CMS Introduces Level-Two Certification for Portable CMMs

The Coordinate Metrology Society (CMS; Charleston, SC), the eminent membership association for measurement professionals, announced the availability of its CMS Level-Two certification, a hands-on performance examination for users of portable CMMs (coordinate measuring machines).

This is the industry’s first device-specific assessment conducted by CMS-authorized proctors. Both Level-One and Level-Two certification examinations will be conducted during the 30th annual Coordinate Metrology Systems Conference (CMSC), from July 21st through July 25th this year, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in North Charleston, SC.

The cost for a CMS member to take either certification exam is $400, non-member pricing is also available. Certification program guidelines and application forms are available on the CMS website at www.cmsc.org/cms-certification.

Candidates are required to complete an application process and qualify in order to take either examination. Applicants for the CMS Level-One certification must meet eligibility requirements, sign the CMS code of ethics, and pass a peer review.

Applicants for the CMS Level-Two Performance certification must have a Level-One certification, two years basic experience (minimum 400 hours) on an articulating arm, and submit an application with two references who can attest to their hands-on expertise. Qualifying candidates will be notified and scheduled for an examination seat at CMSC 2014.

“We are very pleased to roll out our second CMS certification program for Portable 3D Metrology at the 2014 CMSC,” states Randy Gruver, the chair of the CMS certification committee. “The Coordinate Metrology Society continues to focus on professional career development for metrologists through certification programs that verify their knowledge and ability to perform accurate measurements. Metrologists can earn career-enhancing credentials, and apply industry best practices that are embedded throughout these certification assessments. An operator can dramatically influence data collection and analysis, so it is important for an employer to understand the knowledge level of an employee or a metrology service provider in this industry.”

The career credentials gained through the CMS Level-One and Level-Two certification process helps to quantify an employee’s knowledge of metrology, which is essential to ISO certified manufacturers and companies with Quality Management Systems.

The Level-One certification examination is a proctored, online assessment consisting of about 200 multiple choice questions covering foundational theory and practice common to most portable 3D Metrology devices.

The Level-Two certification exam on a portable CMM is a performance assessment conducted by an authorized proctor. The candidate uses the metrology instrument to collect a series of measurements on an artifact, then analyze specific features of that artifact.

The proctor evaluates the applicant’s measurement techniques, accuracy of the results, and overall performance on the portable CMM. The Level-Two certification program was professionally designed and developed in cooperation with the CMS.

www.cmsc.org