Overview

This 2-day fiber optics CFOS/O - Certified Fiber Optic Specialist, Outside Plant - is the FOA certification for technicians installing outside plant (OSP) fiber optic cable plants and communications systems. It expands on the CFOT KSAs to include OSP construction and installation of aerial and underground cable plants. The skills focus includes installing and cable preparation of OSP cables, fusion splicing for concatenation and termination and testing with a focus on OTDRs.

Outcomes of the CFOS/O Certification

FOA CFOS/O OSP Specialist certification means the person with a CFOS/O certification has demonstrated extensive capability in installing outside plant (OSP) fiber optic cable plants and communications systems. These requirements are summarized as KSAs (knowledge, skills, abilities). KSAs for the CFOS/O certification can be found in Section 1 of your CFOS/O Student Manual.

• Knowledge is tested with the FOA CFOS/O exam taken by all applicants at the end of class.
• Skills can be demonstrated in hands-on lab exercises and verified by instructors giving an FOA-Approved course.   
• Abilities: Fiber optic techs need the ability to perform relevant tasks, evidenced by showing skills in hands-on tasks during class hands-on splicing activities.

Course Objectives

To achieve the Certified Outside Plant Specialist certification (CFOS/O), the training program will cover at least the following topics and requirements:

• Overview of OSP fiber optic installations
• Communications systems utilizing OSP fiber optic cable plant
• Fiber optic components appropriate for OSP networks
• Construction for OSP installations
• Simulated or actual Installation of buried, underground and aerial cable
• Splicing and testing cables, including splice closures, OLTS and OTDR testing
• Restoration
• Lab Exercises including hands-on splicing and testing on simulated outside plant.

Benefits of FOA Certifications

Like any certification program, the benefits to the members who pass the certification tests are based on the recognition of achieving a level of competence in the fiber optics field. For the end user looking for competent fiber optic personnel, it is the knowledge that this person has demonstrated knowledge and ability in the field and, perhaps even has documented experience. For the vendor of fiber optic products, it offers a technically- qualified pool of employees as well as contractors to recommend to end user customers who need to find installers for their networks. Many companies require FOA certifications or even offer FOA certifications to their personnel through internal training classes.