IPC Certification during Covid-19 pandemic

IPC recognizes the unique and unexpected challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created for the electronics manufacturing industry, and our training community. While this situation is still evolving, there are specific steps we felt we could set into motion to help address some of these challenges.  

1. Remote Training: Trainers are authorized to utilize remote training options when available. The health and safety of our training community and the industry are our top priority. Please abide by all local government restrictions and advice when determining the appropriateness of live and remote training. All remote training must be conducted with a live instructor. Prerecorded training is not allowed.

2. Remote Testing: IPC has engaged with several organizations that offer remote proctoring services to universities and certification bodies. We are currently in the process of integrating one of those services into IPC EDGE. We are working to make this available as soon as possible. Our goal is to begin internal and Beta testing as early as next week, but there are still many details to be worked out.

Once we have completed the integrations and have a working system, we will send a follow up email with instructions and more information on how to use the system. We are currently working on getting the CIT exams into remote proctoring first, followed by CIS, then CSE.

To be clear, students will still need to register through their instructors and will not be allowed to register for remote testing directly through IPC.

3. Extensions: Effective immediately and upon request, IPC will temporarily authorize 90-day extensions to those who have expiring certificates. CITs and MITs need to request an extension to an expiring certification through the Certification Help Desk. When completing the form, please select the “Extension Request” in the Request Type field.

CISs that are seeking an extension should make a request to CIT or MIT that conducted their training. The CIT or MIT will complete the CIS Extension Form that has been added to the Training Resources sections on IPC EDGE. Forms must be filled out completely and emailed to certification@ipc.org.

The certification expiration date will still follow the current policy for all certifications that were obtained by the temporary extension.

We are currently only process extensions for certifications that expire within the months of March or April. IPC will reevaluate the situation in early April.

4. Additional Support: IPC is adding temporary staff to the Education Operations Team to address issues and process extensions request as quickly as possible.

We are actively working to ensure that the critical services you provide the electronics manufacturing industry continues in a safe, efficient, and secure manner.

Please also visit IPC EDGE or IPC Certification for the latest updates.