There has been a lot of debate and even confusion recently concerning the various RFID qualifications and certifications available today, so Using RFID asked RFID education experts at American RFID Solutions to explain.

     The RFID industry has two formal certifications to provide credentials for its experts. They are referred to as RFID+ and RFIDSCM. Both certifications are administered via proctored exams and require rigorous preparation in order to successfully pass the exam on your first try. 116.30.145.87 This article is copyright 2007 UsingRFID.com.

     This article explains the certifications and the details necessary to understand their benefit. We also discuss the work required to earn the certification.

CompTIA certification
     The CompTIA certification is the credential for RFID in general while the RFIDSCM is focused on the supply chain edition of RFID. It appears that RFIDSCM covers all the content of the RFID+ and in addition it has topics that benefit users performing real world adoption in the supply chain.

     When it comes time to apply your RFID skills in today''s workplace, you will find that CompTIA''s RFID+ is an industry accepted credential. This is because it is completely vendor neutral and, therefore, relevant in most workplaces. It was developed by CompTIA to be the "global standard of competency for entry level RFID professionals".

     It is designed for the professional who has a basic understanding of RFID key terms and concepts and 6-24 months of experience in the RFID industry (see knowledge assessment below).

     The following list shows the domains measured by the exam and the approximate extent to which they are represented:
·  Interrogation Zone Basics = 13%
·  Testing and Troubleshooting = 13%
·  Standards and Regulations = 12%
·  Tag Knowledge = 11%
·  Design Selection = 11%
·  Installation = 11%
·  Site Analysis (before, during and after installation) = 11%
·  RF Physics = 11%
·  RFID Peripherals = 7%

     CompTIA certification testing is administered by the worldwide networks of Pearson VUE and Thompson Prometric. You can find the links for the nearest testing centre at http://www.comptia.org/certification/rfid/register.aspx.

Knowledge assessment
     In order to accurately determine your level of expertise, you should take practice exams. Using RFID has posted two practice exams that you may try in order to assess your readiness (click here to try them!).

To be considered a good candidate for the exams, you need to have knowledge of the following areas:
·  RF technology
·  RF physics
·  Wireless technologies
·  Automatic data collection systems
·  Supply chain management
·  Networks
·  Bar Codes.

You should also have experience in:
·  Installation/configuration of an RFID interrogation zone
·  Installation/configuration of an RFID peripheral or ancillary device
·  RFID tags
·  Design or deployment of a working RFID solution.

Points to note before the exam

 

You will need to show 2 forms of identification with your signature (including one with a photograph)
 
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time slot
 
You will be given a blank sheet of paper and a pen. Use this to write down right away any "take aways" you have difficulty remembering
 
You have up to 90 minutes to complete the exam
 
You will know how much time you have left to complete the exam by checking the onscreen counter/clock in the upper right corner of the screen
 
All exams are computer generated and use conventional, situational and identification multiple choice questions
 
The exam consists of 81 questions
 
     If you want to go back to a question, the CompTIA software includes a check box by each question that allows you to mark it for review later
 
     Upon completion of the exam, the software tells you if you have passed or failed
 
     If you fail, ask the proctor to print a detailed report for you so you can see the topics you had difficulty with
 
     If you fail on your first attempt, CompTIA''s retake policy does not require a waiting period before your second attempt. If, however, you fail on the second attempt, a waiting period of 30 days is enforced before you can take the exam a third time.

RFIDSCM certification
     The RFIDSCM certification, offered by the International Supply Chain Education Alliance (ISCEA), helps you gain both the theory and hands on understanding for implementing a successful RFID deployment with an emphasis on the supply chain use cases. It is vendor neutral and fulfils ISCEA''s mission "to be a single source for Total Supply Chain Knowledge through education, certification and recognition".

     If you need to integrate both the technical and business disciplines paramount to making an intelligent RFID decision, then their certification is right for you. This organisation offers three ways to prepare for the exam:
1. instructor lead training;
2. web based training;
3. self paced via a textbook.

     ISCEA''s Instructor Lead Training comprises three key modules in a five-day programme. Two days focus on the fundamentals of RFID, followed by a day for UHF tagging expertise and two days of advanced RFID training.

     The fundamental class is valuable for anyone trying to develop a line item budget for RFID, project manage adoption of RFID, maintain an existing RFID system or lead/act as a member of a cross functional team responsible for making it work.

     The UHF tagging expert class (module two) covers everything you need to know about tags and the process of reading under RF friendly and unfriendly circumstances. You will also learn how to embed tags within packaging, machinery or products.

     The third module, RFID Master, is valuable for anyone performing RFID consulting, installing or engineering RFID systems, developing products or a member of the technical staff responsible for RFID.

     The following list shows the domains tested by the exam and the approximate extent to which they are represented:
·  Read Zone Basics = 9%
·  Testing and Troubleshooting = 9%
·  Standards and Regulations = 6%
·  Tag Knowledge = 8%
·  Design Selection = 8%
·  Installation and Commissioning = 9%
·  Site Analysis (before, during and after installation) = 8%
·  RF Physics = 12%
·  RFID Peripherals = 6%
·  Supply Chain Best Practices = 9%
·  ROI for RFID = 9%
·  Supply Chain Management = 8%.

