Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM)

Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) is an intermediate-level technician credential for professionals who work in the telecommunications field. TCMs demonstate knowledge of wired and wireless communications basic concepts, applicable to various types of voice, data and video systems. TCM must have knowledge in Cables and Cabling, Analog Telephony, Equipment, Telecom Safety and Mathematics, Transmission Service Providers and Protocols, Distribution Methods, Computer, Digital Telephony, Interfacing, Internet, Network Infrastructures and Topologies, Office Wiring, Wireless Telephony, Test Equipment, Optical Wiring, and Troubleshooting. Candidates must pass a written exam. Candidates that hold a Standalone TCM and later complete the Associate CET (CETa), are eligible to upgrade to a Journeyman CET.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM)

The following Marine Corps Enlisted MOSs provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:

Enlisted Occupation	Occupation Type	Related As	COOL$
0621 Transmissions System Operators	MOS	Other
0627 Satellite Transmissions System Operator	MOS	Other
0629 Transmissions Chief	MOS	Other
0631 Network Administrator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0671 Data Systems Administrator	MOS	Other
0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer	MOS	Other
0842 Field Artillery Radar Operator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0844 Field Artillery Fire Control Marine	MOS	Other
0861 Fire Support Marine	MOS	Other
1711 Offensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Other
1721 Defensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
1799 Cyberspace Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
1812 Armor Marine	MOS	Other
1833 Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Crewmember	MOS	Other
1869 Senior Armor SNCO	MOS	Other
2621 Communications Intelligence / Electronic Warfare Operator	MOS	Other
2629 Signals Intelligence/ Electronic Warfare/Cyberspace Operations Technician	MOS	Other
2631 Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Analyst	MOS	Other
2651 Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer	MOS	Other
2831 Digital Wideband Systems Maintainer	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2847 Ground Electronics Telecommunications and Information Technology Systems Maintainer	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2862 Ground Electronics Systems Maintenance Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2887 Artillery Electronics Technician	MOS	Other
5939 Aviation Communication Systems Technician	MOS	Other
5951 Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician, OMA/IMA	MOS	Other
5952 Air Traffic Control Navigational Aids Technician	MOS	Other
5954 Air Traffic Control Communications Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
6316 Aircraft Communications/Navigation Systems Technician, KC-130	MOS	Other
6694 Aviation Logistics Information Management System (ALIMS) Specialist	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks

The following civilian occupations are related to this credential:

	Civilian Job	Job Family	Bright Outlook	Registered Apprenticeship	Local Salary Info
	Telecommunications Engineering Specialists	Computer and Mathematical	Bright Outlook		find local salary

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

Credential Prerequisite
Experience
Education
Training
Membership
Other
Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

Exam
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Practical Exam
Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

In-person exam
Remote proctored on-line exam
Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 4 years

Continuing Education
Exam
Continuing Education OR Exam
Fee
Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135

Phone: (800) 288-3824

Fax: (765) 653-4287
Email: eta@eta-i.org

Education/Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

Though ETA-I does not require any specific education, training, or experience to take the TCM exam, it is expected that a candidate has the appropriate preparation to successfully pass the certification test.

Written Exam

Cables and Cabling
Analog Telephony
Equipment
Telecom Safety
Transmission Service Providers
Distribution Methods
Computer
Digital Telephony
Interfacing
Internet
Network Infrastructures and Topologies
Office Wiring
Test Equipment
Troubleshooting
Transmission Protocols
Telecom Mathematics
Optical Wiring
Wireless Telephony

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) examination:

Best Sources

General References

Related Courses
- ETA-I Accredited Course Approval Programs

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I) testing process, visit the agency website.

Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:

ExamRoom.AI

The test centers are located in the U.S.

To find out more, use the following links on the ExamRoom.AI website:
- Contact ExamRoom.AI

RECERTIFICATION

Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) credential has the following recertification information:

The Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) certification is renewable every four years. TCM holders are required to earn continuing education credits totaling ten hours per year for a total of 40 hours over the term of the certification or provide employer verification that they continue to work in electronics. That combined with the updating of contact information will constitute renewal for the TCM.

Detailed information related to the recertification process, associated fees and forms can be obtained from the Additional Certification Renewal/Maintenance Information on the certifying agency’s website.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

Additional considerations for the Telecommunications Electronics Technician (TCM) include:

A standalone TCM certification can be upgraded to a Journeyman CET. To qualify, certification holders must have at least two years of combined work experience and electronics training and pass the Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) exam.