NARTE sets the standard for EMC engineers

In 1987, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) determined it needed a program to ensure the qualifications of EMC engineers and technicians working on NAVAIR projects. The following year, NAVAIR selected the National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers (NARTE) to design and implement that program. Today, the Navy, as well as other government agencies and high-tech companies, uses NARTE certification as a benchmark when comparing the capabilities of companies and test labs.

NARTE certification consists of four major components:

• Experience. To gain accreditation, an engineer must have nine years of work experience. During this time, the engineer must actually be doing EMC engineering work. The rules explicitly identify work that does not qualify for credit, including management positions (in which more than 20% of one's time is spent on administrative matters or does not involve direct supervision of EMC engineers); marketing; mechanical, civil, or architectural engineering; computer programming (where the programming is not related to the development of EMC analysis or design programs); and military experience that does not involve supervision of EMC engineers.
• Education. Graduation from an accredited college engineering program gains an applicant credit for four years of work experience. Graduate study gains an applicant credit for a maximum of one additional year, and teaching experience qualifies for up to two years of experience.
• References. Applicants must submit the names of three references, all of whom will be asked about the character and technical competence of the applicant. One of the references must be a supervisor.
• Examination. Assuming that all the other qualifications have been met, the applicant is given a test that covers 26 EMC subjects, including bonding and grounding, shielding, EMC test plans, ESD, lightning protection, EMI prediction and analysis, antennas, and filter theory.

The test consists of two sections, each having 48 questions. Each section has eight questions dealing with military EMC standards that test takers can skip if they don't apply to their work. The entire test must be completed in eight hours. It is an open-book test, and test takers can use any reference materials they think will be helpful. A passing grade is 70%.

If you decide to take the test, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of passing. NARTE publishes a PowerPoint presentation that gives tips on how to pass the test the first time:

• Stick with your first answer. Your first response is probably the correct response.
• Limit reference material. Bring copies of standards and one or two general handbooks common to the field. If you must bring textbooks, limit yourself to one or two and use sticky tabs to flag those sections to which you want to refer.
• Keep track of the time. Jot down time checks on a sheet of scratch paper or on the examination booklet so you don't fall behind. To complete the 96-question test in eight hours, you will have to answer 12 questions per hour, or one every five minutes. By pacing yourself as you take the examination, you won't fall so far behind that you'll have to leave questions unanswered at the end.
• Answer every question. NARTE does not take points off for wrong answers, so even if you have to guess, it's to your advantage to do so. If you would like to dispute a question, mark your comments and explanations in the exam booklet. Your contention will be reviewed by NARTE.

Don Sweeney, a NARTE-certified EMC engineer and long-time consultant, also has advice for those taking the test. First, read each question thoroughly and determine what it is really asking. Next, read all the answers. Don't stop at the first one that looks correct, but instead choose the best one after reading all the options.

To help engineers prepare for the test, Sweeney's Web site, http://www.dlsemc.com , includes the "NARTE Question of the Week." These questions are similar to the ones asked on the test, and the Web site gives not only the answer to the multiple-choice question but also a full explanation of the answer. Answering these questions will also help you decide which resource materials to bring with you to the real test.

I asked several engineers whether NARTE certification was worth pursuing. I found that not only was it worth obtaining, but in many cases, it is a requirement. Scott Lytle, EMC laboratory manager for Yazaki North America (Canton, MI), said, "It is not required to be hired, but I do require them to actively work on getting certified once they are hired."

Kimball Williams, senior staff engineer at Underwriters Laboratories, (Canton, MI), notes that certification is "not a hard and fast requirement for employment," but that it's a qualification that's definitely a plus. Once engineers are hired, Williams says, "They are 'encouraged' to seek NARTE certification."

Certification is prized because many customers now require that test labs be accredited, and one requirement for accreditation is having experienced engineers on staff. NARTE certification is one way a lab can meet this requirement. Notes Lytle, "Our customers are the vehicle OEMs who require that EMC testing laboratories be A2LA-accredited. NARTE certification is one of the requirements for being an A2LA Laboratory Supervisor, unless you have an MSEE plus three years lab experience or BSEE with five years lab experience."

I then asked the two men if, in general, NARTE-certified engineers are more qualified than those who do not have certification. Both men agreed that they are. Lytle said those who care enough to get the certification are the same engineers who care enough to take care of all the details and do the job right. Williams says, "Making the effort to study for—and then pass—the NARTE exam shows a high level of dedication and commitment."

In 1995, NARTE began offering an ESD certification in addition to the EMC certification. For more information on how to obtain both certifications, visit http://www.narte.org or call 800-896-2783.