Certification program

The Fiber Optic Association Inc. (FOA), a Boston-based professional society for fiber optics, has begun certifying technicians. The first FOA members have successfully completed the exam to become Certified Fiber Optic Technicians. The FOA was founded to provide a professional society for fiber optics, develop training programs and administer a certification program. The program is independent of vendors and covers all fiber-optics applications.

In addition, the FOA has received an $80,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop training manuals for fiber-optics courses. This grant funds the development of two fiber-optics laboratory manuals, which will be available for distribution to schools, universities and other training programs.