Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)
Credential: Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)
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:
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
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
Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS
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.
Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS
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:
- Best Sources
- General References
- Related Courses
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
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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.
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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
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).