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Telecommunications (TCM) — Requirements & Free Practice

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Telecommunications (TCM)

Licensing authority: ETA International

Initial by examination
Telecommunications Electronics Technician - TCM
Evidence Claim Ids
["tcm-route-conditions","tcm-registration","tcm-assessment"]
Journeyman
The same TCM examination is the communications specialty option. The general Journeyman policy requires prior CETa or Electronics Modules (EM1-5), with GCT1 accepted for Communications options, and says a Journeyman should have two or more years of experience. These are already-attained certification qualifications, not additional TCM examination papers.
Later Upgrade
The TCM-specific upgrade provision names later completion of Associate CET (CETa) or General Communications Technician - Level 1, requires two or more years of training/experience, and directs the holder to contact ETA and pay $55. This does not create another TCM examination/version or extend this investigation into other certification programs.
Scheduling
Arrange a day/time with an ETA Certification Administrator; in-person Trapeza and paper/pencil both require a proctor. Non-hands-on remote testing is arranged by ETA through its Remote Proctoring Examinee Registration Form, not by contacting ExamRoom.AI directly. Initial scheduling may take up to 72 hours; Monday-Friday 8am-5pm EDT registration, with no guaranteed same/next-day test. Webcam, microphone, recent computer and at least 3MBPS internet are required for remote testing; the two-hour exam adds $16 remote fee.
Stand Alone
No basic electronics certification required; pass the TCM examination. Hands-On Required: No.

Telecommunications Electronics Technician - TCM

Provider
ETA International
Format
Proctored knowledge examination; in-person Trapeza or paper/pencil, or ETA-arranged remote proctoring through ExamRoom.AI.
Exam questions
Total questions: 75.
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
75%
Exam fee
$80; remote proctoring adds $16 for the two-hour examination.
Examination outline
  • Cables and Cabling
    • Unshielded twisted pair: uses and capabilities
    • RJ45/48 connectors: installation and troubleshooting
    • CAT 5 versus single twisted pair
    • 10 base T uses and frequency capabilities
    • T568A / T568B standards
    • Cable TV wiring for data and voice
    • Coax types RG 58, RG 59 and RG 6
    • Equipment grounding
    • Single-mode and multimode fiber optics
  • Analog Telephony
    • Telephone industry history
    • Basic telephone system operation
    • POTS, DID, OPX, tie lines and WATS lines
    • Multiple phone lines
    • PBX and switching
    • Local loop mapping
    • Key service units
    • Central Office purposes
    • Tones, loop start, ground start and wink start
    • CO and CPE
    • Dedicated, metered and switched services
    • Broadband DSL and ISDN
  • Equipment
    • Telephone parts and functions
    • Telephone disassembly and reassembly
    • RS-232, RS-530, V.35 and USB interfaces
  • Telecom Safety
    • Workplace safety
    • Safety in homes and businesses
    • Outside equipment safety
    • OSHA distribution worker and height requirements
    • Distribution and installation technician abilities
    • ESD safety
  • Transmission Service Providers
    • Local Exchange Carriers
    • LECs and Regional Operating Companies
    • Independent telephone companies
    • Network control points and NOC
    • In-band, CCS and SS7 signaling
    • T1 and T3 lines
    • Multiplexing
  • Distribution Methods
    • Plug and adapter wiring
    • Punch block connections, tools and labeling
    • T carrier (DS1)
    • Repeaters
    • Channel Banks
    • Common Carrier
  • Computer
    • Computers and communications technology
    • Modem interfaces and types
    • Worldwide numbering systems
    • Network control points
    • Database
    • Computer Telephony Integration
    • Asynchronous Transfer Mode
  • Digital Telephony
    • ISDN
    • DSL advantages and usage
    • Bundling and unbundling services
    • Bytes, packets and frames
    • Caller ID
  • Interfacing
    • Consumer electronics and telephone interconnection
    • Electrical surge protection
    • EIA, CTIA and ITU protocols and standards
  • Internet
    • Internet
    • TCP/IP
    • Internet service security
  • Network Infrastructures and Topologies
    • RS232 standard
    • Transmission protocols
    • LAN and WAN
    • Small business WAN installation and troubleshooting
  • Office Wiring
    • ANSI, EIA/TIA and NFPA building wiring standards
    • Pre-wiring and existing building wiring methods and precautions
  • Test Equipment
    • Wired communications network certification
    • Bit Error Rate equipment, toners and OTDRs
    • OTDR troubleshooting and installed cable verification
  • Troubleshooting
    • Telephone, DVM, signal, oscilloscope, loop and network test equipment
    • Last Good, First Bad methods and loop testing
  • Transmission Protocols
    • Modulation schemes
  • Telecom Mathematics
    • Mathematics for telecommunications service and installation
  • Optical Wiring
    • Fiber disposal and eye safety
    • Optical cable selection parameters
    • Copper-to-fiber signal conversion
    • SONET
    • DWDM
  • Wireless Telephony
    • Wired telecommunications versus cellular networks
    • Cellular system concepts and architecture
    • Spread Spectrum techniques
    • TDMA and CDMA modulation
    • Paging Services
    • Satellite telephone communications
    • Satellite uplink and downlink components
Examination sources