|
The
single management level Plant Maintenance Grade IV
will be replaced by two separate specialty
certifications: Mechanical Technologist Grade IV
and Electrical/Instrumentation Grade IV. The tests
for the new certifications will be available
beginning January 2007. Splitting the Plant
Maintenance Grade IV certification into two
specialties allows more in-depth technical content
to be tested. The last test for the Plant
Maintenance Grade IV was given July 2006.
A Review Panel of plant maintenance subject
matter experts analyzed the Plant Maintenance test
content (subject) areas as part of a test
validation process that takes place for each
vocation every few years. The review panel
compared the test content areas with current
practices and technology to determine if the test
subject areas need to be modified. They also
considered feedback from many test takers and
employers regarding the usefulness of the Plant
Maintenance grade level structure. Test takers can
expect the same subject areas as the Plant
Maintenance Grade IV, but with more emphasis on
the technical content for each specialty.
Existing Plant Maintenance Grade IV certifications
will remain valid as long as the annual renewal
fees are paid and the contact hour requirement is
still met. Individuals holding a Plant Maintenance
Grade IV must take the new test to become
certified as a Grade IV Mechanical or
Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist.
Grade I-III Subject Areas Remain
The Same
The Grade I-III tests content areas were also
reviewed with no significant changes. Some minor
adjustments were made mostly to clarify some items
for test developers. There were no changes that
are significant enough to affect test takers.
Study Material Revised
All of the materials used to prepare for the tests
will be updated this Fall to reflect the
relatively small amount of revisions to the test
content areas. The Grade I-III study guides will
be modified slightly and supplementary material
will be added to the Grade IV Plant Maintenance
Study Guide to cover the content for the
Mechanical and Electrical/Instrumentation tests.
The candidate handbooks, and study session
moderator guides will also be modified to reflect
the revised vocation structure. |
Back
to top