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Cleanroom Testing and Certification

The Cleanroom Testing Course

Ensuring that cleanrooms operate correctly is crucial to maintaining a clean and safe environment. Testing is an essential step that must be taken both at the beginning and throughout the lifespan of the cleanroom. It helps to confirm that the air supply is sufficient and of high quality, air movement is adequate within cleanrooms, and the level of particles and microorganisms is within acceptable limits. By conducting these tests, one can ensure that their cleanroom functions optimally and provides the necessary user protection.

Testing a cleanroom requires skill, and the Cleanroom Testing and Certification course is provided to ensure this. The CTCB-I, a non-profit-making board, carries out teaching and certification. It was set up initially by the Scottish Society for Contamination Control (S2C2) as an education and training initiative to help fulfil the objectives of S2C2. The Irish Cleanroom Society joined CTCB-I in 2003, followed by R3Nordic in Scandinavia and, more recently, VCCN in the Netherlands and the CCN in the United Kingdom. The organisation was renamed CTCB-I in 2009 to reflect its increasingly international dimension.

Cleanroom Testing Registration

Candidates can register for either of the two levels of certification. 

Professional certification:

The Professional candidacy is for cleanroom testing professionals who routinely test all aspects of cleanroom testing. At the time of their final exam, they should have at least 2 years of experience. If you apply for and have suitable qualifications, you will be required to:

  • Study the self-study course notes that will be sent to you, attend a lecture course, and then pass a written examination on Cleanroom Testing,

  • Show a high level of competence in (a) filter integrity testing and (b) measuring air velocities and volumes, by passing a practical exam,

  • and, Attend a one day course on practical aspects of filter integrity and air volume and velocity testing.

Cleanroom Testing Registration

Candidates can register for either of the two levels of certification. 

Professional certification:

The Professional candidacy is for cleanroom testing professionals who routinely test all aspects of cleanroom testing. At the time of their final exam, they should have at least 2 years of experience. If you apply for and have suitable qualifications, you will be required to:

  • Study the self-study course notes that will be sent to you, attend a lecture course, and then pass a written examination on Cleanroom Testing,

  • Show a high level of competence in (a) filter integrity testing and (b) measuring air velocities and volumes, by passing a practical exam,

  • and, Attend a one day course on practical aspects of filter integrity and air volume and velocity testing.

Associate certification:

The course is for people who are either:

  • Familiar with some aspects of cleanroom testing, and wish to gain knowledge about the subject,

  • or have been working less than two years as a cleanroom tester, but wish to use the certification course as a basis of training and working towards professional status.

If you apply for the associate course, and have suitable qualifications, you will be required to:

  • Study the issued course notes, attend a lecture course, and then pass a written examination on Cleanroom Testing.

Associate certification:

The course is for people who are either:

  • Familiar with some aspects of cleanroom testing, and wish to gain knowledge about the subject,

  • or have been working less than two years as a cleanroom tester, but wish to use the certification course as a basis of training and working towards professional status.

If you apply for the associate course, and have suitable qualifications, you will be required to:

  • Study the issued course notes, attend a lecture course, and then pass a written examination on Cleanroom Testing.

The Course Notes and Syllabus

The candidate will receive course notes about testing cleanrooms. Also issued are a set of questions (and answers) for each topic in the notes, so that the candidate can assess their knowledge. The syllabus of the course is as follows:

  • Introduction to cleanroom testing

  • How cleanroom air conditioning works

  • High efficiency air filters

  • Standards for classification and certification

  • Air supply and extract volumes

  • Differential pressures

  • Containment, visualisation and recovery tests

  • Air filter integrity tests

  • Particle measuring methods according to ISO 14644-1

  • Microbiological measurements

  • Cleanroom conduct

The Course Notes and Syllabus

The candidate will receive course notes about testing cleanrooms. Also issued are a set of questions (and answers) for each topic in the notes, so that the candidate can assess their knowledge. The syllabus of the course is as follows:

