Credentialing Information … Credentialing assists the professional development of our Airmen by broadening their knowledge and skills. Blending Air Force technical training and education with industry-based skill sets and professional credentialing processes benefits the Air Force by molding more diverse and qualified technicians to maintain critical and valuable national defense assets. Airmen benefit by being provided the education and credentials needed by highly technical Air Force career fields. Airmen will also possess highly valued skills needed by the industry when they transition from the Air Force. End result: the Air Force and industry benefit immensely by receiving highly trained, qualified, experienced and disciplined technicians – a valuable payback on investment. This section provides students with information concerning national professional credentialing opportunities related to their specific degree program and career field. Some Air Force and civilian occupations have certain professional and technical standards. The process of meeting these standards and earning official recognition is referred to as credentialing. Governmental and private organizations set credentialing standards to ensure that individuals meet the standards for their profession. The term “Credential” refers to professional certification, licensure or registry, which documents an individual’s level of competency and achievement in a specific profession. There are two primary types of credentialing: Licensure and Certification. Licensure is a credential normally issued by federal, state or local governmental agencies. A license is issued to individuals to practice in a specific occupation (i.e., medical license for doctors). Licenses are typically mandatory for employment in selected fields and federal or state laws or regulations define the standards that individuals must meet to become licensed. Certification is a credential normally issued by non-governmental agencies, associations, schools or industry-supported companies. A certification is issued to individuals who meet specific education, experience and qualification requirements. These requirements are generally established by professional associations, industry or product-related organizations. Certification is typically an optional credential, although some state licensure boards and some employers may require a specific certification(s). Credentialing is important to the Air Force and our Airmen for several reasons:
Airmen should consider pursing occupational-related credentials while serving in the Air Force to increase their Air Force occupational skills, broaden their professional development and be better prepared for transition. Students interested in pursuing professional credentials should contact the credentialing agency for information on credentials, eligibility requirements and testing procedures. Graduates of CCAF degree programs or courses accredited by credentialing agencies should contact the credentialing agency for requirements and processes. To support documentary evidence of training, skills and practical experience, students are highly encouraged to maintain records of all previous and current education, training and qualifications. CCAF Credit Students may earn CCAF collegiate credit for certain national professional credentials that are approved by CCAF to satisfy applicable technical education and program elective requirements. To determine the professional credentials that can be used in a degree program, refer to the degree plans of this catalog. To obtain a listing of all national professional credentials that are approved by CCAF for award of credit, visit http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/certifications.asp. Contact your base education center for procedures to apply professional credentials to your CCAF academic record. Professional credentials must be validated. CCAF Credentialing and Education Research Tool (CERT)…. CERT is a valuable resource for enlisted Airmen. The purpose of CERT is to increase awareness of professional development opportunities applicable to Air Force occupational specialties.
Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council…. The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Joint Service Aviation Maintenance Technician Certification Council (JSAMTCC) to serve as the functional advisory body to each respective United States military service’s aircraft maintenance division and the HQ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The JSAMTCC is the military focal point for FAA Aviation Mechanic - Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification. Other JSAMTCC responsibilities include: ensuring FAA’s continued recognition of formal military aviation maintenance technical training and practical experience; maintaining DoD continuity with HQ FAA; managing and administering the joint-service A&P Certification Program; identifying and recommending qualified and eligible active duty, guard and reserve component personnel of the US Armed Forces to the FAA for the FAA Mechanic Certificate with Airframe and/or Powerplant ratings; and providing resources to assist technicians in meeting FAA eligibility requirements. Resources provided in the Joint-service A&P Certification Program are designed to fill the gaps between military education, training and experience, and civil aviation industry standards. The JSAMTCC also reviews aircraft maintenance technician training and practical experience from a FAA perspective, providing a unified assessment and recommendations to each military service and the FAA.