Simply put, the RFIDSCM covers similar content to RFID+ and supplements it with the following:
·  Supply Chain Best Practices
·  ROI for RFID
·  Supply Chain Management.

The RFIDSCM training covers the following topics:
·  Adjacent channel interference
·  Anti collision algorithms
·  Antennas
·  Auto ID centre
·  Beam power
·  Benefits of RFID
·  Block diagrams of RFID Tags and Readers
·  Circular polarization
·  Collaborating technologies (such as WiFi-Bluetooth-GPS, dBM, Edgeware)
·  EPC tag data schemas
·  EPC global network
·  EMI
·  ERP
·  Far field propagation
·  Frequency allocation
·  Future RFID trends
·  Handshaking between reader and the tag
·  HAL''s law
·  History of RFID
·  Horizontal polarization
·  Infrastructure dimensioning
·  Interrogators
·  Faradays law
·  ISO Standards: 11784, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO18000
·  Macro system topology
·  Method of operation
·  Micro system topology
·  Modulated backscatter
·  Multi-protocol readers
·  Near field propagation
·  Near side read
·  Path loss
·  Portal set-up & operation
·  Propagation patterns
·  Radio physics
·  Readers
·  RFID vs. bar code
·  Smart shelf
·  Spectrum assignment
·  System troubleshooting
·  Tag knowledge
·  Transponder
·  Tuning the performance of an RFID system
·  Vertical polarization
·  Voltage standing wave ratio
·  Wal-Mart compliance
·  War-fighters and EPC
·  Wavelength
·  Write operation and X-ray read.

ISCEA''s vendor neutral training and certification is, in our opinion, the most comprehensive in the industry.

Points to note before the exam

 

It''s a proctored exam
 
You have up to 2 hours to complete the exam
 
All exams are computer generated and use conventional, situational and identification multiple choice questions
 
The exam consists of 90 questions
 
     If you fail on your first attempt, ISCEA''s retake policy does not require a waiting period before your second attempt. If, however, you fail on the second attempt, a waiting period of 2 weeks is enforced before you can take the exam a third time.

To book/schedule your RFIDSCM exam, there are 5 available options:
1. On the web: Register online at http://www.iscea.com
2. By phone: Call ISCEA Customer Service centre at +1 800.817.9083
3. By fax: Fax the Registration to ISCEA on +1 440.708.2641
4. By mail: Mail the Registration to ISCEA at PO Box 64, Aurora, OH 44202, USA.
5. By email: Email your details to rfid@iscea.com

If you are not registering online, and need a registration form, you can print it out at http://www.iscea.com. You will be able to download the registration form. ISCEA also accepts Purchase Orders from Government and most Global 2000 companies.

Common questions and answers

 

What does the RFIDSCM stand for? Certified RFID Supply Chain Manager
 
Who is the accreditation authority for the RFIDSCM Exam? (ICSB) ISCEA Certification Standards Board
 
     What are the ISCEA Public Exam Dates and Locations? ISCEA conducts RFIDSCM Exam every 3rd Saturday of each month at many locations in USA. In addition to these public exam events, ISCEA also conducts RFIDSCM exams at various ISCEA locations worldwide. The RFIDSCM exam is also available at the end of the 5-Day RFID Masters Workshops at American RFID Solutions Workshop locations.
 
     What is the Exam Registration deadline? Due to space limitations, ISCEA requires that you register for the exam 2 weeks prior to the exam dates. Given that RFIDSCM exam is available each month, if you miss the deadline, you will be able to take the exam in 6 weeks.
 
     How soon will I be notified of the results? Exam takers will be notified within 30 days from taking the exam. RFIDSCM Certificate will be mailed within 45 days of passing the exam.
 
     What do I need to maintain the Certification? You need to have 15 ISCEA PDU (Professional Development Units) each year. 15 ISCEA PDU = 15 hours of continuing education related activities. Many activities, such as attending Supply Chain Seminars, ISCEA/American RFID Solutions workshops, exams, events, and online workshops qualifies toward ISCEA PDUs.
 
     Will this help my career prospects? Yes, certainly. All RFIDSCM Certificate Holders automatically become ISCEA Members. ISCEA Membership is FREE. When ISCEA receives requests for qualified RFID Supply Chain Experts, ISCEA will match them with RFIDSCM Certificate Holders who have requested employment or have offered their Services. If you are interested, please send resumes or information about your service offer to jobs@iscea.com. Also, RFIDSCM Certificate Holders are encouraged to register with ISCEA Speakers Bureau.
 
     Am I ready to take the exams? Check this list. You are ready to take the exams if you have: Studied the appropriate material; Obtained the necessary hands-on experience; Reviewed sources of information to help you prepare for the test; Correctly answered the practice exams; and received a comprehensive assessment of your expertise at RFID IQ, an independent web-based service

 

 

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