• 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.

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Purpose of NAIT Certification

Purpose

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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?

• NAIT Certification announces that you have recognized expertise in a specific field, a mark of distinction that sets you apart.
• NAIT Certification provides external validation of your knowledge and competence among others not familiar with the profession, improving your marketability.
• NAIT Certification shows your commitment to the profession and your own professional growth, factors that can affect career advancement.
• NAIT Certification requires a dedication to continuing education, promoting your continued growth and development as a professional.
• NAIT Certification may persuade your employer to underwrite educational activities that support your professional development and your company's continuous improvement efforts.
• NAIT Certification provides a link between you, NAIT and the professional community.

Administrative Organization

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Authority and Responsibility: NAIT is dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of professional standards for technology and technology management professionals 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.

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. 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.

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.

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

• Certification Officer Decisions: Adverse decisions of the Certification Officer that are appealed will be reviewed by the Certification Committee.
• 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:

• 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.
• They are related to the certification applicant through marriage or birth.
• They have had a direct social or professional relationship with the certification applicant.
• They have had a business relationship or an employer/employee relationship with the certification applicant.

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.

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.

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.

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Eligibility & Certification Policies

• Eligibility for Certification
• Certification Programs and Certification Levels
• Required Documentation
• Certification Program Fees & Fee Policies

Eligibility for NAIT Certification: Individuals meeting the following criteria are eligible to be certified by NAIT:

• 1) Education and Professional Experience: The applicant:
  • Must have an industrial technology, manufacturing technology, or other technology or technology management-related degree* (AS, BS, MS or Doctorate) or an equivalent degree (*Applicants are also eligible in the last semester prior to receipt of a qualifying degree, if impending graduation is verified on the application by an academic advisor.), or,
  • Teach or serve as an administrator in an industrial technology, manufacturing technology, or other technology or technology management-related degree program, or,
  • Be professionally employed in a capacity related to the discipline of Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Technology, or Technology Management, and have combined professional experience and education .
  and

• 2) Examination: The applicant must pass the appropriate NAIT Certification Examination (Certified Industrial Technologist exam or Certified Manufacturing Specialist exam.
  and
  

• 3) NAIT Membership: The applicant must be a NAIT member or must join NAIT as part of the certification application process.

Certifications & Certification Levels: NAIT offers two certification programs: