Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Credential: Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)  GI Bill resource  ICAC resource
Credentialing Agency: Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) certification is a journeyman-level credential for wireless technicians. The WCM certification is targeted toward professionals performing installation, maintenance and repair of mobile and fixed radio communications systems. Candidates seeking the ETA-I WCM credential are required to have a basic education in fundamental electronics and must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. However, candidates who hold a valid FCC GROL and either an ETA-I Associate CET (CETa), General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) or Journeyman CET certification are eligible to rollover to an ETA-I Wireless Communications (WCM) certification.

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

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: Associate CET (CETa)
  • Experience: 2 years
  • 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

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Candidate must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. ETA-I allows candidate to take both the Associate (CETa) and the WCM - CET exams simultaneously.

Candidate must have two or more years of combined electronics training or work experience.

Written Exam

  • Radio Theory
  • Components, Terminology and Symbols
  • Satellite-Data-Telecommunications
  • Mobile Systems
  • Commercial Radio Networks
  • Block Diagrams-Schematics-Flow Charts
  • Basic Analog Circuits
  • Hand Tools and Soldering
  • Computer and Digital Circuits
  • Computer Applications
  • Interfacing
  • Transmission Lines, Cabling and Connectors
  • Antennas and Towers
  • Grounding-Lightning Protection
  • Radio Mathematics and Formulas
  • Modulations Schemes
  • Control Systems
  • RF Interference
  • RF Coverage Analysis, Testing and Diagnosis
  • Test Equipment and Measurements
  • Troubleshooting
  • Workplace Safety for Radio Environment

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) examination:

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 Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) 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:


RECERTIFICATION

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) credential has the following recertification information:

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

    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 Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) include:

  • A technician with two or more years of combined work and electronics training may apply for the Journeyman exam. To be a fully Certified Electronics Technician, candidate must pass an entire certification exam (which consists of the Associate level exam plus one of the specialized Journeyman options).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

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Updated: October 30, 2020
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