Air Force Airframe and Powerplant Certification Program…… CCAF continuously strives to increase and broaden the skills, knowledge, and experiences of enlisted Airmen. The Air Force Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Certification Program is one such effort designed to enhance professional development and skills of aircraft maintenance technicians. The Air Force A&P Certification Program is offered to active duty, guard and reserve enlisted Airmen in select aircraft maintenance AFSCs. The program directly supports the mission of CCAF in that FAA credentialed technicians help enhance combat readiness, contributes to recruiting, assists in retention of highly skilled technicians and supports the career transition of enlisted Airmen. Furthermore, the program helps develop a more well-rounded and diverse Air Force aircraft maintenance professional. The Air Force A&P Certification Program was developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to streamline and improve the FAA Aviation Mechanic – A&P Certification process for the military. The program provides aircraft maintenance technicians the opportunity to pursue FAA Aviation Mechanic - A&P Certification based on training, education and practical experience as specified in Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 65.77-Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crew Members; Subpart D - Mechanics. Completing the program requirements detailed in the Air Force A&P Certification Program Qualification Training Package (QTP) will fill gaps in training and experience, ensuring technicians meet CFR Part 65.77 eligibility requirements. Upon successful completion of the Air Force A&P Certification Program, CCAF will issue a CG-G-EAE-4 Form, Certificate of Eligibility and FAA Form 8610-2, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application. These documents are required for individuals to obtain authorization for FAA testing from the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Students are encouraged to maintain copies of past and present Career Field Education and Training Plans (CFETP), training certificates and other pertinent job qualification and training records, both military and civilian. Eligibility: Active duty, guard and reserve technicians who possess at least a 5-skill level in one of the following aircraft maintenance AFSCs are eligible to enroll: 2A0X1, 2A090, 2A3X1, 2A3X2, 2A3X3, 2A390, 2A300, 2A5X1, 2A5X2, 2A5X3, 2A590, 2A6X1, 2A6X3, 2A6X4, 2A6X5, 2A6X6, 2A690, 2A691, 2A600 (except AGE), 2A7X1, 2A7X2, 2A7X3, 2A7X5 and 2A790.
FAA Certification CreditCCAF awards 30 semester hours for the FAA Aviation Mechanic - A&P Certification and 18 semester hours for the FAA Aviation Mechanic - Airframe or Powerplant Certification. This credit is awarded to students enrolled in a CCAF degree program which accepts certification credit toward the program’s technical education requirement. Refer to the applicable degree program for the maximum semester hours that may be used to satisfy technical education requirements. The Air Force A&P Certification Program is managed and administered by the CCAF Credentialing Programs Flight.
Professional Manager Certification Program …. CCAF offers the Professional Manager Certification (PMC) Program to qualified Senior Noncommissioned Officers (SNCO). The PMC is a professional credential awarded by CCAF to formally recognize a senior NCO’s professional accomplishments and advanced level of education and experience in leadership and management. The program provides a structured professional development track that supplements Enlisted Professional Military Education (EPME) and the Career Field Education and Training Plan (CFETP). Eligibility: The PMC is primarily designed for Air Force SNCOs; however, enlisted Airmen (i.e. MSgt selects) who meet all program requirements are eligible. Once members retire, separate or are commissioned, they are no longer eligible for the PMC. The awarded PMC is recorded on the official CCAF academic record and transcript. The PMC Program is managed and administered by the CCAF Credentialing Programs Flight. For more information concerning the PMC:
CCAF Instructor Certification Program …. CCAF offers the CCAF Instructor Certification (CIC) Program for qualified instructors who teach CCAF collegiate-level credit awarding courses at a CCAF affiliated school. The CIC is a professional credential that recognizes the instructor's extensive faculty development training, education and qualification required to teach a CCAF course, and formally acknowledges the instructor's practical teaching experience. The CIC Program is a three-level program consisting of three specific levels of achievement.
Eligibility: Qualified Instructors who meet CIC Program requirements are eligible. Once an instructor leaves CCAF instructor duty, they are not longer eligible for the CIC.
The awarded CIC is recorded on the instructor’s official CCAF academic record and CCAF transcript. The CIC Program replaced the CCAF Occupational Instructor Certification (OIC) Program, which officially closed on 1 January 2011. The CIC program is managed and administered by the CCAF Credentialing Programs Flight.