  • Introduction to cleanroom testing

  • How cleanroom air conditioning works

  • High efficiency air filters

  • Standards for classification and certification

  • Air supply and extract volumes

  • Differential pressures

  • Containment, visualisation and recovery tests

  • Air filter integrity tests

  • Particle measuring methods according to ISO 14644-1

  • Microbiological measurements

  • Cleanroom conduct

Cleanroom Testing course information

Course

All candidates will attend a one-day course on practical aspects of filter integrity and air and velocity measurement. The written exams are identical in both qualifications. Professional candidates will have 2 years of experience and show high practical competence.

Associate

For Associate candidates, practical aspects will be taught, but no practical examination is expected. Students who have obtained the Associate qualification may convert to a professional certificate once they have a minimum of two years of experience and can pass the practical exam.

Course

All candidates will attend a one-day course on practical aspects of filter integrity and air and velocity measurement. The written exams are identical in both qualifications. Professional candidates will have 2 years of experience and show high practical competence.

Associate

For Associate candidates, practical aspects will be taught, but no practical examination is expected. Students who have obtained the Associate qualification may convert to a professional certificate once they have a minimum of two years of experience and can pass the practical exam.

Application Form

Please fill in the professional or associate certification application form so we can assess your suitability. If you are accepted, we will send you an invoice for registration.

Certification

On registration, the candidate will receive self-study course notes, information on how the practical exam is run, and notification of the date of the subsequent examination. On satisfactory completion of the course, candidates receive a CTCB-I certificate.

Application Form

Please fill in the professional or associate certification application form so we can assess your suitability. If you are accepted, we will send you an invoice for registration.

Certification

On registration, the candidate will receive self-study course notes, information on how the practical exam is run, and notification of the date of the subsequent examination. On satisfactory completion of the course, candidates receive a CTCB-I certificate.

The days will be organised as follows:

Cleanroom Testing Practical training

  • Filter integrity testing. Information will be given on a smoke generator and photometer, and how these are used to test filter integrity. The technique will be demonstrated and students will be shown how to use the method.

  • Air velocity and volume flow measurement. Information will be given on how to carry out testing using a anemometer, hood capture method, veloprobe and Pitot-static tube. The techniques will be demonstrated and there will be an opportunity for the student to use the methods.

Cleanroom Testing Practical training

  • Filter integrity testing. Information will be given on a smoke generator and photometer, and how these are used to test filter integrity. The technique will be demonstrated and students will be shown how to use the method.

  • Air velocity and volume flow measurement. Information will be given on how to carry out testing using a anemometer, hood capture method, veloprobe and Pitot-static tube. The techniques will be demonstrated and there will be an opportunity for the student to use the methods.

Theory exam

  • This will examine the candidate’s knowledge of the course notes. The questions will be short and of the type that can be answered by no more than 10 words; no essays are required. The questions will be similar, or identical, to those given in the course notes.

Theory exam

  • This will examine the candidate’s knowledge of the course notes. The questions will be short and of the type that can be answered by no more than 10 words; no essays are required. The questions will be similar, or identical, to those given in the course notes.

Practical exam - Professional candidates only

  • Determine the average air velocity and uniformity as well as the volume of air passing through a HEPA fan/filter unit by use of an anemometer. The use of the hood capture method must also be demonstrated.

  • Demonstrate that they can operate a smoke generator and photometer to find leaks in a filter and filter gasket.

Reports

The candidate will be required to write up reports on the two tests. Candidates are expected to carry out the above tests competently, and accurately measure the airflow and find filter leaks.

Cleanroom Testing Certification

Associate candidates will receive a certificate on passing the written examination. Professional  exams will be marked in two parts i.e. practical and theoretical, so that it is possible to pass none, one, or both exams. It is necessary to pass both exams to be certified. It is anticipated that about 80% of the professional candidates will pass both exams in the first attempt. Anyone failing an exam can re-sit it at the next examination. Successful candidates are registered on this site in the Professional or Associate registers.

