History

See AFTE article by K. Kowalski (Fall 2000, Vol 32 #4, pages 373-379)

Objectives

a.   Progress in a way which is consistent with the collective vision of the Board of Directors.

b.   Work with Independent Firm, Community CPS to administer written certification tests.

c.    Administer Practical Certification tests

Duties and Responsibilities

            (Items listed below are mostly related to the duties/responsibilities of the chairperson with the assistance of other committee members as needed.)

A. General

1.   Working relationship with the Board of Directors.

2.   Read and maintain familiarity with: 1) March 2000 – 186 page CPS report (see AFTE website AFTE.org); 2) Kowalski’s executive summary (AFTE Journal, Fall 2000, Vol 32 #4, pages 373-379); 3) Description of AFTE Certification Program (AFTE Journal, Spring 1999, pages 197-202); and the results of the 1994 member survey. 

B. Work with CPS to Administer Written Certification Tests

1.   Work with AFTE Journal editor and have annual AFTE Seminar test schedule published in advance of seminar.

2.   Notify CPS, at least three months in advance, of pending Seminar testing.

3.   Send CPS a “final” list of applicants four weeks prior to the seminar.

4.   Select/Appoint chief Proctor

a)   Provide training to proctor

1)   AFTE test specific “proctor instructions”

2)   Example proctor report form/attachments

3)   Proctor Security Agreement

4)   Instructions on how to Fed Ex answer sheets, etc., back to CPS from AFTE Seminar.  Retain a copy of each answer sheet; destroy these after you are sure that CPS has received the originals.

5)   Make arrangements for seminar chief proctor to be sent (at seminar or to proctor’s lab if only a small number of tests will be given) test materials from CPS (test booklets, scantron answer sheets, and Applicant Rosters).  Take “appeal” and “record retention” policies for distribution, #2 pencils, “Do Not Disturb” signs, scotch tape, Proctor Report forms, AFTE specific test instructions, and Proctor & Applicant security forms.

6)   Receive from CPS, within several weeks, the result of their scoring the answer sheets together with an analysis of both versions of each test.  This will identify specific test items (questions) that CPS feels are problematic.  The tests have been performing very well lately and there should be very few such questions.

7)   To both those who passed, as well as those who have failed, send the CPS Notice of Test Results form letter, individually addressed.  For those who fail, wait until the 30-day appeal period has passed before recording the failure.  If an appeal is filed within thirty days of results of notification, initiate the appeal process.

8)   Within three months of giving the tests, send copies of applicant “comment” forms and copies of relevant test booklet pages, as well as the CPS evaluation of each test, to the Certification Committee test evaluation sub-committee for evaluation.  Contact CPS with any recommended changes to tests so that they can create new versions of the test(s) for use at the next seminar.

9)   Record pass/fail on the “Individual Test Results” form in the applicant’s file.  Destroy all other related documents/scores, etc.; maintain a separate “Individual Test Results” form for each test (written or practical).

C. Administer Practical Certification Tests

1.     Maintain files of forms to use in this procedure

· Response to applicant

· List of materials needed to perform these tests

· Instructions to proctors

· Applicant and proctor security agreements

· Specific test instructions and worksheet

· Appeal process

· Retention of record policy

2.   Make contact with applicant and lab director regarding selection of proctor.

3.   Make contact with Proctor regarding administration of the Practical Test (P.T.).

4.   Maintain calendar of Fed Ex “shipping dates” to ensure that Proctor receives the P.T. in time to administer test(s) as scheduled.

5.   Package and ship P.T.’s via Fed Ex to proctor.  Mark package “To be opened by Name of Proctor only” and place the following on the comment line: “AFTE Certification Test – Applicant’s Name.”

6.   Receive returned P.T. and note on shipping label when received and if sealed, how sealed.

7.   Open returned P.T.; check results against answer codes prepared by person(s) that prepared the tests.

8.   Have the results witnessed by one other person (2 witnesses total) and record entries on the “Individual Test Results” form.

9.   If an applicant failed, retain all test materials until after the appeal period.  If an appeal is filed, within thirty days of results of notification, initiate the appeal process.

10. Examine practical test materials that are to be reused to ensure that no marking/damage has occurred.

11. Restock practical test materials for reuse.

D. Prepare a mid-year report for the AFTE Board of Directors

It is useful to keep an ongoing record of committee activities; makes assembly of mid-year/annual report much easier.

E. Prepare an Annual report for the Board of Directors

1.     Present report at the annual AFTE business meeting.

2.     These reports will chronicle all committee activities during the year.

3.     Distribute this report to Certification Committee members.

F. Update/Modify this “Duties and Responsibilities” document as required

     4.  Expenses

A.   Stationery supplies and stamps

B.    Fed Ex

C.   Copy Cost at seminars, etc.

D.   Written Test Scoring/Evaluation Fee to CPS - $30.00/test

E.   Creating new written/practical tests when needed.

F.    One five-drawer lockable file cabinet for certification records.

G.   At least two lockable storage cabinets 6 feet high x 3 feet wide x 2-2 ½ feet deep for practical test materials.

5.  Interaction with AFTE Treasurer

A.   Send checks, warrants, etc to treasurer.  Retain a copy for the Certification Committee’s records.

B.   Treasurer will keep a running total of monies received and committee expenditures.