Certification

The NAIT Certification Program recognizes the attainment of professional standards by Industrial Technologists. This page is maintained by
Mark Miller, Board of Certification Chair, and Dave Monforton, Certification Officer, and has been updated to reflect the eligibility and fee policies in effect as of January 1, 2005.

Purpose & Benefits: Why Get Certified?
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Certification
Eligibility & Certification Policies
Certification Exam
Certification Exam Study Guide
Print Certification Application
Continuing Education Requirements - Professional Development Units
Administrative Organization
Board of Certification Members
Board of Certification Minutes & Certification Count



On-Line Certification Exams
To be able to take the NAIT CIT or CMS On-Line Exam (for both program assessment or individual testing), it must be scheduled through the NAIT office.
Call 734-677-0720 and ask for Mary Lee or Rick Coscarelli.
CIT - Certified Industrial Technologist
Examinee/Student: On-Line CIT Test Login Click Here.
Proctor: On-Line CIT Login Click Here.

CMS - Certified Manufacturing Specialist
Examinee/Student: On-Line CMS Test Login Click Here.
Proctor: On-Line CMS Login Click Here.

TO PRINT A NAIT CERTIFICATION APPLICATION in .pdf format using Adobe Acrobat Reader, your browser (e.g. Netscape) must have its preferences configured to use Acrobat to view .pdf files. If you would like to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader click below on "Get Acrobat Reader".

ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATION
To determine if you are eligible for NAIT certification, click on the "Eligibility & Certification Policies" frame above.

Return to Main Screen















Return to Main Screen

Purpose of NAIT Certification

Purpose

Return to Main Screen

The primary purpose of the National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) certification program is to provide recognition of the attainment of certain professional standards by Industrial Technologists.

Purpose & Benefits of Certification: Why get Certified?

Authority and Responsibility

NAIT is dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of professional standards for industrial technologists and derives the authority and responsibility for certification from its Constitution and Bylaws which state "...a Board of Certification may be established to coordinate and conduct all certification activity of the Association...the Board shall be an autonomous decision-making body with final authority for all certification decisions." NAIT established the Board of Certification at the October 19, 1991 Executive Board meeting.

Return to Main Screen















Administrative Organization

Return to Main Screen

Functional decision-making authority for implementing the certification process is carried out by the certification officer, the Board of Certification, and the Certification Personnel Committee. Decisions reached by this individual and these two autonomous decision-making bodies are not subject to approval by any officers, committees, or boards of NAIT.

Board of Certification:

  • Membership: The Board of Certification consists of fourteen members appointed or elected as follows:

    Three Members - University Division. The University Division will elect three members (one each year) who will serve three-year terms. Members shall be elected from each region on a rotating basis. A nominating committee consisting of the three most recent past presidents of the University Division shall be responsible for identifying two candidates for each position. The slate of candidates shall be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Association at least 90 days prior to the annual convention. A ballot will be mailed to each professional member of the Division. If any of the elected members are unable to complete their term of office, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the President of the University Division.

    Three Members - Community College and Technical Institute Division. The Community College and Technical Institute Division will elect three members (one each year) who will serve three-year terms. Members shall be elected from each region on a rotating basis. A nominating committee consisting of the three most recent past presidents of the Community College and Technical Institute Division shall be responsible for identifying two candidates for each position. The slate of candidates shall be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Association at least 90 days prior to the annual convention. A ballot will be mailed to each professional member of the Division. If any of the elected members are unable to complete their term of office, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the President of the Community College and Technical Institute Division.

    Three Members - Industry Division. The Industry Division will elect three members (one each year) who will serve three-year terms. Members shall be elected from each region on a rotating basis. A nominating committee consisting of the three most recent past presidents of the Industry Division shall be responsible for identifying two candidates for each position. The slate of candidates shall be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Association at least 90 days prior to the annual convention. A ballot will be mailed to each professional member of the Division. If any of the elected members are unable to complete their term of office, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the President of the Industry Division.

    One Member - Student Division. The President of the Student Division shall appoint one member to serve a two-year term. The name of the appointee will be turned over to the Executive Director of the Association at least 30 days prior to the annual convention.

