The test consists of 150 questions that need to be completed within a three-hour testing period. Each test is different; the computer chooses from a large pool of questions created by a panel of experts. The number of questions you need to answer correctly to pass is determined by the questions you get on the exam. Each question has been rated by its difficulty by the team of experts who created the test, and this rating is used to determine the final score. Detailed content of each test can be found at etcp.plasa.org. Shortly after the test, you will be given a raw score and a report that indicates a pass or fail. If you do not pass the test, you can take it again. If you take it within a year, you’ll get a significant discount. If you did pass, you will get a certificate, wallet card and pin, all identifying you as being an ETCP-certified rigger…Certification lasts for five years, after which you will need to get recertified. To renew your certification, you need a total of 40 points. You can earn points via job experience, taking or teaching classes in rigging, being involved in writing rigging standards and even by taking the exam. But the maximum points they’ll accept in any one category is 30—so to qualify for renewal you’ll need points in multiple categories.
—By Todd Proffitt from “Focus on Fundamentals,” PLSN, May, 2013
