Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) certification is an intermediate journeyman-level credential for wireless technicians. The WCM certification is targeted toward workers 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. Candidates must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. To be eligible for a rollover to an ETA-I Wireless Communications (WCM) certification, candidates must hold a valid FCC GROL and either an ETA-I Associate CET (CETa), General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) or Journeyman CET certification.

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

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

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	Some	COOL Bucks
0627 Satellite Transmissions System Operator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0629 Transmissions Chief	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
0631 Network Administrator	MOS	Other
0671 Data Systems Administrator	MOS	Other
0679 Data Systems Chief	MOS	Other
0842 Field Artillery Radar Operator	MOS	Other
1711 Offensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Other
1721 Defensive Cyberspace Operator	MOS	Other
1799 Cyberspace Chief	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
2841 Ground Electronics Transmission Systems Maintainer	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
2862 Ground Electronics Systems Maintenance Technician	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
5939 Aviation Communication Systems Technician	MOS	Other
5951 Aviation Meteorological Equipment Technician, OMA/IMA	MOS	Other
5953 Air Traffic Control RADAR Technician	MOS	Other
5954 Air Traffic Control Communications Technician	MOS	Other
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			find local salary

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

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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Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) exam details can be obtained from the ETA-I website. ETA-I allows candidates to take both the Associate (CETa) and the WCM - CET exams simultaneously.

Training and/or Experience REQUIREMENTS

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

WRITTEN EXAM
EXAM PREP

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
- 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.

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: If the four year term for the WCM is exceeded without renewal by certification maintenance, and the certification expires, the WCM holder is required to retake the current version of the examination and will then again be eligible for the certification maintenance.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current billing cycle. 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, an entire certification exam must be passed (which consists of the Associate level exam plus one of the specialized Journeyman options.
ETA-I Senior Certified Electronics Technician (CETsr) certification requires a technician to have six or more years of combined work and electronics training and pass the Associate level exam plus one of the specialized Journeyman options.
ETA-I Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification requires a technician to have six or more years of combined work and electronics training and pass the Associate level exam and any six specialized Journeyman options.