Feb 19, 2014For the past 20 months, I have been working with a group of dedicated professionals from the radio frequency identification industry to develop a roadmap for standardized certification exams, to promote professionalism in the RFID industry. We established the International RFID Institute and solicited feedback regarding the roadmap from members of the RFID community, including end users, systems integrators, hardware and software providers, and academics (see International RFID Institute Prepares Certification Program and RFID Institute Seeks Subject-Matter Experts). We then revised the roadmap to incorporate their input. The institute is now preparing to offer a beta certification exam at RFID Journal LIVE! 2014, our annual conference and exhibition, being held on Apr. 8-12, in Orlando, Fla.
This exam is for the first of four levels of certification we hope to create. The first level, the RFID Institute Certified Associate, would indicate to those hiring someone with the credential that the candidate has a fundamental knowledge of the different types of RFID systems and how they are used in business and consumer applications. The second level, the Certified Professional, also covers all types of RFID systems, but in more depth. The credential holder would have demonstrated a deep understanding of the different types of RFID systems.
The third level, the Certified Specialist, includes several exams, each focused on a specific type of RFID technology. It's designed to show that the certification holder has the detailed knowledge and skills to deploy the particular type of RFID technology for which he or she is credentialed. The aim is to get beyond textbook knowledge of RFID and demonstrate that the person understands and can address deployment issues.
The fourth level, the Certified Expert, is designed to highlight the level of knowledge achieved by someone who has passed all the Certified Associate, Professional and Specialist exams, and thus demonstrated the ability to deploy any type of RFID system.
The institute has drafted and approved a process for creating exams, which ensures the process is fair, rigorous and repeatable. For the first associate-level exam, we created a blueprint, solicited feedback from the community, revised the draft and approved it. We are now accepting questions from subject- matter experts. Then, other experts will edit and assemble the questions into the initial version of that exam.
The main goal of offering the first certification exam at LIVE! 2014 is to test the exam's validity. We want to ensure that all questions are worded accurately and clearly. If not, we can revise as necessary, as well as change the content and format based on feedback from test participants. If the exam changes substantially, participants will be able to retake the exam within 12 months, free of charge. (Registration details for the exam will be posted on the RFID Institute website shortly.)
While RFID technology has become more reliable, it is still far from plug and play. As RFID adoption becomes widespread across many industries during the next 10 years, there will be a growing need for well-trained and experienced people to design and implement RFID systems. The International RFID Institute believes both end users and systems integrators will benefit from the certificate exams. Companies will feel confident they are hiring people who can ensure successful RFID deployments, and certificate holders will be more likely to land jobs.
Certification Roadmap
The International RFID Institute is developing four levels of RFID certification, which will cover all types of RFID systems and related technologies. This roadmap and the examination content could change over time as the industry evolves, and based on feedback from RFID experts and test participants.
Level One—RFID Institute Certified Associate (RICA): The RICA is intended for those who are just out of college or new to RFID. The RICA exam will cover the fundamentals of RFID and is designed to demonstrate that the RICA holder has the knowledge to understand the characteristics, proper usage and implementation considerations for the primary types of RFID in use.
Level Two—RFID Institute Certified Professional (RICP): The RICP is intended for those who have several years' experience in the RFID industry. Individuals who pass the RICP exam demonstrate that they have a comprehensive understanding of all types of RFID technologies and can evaluate technology options, identify potential problems and serve effectively on a crossfunctional RFID team. This certification is appropriate for those actively involved in designing or deploying RFID systems.
Level Three—RFID Institute Certified Specialist: This level includes four individual exams, each focused on a specific type of RFID technology. Those who pass an exam will receive an RFID Certified Technician (RICT) certificate for that technology.
The RICT-Passive UHF exam is designed for those who have mastered the complexities of passive UHF RFID deployments. Individuals with an RICT-Passive UHF certificate have demonstrated a level of expertise needed to deploy complex passive UHF RFID systems.
The RICT-Passive LF and HF exam is designed for those who have mastered the complexities of passive near-field RFID systems and deployments. Individuals with an RICT-Passive LF and HF certificate have demonstrated a level of expertise needed to deploy complex passive near-field RFID systems.
The RICT-Active exam is designed for those who have mastered the complexities of active RFID systems and deployments. Individuals with an RICT-Active certificate have demonstrated a level of expertise needed to deploy complex active RFID systems.
The RFID Institute Certified Software Developer RFID (RICSD) exam is intended for entry-level and midcareer software-development professionals who want to confirm their proficiency in developing RFID software applications and integrating RFID systems with existing software applications.
Level Four—RFID Institute Certified RFID Expert: This certificate will be awarded to those who hold all current RFID Certified Specialist credentials. This top designation indicates that the holder has demonstrated the ability to deploy all major types of RFID systems and has achieved the highest level of expertise in the RFID industry.
Founding Members
In 2012, the International RFID Institute was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It has filed for nonprofit status with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The institute drafted and approved a detailed set of bylaws, which includes strong conflict-of-interest provisions, and held elections for the officers. Here are the founding members:
• Chairman and founder: Mark Roberti, RFID Journal, CEO
• Vice-Chairman: Ian Robertson, Supply Chain RFID Consulting, CEO
• Secretary and founder: Diana Hage, RFID Global Solution, CEO
• President: Mike Liard, VDC Research, VP for auto-ID research
• Treasurer and founder: Aneline Brown, Motorola Solutions, senior technical consultant
• Founding chairman: Sylvanus Bent, Bent Systems, CEO
• Board member and founder: Mark Brown, Fujitsu, RFID solution architecture manager
• Founder: Ernesto Castagnet, Ingenieria en Sistemas SRL, CEO
• Board member: Leslie Downey, RFID Revolution, principal and founder
• Founder: Sanjiv Dua, RFID4U, CEO
• Founder: Anthony Palermo, RFID Academia, CEO
• Founder: Josef Preishuber-Pflugl, CISC, CTO
• Founder: Robert Sabella, OTA Training, CEO