In the third quarter, testing will be available 24/7/365 from anywhere around the world, and once approved for testing, candidates can book an ORP session in as little as 15 minutes.
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced during NATE UNITE 2023 that the organization will be unveiling a new Candidate Management System (CMS) and Online Remote Proctoring (ORP) testing mode targeted for the second quarter of 2023.
The NWSA’s new CMS will provide the industry with two online portals, the NWSA Candidate Portal and the Group Application Portal. The NWSA Candidate Portal will allow candidates to manage contact information, submit applications and payment for NWSA exams, schedule exam appointments, and track exam performance, history, and certifications. Additionally, the Group Application Portal will allow employers to begin the candidate profile creation process, submit applications, and make payments on behalf of candidates.
The CMS launch also enables the NWSA’s knowledge-based written exams to be completed online through the new ORP testing modality, offering the highest degree of candidate flexibility. Aligning with industry feedback, ORP can be done at home or in almost any private room with an internet connection. Testing is available 24/7/365 from anywhere around the world, and once approved for testing, candidates can book an ORP session in as little as 15 minutes.
“On behalf of the organization’s Board of Directors and Board of Governors, we are ecstatic to announce the launch of new technology that will enable the NWSA’s worker credentialing programs to continue to scale,” said Executive Director Duane MacEntee. “These new portals will be particularly convenient for industry employers and employees scheduling around work obligations and inclement weather, or even testing at night or on the weekend. Even more, candidates can cancel/reschedule their exam up until the exam start time with no additional fee. ORP candidates will also receive their exam scores immediately at the conclusion of their tests,” added MacEntee.
As NWSA transitions to the new CMS, a blackout period is necessary to complete the transfer of existing data to the new system. The blackout period will last approximately a week in length and will impact application submissions, the processing of practical exam results and creation of certification cards. The dates of the blackout period will be announced at a later time.
Once the new CMS and ORP testing modality launch, the NWSA is welcoming all feedback to address any issues, improve performance and increase efficiency.
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.