    Two Members - Lay Public. Two members from the lay public shall be appointed to three-year terms on the Board. The appointments will be made by the Executive Board from nominations submitted by the Chair of the Executive Board.

    Certification Officer. A certification officer shall be appointed to a four-year term by the Board of Certification. The certification officer may be reappointed to consecutive terms. The certification officer shall serve as an ex-officio (non-voting) member of the Board.

    Board Chair. The chair of the Board of Certification shall be appointed to a four-year term of office by the Executive Board. The chair may be appointed to one additional term of office. In the absence of the chair of the Board of the Certification, the president of the University Division shall serve temporarily, or if necessary, until the Executive Board appoints a replacement.

  • Board Authority: The Board of Certification has autonomous decision-making authority for the following activities:

    1) Approve policies, procedures, and standards for certification.
    2) Take action on certification application appeals.
    3) Approve certification examination content and the policies and procedures for conducting the examination.
    4) Approve exceptions (such as "grandfather clauses") to certification standards for individuals and/or groups.

  • Board Meetings: The Board is required to meet at the annual convention of the National Association of Industrial Technology. Other meetings may be called by the chair of the Board of Certification.

  • Certification Hearings: The Board shall schedule and conduct open public hearings at least every three years at the annual NAIT convention to provide the opportunity for input on certification policies, procedures, and standards.

    Certification Officer

    The Certification officer shall be responsible for the following activities:

  • Review certification applications to determine if they meet certification standards.

  • Chair the Certification Committee

  • Refer certification applications to the Certification Committee when standards have not been clearly met.

  • Report regularly on certification activity to the Board of Certification and prepare an annual report for presentation to the Board of Certification at their annual meeting.

    Certification Committee

  • Membership: Membership on this committee shall consist of the Certification Officer, the Chair of the Board of Certification, and the Executive director who will be an ex-officio member of the Committee. The Certification Officer shall serve as the Chair of the Certification Committee.

  • Committee Responsibility: The Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

    1) Act on certification applications that have been referred by the Certification Officer.
    2) Supervise the daily operation of the certification program.
    3) Administer the certification examination program and supervise the security of the examination.
    4) Develop and manage the system for recording the continuing education units and/or professional development activities required for certification and/or recertification.
    5) Review appeals and take action or refer to the Board of Accreditation.

    Chair - Board of Certification

    The Chair of the Board of Certification shall have the following responsibilities:

    1) Chair all meetings of the Board of Certification in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
    2) Develop the agenda for Board of Certification meetings.
    3) Initiate all official communications of the Board of Certification.
    4) Report regularly to the Executive Director and Executive Board regarding all Board of Certification activities.
    5) Report activities of the Board of Certification to the members in attendance at the annual business meeting.
    6) Serve as a member of the Certification Committee.

    Appeals

    Applicants may petition for the review of adverse decisions by following these procedures.

    1) Certification Officer Decisions: Adverse decisions of the Certification Officer that are appealed will be reviewed by the Certification Committee.
    2) Certification Committee Decisions: Adverse decisions of the Certification Committee that are appealed will be reviewed by the Board of Certification.

    All appeals should be addressed to the Executive Director of NAIT. An individual may petition only once to the Certification Committee and once to the Board of Certification for a decision review. The Committee and Board shall provide reasons for their action which will be communicated in a letter to the petitioning individual.

    Conflict of Interest

    Only individuals without potential conflict of interest shall be involved in decisions about individual certification applications. Individuals shall be considered to have a potential conflict of interest in the following situations:

    1) They have or are currently working in the same institution as the certification applicant. In cases involving a conflict of interest with the Certification Officer, other members of the Certification Committee will process applications.
    2) They are related to the certification applicant through marriage or birth.
    3) They have had a direct social or professional relationship with the certification applicant.
    4) They have had a business relationship or an employer/employee relationship with the certification applicant.

    Members of the Board of Certification and Certification Committee shall remove themselves from all deliberations relating to the certification process for specific individuals when any of the above conditions exist. Further, any other situations of potential conflict of interest shall be treated in the same manner. The Board of Certification shall have final authority for determining if a conflict of interest situation exists. The Board shall also be responsible for ensuring that individuals involved in the certification process are aware of and adhere to these policies.

