NWSA TTT1 and TTT2 practical examinations will no longer be required as of January 1, 2024. NWSA can now leverage technology for a written-only testing approach that was not available in the past. The streamlined capabilities of the NWSA testing will further the ability of industry employers and employees to easily schedule certification exams around work obligations without incurring travel and lodging expenses.
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced today that as of January 1, 2024, the organization will cease conducting TTT1 and TTT2 practical examinations in favor of enhanced written-only testing through online remote proctoring.
In keeping with NWSA’s objective to continuously improve the fairness, validity, and reliability of its trade certification process, the NWSA Boards of Governors and Directors, following in-depth analysis and thoughtful consideration, approved the replacement of TTT1 and TTT2 practical examinations with a written-only testing approach.
This new approach takes advantage of testing technology now available through the online remote proctoring system that was launched earlier this year. It also greatly streamlines the process and efficiency for candidates and the industry as a whole by reducing the number of exams required for certification while still maintaining quality and improving the reliability of NWSA assessments.
Effective January 1, 2024, candidates will only be required to pass a single written examination for each certification. The NWSA exam fees for obtaining TTT1 and TTT2 certification will remain at $274 each. In transitioning to this new process, NWSA will stop accepting practical examination applications on December 1, 2023, and no practical examinations will be administered after December 31, 2023.
For those candidates who have a valid, unexpired practical exam application on file, but who have not taken the practical exam by December 31, 2023, a $100 credit will be issued which may be applied toward a TTT1 or TTT2 written exam fee. This credit must be used by June 30, 2024.
For those candidates who successfully completed (passed) a TTT1 and/or TTT2 written exam in 2023, they will be issued a certification, however, the issue and expiration dates will be based on a January 2024 certification issuance, not the date the exam was passed.
Practical Examination Proctors and Test Site Coordinators will be receiving additional transition information in the coming weeks.
“The NWSA is excited to announce this improvement to our assessment process reliability,” said Executive Director Duane MacEntee.
“Leveraging technology that was not available to NWSA in the past, we have now streamlined even further the ability of industry employers and employees to schedule certification exams around work obligations. More importantly, candidates and employers can be assured of NWSA’s commitment to continuous improvement in delivering fair, valid, and reliable trade certification testing to the industry,” added MacEntee.
NWSA, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, is a national non-profit assessment and certification organization established to provide thorough, independent assessments of knowledge and skills and provide verifiable, ANSI-accredited trade certifications to enhance safety, reduce workplace risk, improve quality, encourage training, and recognize the skilled professionals who work on towers and other non-standard communication structures. NWSA currently offers the following industry-wide trade certification programs: Telecommunications Tower Technician 1 (TTT-1), Telecommunications Tower Technician 2 (TTT-2), Telecommunications Tower Foreman and Antenna & Line Specialty Certification Program.
Industry workers, companies and stakeholders are encouraged to visit the NWSA website at www.nws-a.org to learn more about the organization and how to begin the process of obtaining certification.