Book a Cleanroom Testing course

To book a Cleanroom Testing course either at Professional or Associate level our Calendar shows the courses running this year or you can contact your local society directly. 

Practical exam - Professional candidates only

  • Determine the average air velocity and uniformity as well as the volume of air passing through a HEPA fan/filter unit by use of an anemometer. The use of the hood capture method must also be demonstrated.

  • Demonstrate that they can operate a smoke generator and photometer to find leaks in a filter and filter gasket.

Reports

The candidate will be required to write up reports on the two tests. Candidates are expected to carry out the above tests competently, and accurately measure the airflow and find filter leaks.

Cleanroom Testing Certification

Associate candidates will receive a certificate on passing the written examination. Professional  exams will be marked in two parts i.e. practical and theoretical, so that it is possible to pass none, one, or both exams. It is necessary to pass both exams to be certified. It is anticipated that about 80% of the professional candidates will pass both exams in the first attempt. Anyone failing an exam can re-sit it at the next examination. Successful candidates are registered on this site in the Professional or Associate registers.

Book a Cleanroom Testing course

To book a Cleanroom Testing course either at Professional or Associate level our Calendar shows the courses running this year or you can contact your local society directly. 

Revision Lectures, Practical Training and Examination

Candidates for the both the Professional and Associate certificates must attend a two day course and examinations.

Day
Course content
Day One
Practical training
Day Two - Morning
Revision lecture course
Day Two - Afternoon
Revision tutorial - theory written exam
Day Three
Practical exams - Professional candidates only

(Note that the timetables may differ in various locations – consult the local Societies)

Revision Lectures, Practical Training and Examination

Candidates for the both the Professional and Associate certificates must attend a two day course and examinations.

Day
Course content
Day One
Practical training
Day Two - Morning
Revision lecture course
Day Two - Afternoon
Revision tutorial - theory written exam
Day Three
Practical exams - Professional candidates only

(Note that the timetables may differ in various locations – consult the local Societies)

Cleanroom Testing/Validation

Fee Elements

The price is advertised in the notices for each course and with the booking forms. There are separate fees for each of the elements below:

Registration - Associate and Professional candidates

  • Being entered as a candidate

  • Receiving a set of self-teaching course notes

  • Receiving a questions and answers handbook

  • Receiving a mock exam (past paper)

  • A certificate on satisfactory completion of the course

Registration - Associate and Professional candidates

  • Being entered as a candidate

  • Receiving a set of self-teaching course notes

  • Receiving a questions and answers handbook

  • Receiving a mock exam (past paper)

  • A certificate on satisfactory completion of the course

Professional three-day course - lecture course and exam

  • One-day practical training course

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written and practical exams

Professional three-day course - lecture course and exam

  • One-day practical training course

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written and practical exams

Associate two-day course

  • One-day practical training course

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written exam

Coffee, tea and lunch over the course will be included in the cost. Please advise the society you book through of any food allergies.

Associate two-day course

  • One-day practical training course

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written exam

Coffee, tea and lunch over the course will be included in the cost. Please advise the society you book through of any food allergies.

Examination re-sit

  • Candidates can re-set their exams at an additional cost. There is usually an opportunity to do so every six months.

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written exam

Note: Accommodation costs and other meals are the responsibility of the candidate. Please advise the society you book through of any reasonable adjustments that need to be made for you on the course. 

Examination re-sit

  • Candidates can re-set their exams at an additional cost. There is usually an opportunity to do so every six months.

  • A revision lecture course

  • Written exam

Note: Accommodation costs and other meals are the responsibility of the candidate. Please advise the society you book through of any reasonable adjustments that need to be made for you on the course. 

Book a CTCB-I Cleanroom course

Contact the nearest Cleanroom Society to you: The CCN, Cleanroom Technology Society of Turkey, ICS, R3Nordic and VCCN.

For more information please contact CTCB-I

For more information and costs please contact CTCB-I