CIS
Certified IPC Specialist
Solder and inspect to the standard. For operators, technicians and inspectors on the floor.
- Prerequisite Basic soldering skills and manufacturing experience
- Typical length 4 to 5 days
- Valid Two years
IPC Authorized Training Center
Soldering Certification Training
Certify your solderers to IPC J-STD-001 at CIS, CSE or CIT level, and close the gaps around it with hands-on lead free, high temp and customizable soldering. Train at a center, live online, or at your own facility.
What is soldering certification?
A soldering certification is a credential that shows a person can make and judge a soldered connection the way the rest of the electronics industry does. In practice that means IPC J-STD-001, the standard that sets the materials, methods and acceptance criteria for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies. It is the soldering credential IPC issues, and it is usually what a customer, a prime or an auditor means when they ask for certified solderers.
J-STD-001 covers wire and terminal assembly, through hole and surface mount soldering including fine pitch, bare board damage, conformal coating, encapsulation and staking adhesives, and inspection to Class 3 requirements. Certification is awarded on a written exam and on hands-on assessment at the bench, so it tests the work and not only the reading.
Not every soldering skill belongs inside a certification. High melting point alloys, a lead free conversion, and the specific joints on your own assemblies are process problems. We teach those as separate hands-on courses that sit alongside the certification rather than inside it.
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 and CIT for J-STD-001
Three levels, one standard. The level decides what you are allowed to do with J-STD-001: solder and inspect to 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 A soldering background is preferred
- 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.
- Prerequisite Basic soldering skills and production experience
- Typical length 4 to 5 days
- Valid Two years, renewal required to keep training
Courses
Which soldering course do you need?
One certification and three hands-on courses. The certification proves the standard. The others close a specific gap in your process.
| Course | What it covers | Typical length | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPC J-STD-001 | Materials, methods and acceptance criteria for soldered electrical assemblies | 4 to 5 days | IPC certification, CIS, CSE and CIT |
| Lead Free Soldering | Process, temperature and reliability differences of lead free alloys | One day | Blackfox certification, Operator level |
| High Temp Soldering | High melting point alloys, the joints they make and the defects they produce | One day | Blackfox certification, Operator level |
| Customizable Soldering | Hand soldering built around your own assemblies and acceptance criteria | Two days | Blackfox certification, Operator level |
| J-STD-001 Space Addendum | The added requirements for space and military hardware | 4 hours | IPC certification, add-on for CIS and CIT |
| IPC-7711/7721 | Soldering done to remove, replace and repair components | 5 days | IPC certification, CIS, CSE and CIT |
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
From your own bench
The hands-on soldering courses run live online with the same instructor and the same exam. J-STD-001 is not offered this way, because certification includes an assessment at the bench.
- Not online J-STD-001 is taken at a center or at your own facility, because it includes a bench assessment
- Available online Lead free, high temp and customizable soldering
- Language English or Español, taught live by a Blackfox instructor
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 soldering certified
A few decisions and one exam. If you are not sure where your team lands, tell us what you solder and inspect and we will map it with you.
- Choose the level
- CIS to solder and inspect to J-STD-001, CSE to interpret it, CIT to train and certify people inside your own company.
- Add the process training you need
- Lead free if you are converting, high temp if you run HMP alloys, customizable soldering if the gap is on your own assemblies.
- Choose where to train
- At one of our six training centers, at your own facility, or live online for the hands-on soldering courses.
- Book a date
- Open enrolment dates are on the training calendar. For a group, send us a quote request.
- Attend and pass the exams
- A written exam, plus hands-on assessment at the bench for the modules that involve bench work.
- Keep the certificate current
- IPC issues the certificate to you and it is valid for 24 months. A J-STD-001 recertification course renews it.
The credential belongs to the person it is issued to and stays with them if they change employer.
Questions
Common questions about soldering certification
The questions people ask us most often before they book a course.
Can I get soldering certified online?
The hands-on soldering courses run live online: lead free, high temp and customizable soldering, with the same instructor and the same exam. J-STD-001 is not offered online, because certification includes a hands-on assessment at the bench, so it is taken at one of our six centers or at your own facility. IPC certifications without a soldering requirement, such as IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-600, can be taken fully online.
Is J-STD-001 the same as J standard certification?
Yes. J standard, J-STD and J-STD-001 all refer to the same IPC standard for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies.
How long does a soldering certification course take?
J-STD-001 runs 4 to 5 days depending on the level and the modules selected. The hands-on courses are shorter: one day for lead free and for high temp, two days for customizable soldering.
How long is a soldering certification valid, and how do I renew it?
Twenty-four months. A J-STD-001 recertification course renews it, and a CIT must renew to keep training other people.
Where are your soldering classes held?
Longmont in Colorado, Phoenix in Arizona, Guadalajara and Querétaro in Mexico, and Penang and Singapore in Southeast Asia. Classes also run live online, and an instructor can teach at your own facility.
Do I need J-STD-001 or IPC-A-610?
J-STD-001 if your people solder. IPC-A-610 if they inspect assemblies and judge whether the work is acceptable. Teams that do both usually certify to both.
Can you train at our facility?
Yes. On-site training starts with a skills assessment so the course targets the gaps you actually have, and it is taught on your assemblies and your customer requirements.
Read more
Choosing the right soldering training
Longer reads on which soldering certification fits which role.
What Is IPC J-STD-001?
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What to Know about Soldering Certification?
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Next step
Not sure which soldering training your team needs?
Tell us what you solder, which class you build to and how many people need it. We will map it to a standard, a level and a date.
Request a quote