North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Reliability Operator Certification (RC)

Credential: Reliability Operator Certification (RC)
Credentialing Agency: North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Reliability Operator Certification (RC) is an intermediate-level credential for professionals who operate bulk electric systems. RCs are knowledgeable in resource and demand balancing, transmission, emergency preparedness, contingency analysis and reliability, and managing communications and data. There are no eligibility requirements for the RC certification. Candidates must pass a written exam.

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

Reliability Operator Certification (RC)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

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: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

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

Eligibility REQUIREMENTS

NREC does not require any specific education or experience, however it is recommended that each candidate for the RC be knowledgeable in the areas addressed in the certification exam.

Written Exam

  • Resource and Demand Balancing
    • Interchange Scheduling and Coordination
    • Reserves (Spinning and Non-Spinning)
    • Automatic Generation Control (AGC)
    • Area Control Error (ACE)
    • Frequency
    • Load Forecasting
    • Generation Equipment
  • Transmission
    • Protection and Control
    • Voltage and Reactive
    • Electrical Current
    • Reconfiguration and Switching
    • Operating Limits
    • Transmission Equipment
  • Emergency Preparedness
    • Current and Next-Day Planning
    • Severe Weather, Natural Disasters, and Geomagnetic Disturbances
    • Anticipated Capacity Deficiency
  • Emergency Response
    • System Restoration
    • Response to System Disturbances
    • Response to Capacity Emergencies
    • Response to Loss of Control Center
    • Response to Loss of Analysis and Monitoring Tools
  • Contingency Analysis and Reliability
    • Contingency Analysis
    • Network Analysis Tools (e.g. State Estimators)
    • Response to Results of Contingency Analysis
    • System Operating Limits (SOL)
    • Interconnection Reliability Operating Limits (IROL)
  • Communications and Data
    • Reporting Requirements
    • Communication Methods (e.g. Three-Part Communication, RCIS)
    • Data Validity and Verification
    • Telemetry and Communications Equipment

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Reliability Operator Certification (RC) 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 Reliability Operator Certification (RC) credential where checked:

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

  • For more information on the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) testing process, visit the agency website.

  • 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:


RECERTIFICATION

Reliability Operator Certification (RC)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Reliability Operator Certification (RC) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The Reliability Operator Certification (RC) is renewed every three years. RC certification holders must obtain 200 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) during each recertification cycle. A recertification fee is required.

    Additional information can be found in the System Operator Certification Program Manual on the NERC website.

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.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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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

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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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.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

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

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

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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.

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Updated: January 07, 2021
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