Civilian Teacher Certification Vocational Instructor Certification Individuals interested in teaching at a vocational school or community college should contact the applicable state board of education to determine qualification and certification requirements. For more information, visit http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src=ln. Florida Professional Educator Certification Florida Statute 1012.56 allows CCAF instructors to meet some of Florida's K-12 certification requirements. The statute enables instructors to meet Florida's general knowledge, and professional preparation and teacher competence requirements if the individual:
Contact the CCAF Credentialing Programs Flight to obtain a Letter of Verification. CCAF cannot provide a Letter of Verification for individuals have never been a CCAF instructor. Florida Statute 1012.56 provides easier transition for CCAF instructors into a second career as a K-12 teacher in Florida. For more information, contact the Florida Troops to Teachers program manager at 1-888-358-7667 or (850) 245-5023 or e-mail TroopstoTeachers@fldoe.org.
Troops to Teachers Program The DANTES Troops-to-Teachers Program provides a Referral Assistance and Placement service to military personnel interested in beginning a second career as a teacher in public education. The DANTES Troops-to-Teachers office will help applicants identify teacher certification requirements, programs leading to certification, financial assistance and employment opportunities. Individuals considering teaching in the public education system upon retirement or separation should contact Troops-To-Teachers at DSN 922-1111 or (800) 231-6242; or visit http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/troopstoteachers/index.asp.
Instructional Systems Development Certification Program …. CCAF offers the Instructional Systems Development (ISD) Certification for qualified course/curriculum developers, writers and managers who are formally assigned to affiliated schools to develop/write and manage CCAF collegiate-level credit awarding courses. The ISD Certification is a professional credential that recognizes the course/curriculum developer/writer’s or manager’s extensive training, education, qualifications and experience required to develop/write and manage CCAF courses. The certification also recognizes the individual’s ISD qualifications and experience in planning, developing, implementing and managing instructional systems. The program is designed to broaden faculty and professional development. Eligibility: Qualified officer, enlisted, civilian and other service curriculum writers and managers are eligible for the ISD Certification. Once an individual leaves curriculum writer or manager duty, they are not longer eligible for the ISD Certification.
SpaceTEC Certification Credit The National Aerospace Technical Education Center (SpaceTEC) is a National Resource Center for Aerospace Technical Education that provides skill-based, nationally recognized and industry utilized professional certifications for U. S. Aerospace Technicians. All SpaceTEC certifications are performance driven, identifying technician competencies valued by industry when competing in today’s global economic environment. The SpaceTEC Certified Aerospace Technician is also recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration Commercial Space Transportation Office as one of three certifications the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) operator may use for RLV Aerospace Maintenance Technician (RAMT) training during forthcoming rating assessment processes. Partnering institutions are affiliated with NASA centers and the DoD located in 10 states. The SpaceTEC Consortium offers Aerospace Technical Education skills training and college degrees for the U. S. aerospace industry. CCAF and the JSAMTCC recognize and support SpaceTEC initiatives.
CCAF awards 25 semester hours for the SpaceTEC Aerospace Technician Certification. This credit is awarded to students enrolled in a CCAF degree program which accepts certification credit toward the program’s technical education requirement. Refer to the applicable degree program for the maximum semester hours that may be used to satisfy technical education requirements. For more information, contact SpaceTEC at:
National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies…. The National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies (NCATT) is a consortium of community colleges and universities offering aircraft avionics and electronics technical education programs. NCATT establish industry standards for training and certifying aircraft avionics/electronics technicians; curriculum supporting national standards; industry-developed and recognized certification program for aircraft avionics/electronics technicians; and accreditation processes for institutions meeting the established standards. NCATT supports aircraft industry initiatives related to professional development of aircraft avionics maintenance technicians. NCATT standards in education and certification assist aircraft avionics/electronics technicians in meeting the demands of needed skills in advanced aircraft technology. CCAF and the JSAMTCC recognize and support NCATT initiatives. NCATT Accredited Training Providers are technical schools/training centers that offer education/training programs that meet and/or exceed the NCATT standards. These providers have demonstrated a commitment to quality through an in-depth curriculum, facilities and faculty evaluation. CCAF gained NCATT accreditation in February 2010. Eligibility: NCATT certification exams are not restricted to aircraft electronics/avionics technicians. Certification exams are open to all technicians regardless of career field, training, education or experience. NCATT Certification Credit CCAF awards 5 semester hours for the NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician Certification. This credit is awarded to students enrolled in a CCAF degree program which accepts certification credit toward the program’s technical education requirement. Refer to the applicable degree program for the maximum semester hours that may be used to satisfy technical education requirements. For more information, contact:
|
||
