Neta Certs...why are they valid?

[dnigra]

I was just informed that the cert is only good for the company you acquired it at. In other words if I get new job...I'll no longer be a level 2 certified?

Thanks

dan

[cjones09]

From what I understand, you are correct. All of that hard work that went into that certification goes out the window once you leave your company. If you go to another NETA company you probably wont loose it but anywhere else and you are SOL.

[Jsquirl84]

I was just informed that the cert is only good for the company you acquired it at. In other words if I get new job...I'll no longer be a level 2 certified?

Thanks

dan

Who told you this information? I know of at least 2 guys who left the company I am at and went to another company and were still NETA 2 certified.

-Joe

[cjones09]

Who told you this information? I know of at least 2 guys who left the company I am at and went to another company and were still NETA 2 certified.

-Joe

Are both companies NETA?

[Jsquirl84]

Who told you this information? I know of at least 2 guys who left the company I am at and went to another company and were still NETA 2 certified.

-Joe

Yes, both companies are NETA. I was told your NETA cert is good even if you leave a NETA company, but only for 1 year. So if you do not work for a NETA company within a year it gets taken away

[AmberCorey]

Very helpful. That's pretty much what I was thinking. Thanks again!

[SuspectK]

The company you receive your certification at has to update your certification with the main office every year, why your card only shows it being valid for a year.

If you leave the company, and immediately go to another NETA company, they can file paperwork with the main office to transfer your certification.

If you leave the company, and you don't go to another NETA company right away, your previous company can either keep your certification updated(which more than likely requires payment to the NETA main office) or stop updating it.

[codycody103]

I was just informed that the cert is only good for the company you acquired it at. In other words if I get new job...I'll no longer be a level 2 certified?

Thanks

dan

Although i like what NETA stands for, i think its a big scam and money grab to be honest...

[Achandler]

I was just informed that the cert is only good for the company you acquired it at. In other words if I get new job...I'll no longer be a level 2 certified?

Thanks

dan

Correct. If you want a cert to travel with you it needs to be from NICET. Look them up at nicet.org

[ElectricalTestTech]

Correct. If you want a cert to travel with you it needs to be from NICET. Look them up at nicet.org

NETA certifications travel with you to another NETA contractor. And I believe you have something like 5 years of not working for a NETA contractor before it expires.

The whole point of this certification is to let customers know that you know what your doing. That you didn't quit your NETA job 15 years ago and are getting back into the field. All of the information we know as Test Technicians is on a use or lose basis. They want certified people to remain current with technology and equipment.

So call it a scam or whatever. But it keeps the value of a certified technician up

[roberts311]

I was just informed that the cert is only good for the company you acquired it at. In other words if I get new job...I'll no longer be a level 2 certified?

Thanks

dan

I've been employed by 3 different testing companies now and the NETA certifications can move with you as long as the company that you are moving to is an accredited NETA company. I believe that all the new company has to do is to take your NETA Certification number and submit to NETA that you now work for their company.

[Kalbi_Rob]

Some key points from the NETAworld.org FAQ:

Q. I am a Level 2, 3, or 4 Certified Technician, but was dropped to Level 1, what happened?

A. Technicians who do not meet the requirements for recertification by the three-year deadline will lose their certification.

Q. How can I make sure that I am recertified?

A. Technicians who are a certified Level 2, 3, or 4 technician are offered three methods to recertify every three years.
1. Earn the requisite number of Continuing Technical Development (CTD) credits.
2. Retake the current level of certification.
3. Advance to the next level of certification by meeting all requirements and passing that exam.

Q. If I lose my certification, is there a grace period in which to earn it back?

A. Yes. If you fail to recertify by the deadline through CTD credits or by taking the certification exam, NETA allows you up 12 months in which to retake the certification exam for the level of certification lost. However, during this grace period, you will be listed as a Level 1 Technician on your company's roster and will not receive a card or certificate until you are fully recertified.

Q. What if an unexpected life event prevented me from obtaining all of the required CTD credits?

A. Please contact your NETA Accredited Representative or Technician Representative to discuss your unique situation. They may choose to contact the NETA Office on your behalf.

As with the last question, each situation is unique and NETA organization will work with individuals to maintain certifications. I recently lost my NETA III cert due to obtaining my degree in B.S. Electrical Engineering because I didn't maintain my CTD credits, but was given NETA II since it was only 3 years. It is up to your new company NETA Accredited Representative to argue your case for you, as NETA does not wish to hear directly from technicians.

[SecondGen]

I recently lost my NETA III cert due to obtaining my degree in B.S. Electrical Engineering because I didn't maintain my CTD credits, but was given NETA II since it was only 3 years.

>Obtaining Electrical Engineering degree does not qualify as CTD.

smh :confused:

[SecondGen]

Q. How can I make sure that I am recertified?
1. Earn the requisite number of Continuing Technical Development (CTD) credits.


As technicians there isn't much we can do on our own to maintain CTD, at least on the cheap. Training is usually expensive and is facilitated through the company you work for. Only way I can think is to take advantage of the free webinars that offer CTD credits. AVO and Megger hold them often:

http://www.avotraining.com/resources/webinars
https://us.megger.com/company/webinars

Please post if anyone knows of other ways to get CTD.