    Certification Personnel

    A list of all individuals involved in the certification decision-making process is available upon request from the NAIT National Office. The list contains names, addresses, telephone numbers, and the status of the election or appointment periods.

    Return to Main Screen















    Eligibility & Certification Policies

    Eligibility for NAIT Certification

    Return to Main Screen

    Individuals meeting the following criteria are eligible* to be certified by NAIT:

    1) You must have an industrial technology-related degree (AS, BS, MS or Doctorate) or an equivalent degree, teach or serve as an administrator in an industrial technology-related degree program, or be professionally employed in a capacity related to the discipline of Industrial Technology. You are also eligible in your last semester prior to receipt of your AS or BS degree, if your impending graduation is verified on your application by your academic advisor.

    and

    2) You must take and pass the NAIT Certification Examination*. The exam is offered at many colleges and universities accredited by or affiliated with NAIT or you can also contact NAIT to arrange an individual exam session. The exam may be offered at NAIT's annual convention each fall.

    (* Eligibility policy effective January 1, 2005.)

    Certification Levels

    Certified Industrial Technologist (CIT): CIT is the initial certification status awarded to eligible applicants. CIT status is awarded for a maximum of eight years and is not renewable. Upon completion of the initial eight-year CIT certification and acquisition of 75 PDUs, recertification is at the CSIT level. CITs with 75 PDUs at the end of the fifth year of CIT certification may request an upgrade to CSIT status.

    Certified Senior Industrial Technologist (CSIT): CSIT is awarded to eligible applicants with five years of post-graduate professional experience who have completed 75 PDUs of continuing education activity in the five years prior to their application. CSIT certification is renewable every five years and requires 75 PDUs of continuing education activity within the prior 5-year CSIT period.

    NAIT Membership

    Applicants for certification must be NAIT members (or include payment for membership with the application for certification).

    Documentation

    Appropriate documentation of professional experience and PDUs must be included on the application for certification. NAIT reserves the right to verify degree status, professional experience, and PDUs.

    Fees

    Certification Exams (CIT or CMS)
    Individual Examination Fee: $20
    Group Exams for Program Assessment

    • 1 to 10 exams: $20 per exam
    • 11 to 25 exams: $250 flat rate
    • 26 or more exams: $300 flat rate

    Certified Industrial Technologist (CIT)and Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMfgS)
    $45 - Application Fee (paid once at initial application)
    $25 - Annual Renewal Fee (paid at end of first year and each year thereafter)

    Certified Senior Industrial Technologist (CSIT)and Certified Senior Manufacturing Specialist (CSMfgS)
    $20 - Examination Fee (unless paid by institution)
    $75 - Application Fee (paid once at initial application)
    $25 - Annual Renewal Fee (paid at end of first year and each year thereafter)

    Fee Policies:

    • NAIT Membership and Certification are billed simultaneously and both the membership fee and the certification renewal fee must be paid to maintain a valid NAIT Certification.
    • The annual renewal fee is due at the same time as the NAIT membership fee.
    • NAIT members applying for initial CIT, CSIT, or CMS certification will receive credit for a portion of their existing dues and NAIT office will prorate their existing dues to establish a new membership renewal date coincident with the certification renewal date.
    • Certification status must be continuous throughout the certification period. Failure of individuals to pay the annual NAIT membership fee and/or the annual certification fee within 60 days of the date due will result in suspension of certification.
    • Upon payment of all fees that are owed, the certification will be reinstated as long as the certified member is in compliance with all other relevant policies, including continuing education policies.
    • NAIT reserves the right to treat a request for reinstatement of a lapsed certification as a new application. This is most common when a certification has been lapsed for three years or more and records of the certification are no longer available; in such cases, NAIT requires the holder of the lapsed certificate to provide documentary evidence of their prior NAIT Certification, to pay all past due fees, and to comply with continuing education requirements. On a individual basis, the Certification Officer may waive specific policies for good cause.

