NERC Certification Exam Prep FAQ
Preparing for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) certification exam is a big step for professionals in the electric utility industry. Achieving NERC certification will not only prepare you for your career but will also make you a better hiring prospect.
In this blog, we’ll cover the most frequently asked questions people have about the NERC exam and offer tips to help you pass the test with ease.
WHAT IS NERC?
NERC (the North American Electric Reliability Corporation) is a regulatory authority that sets and enforces compliance standards for the power grid in the U.S. and Canada. Its mission is to ensure the reliability, security, effectiveness, and efficiency of the North American electrical grid.
NERC compliance is mandatory for all owners, operators, and users of bulk power systems and the entities that own, operate, or use bulk power system assets. This includes organizations involved in power generation, power transmission, power distribution, and more.
There are many NERC standards addressing various aspects of the electrical grid, and these standards evolve constantly to keep up with changing needs and technologies. An important part of NERC compliance is making sure the workforce is educated in current NERC standards.
This is where NERC certification comes in.
WHAT IS NERC SYSTEM OPERATOR CERTIFICATION?
To promote the reliability of the North American electrical grid, NERC has a System Operator Certification Program to ensure that key personnel meet minimum qualifications.
Specifically, NERC certification focuses on ensuring that system operators have the knowledge of NERC standards they need to maintain the reliability of bulk power systems.
WHO NEEDS NERC CERTIFICATION?
Professionals in power system operations need NERC certification. NERC certification is available for four areas of responsibility:
- Reliability Coordinator Operator
- Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Operator
- Transmission Operator
- Balancing and Interchange Operator
If you intend to serve in one of these roles in the U.S. or Canada, you probably need NERC certification.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF NERC CERTIFICATION?
For certain professionals, NERC certification is mandatory. Regardless, NERC certification carries real benefits that motivate people in the industry to become a NERC Certified System Operator even when it’s not required for their job.
NERC certification signifies a high level of expertise and knowledge in the field of power system operations, providing professional credibility. It indicates that the certified individual is well-versed in NERC compliance standards and will, therefore, contribute to NERC compliance in the organization. NERC certification also requires professionals to stay up to date on the latest industry practices and standards, which can lead to better job performance and career advancement opportunities.
Finally, it helps build a stronger safety culture within organizations and contributes to the overall reliability of the power grid.
HOW DO YOU BECOME NERC CERTIFIED?
To earn NERC certification, you need to pass the NERC exam designed for one of the four roles listed above. NERC exams are multiple-choice tests given on computers at a PSI testing center near you.
Once NERC certification is earned, NERC Certified System Operators need to renew their certification every three years.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR NERC CERTIFICATION?
The first step in earning NERC certification is registering for your NERC exam.
To do so, you need to set up an account in the System Operator Certification and Continuing Education Database (SOCCED) and submit your certification exam payment. Once the payment is processed, your details will be forwarded to the exam vendor, PSI.
Afterward, you'll receive an email from PSI containing the details needed to schedule your exam.
Your NERC exam application remains valid for a year from the date of issue. If you fail to schedule and take the exam within that year, the (very hefty) exam fee is forfeited.
WHAT IS THE NERC EXAM?
The NERC exam is the qualifying test for NERC System Operator certification.
The exam tests operators’ specific knowledge of job skills and Reliability Standards, thereby ensuring that certified operators are prepared to handle normal and emergency operations in bulk power systems.
The NERC exam’s topics and questions are based on job analysis surveys of certified operators across the industry.
WHAT DO THE NERC EXAMS COVER?
NERC provides exam content outlines listing the knowledge areas tested and the number of questions asked. Each of the four certification exams will test the following major knowledge areas:
- Resource and Demand Balancing
- Transmission
- Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency Response
- Contingency Analysis and Reliability
- Communications and Data
Each knowledge area contains three to five sub-topics.
HOW LONG IS THE NERC EXAM?
The number of questions on the exam varies a bit based on which exam you’re taking:
- Reliability Exam: 120 scored questions
- Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Exam: 120 scored questions
- Transmission Exam: 100 scored questions
- Balancing Exam: 100 scored questions
Applicants are given three hours to complete the exam.
WHAT DOES THE NERC CERTIFICATION EXAM COST?
The NERC certification exam costs $700 for initial certification.
WHAT DO I NEED ON TEST DAY?
First, it’s recommended that you show up 30 minutes before your scheduled time because late arrivals will not be admitted. Additionally, you should plan to be there for four hours. Don’t schedule anything else in that window; you want to take your time and do your best.
You’ll need to show two forms of valid ID in order to enter the testing room:
- One primary form of identification that is government-issued and has your photo. Examples include a:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Temporary visa
- Military ID
- Some other government-issued photo ID
- One secondary form of identification containing your picture, signature, or both. Examples include a:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Employment ID
You should leave other belongings at home or in your car. You won’t be permitted to bring in anything other than your ID. That includes cell phones, calculators, scratch paper, recording equipment, or reference materials.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T PASS THE NERC EXAM?
The good news is that you’ll know your test results as soon as you complete the NERC exam.
The NERC exam application is only good for one attempt, so if you fail, you’ll need to submit the application and pay the $700 fee again.
There’s a mandatory wait of 42 calendar days between attempts, and you should use this time to study for success. Prepare for the exam differently than you did for the first attempt; failing the exam is definitely a sign you should register for NERC training and exam prep targeted toward your test.
WHAT IS THE NERC CERTIFICATION RENEWAL PROCESS?
Once you’ve passed the initial exam, your NERC certification will remain valid for three (3) years. You’ll need to maintain the credential by paying a renewal fee and completing a certain number of Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) before the expiration date listed on your certificate.
