What is NERC SOCCED?
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and reliability of the United States' electric grid, a vast network increasingly exposed to cyber-physical risks.
With cybersecurity becoming an integral part of grid reliability, NERC CIP standards have become essential for maintaining the stability and security of the national electricity supply. In this blog, we’ll focus on what NERC System Operator Certification and Continuing Education Database (SOCCED) is and what you can do with NERC SOCCED.
HISTORY OF NERC
NERC was established following a massive blackout in 1965, evolving into a regulatory body that formulates standards to mitigate risks to the power grid. The NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) reliability standards, developed after significant outages, aim to secure the grid from physical and cyber threats, mandating strict compliance from energy organizations.
WHAT IS NERC COMPLIANCE?
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) ensures safety and efficiency in all generation and distribution companies. This is achieved through compliance with NERC standards for power systems, including:
- Power plant monitoring
- Standards enforcement
- Registration and recognition of power system operators
- Certification of compliant power plants and companies
- Regional compliance and monitoring of certified power plant companies
What Is NERC SOCCED?
“SOCCED” stands for System Operator Certification and Continuing Education Database, and it is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the application operators can use to earn certification and track and manage certification and training.
As mentioned previously, operators must complete continuing education every three years to maintain their NERC certification. To log in or set up an account, access the NERC SOCCED website.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH NERC SOCCED? [CS1]
The NERC SOCCED webpage can be used to perform many of the steps to acquire and maintain NERC certification, including:
- Open an account
- Request an Authorization to Test (ATT)
- Issue a certificate number after a candidate has passed an exam
- Learning providers can add continuing education hours earned by the certified operators
- Track continuing education hours
- Print certificates
- Review continuing education hours
Achieving NERC SOCCED Certification
NERC’s System Operator Certification Program seeks to ensure system operators meet minimum qualifications. System operators handle the bulk power system during normal and emergency operations in power plant control rooms.
To earn certification, an operator passes an exam. There are four exams available:
- Reliability examination
- Balancing, Interchange, and Transmission examination
- Transmission examination
- Balancing examination
Additionally, to maintain their certification, operators must complete NERC‐approved continuing education every three years.
Benefits of NERC Certification for System Operators and Employers
Obtaining NERC certification for system operators is not only a mark of expertise and reliability in the energy sector but also offers a competitive edge in the job market.
Additionally, for employers, having certified operators ensures compliance with regulatory standards, enhances the reliability of operations, and reduces the risk of costly penalties for non-compliance.
Career Path Options for NERC Certified System Operators
NERC certification opens up various career paths within the energy sector, including roles in operations, compliance, and security. Certified professionals are in high demand for their specialized knowledge in maintaining the reliability and security of the electrical grid, providing them with a wider range of opportunities for advancement and growth in the field. This means a career with a NERC certification can be pretty promising for the future.
360training’s NERC Exam Prep Course
Ready to start a new career with promising opportunity? 360training has you covered! Prepare to pass one of the four types of NERC certification exams with our online NERC Certification Training Course. At the completion of each of the first three modules, there will be a quiz. The goal is to help you prepare to take one of the four types of NERC certification exams.
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