    Return to Main Screen















    NAIT Certification Examination

    Return to Main Screen

    Policy: The Board of Certification shall design and administer certification examinations for individuals who do not meet the prerequisite criteria for certification (i.e., graduate of or faculty member in a NAIT-accredited Industrial Technology program). The examinations shall be administered at least once each year at the NAIT Annual Convention and at other times as determined by the Board of Certification. The areas covered by the examinations and the minimum acceptable scores shall also be determined by the Board of Certification.

    Examination Information:

    • NAIT Certified Industrial Technologist (CIT) Exam: The NAIT Certification (CIT) Examination is currently available for use for individual certification and as a program assessment examination. The exam is a closed book, 160-question, multiple choice examination with questions on Production, Planning & Control; Safety; Quality; Management & Supervision; and other rudimentary questions pertaining to Algebra, Trigonometry, Physics, Chemistry and English. Passage of the exam is determined by a cumulative score on the examination.

    • NAIT Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMfgS) Exam: The NAIT Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMfgS) Exam is now also available, for on-line or paper exam sessions.

      Arranging an Exam Session:

      • Format: The exam is offered in traditional paper format or online.
      • Notify NAIT: To arrange a group exam session on your campus or at your worksite, for either individual certification or program assessment purposes, please provide two weeks notice to NAIT; for paper exams, inadequate notice time may result in a $25 fee for overnight delivery of materials.
      • Proctor Required: An exam proctor is required for the exam session and to take responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the closed-book exam process and the security of the exam materials. For worksite exam sessions, a supervisor or human resources or training department personnel may act as the proctor.
      • Paper Exam: For Paper exam sessions, NAIT will mail the exam booklets, answer sheets and other materials.
      • Online Exam: For Online exam sessions, instructions are delivered to the proctor by email.
      • Exam Fees:
        • Individual Examination Fee: $20
        • Group Exams for Program Assessment
          • 1 to 10 exams: $20 per exam
          • 11 to 25 exams: $250 flat rate
          • 26 or more exams: $300 flat rate
      • Exam Fee Policies:
        • For paper or online exam sessions at a campus location arranged by the department for assessment purposes, NAIT will send an invoice for the exam fees when the exam date has been set.
        • For individual online examinations, the exam fee must be paid or secured prior to the exam session.
        • Exam results are not released until the exam fees for an exam session have been paid.
      • Individual Exams: NAIT will assist you in arranging an individual exam session, at your worksite or at a convenient NAIT-affiliated college or university.
      • Set Up an Exam Session!: To make arrangements for an exam session on your campus or worksite, contact Mary Lee at the NAIT office (734-677-0720).

    Examination Study Guide: The NAIT Board of Certification has developed a study guide to assist examinees in preparation for the exam. To request a PDF of the Study Guide and Frequently Asked Questions, use this email link inquiry@nait.org. This is an unattended email address, simply place "Certification Information" in the subject line and send. You will receive further information and instructions on obtaining this additional information via email. The study guide includes information on the NAIT Certification Program and includes sample exam questions and suggested reference materials to assist in studying for the NAIT Certification Exam.

    Individual Examinations: Individuals interested in taking the exam on an individual basis should contact NAIT to make arrangements for a paper or online exam session. Individuals must pay an examination fee of $20 to sit for the exam. If the individual passes and wants to become certified, they will be responsible for submitting an application and paying the appropriate NAIT membership fee and certification documentation fee. Use this email link to contact Mary Lee at the NAIT office.

    Certification after Examination: Examinees who have passed the NAIT Certification Examination and who apply for NAIT Certification will be certified by NAIT upon receipt of their application and payment of all applicable fees. Examination results are usually available from the NAIT Office within 45 days of the date examination score sheets have been submitted to NAIT for scoring; results from online exam sessions are communicated immediately to the examinee, and the exam results report for the academic department can be provided within 2 weeks. Applicants must be NAIT members or join NAIT in order to be certified. You may obtain the "NAIT Application for Certification" in PDF format using Adobe Acrobat Reader by clicking HERE. If applying for certification after passing the exam, you will need to pay relevant membership fees and indicate on the application form the approximate date of the exam and the College or University at which you took the exam so that NAIT can verify your exam results.