The total number of CEHs required for each 3-year renewal cycle varies by the type of NERC certification you hold, but it will be between 140 and 200 hours and include specific category requirements. Employers and utilities often provide NERC training which counts. Any outside CEHs must be focused on NERC-approved topics and earned through a NERC-approved education provider like us.
If you fail to meet your CEH requirements before your certificate expires, your NERC certification will be suspended until you do. That’s why it’s a good idea to spread continuing NERC training across all three years. Don’t wait too long!
NERC certification renewal is managed through SOCCED, which is the same platform where you apply for the NERC exam.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NERC CERTIFICATION EXAM
Because the NERC exam is so expensive, it’s important to prepare as well as you can to pass it on the first attempt.
NERC recommends that the NERC certification exam content outlines be used in conjunction with NERC Reliability Standards and power system operation reference books and materials. As you can imagine, this can be an intimidating and overwhelming study approach for many people.
Instead, most people opt to prepare with NERC training targeted at passing the exam. This kind of NERC training isn’t required, but it’s a good investment. You can purchase quality training and exam prep resources for far less than a second exam attempt would cost. Look for a reputable training provider who has a history of successfully preparing exam-takers.
WHAT DOES NERC CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP COVER?
As you might expect, a NERC certification exam prep course will cover the major subjects you’ll see on your NERC exam. For example, our NERC training includes a three-part review of system operations, followed by a practice test.
HOW MUCH DOES NERC CERTIFICATION TRAINING COST?
The cost of NERC training to prepare for the certification exam will depend on a lot of factors – courses run anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to over $1500. In-person training will cost more than online or solo-study courses.
You’ll have to decide what’s right for you, but many busy power and utility professionals prefer self-paced, mobile-friendly courses that allow them to study whenever and wherever they can fit it in. The good news is that these courses can be very reasonably priced.
GET NERC CERTIFICATION EXAM TRAINING ONLINE
We’re a NERC-approved education provider with over 20 years of experience helping professionals understand the standards and regulations that apply to their jobs.
Our NERC Certification Exam Training course is online, self-paced, and mobile-friendly for your convenience. You can study on a schedule that works for you!
Get started today!
What is NERC?
NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) monitors, regulates, and implements compliance policies for power system operators. All power plant companies providing bulk-power plant systems, power generation, power transmission, and power distribution in the U.S. and Canada are required to comply with NERC standards.
NERC promotes safe power systems through their array of NERC reliability standards. The NERC Reliability Standards are the widely accepted regulatory standards for bulk-power system operators, owners, and workers. NERC uses these standards for audits ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable power sources for households and business operations.
How are NERC Standards Applied?
NERC compliance aims to ensure safety and efficiency in all generation and distribution companies using different kinds of power sources. Key ways NERC ensures standards compliance include:
- NERC monitoring of power plants to measure and specify possible improvements and changes.
- Enforcement of current standards and compliance procedures for the whole operation.
- Registration and recognition of power system operators as fully functioning using NERC reliability standards.
- Certification of power plants and companies as certified NERC-compliant, which includes employee training and orientation.
- Regional compliance and monitoring of certified power plant companies to ensure possible violations aren’t overlooked.
What is NERC System Operator Certification?
To promote the reliability of the North American power system, the System Operator Certification Program seeks to ensure system operators meet minimum qualifications. Once an operator passes an exam, he or she must maintain certification by completing NERC‐approved continuing education every three years.
What is the NERC Exam?
Qualification is done by testing operators’ specific knowledge of job skills and Reliability Standards. NERC’s system operator certification exam prepares operators to handle normal and emergency operations in bulk power systems.
The exam is based on job analysis surveys of certified operators across the industry. This information also forms the content outline for the four exams:
- Reliability Exam: 120 scored questions
- Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission Exam: 120 scored questions
- Transmission Exam: 100 scored questions
- Balancing Exam: 100 scored questions
What Do the Exams Cover?
NERC provides exam content outlines listing the knowledge areas tested and the number of questions asked. Each exam will test the following major knowledge areas:
- Resource and Demand Balancing
- Transmission
- Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency Response
- Contingency Analysis and Reliability
- Communications and Data
Each knowledge area contains three to five sub-topics.
What does a NERC Certification Exam Prep Cover?
As you might expect, a NERC certification exam prep will cover the major subjects tested in the four NERC exams. The 360training.com NERC Certification Exam Training packages are made for non–certified operators in preparation for the exam.
Topics include a three–part review on system operations and a NERC Certification exam preparation that counts as both completion exam and eight CE hours:
- Module 1: Power Generation, Transmission, and Interchange
- Module 2: System Protection and Control
- Module 3: System Operations and PSR
- Module 4: Practice Exam
360training.com offers four packages, each including a practice exam for one of the four NRC exams. Note that these courses do not replace the need for a good foundation of basic electricity, as well as familiarization with system operations and NERC Standards.
NERC recommends that the NERC certification exam content outlines be used in conjunction with NERC Reliability Standards and power system operation reference books and materials.
What are the Course Objectives?
After completing a NERC Certification Exam Training program, learners should be ready to take the exam and be able to:
- Describe how power generation, transmission, and interchange relate to and support bulk electric system reliability.
- Explain how the key components of System Protection and System Control support reliability.
- Discus how specific system operations in routine and power system restoration (PSR) serve to maintain and/or restore system reliability.
The best way to refresh your knowledge of NERC standards and effectively prepare for the exam is with online training from 360training.com. With convenient on-demand NERC continuing education and exam preps you get fast, easy completion, no classroom attendance required, and unlimited 24x7 online customer support.
Choose the experienced, trusted e-learning provider that’s helped over 500,000 people get certified nationwide. Enroll today!
