CAP Program Requirements & Documentation

<meta name="Date" content="2008-03-18">
<title>ISA | Requirements</title>

ISA | Requirements
		<h1>CAP Program Requirements & Documentation</h1>

<p>General criteria to qualify to take the CAP examination include a commitment to the ISA Code of Ethics, a completed application with documentation included to support the education and experience requirements, and the application fee. Applicants must meet either the qualifications outlined in I or II below to be eligible to sit for the CAP exam.</p>

<h2>Acceptable work experience and education requirements:</h2>

<h3><br>I. If you hold a 4 year technical degree:</h3>

<ul>
<li><p>Four-year academic degree from an accredited educational institution in a technical or technology field including engineering, chemistry, physics, math, etc.</p></li>

<li><p><b>Related work experience</b><br>
Related experience means a minimum of five years of work in the automation field. One (1) year of work experience means 1,500 hours of active employment. A cumulative total of 7,500 hours of documented work experience is required during the five-year period prior to your application date. Passing the <a href="http://www.isa.org/CAP/Associate">CAP Associate Recognition Program</a> exam counts as one (1) year of work experience.</p></li>
</ul>

<h3>II. If you hold a 2 year degree or do not have a degree:<br></h3>

<ul>
<li><p><b>Related work experience</b><br>
Related experience means a minimum of ten (10) years of work in the automation field. One (1) year of work experience means 1,500 hours of active employment. A cumulative total of 15,000 hours of documented work experience is required during the ten (10) year period prior to your application date. An Associate Degree in automation or a related technology from an accredited educational institution will count as two (2) years of work experience.</p></li>

<li><p><b>Evidence of responsible charge position</b><br>
Two (2) work related references should be submitted that demonstrates that the applicant has had at least two (2) years experience in automation in a position of responsible charge. Each reference should be completed and signed by a former supervisor or someone who is in a position to attest to the applicant’s responsibilities. At least one of the references must be signed by a current or former supervisor.</p>

<p>Responsible charge does not refer to management control or administrative functions such as accounting, labor relations, or marketing.</p>

<p>The span of control necessary to be considered in a position of responsible charge includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div>Personally makes critical automation project decisions, or reviews and approves proposed decisions prior to implementation, including consideration of alternatives.</div>
</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>OR</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>
<div>Judges the quality of other technical specialists and the validity and applicability of their recommendations before such recommendations are incorporated in the work.</div>
</li>
</ul>

</li>
</ul>

<p>Work experience and educational periods may not overlap when compiling the total number of years required for this certification.</p>

<p>ISA reserves the right to audit information provided in your certification application.  A random selection of applicants will be chosen for audit.  If your application is audited, you will be required to verify your employment history, education, and position of responsible charge as it relates to your application eligibility.  Applicants who are audited must complete an audit form and return to ISA within sixty (60) days of audit notification.  Failure to do so will result in revocation of your application and certification.</p>

<!--- <p><strong>Verification of Employment<br>
</strong>Applicants must submit completed Verification of Employment forms for all employers or provide equivalent documentation that contains all information on the Verification of Employment forms in a clear and readable format. All forms must be signed by the supervisor. An applicant with military experience in the related technologies defined for the CAP program must document this period by submitting a copy of his or her DD 214 form accompanied by a written description of this experience.</p>

<p>If you are a consultant, complete the Verification of Employment Form to document the professional work experience required for testing. A notarized letter from at least three of your customers, including full contact information, must be provided as part of the verification of employment for self-employed applicants.</p>

<p>For employers that may be unavailable to provide first-hand verification, a two-party verification of the employment must be provided in the form of a statement signed by a co-worker from that period of employment and notarized by a notary public. A full explanation of why the employer is not verifying the period of employment must be provided. Full contact information, i.e., name, address and telephone number, must be provided for all responsible parties who act to confirm employment verification.</p>

<p><strong>Verification of Responsible Charge<br>
</strong>For applicants who do not meet the four-year technical degree requirement, two references must accompany your application that document that you have held a position of responsible charge in the automation field for at least two (2) years. One of the references must be from your direct supervisor. Responsible charge relates to the span or degree of control an automation professional has to maintain while excercising independent control and direction of professional automation work, and to the level of decisions being made.</p>

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