{"@id":"https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-74694f09-048e-466f-958d-18dc925abf56","@type":"ceterms:Certification","@context":"https://credreg.net/ctdl/schema/context/json","ceterms:ctid":"ce-74694f09-048e-466f-958d-18dc925abf56","ceterms:name":{"en-US":"Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Fiber Characterization (CFOS/FC) (Skills-based)"},"ceterms:ownedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:renewal":[{"@type":"ceterms:ConditionProfile","ceterms:name":{"en-US":"Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Fiber Characterization (CFOS/FC)"},"ceterms:assertedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:description":{"en-US":"Advanced certifications are renewed at time of FOA membership renewal. Certification renewal is for three years."}}],"ceterms:requires":[{"@type":"ceterms:ConditionProfile","ceterms:name":{"en-US":"Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Fiber Characterization (CFOS/FC) (Skills-based)"},"ceterms:assertedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:description":{"en-US":"All applicants must pass the Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Fiber Characterization (CFOS/FC) Certification Exam to earn credential."},"ceterms:targetAssessment":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-40a4a7a2-095f-4683-87d4-5c3813daf326"]}],"ceterms:offeredBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:renewedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:revokedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:inLanguage":["en"],"ceterms:recommends":[{"@type":"ceterms:ConditionProfile","ceterms:name":{"en-US":"Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Fiber Characterization"},"ceterms:assertedBy":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ab0c002b-54f5-405f-8625-9a83c47fc5b6"],"ceterms:description":{"en-US":"CFOT, CFOS/T recommended.\n\nFor preparation for the CFOS/FC course, you should take the Fiber U self-study course, \"Fiber Optic Testing\" and the material on fiber characterization on the FOA Online Guide or read the FOA textbook."},"ceterms:subjectWebpage":"https://fiberu.org/FOtest/index.html","ceterms:targetAssessment":["_:fec1f5b1-450c-20ef-f700-174091592efb"],"ceterms:targetCredential":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-b3c225e8-cfd0-4718-b629-86a39a950f31","https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-ddf1c24d-5062-4faf-9e33-eac35ec2a6ab"]}],"ceterms:description":{"en-US":"This is a specialist certification covering fiber optic testing for the purposes of characterizing long-distance fibers used in very high-speed WDM networks. It is intended for technicians involved in the design, installation or testing of fiber networks."},"ceterms:alternateName":{"en-US":["CFOS/FC"]},"ceterms:subjectWebpage":"http://www.thefoa.org/adv-cert.htm#CFOS-FC","ceterms:processStandards":"http://www.thefoa.org/KSAs.html#CFOS/FC","ceterms:renewalFrequency":"P3Y","ceterms:availabilityListing":["http://www.thefoa.org/foa_aprv.htm"],"ceterms:credentialStatusType":{"@type":"ceterms:CredentialAlignmentObject","ceterms:framework":"https://credreg.net/ctdl/terms/CredentialStatus","ceterms:targetNode":"credentialStat:Active","ceterms:frameworkName":{"en-US":"Credential Status"},"ceterms:targetNodeName":{"en-US":"Active"},"ceterms:targetNodeDescription":{"en-US":"Awards of the credential are ongoing."}},"ceterms:usesVerificationService":["https://credentialengineregistry.org/resources/ce-75a7d270-784d-4dff-9070-6bc8034e14ca"],"ceterms:processStandardsDescription":{"en-US":"KSAs For FOA CFOS/FC Fiber Characterization Certification\n\nFiber optic testing is probably the most complex task in fiber optics and fiber characterization extends testing by adding tests for dispersion needed for long-distance high-speed networks. Fiber characterization is used to confirm the ability of longer fiber optic cable plants to transmit signals tens or hundreds of kilometers at speeds above 10 gigabits per second or even 100 gigabits per second.\n\nFiber characterization includes the standard fiber optic tests: inspecting fiber optic connectors with a microscope, tracing fibers and finding local problems with a visual fault locator, measuring optical power from transmitters or at receivers, measuring optical loss in a cable or cable plant and taking a snapshot of a fiber with an OTDR. In addition, long-distance OSP fibers intended for high-speed links must also be tested for chromatic and polarization-mode dispersion. This testing involves lots of tests and lots of instruments, some quite complex.\n\nThe CFOS/FC certification requires that the technician understand the use of the instruments, performance of the tests and the uncertainty of the measurements. Since most of these tests are covered by industry standards, the tech is also expected to be familiar with the appropriate standards.\n\n The CFOS/FC Fiber Characterization Specialist certification is a skills certification, so the concentration is on mastering the hands-on processes used in testing fiber.\n\n Knowledge:\nThis assumes the tech has the basic knowledge of a CFOT or equivalent.\n\n- Fiber Characterization\n          - Necessity for fiber characterization - new and old fibers\n          - Fiber specifications for high-speed networks and wavelength division multiplexing\n- Fiber optic testing\n          - Cleanliness of connectors\n          - Continuity and fault location\n          - Optical power - understanding dB, dBm\n          - Insertion loss\n          - Fiber attenuation, splice loss, connector reflectance by OLTS and OTDR\n          - Spectral attenuation (SA)\n          - Fiber dispersion for long distance, high-speed links, chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD)\n          - Troubleshooting\n          - Standards for testing\n- CD, PMD and SA\n          - Understanding the causes of CD. PMD and SA\n          - Specifications and maximum tolerated dispersion by various networks\n          - Test methods\n          - Compensating for CD\n          - Variability of PMD testing\n\n Skills:\n- Connector cleaning\n- Operating instruments\n- Making tests\n- Evaluating test results\n\n Abilities:\n- Standard CFOT\n- Patience"}}