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.
Candidates can register for either of the two levels of 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.
Candidates can register for either of the two levels of 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.
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 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 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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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)
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:
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
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
One-day practical training course
A revision lecture course
Written and practical exams
One-day practical training course
A revision lecture course
Written and practical exams
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.
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.
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.
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.