing the materials, scoring the forms, entering the information into the Craft Certification Database and reporting the results to the JATC's Training Director.
NOTE: Packet(s) and kit(s) can only be ordered by authorized parties. Each Performance Evaluation Packet is serially numbered. Please make sure this number is on all information that is sent back on the participant. If not, it will not be scored.
NOTE: Incremental Evaluations are being updated, and in the future will be delivered in individual packets for each level of evaluation. Watch electrical training ALLIANCE announcements for more information of repackaged and new Incremental Evaluations.
To order evaluation packet(s) or kit(s), use the standard electrical training ALLIANCE Order Form.
One Level 6 Packet (PEVALK) is required for each individual to be evaluated. Your Program will be billed at the current price for each packet. This fee includes the cost of printing the materials, scoring the forms, entering the information into the Craft Certification Database and reporting the results to the JATC's Training Director. Note packet(s) and kit(s) can only be ordered by authorized parties. Each Performance Evaluation Packet is serially numbered. Please make sure this number is on all information that is sent back on the participant. If not, it will not be scored.
To order evaluation packet(s) or kit(s), use the standard electrical training ALLIANCE Order Form.
Check with the electrical training ALLIANCE at 888.652.4007 for information about the cost of online Craft Certification Performance Evaluation kits.
