North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT)
Credential: Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT)
Credentialing Agency: North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission System Operator Certification (BT) is an intermediate-level credential for professionals who operate bulk electric systems. System Operators monitor power flows, voltages and status of equipment on the transmission system, and ensure the safe and reliable operation of the bulk electric system. Candidates for the BT are expected to have knowledge of resource and demand balancing, transmission, emergency preparedness, contingency analysis and reliability, and managing communications and data.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT)
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.
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
Renewal Period: 3 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
3353 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 600 North Tower
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404-446-2560
Fax: 404-446-2595
Contact Page
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Resource and Demand Balancing (25.8%)
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Interchange Scheduling and Coordination
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Reserves (Spinning and Non-Spinning)
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Automatic Generation Control (AGC)
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Area Control Error (ACE)
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Frequency
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Load Forecasting
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Generation Equipment
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Transmission (23.3%)
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Protection and Control
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Voltage and Reactive
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Electrical Current
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Reconfiguration and Switching
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Operating Limits
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Transmission Equipment
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Emergency Preparedness (9.3%)
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Current and Next-Day Planning
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Severe Weather, Natural Disasters, and Geomagnetic Disturbances
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Anticipated Capacity Deficiency
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Emergency Response (13.3%)
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System Restoration
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Response to System Disturbances
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Response to Capacity Emergencies
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Response to Loss of Control Center
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Response to Loss of Analysis and Monitoring Tools
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Contingency Analysis and Reliability (17.5%)
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Contingency Analysis
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Network Analysis Tools (e.g. State Estimators)
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Response to Results of Contingency Analysis
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System Operating Limits (SOL)
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Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL)
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Communications and Data (10.8%)
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Reporting Requirements
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Communication Methods (e.g. Three-Part Communication, RCIS)
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Data Validity and Verification
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Telemetry and Communications Equipment
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT) 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.
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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 Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
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Third-Party Test Vendor Information
Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:
PSI
The test centers are located in the U.S.
To find out more, use the following links on the PSI website:
Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator Certification (BT) credential has the following recertification information:
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NERC certifications are renewed every 3 years.
To maintain a valid certification, a system operator must earn CEHs (continuing education hours) within the three-year period prior to the expiration date of their certification. The CEHs must include:
- A minimum of 30 CEHs that focus on content and/or implementation of NERC standards.
- A minimum of 30 CEHs that utilize simulations (i.e., tabletop exercises, operator training simulators, emergency drills or practice of emergency procedures, restoration, blackstart, or other reliability-based scenarios).
- A minimum of 160 Total CEHs.
- NREC does not require any specific education or experience, however it is recommended candidates for the BT should be knowledgeable in the areas addressed in the certification exam.
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
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: January 07, 2021
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Related As
The military occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
Navy$
This Credential has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. Note that to be eligible for Navy funded credentials, you must have demonstrated competency and experience towards the credential being sought. This credential may require additional work to fully meet competency and experience requirements.
To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.
Gap Analysis
A detailed analysis comparing the credential requirements to the military occupation has been completed. Click on the gap analysis icon to view the analysis page.
LaDR
LaDR (Learning and Development Roadmap) icons call out credentials that are "highly recommended" (but not mandatory) for a particular pay grade because they complement the training, experience, and competency of that paygrade. You are NOT restricted from attempting credentials recommended for senior & junior pay grades (as long as you meet all eligibility requirements).
Federal Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
Civilian Occupations Table Legend
Bright Outlook
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Local Salary Information
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