Cleanroom Testing & Certification Board Cleanroom Technology Course & Exam (v1.02-08/06)

Are you a Cleanroom Professional and can you prove it?

Many people working in cleanrooms have the knowledge and expertise to claim to be a cleanroom professional but may wish to prove this by a certificate obtained through a respected teaching institute. S2C2, a non-profit-making Society at the forefront of cleanroom knowledge, has established the Cleanroom Testing and Certification Board (CTCB) as an education and training initiative to help fulfil the objectives of the Society. It provides educational courses and awards certificates through examination.

People working in the field of cleanroom technology will be aware that few further-education courses on this subject exist. However, many wish to develop their professional skills and improve their chances of promotion, or simply wish to learn about cleanrooms. This is best done through a structured course ending in an examination and certification, and through an institute whose prime interest and knowledge is in the field of Cleanroom Technology, and has years of teaching the design, testing and running of cleanrooms.

The quality of the CTCB course is ensured by an Advisory Board composed of experienced cleanroom technologists, many being members of the BSI and ISO cleanroom standards committee, and which oversees the content of the course, the teaching, and the examinations.

The course is a distance learning, based on a S2C2 course that has been run and refined for almost 20 years, and on the book 'Cleanroom Technology - Fundamentals of Design, Testing and Operation' by W Whyte. The course covers all aspects of cleanroom technology in a way that is applicable to all types of cleanrooms and industries. An overview of the course is as follows:

The Course Syllabus

The syllabus of the course is as follows:

• Cleanrooms, their need, types and history
• Standards and information sources
• The design of cleanrooms and clean air devices
• Construction materials and surface finishes
• High efficiency air filtration
• Cleanroom testing and monitoring
• Measurement of air quantities and pressure differences
• Air movement control
• Filter installation leak testing
• Airborne particle and microbial counting
• Cleanroom disciplines
• Materials, equipment and machinery
• Cleanroom clothing, masks and gloves
• Cleaning a cleanroom

As well as receiving the course book, the candidate will receive a handbook with a set of questions and answers, so that they can anticipate the type of questions to be asked in the exam, and assess their knowledge.

Registration

Candidates must apply to be registered for the cleanroom technology course and their suitability will be assessed. When they sit the exam, they must have one year’s experience in the field of cleanroom technology. Those who have just joined a cleanroom technology firm can register immediately, with a view to receiving cleanroom training through the CTCB course, and sit the exam after a year. If the candidate is accepted and registered, the CTCB will send a copy of the book ‘Cleanroom Technology - Fundamentals of Design, Testing and Operation’, which will serve as the course notes. It is best if the candidate can provide an 'in-house' tutor who will be able to assist during study. The CTCB will also provide assistance should any difficult questions arise.

On satisfactory completion of the course, i.e. passing a written exam, the candidate will receive a CTCB certificate and be registered as such.

Revision Lectures and Examination

Candidates resident in the UK and Ireland must attend a one-day course and examination.  Candidates in other parts of the world may study ‘at home’. During attendance at the one day course and exams, revision lectures will be given, and a written examination held after the lectures.

The exam will have questions that will be short and no essays are required. The pass mark is 50%. The questions will be similar, or identical, to those in the sample questions and answers handbook. It is anticipated that about 80% of the candidates will pass the exam on the first attempt. There is an appeals procedure, but the decision of the examination board is final. Anyone failing an exam can re-sit.

It is possible to be examined in a country outwith the UK and Ireland, but the exam must be held at a Centre approved by CTCB e.g. the British Council, or College or University. It is the candidate’s responsibility to organise such a centre, provide proof of the exam security, and pay any fee.

The Cost

Registration, which includes:

• being entered as a candidate;
• a copy of the book ‘Cleanroom Technology - Fundamentals of Design, Testing and Operation’;
• sample questions and answers handbook;
• an example of the written exam;
• certificate on successfully passing the exam.

The cost of registration is £120 + VAT. If any candidate possesses the course book, the cost will be reduced to £60 + VAT.

Revision Course and Exam: This is over one day and includes:

• a revision lecture course;
• two hour written exam.

The cost will be £220 + VAT, including coffee, tea and lunch.

Candidates can re-sit the exam if they fail. The cost is £80+VAT. There is likely to be an opportunity every 6 to 12 months, depending on demand.

CTCB
S2C2 Administrator,
Scottish Society for Contamination Control
Suite 20, The Atrium Business Centre
North Caldeen Road
Coatbridge, ML5 4EF
Tel:  +44 844 800 7809
Fax: +44 844 800 7810  
Email:

Do you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader for your system? Check here