WHAT IS THE
EVT CERTIFICATION COMMISSION?
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The Emergency
Vehicle Technician Certification Commission, Inc. (EVT) is a nonprofit
corporation dedicated to improving the quality of emergency vehicle service and
repair throughout the United States and Canada. EVT is governed by a Board of Directors that represents emergency
response agencies, emergency vehicle maintenance service associations, and the
educational community. EVT began as The
Fire Apparatus Mechanics Certification Program, sponsored by the International
Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). In
1988, the IAFC introduced this certification program in an effort to elevate
the standards of emergency vehicle maintenance and the personnel who perform
the work. In addition, the IAFC sought
to provide technicians recognition for the education, training, and experience
they have in the field of service and repair of emergency vehicles. While the IAFC no longer directly oversees
the EVT Certification Program, the IAFC continues to support the continued
development and operation of the EVT Certification Program. The primary function of EVT is to test and certify emergency vehicle technicians. EVT also encourages the development of effective training programs which address the training and educational needs of the emergency vehicle technician. All testing and
certification is on a voluntary basis. |
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WHAT BENEFITS ARE THERE TO BEING CERTIFIED? |
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The benefits of being certified are personal and professional. Being certified as an Emergency Vehicle Technician shows departments, governing boards and apparatus service center customers that the technician has proven himself knowledgeable in diagnosing and repairing emergency vehicle mechanical problems.
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
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WHEN & WHERE
ARE THE EVT EXAMS ADMINISTERED?
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EVT exams are offered twice a year at sites across the country. In addition, many mechanics’ seminars, workshops and schools which offer training in various fields of maintenance have made testing sites available during their activities. The dates, times and locations of these testing sites can be found on the test site list or by calling the EVT office at 847-426-4075. Click
here for a
list of test sites or call 847-426-4075 for dates and locations. |
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WHAT ARE THE EVT
EXAMS LIKE?
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Each regular EVT
exam is made up of between 50 and 100 multiple‑choice questions and each
re-certification exam consists of between 25 and 50 multiple-choice
questions. The questions are written by
a panel of technical experts from the emergency apparatus and ambulance
industry, certified emergency vehicle technicians, component systems experts
and vocational educators. Reference material
lists and study objectives, on which the examinations are based, can be found here.
These
objectives should be used as a basis for preparing to take the EVT
examinations. Each individual is
encouraged to obtain the reference materials listed and review the objectives
to insure that he or she is ready to take an EVT exam. |
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HOW DOES THE EVT CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WORK? |
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The EVT
Certification Program offers two options for emergency vehicle technicians to
become certified. Option 1: Technicians may
choose to take only EVT exams and become certified in the individual test
areas. The technician will receive an
EVT Test Certificate stating the area(s) in which he/she is certified. Option 2: Technicians may choose to obtain the highest EVT Certification by taking a combination of the EVT exams and the ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) exams, or the appropriate Canadian Provincial License. These exams are used to identify the diagnostic and repair knowledge of vehicle maintenance and the specific levels of Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification. Level Certification will be granted to the technician who successfully completes these requirements. Technicians have the option of obtaining Level I, II, or Master EVT Technician in the Fire Apparatus, Ambulance Track, ARFF Vehicle Track and Law Enforcement Vehicle Track. See chart on Page 6 for specific requirements. |
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HOW TO REGISTER
FOR EVT EXAMINATIONS
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Complete the
Examination Application Form, include the “one-time” $ 20.00 non-refundable
registration fee and the exam fees and mail or fax to the EVT Certification
Commission. The registration form must be received at the EVT office at least 21
days prior to the scheduled exam date. There will be No “Walk-In” registration. Confirmation of
exam registration will be mailed to the technician within a week after it is
received by the EVT office.
Individuals who
are absent for exams are not eligible for exam fee refunds. Individuals may transfer their exam fees to
another test date if they have notified the EVT office of the change at
least 10 days prior to the exam date for no charge. After that date there will
be a $25 change fee charged. |
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HOW TO BECOME A
LEVEL I, II, OR MASTER EVT CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN
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| Apply for Certification. Once all of the required exams, both ASE and EVT, for a specific level have been obtained, the technician will need to complete the "EVT Certification Level Application Form" ( which will be sent with the letter stating that a test has been passed). Mail the completed application form, with copies of the required ASE or Canadian equivalency certificates, to the EVT Certification office. ASE or EVT exams may be taken in any order; however, the technician must apply for each level in sequence. For example, Level I requirements would have to be completed before applying for certification at Level II, and so forth. If an exam is not successfully completed, the technician must again register and pay the examination fees before retesting. | |
THE ASE PROGRAM
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ASE’s primary
function is to test and certify automobile technicians and heavy‑duty
truck technicians. The ASE program
consists of a series of written tests given biannually. These tests measure diagnostic and repair
knowledge, and skills in various technical areas. When a technician passes one or more tests, and has completed two
years of related work experience, he/she receives documentation for those areas
of certification. ASE’s testing and certification program is administered by
ACT, a nonprofit corporation engaged in test development and administration,
and educational and vocational research. ASE offers
certification tests in the Spring and Fall each year. Tests are given at locations across the country.
For further information regarding the ASE
tests, contact: National Institute
for Automotive Service Excellence |
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CANADIAN
EQUIVALENCY
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Canada has
specific requirements for mechanics. Canadian applicants may substitute copies of a current Provincial
Mechanics License in place of ASE certification to meet the requirements for
level certification. (Canadian
applicants applying for Ambulance Master Level Certification must have an
Automotive Provincial License and either Bus / Transport License or must pass
two ASE truck exams (T-4 & T-5) |
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WHO WILL KNOW THE
RESULTS OF THE EXAM?
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A letter will be
sent to the technician with exam results. If an exam is not passed, a report
identifying areas of knowledge will be sent. EVT reserves the right to affirm or disaffirm to its constituents and
the public whether the technician does or does not hold EVT certification and
in what specialty. EVT will not release test scores to any other party in a manner
that the scores can be identified with a specific technician, unless a written
request is received from that technician Registration for an EVT exam signifies to the EVT Commission and others that the participant has an interest in elevating his knowledge of maintenance and repair of emergency response vehicles. One aspect of EVT's mission is to encourage and assist in the development of maintenance training programs. Accordingly, EVT will use these records to communicate with the technician, or to facilitate communications by others about education, training, state associations, and award programs judged to be of potential benefit to the technician. |
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IS THERE A RE-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT?
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YES! Vehicle technology and service techniques
are changing rapidly. Technicians must keep up-to-date with modern
repair practices and standards. This
program provides an incentive for emergency vehicle technicians to keep their
knowledge and skills current and assures credible proof of one’s ability. Re-certification is an integral part
of the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Program. The EVT
Certification Commission will require the applicant to pass the current EVT
re-certification examination every five (5) years. If the technician
is Level Certified, he must reapply for Level Certification. Current copies of
ASE certification or the appropriate Canadian Provincial Mechanics License must
be included with the application for level certification form. |
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