In addition to the GRE exam, the Certified Reliability Engineer certification candidate is required to take an exam in Structured Knowledge Test (STLT) or Automotive Engineering Examination (AET) for an examination date of either March or October. Both exams contain multiple-choice questions that cover all areas of knowledge required for a successful certification candidate. For those interested in passing the AET, a study guide is provided at the time of testing. There is no cost for either study guide.
In addition to the STLT, the Automotive Engineering Examination (AEE) covers all areas of knowledge as well as the knowledge needed to pass the GRE exam. As with the STLT study guide, there is no cost for this study guide. Certification candidates who successfully complete these two examinations will be issued the Professional Responsibility Card, which serves as proof of completion of the CE courses. These POCs are good for six years from the date of issuance.
Candidates wishing to apply for the certification exam must follow the specific application procedures. Candidates wishing to apply for the Certified Reliability Engineer certification exam must: Complete an application for admission to the examination program. Complete the Application for the Certification of Reliability Engineers (either the STLT or AEE) electronically. Pass the final examination. The exams must be taken at a testing facility approved by the Department of Transportation.
The Automotive Engineering Accreditation Council (AACE) offers several certification programs. Candidates wishing to earn a certification in their first attempt must successfully complete a course in engineering principles and technology. Candidates wishing to earn a certification in their second attempt must successfully complete a course in electrical engineering principles and technology, mechanical principles and technology, or a combination of both. Automotive technicians with at least three years on the job experience will likely have an easier time enrolling in these various certification programs.
To be considered for certification by one of the professional societies involved in reliability engineering, an individual must have already taken at least 500 hours of coursework on topics such as mechanics and automotive technologies, crash analysis, and vehicle safety. In order to pay for the certification, potential candidates can apply for funding from either the National Association of Home Builders, the American Society of Safety Engineers, or the Society of Automotive Engineers. Many colleges also offer financial aid for those wishing to take the exam. In some cases, potential candidates may be required to pay for the certification by taking a certain number of credit hours or by having a certain grade to earn their certification.
When a person is certified, they can either choose to renew their certification every two years or to get a new certification every five years. Many professional societies require certification periodically, especially as the technology that is involved in the field evolves. Candidates wishing to be re-certified must successfully complete a significant portion of the relevant exams in order to renew their certification. The exams must be passed in order to maintain a certification. Some certifications may also be renewed after five years, but a candidate will need to successfully complete another set of exams in order to get another certification.
The National Airborne Traffic Safety Administration requires certified reliability specialists to complete a significant number of hours of continuing education in order to keep their certifications current. Many employers also require that potential employees take a certification test before being offered an employment opportunity with their company. In addition to the required hours of study, it is necessary for these professionals to have the proper amount of technical understanding of their field. Those professionals who successfully complete this test will receive a certification known as ATCS-certification which is the highest level of certification available.