    Examinations for Program Assessment: When used for program assessment purposes, the exam fees are typically paid for by the Program or Department using the exam. Aggregate exam scores, and comparative score information, are released to the Program or Department contact after the exams have been scored and the examination fee has been paid. Individual exam scores are not released to the Program or Department unless the examinee signed the confidentiality waiver at the time of taking the exam. Programs and Departments using the examination as an exit examination usually obtain confidentiality waivers from the examinees so that their individual scores may be released.

    Exam Fees:

    • Individual Examination Fee: $20
    • Group Exams for Program Assessment
      • 1 to 10 exams: $20 per exam
      • 11 to 25 exams: $250 flat rate
      • 26 or more exams: $300 flat rate

    For more information about the NAIT Certification Examination or to obtain scores and determine your NAIT Membership status before applying for certification, contact NAIT at (734) 677-0720 or NAIT.

    Certificates: Certificates appropriate for framing are issued for one-year periods upon initial certification and upon annual renewal. Additional file copies of the certificate are available upon request for employers.

    CIT and CSIT Lapel Pins: Upon initial certification as a CIT or CSIT, and upon the first recertification as a CSIT, NAIT will send the certified member a CIT or CSIT lapel pin. The lapel pins are also available for sale for $5.

    Annual Renewal: Individuals with CIT, CSIT, CMfgS and CSMfgS certifications must renew their dues each year; individuals must pay the certification renewal fee ($25), as well as NAIT professional membership dues ($80). Retired NAIT members who are certified are not required to pay the annual certification renewal fee.

    Renewal Periods

    CIT certification is awarded for an eight-year period and is continuous for the eight years as long as the annual renewal fee and NAIT membership dues are paid within 60 days of the due date. CIT certification is not renewable after eight years and CITs must meet the professional development activity criteria (see below) in order to be recertified as a Certified Senior Industrial Technologist (CSIT).

    CSIT certification is awarded for a five-year period and is continuous for the five years as long as the annual renewal fee and NAIT membership dues are paid within 60 days of the due date. During each five-year certification period CSITs must meet the professional development activity criteria (see below) in order to be recertified for another five-year certification period.

    Professional Development Activity Requirements for Recertification

    During the initial certification period (eight years for CIT and five years for CSIT), 75 professional development units (PDUs) of continuing education activity must be completed and reported to NAIT in order for the certified member to be eligible for recertification (see "Professional Development Units" below.) After recertification as a CSIT, 75 professional development units (PDUs) of continuing education activity must be completed and reported to NAIT during the 5-year CSIT Certification period in order for the certified member to be eligible for recertification as a CSIT at the end of the 5-year period.

    NAIT Sponsored Professional Development Activities

    Individuals who attend NAIT sponsored professional development activities at national conventions will need to report their activity on the PDU report sheet provided in their convention materials. NAIT will then record this activity on the individual's official certification records.

    Return to Main Screen















    Return to Main Screen

    Professional Development Units

    • A total of seventy-five (75) contact hours known as Professional Development Units (PDUs) must be completed to qualify for recertification. The professional development activity must be related to the discipline of Industrial Technology. Appropriate professional activities include, but are not limited to courses, seminars, workshops and training sessions sponsored by professional associations (i.e., NAIT, ITEA, SME, ASSE, ASQ, etc.), colleges and universities, employers or other education and training organizations.
    • Required documentation of activities shall include name of sponsor, title and description, number of hours, CEUs or credits, and verification of attendance, and should be provided in a document not produced by the certified individual - the sponsor of the activity, or the certified individual's organization usually can provide such a document, often in the form of a certificate, or letter.
    • A Human Resources Office or Personnel Office can often provide documentation of professional development activities. Letters signed or verified by a supervisor are also accepted as valid independent evidence of continuing education activities.
    • See below for specific examples of PDU values for specific activities and forms of documentation.
    • The NAIT Staff stand ready to assist you in documenting your activity. Although we require you to provide the documentation and NAIT will not obtain documentation on your behalf, the NAIT Staff will walk you through the documentation process and suggest types of documents that will be effective to verify your activity. Please do not hesitate to contact the NAIT office if you have questions or need help. The easiest way to do that is by a phone call to the NAIT office, (734) 677-0720, during normal business hours (9-5 Eastern Time, Monday through Friday) or by sending an email to the Certification Officer, Dave Monforton.

