Anyone who wants to obtain IPC 7711 certification, whether as Specialist, Standards Expert or Instructor, will have to undergo training and pass the qualifying exams with flying colors. So if you want to become a certified trainer for IPC 7711/7721, it is essential that you carefully choose the learning center or the institution where you can enroll for the IPC training.
Overview of IPC 7711/7721
When it comes to ensuring minimal impact on reliability and quality during the re-installation and replacement of electronic components as well as the repair of circuitry, the electronics industry rely on the standards set in the IPC 7711/7721, which is also entitled as “Rework, Modification and Repair of Electronic Assemblies.”
An IPC 7721 and IPC 7711 training generally aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to restore operations of expensive electronics assemblies in Class 3 products, which require intense levels of reliability like those used in aerospace, military and medical industries.
The Certified IPC Trainer Program
The Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is an individual-level certification and is one of the highest IPC certification levels. Those holding this certification level are qualified to train and certify students in the Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) program.
CITs can be employees of companies training within the organizations, faculty members in training and educational institutions, or independent consultants working with various companies. They can opt to upgrade their teaching career by becoming a Master IPC Trainer (MIT) but this designation is only valid when working in a single IPC licensed training center.
Prerequisite
The IPC 7711/7721 is not intended to be a basic course for hand soldering and rework. In fact, students in the CIS program are required to have soldering skills including fine pitch in order to enroll in the training program. Similarly, aspiring trainers in the CIT program are required to have advanced soldering skills.
Training the Trainers
To obtain your IPC 7721 and IPC 7711 certification, you must undergo training with an IPC licensed training center. The class duration is around five days, depending on the institution and schedule.
Among the main goals of the training include:
- Ability to explain the IPC terminology and definitions;
- Correctly interpret and teach the IPC 7711/7721 standard;
- Set up and perform CIS courses based on IPC requirements; and
- Demonstrate specific soldering and rework techniques for Class 3 standards.
Qualifying Examinations
At the conclusion of the IPC 7721 and IPC 7711 training, CIT candidates will have to take qualifying exams which are generally taken online unless there are specific cases that require paper-and-pencil exams.
The certification exams involve the following:
- Enhanced Policies and Procedures Exam, which is a set of multiple-choice questions that assess the candidates’ general understanding of the IPC 7711/7721 standard including its history and application;
- Standard Specific Endorsement Exam, which is both an open-book and closed-book exam; and
- Workmanship Endorsements, which is essentially a practical and hands-on demonstration of the candidates’ skill.
The CIT candidates must be able to pass their written exams with a score of at least 80%.
Certification Validity
The IPC 7711/7721 CIT certification is valid for 24 months.
Recertification
Prior to the expiration of your IPC 7711/7721 CIT certification, you must train for recertification if you want your status to remain active. The length for this course is usually around two days. Before you can enroll though, it’s also required that you must have certified at least five students in a minimum of one class per year of certification in any of the programs you’re certified in.
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