One thing that anyone who’s new to the electronics manufacturing industry should know is that your IPC certification for a specific standard is not valid for the rest of your life. Once your certification’s validity date is near, you must get in touch with an accredited IPC training center for information on recertification or renewal if you want to continue enjoying the advantages of being an IPC-certified technician, standards expert, or instructor.
When’s the right time to renew?
Regardless of the specific standard that your IPC certification is for, the certification is only valid for two years. Before the expiration of its validity, you must already have undergone the recertification process.
In fact, you can already go through the renewal procedures within six calendar months before the expiration date. Take note that there’s no extension granted for anyone who hasn’t renewed their certification after it expired, unlike in the past when a single extension was granted for 90 days after the expiration.
So if you’ve been holding on to your IPC certification for almost 18 months already, make sure to search for “IPC training near me” to find the learning center approved by the trade association IPC to conduct recertification courses.
Once your renewal is complete, your certification will be valid for another two years starting from your current expiration date.
What happens if you fail to timely recertify?
The no extensions rule for recertification was implemented in 2020. According to IPC’s documentations (revised as of January 2022), individuals in any of the programs (i.e. CIS, CSE, or CIT) who fail to recertify will result in the following:
- Expiration of the certification,
- Removal of the individual’s credentials, and
- Cancellation of rights afforded to the individuals.
In essence, you’ll have to go through the initial certification process all over again.
However, the documentation for IPC trainers or CITs has an additional note that failure to recertify will result in being barred from applying for initial certification within 90 days after their expiration dates. Once this period is over, the CIT aspirants must once again demonstrate that they meet the requirements for initial certification.
CIS Recertification Process
If you’re a Certified IPC Specialist (CIS), you have two options on how to renew your certification:
- Enrolling in IPC training and completing the certification program for the specific standard; or
- Only taking the certification’s qualifying exams and/or assessments.
Even if training is not required for the renewal, it’s recommended to take this route to ensure that you’re on top of the latest when it comes to the industry’s rapidly changing standards, best practices, and technology.
A well-established IPC training center can assist you in both IPC recertification courses and IPC testing. So send in your inquiry as soon as possible.
CSE Recertification Process
If you’re a Certified Standards Expert (CSE), extending your certification’s validity period will also automatically extend all the endorsements you’re qualified for.
There are two ways the CSEs can renew their certification.
- Retesting i.e. successfully passing the certification renewal exam; or
- Committee Participation i.e. providing proof of having rendered more than 25 hours of technical committee participation within the current two-year certification validity period. The committee must relate to the endorsement they’re qualified for.
CIT Recertification Process
If you’re a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT), there are several requirements you need to comply with before you can even qualify for retesting and certification renewal. These requirements are:
- Conducted at least 1 IPC CIS course annually;
- Had trained at least 5 CIS candidates within the two-year certification validity period; and
- Had taught courses with at least one optional module.
MIT Recertification Process
If you’re a Master IPC Trainer (MIT), your certification must be renewed through continuing education. Documentation related to your professional activities and continuing education may be submitted with your Certification Renewal Form.
MITs wanting to renew their certification must have at least 25 IPC certification renewal points within the validity of their current certification with at least 10 points of which obtained through continuing education.
Don’t delay the renewal process!
If you’re in Colorado, you don’t have to search for IPC training near me. Blackfox is a Colorado-based global leader in providing IPC Certification and custom training systems to various companies in the manufacturing industry. Get in touch with us for your IPC recertification needs today.