[Kalbi_Rob]

As technicians there isn't much we can do on our own to maintain CTD, at least on the cheap. Training is usually expensive and is facilitated through the company you work for. Only way I can think is to take advantage of the free webinars that offer CTD credits. AVO and Megger hold them often:

http://www.avotraining.com/resources/webinars
https://us.megger.com/company/webinars

Please post if anyone knows of other ways to get CTD.

Also, SEL University and Valence Relay training, but not cheap:

https://selinc.com/selu/
https://relaytraining.com/online-protective-relay-training-v3/

So, as for degrees, only specific courses are eligible for CTD, so they wouldn't except my degree for more than one year of experience because of this.

[Logan_NES]

Hey Guys,

I recruit for NETA technician roles for a number of clients and I speak with NETA technicians transitioning from employers on a daily basis. From my experiences many companies will accommodate you working your way back up to your respective NETA level. so if your a level 2 and since lost your cert you shouldn't have any issue getting on board with a new company at a respectable rate.

From what I've heard you have 6 months after leaving your current NETA company to find another NETA company to work for or you will have to retest.

(shamless plug) I do have a number of locations looking for NETA/testing technicians if you guys know of anyone good looking.

[GreenHornet]

Hey Guys,

I recruit for NETA technician roles for a number of clients and I speak with NETA technicians transitioning from employers on a daily basis. From my experiences many companies will accommodate you working your way back up to your respective NETA level. so if your a level 2 and since lost your cert you shouldn't have any issue getting on board with a new company at a respectable rate.

From what I've heard you have 6 months after leaving your current NETA company to find another NETA company to work for or you will have to retest.

(shamless plug) I do have a number of locations looking for NETA/testing technicians if you guys know of anyone good looking.

plug is it ac or dc?
anyway do you find that most companies want neta techs?

[Chipperk]

Although i like what NETA stands for, i think its a big scam and money grab to be honest...

Agree! Just because you can study well and retain information does not mean you can go in the field and use all the equipment or even have a clue how to test anything! I knew a tester who was wicked smart took the 3 and 4 text back to back and passed. But he could test anything! He had no working knowledge of test equipment or really what text equipment was needed for different jobs. But his theory was solid lol!

[hy3533]

The company you receive your certification at has to update your certification with the main office every year, why your card only shows it being valid for a year.

If you leave the company, and immediately go to another NETA company, they can file paperwork with the main office to transfer your certification.

If you leave the company, and you don't go to another NETA company right away, your previous company can either keep your certification updated(which more than likely requires payment to the NETA main office) or stop updating it.

thank you for this info.

[Logan_NES]

plug is it ac or dc?
anyway do you find that most companies want neta techs?

@GreenHornet that's actually a punny joke!

But I find most companies Neta affiliated or not would choose a Neta or at least pay more for a Neta tech over someone who is not (everything else considered being the same of course).

It is a strong addition to any Electrical Tester's resume. Another thing I see is technician's leaving it off their resume once it expires, don't do that! if you've held a Neta cert in the last 3-5 years I feel it's worth listing.

[GreenHornet]

@GreenHornet that's actually a punny joke!

But I find most companies Neta affiliated or not would choose a Neta or at least pay more for a Neta tech over someone who is not (everything else considered being the same of course).

It is a strong addition to any Electrical Tester's resume. Another thing I see is technician's leaving it off their resume once it expires, don't do that! if you've held a Neta cert in the last 3-5 years I feel it's worth listing.

i'd say leave it on there as well, sadly I feel NETA could do more, my dealings with them have been less than good, but until the industry asks for more it won't get any better, NERC may require certification in near future, that will spur change

[samair99]

Although i like what NETA stands for, i think its a big scam and money grab to be honest...

Agree. For a technician, having a NETA certification doesn't get you much except maybe a few extra bucks. It isn't necessarily a testament to ones skill, I've seen NICET and non-certified techs run circles around NETA techs in the field. It's all about money, NETA makes it very hard for a company to get accredited and if you are lucky enough to get in, that just means you can charge your customers more for the same service.

[ElectricalTestTech]

Agree. For a technician, having a NETA certification doesn't get you much except maybe a few extra bucks. It isn't necessarily a testament to ones skill, I've seen NICET and non-certified techs run circles around NETA techs in the field. It's all about money, NETA makes it very hard for a company to get accredited and if you are lucky enough to get in, that just means you can charge your customers more for the same service.

Well, there are exceptions to every certification. But I believe that Some type of standard is needed to effectively rate ones knowledge. It doesn’t have to mean NETA or NICET, but I have seen first hand, people who leave the trade as “knowledgeable” and come for a weekend project a year after leaving and you feel you have a sack of potatoes. To me, this is where NETA exceeds NICET and put the limitation on how long a certification is active. If you aren’t working for a NETA company or can’t get CTD’s, to prove you are still active in the industry, you can’t ride my coat tails.

But that’s just my point of view