    NAIT Convention Workshops, General and Breakout Sessions:
    PDUs: 1 PDU per contact hour. Documentation Required: PDU Report Sheet.

    NAIT Convention Presentation:
    PDUs: 3 PDUs per presentation. Documentation Required: PDU Report Sheet/NAIT Convention Program or confirmation by NAIT office.

    NAIT Convention "Selected Paper":
    PDUs: 6 PDUs per "Selected Paper". Documentation Required: Confirmation by NAIT office.

    Attendance at Conference Related to Industrial Technology:
    PDUs: 1 PDU per contact hour. Documentation required: Validation by program sponsor/Confirming document from supervisor or Human Resources/Training Department or institution offering training.

    Presentation at Conference Related to Industrial Technology:
    PDUs: 2 PDUs per presentation. Documentation required: Validation by program sponsor/Confirming document from supervisor or Human Resources/Training Department or institution offering training.

    Educational and Industrial Training Sessions or Workshops:
    PDUs: 1 PDU per contact hour. Documentation required: Certificate or other independent document indicating total contact hours/Confirming document from supervisor or Human Resources/Training Department or institution offering training.

    Other Professional/Technical Certification:
    NAIT does not give standardized credit for obtaining or maintaining other certifications, though continuing education activities completed to satisfy education requirements may also qualify for NAIT Certification PDUs.

    Continuing Education Course:
    PDUs: 1 CEU = 5 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of signed CEU certificate.

    Industrial Technology Related Audited College Course:
    PDUs: 1 Semester hour = 8 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of transcript showing audit which also indicates student's name and institution name (many web-based transcripts do not identify the student and thus are not sufficient.)

    Industrial Technology Related College Credit Course:
    PDUs: 1 Semester hour = 12 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of transcript showing credit which also indicates student's name and institution name (many web-based transcripts do not identify the student and thus are not sufficient.)

    Develop and Teach New College Level Industrial Technology Credit Course On or Off Campus:
    PDUs: 1 Semester hour = 12 PDUs. Documentation required: Confirming document from supervisor or verified by supervisor, stating name of course, number of credit hours, when first taught (month/year), and that the individual "developed and taught the course for the first time."

    Develop and Teach New Industry Training Course, Workshop or Seminar:
    PDUs: 1 student class time contact hour = 1 PDU. Documentation required: Confirming document from supervisor or verified by supervisor, Human Resources/Training Department, or institution offering training, stating name of course, number of student contact hours, when first taught (month/year), and that the individual "developed and taught the course for the first time."

    Peer-Refereed Published Article:
    PDUs: 10 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of article with publication information clearly showing date of publication and that it was accepted for publication after peer-refereed review.

    Published Chapter in a Textbook:
    PDUs: 25 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of chapter with publication information clearly showing authorship and ISBN#.

    Published Textbook:
    PDUs: 75 PDUs. Documentation required: Bibliographical entry clearly showing authorship including ISBN#.

    Prepare and Conduct a Workshop on New Topic:
    PDUs: 3 PDUs. Documentation required: Copy of workshop outline and brief report on workshop.

    Serve First Time on NAIT Accreditation Team Visit:
    PDUs: 5 PDUs. Documentation required: NAIT visiting team report.

    Serve First Time as NAIT Accreditation Team Chair:
    PDUs: 10 PDUs. Documentation required: NAIT visiting team report.

    Elected NAIT Position or Board Chair:
    PDUs: 20 PDUs. Documentation required: Verified by NAIT National Office.

    If you have questions about what and how to report your PDUs, just contact Dave Monforton at the NAIT office!
    Telephone: 734-677-0720
    Fax: 734-677-0046
    Email: dave@nait.org

    Return to Main Screen
    Return to NAIT Home Page