Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Credential: Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)  GI Bill resource  ICAC resource
Credentialing Agency: Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) certification is an intermediate journeyman-level credential for wireless technicians. The WCM certification is targeted toward workers performing installation, maintenance and repair of mobile and fixed radio communications systems. Candidates seeking the ETA-I WCM credential are required to have a basic education in fundamental electronics. Candidates must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. To be eligible for a rollover to an ETA-I Wireless Communications (WCM) certification, candidates must hold a valid FCC GROL and either an ETA-I Associate CET (CETa), General Communications Technician - Level 1 (GCT1) or Journeyman CET certification.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: Associate CET (CETa)
  • Experience: 2 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 4 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN  46135

Phone: (800) 288-3824

Fax: (765) 653-4287
Email: eta@eta-i.org

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Candidates must pass the Associate (CETa) exam before qualifying to sit for the Journeyman level certification exam. Associate Electronics Technician (CETa) exam details can be obtained from the ETA-I website. ETA-I allows candidates to take both the Associate (CETa) and the WCM - CET exams simultaneously.

Candidates must have two or more years of combined electronics training or work experience.

Written Exam

  • Radio Theory
  • Components, Terminology and Symbols
  • Satellite-Data-Telecommunications
  • Mobile Systems
  • Commercial Radio Networks
  • Block Diagrams-Schematics-Flow Charts
  • Basic Analog Circuits
  • Hand Tools and Soldering
  • Computer and Digital Circuits
  • Computer Applications
  • Interfacing
  • Transmission Lines, Cabling and Connectors
  • Antennas and Towers
  • Grounding-Lightning Protection
  • Radio Mathematics and Formulas
  • Modulations Schemes
  • Control Systems
  • RF Interference
  • RF Coverage Analysis, Testing and Diagnosis
  • Test Equipment and Measurements
  • Troubleshooting
  • Workplace Safety for Radio Environment

RECERTIFICATION

Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) certification is renewable every four years. WCM holders are required to earn continuing education credits totaling ten hours per year for a total of 40 hrs over the term of the certification or will provide employer verification that they continue to work in electronics. That combined with the updating of contact information will constitute renewal for the WCM.

    Detailed information related to the recertification process, associated fees and forms can be obtained from the Additional Certification Renewal/Maintenance Information on the certifying agency’s website.

    Note: If the four year term for the WCM is exceeded without renewal by certification maintenance, and the certification expires, the WCM holder is required to retake the current version of the examination and will then again be eligible for the certification maintenance.

Additional considerations for the Wireless Communications Electronics Technician (WCM) include:

  • A technician with two or more years of combined work and electronics training may apply for the Journeyman exam. To be a fully Certified Electronics Technician, an entire certification exam must be passed (which consists of the Associate level exam plus one of the specialized Journeyman options.
  • ETA-I Senior Certified Electronics Technician (CETsr) certification requires a technician to have six or more years of combined work and electronics training and pass the Associate level exam plus one of the specialized Journeyman options.
  • ETA-I Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification requires a technician to have six or more years of combined work and electronics training and pass the Associate level exam and any six specialized Journeyman options.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Electronics Engineering Technicians
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Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Radio Mechanics
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Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Radio Operators
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Radio Operators
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
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Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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