CIS
Certified IPC Specialist
Work and inspect to the standard. For operators, technicians and inspectors on the floor.
- Prerequisite None
- Typical length 2 to 5 days
- Valid Two years
IPC Authorized Training Center
IPC Certification Training
Certify your people to IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-7711/7721, IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012 at CIS, CSE or CIT level. Train at one of our six centers, live online, or at your own facility.
What is IPC certification?
IPC certification is a credential issued by IPC against one of its industry standards. Passing the exam for a standard shows that you can apply that standard the way the rest of the electronics industry applies it, whether you are building an assembly, inspecting one, or deciding whether it can be shipped.
Each certification is tied to one standard and one level. The standard sets the subject: IPC-A-610 covers the acceptability of electronic assemblies, J-STD-001 covers soldered electrical assemblies, IPC/WHMA-A-620 covers cable and wire harness assemblies, IPC-7711/7721 covers rework and repair, and IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012 cover bare printed boards. The level sets what you are allowed to do with the standard: apply it, interpret it, or teach it to other people inside your company.
The credential is issued to the person rather than the employer, and it stays with you if you change employer. Certificates are valid for 24 months, after which a recertification course is needed to stay certified.
Blackfox is an IPC Authorized Training Center and has been training to these standards since 1996. Every course is led by a Master IPC Trainer, and the same acceptance criteria are used at all six of our training centers, in live online classes, and when an instructor teaches at your own facility.
Certification levels
CIS, CSE, CIT and MIT
Four levels, one standard. The level decides what you are allowed to do with the standard: apply it, interpret it, or teach it to other people inside your company.
CSE
Certified Standards Expert
Interpret the standard and answer questions about intent. For process, quality and manufacturing engineers.
- Prerequisite Working knowledge of the standard
- Typical length 3 to 5 days
- Valid Two years
CIT
Certified IPC Trainer
Train and certify CIS candidates inside your own company. For internal trainers and quality leads who train others.
- Prerequisite Production experience
- Typical length 3 to 5 days
- Valid Two years, renewal required to keep training
MIT
Master IPC Trainer
Trains and certifies CIT candidates. Held by instructors at an authorized training center. Every Blackfox course is led by one.
- Issued by IPC
- Typical length Follows the CIT program
- Valid Two years
Standards
Which standard do you need?
Every certification course covers one IPC standard. These are the standards we certify to, and the usual length of each program.
| Standard | What it covers | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| IPC-A-610 | Acceptability of electronic assemblies | 3 to 4 days |
| J-STD-001 | Materials, methods and acceptance criteria for soldered electrical assemblies | 4 to 5 days |
| IPC/WHMA-A-620 | Cable and wire harness fabrication and installation | 3 to 4 days |
| IPC-7711/7721 | Removing and replacing components and repairing circuitry | 5 days |
| IPC-A-600 | Acceptability of printed boards, external and internal conditions | 2.5 days |
| IPC-6012 | Qualification and performance specification for rigid printed boards | 3.5 days |
Course length depends on the certification level and the modules selected.
Where you train
Three ways to take the training
The same acceptance criteria apply whichever way you take it. What changes is where the class happens and who is in the room.
At a Blackfox center
Six training centers
Six centers in the United States, Mexico and Southeast Asia, with the same acceptance criteria at every one of them since 1996.
- United States Longmont, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona
- Mexico Guadalajara and Querétaro
- Southeast Asia Penang and Singapore
Live online
Join from your own bench
Lecture based certification delivered live by a Master IPC Trainer in English or Spanish, with the exam taken on IPC EDGE 2.0 under remote proctoring.
- Available for IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012
- J-STD-001 CIS module 1 online, the rest of the program is hands on
- Bring A hard copy of the standard
At your facility
On-site training
A certified instructor teaches at your site, on your assemblies and your customer requirements, full time or part time.
- First step A skills assessment, so the training has a target
- You also get Training matrices, competency legends and ISO proof of training
How it works
How to get IPC certified
A few decisions and one exam. If you are not sure where your team lands, tell us what you build and inspect and we will map it with you.
- Choose the standard
- IPC-A-610 for assembly acceptability, J-STD-001 for soldering, IPC/WHMA-A-620 for cable and wire harness, IPC-7711/7721 for rework and repair, IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012 for bare boards.
- Choose the level
- CIS to work and inspect to the standard, CSE to interpret it, CIT to train and certify people inside your own company.
- Choose where to train
- At one of our six training centers, live online, or with an instructor at your own facility.
- Book a date
- Open enrolment dates are on the training calendar. For a group, send us a quote request.
- Attend and pass the exams
- Certification is awarded on written exams, and on hands-on assessments for the modules that involve bench work. The pass mark and the exam format depend on the level and the program, and each course page lists them.
- Keep the certificate current
- IPC issues the certificate to you and it is valid for 24 months. Recertification courses are available for IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-7711/7721.
The credential belongs to the person it is issued to and stays with them if they change employer.
Questions
Common questions about IPC certification
The questions people ask us most often before they book a course.
Can I get IPC certified online?
Partly. IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, IPC-A-600 and IPC-6012 run as live online classes, and CIS module 1 of J-STD-001 is available online. The rest of the J-STD-001 program is hands on and has to be done at a bench. Online classes are taught live by a Master IPC Trainer in English or Spanish, and the exam is taken on IPC EDGE 2.0 under remote proctoring. You need a hard copy of the standard for an online class.
How long does an IPC certification course take?
It depends on the standard and the level. IPC-A-600 runs 2.5 days, IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 run 3 to 4 days, IPC-6012 runs 3.5 days, J-STD-001 runs 4 to 5 days, and IPC-7711/7721 runs 5 days. Across the levels, CIS courses run 2 to 5 days and CSE and CIT courses run 3 to 5 days. The exact length depends on the certification level and the modules selected.
How long is an IPC certification valid, and how do I renew it?
Certificates are valid for 24 months. To stay certified, take a recertification course before yours expires. We run recertification courses for IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-7711/7721. A CIT has to renew to keep training and certifying people.
What is the difference between CIS and CIT?
CIS certifies you to work and inspect to the standard. CIT certifies you to train and certify CIS candidates inside your own company. A CIT can certify people inside their own organization only; certifying people outside it requires an authorized training center. CIS has no prerequisite, while CIT asks for production experience.
What happens in the exam?
Certification is awarded on written exams, and on hands-on assessments for the modules that involve bench work. On IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, for example, CIS is an open book written exam passed at 70% or better, and CSE and CIT take open and closed book exams passed at 80% or better. Each course page lists what applies to that program.
Can you train at our facility?
Yes. A certified instructor teaches at your site, on your assemblies and your customer requirements, full time or part time. The skills assessment comes first so the training has a target, and you get training matrices, competency legends and ISO proof of training along with the certificates.
Read more
Choosing between the standards and the levels
Longer reads on which IPC certification fits which role.
How to choose the right IPC certification for a career in electronics manufacturing
Matching the training and the level to the work your team actually does.
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Next step
Not sure which certification your team needs?
Tell us what your team builds and inspects, and we will map it to the right standard and the right level.
Request a quote