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PCS Forms & Applications |
Sample Exam Qs |
PCS FAQ's |
Certification Policies
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Cost Non-Members: Certification Term: 4 Years The Protective Coatings Specialist certification program (PCS) identifies and awards recognition to individuals who have in-depth knowledge in the principles and practices of industrial coatings technology.
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| Work Experience | Education | C-1 | C-2 | |
| Option A | 5 years coatings experience | Bachelor's Degree | Must Take C-1 Exam Only | Must Take C-2 Course and Exam |
| Option B | 7 years coatings experience | Associate's Degree | Must Take C-1 Exam Only | Must Take C-2 Course and Exam |
| Option C | 10 years coatings experience | High school graduation or GED | Must Take C-1 Exam Only | Must Take C-2 Course and Exam |
| Option D - | 15 years coatings experience | n/a | n/a | Must Take C-2 Exam Only |
- Candidates must provide a formal application & three professional references to
- SSPC recommends candidates take the C1 & C2 Courses before taking the PCS Exam
- Candidates should read entire application for complete pre requisite details
Special Note:
Candidates must complete a comprehensive multiple choice and essay question exam and pass with a 70% or
better. The Certification is valid for four years, subject to verification of current status as a protective coatings
professional.
The comprehensive certification examination and calculation questions consists of multiple choice, matching, essay, and material estimating questions. These questions are chosen primarily from the material covered in the C-1 and C-2 courses and from the suggested readings. Some of the questions can be answered from knowledge acquired by working in the coatings industry. Many of the questions require knowledge of several different subject areas:
Corrosion and Corrosion Control
Mechanisms of metal corrosion; common types of corrosion; methods of corrosion control.
Coating Types and Their Mechanisms of Protection
Mechanisms of corrosion control by coatings; desired film properties; coating components and their functions; mechanisms of coating film formation; comparison of generic coating types; selection of coating systems.
Surface Preparation for Painting
Preparing surfaces before cleaning; surface contaminants causing early coating deterioration; surface preparation methods; recommended removal methods for different contaminants; standards for cleaned steel surfaces; visual aids to surface cleanliness; level of cleanliness required for different coatings; air abrasive blasting equipment; centrifugal blasting equipment; surface profile and blasting abrasives; and blast cleaning procedures.
Application of Coatings
Brush, roller, and spray application; application of coatings that cure by fusion; handling of paints; application temperatures and humidities; achieving desired film thickness; recommended spraying procedures; coating application defects.
Coatings for Industrial Steel Structures
Selecting surface preparation for steel; coating systems appropriate for steel; selection of coating systems by environmental zone; coatings for atmospheric zones; coatings for immersion and marine service; coatings for buried steel; coatings for high-temperature surfaces.
Coating of Concrete Surfaces
Components of concrete; similar features of all cementitious surfaces; placement of concrete; reasons for coating concrete; pre-coating materials applied to cementitious surfaces; coatings for cementitious surfaces; surface preparation for coating; inspection of coating application.
Inspection and Quality Control
The specification and its contents; responsibilities of the inspector; monitoring the ambient conditions; pre-surface preparation inspection; post-surface preparation inspection; pre-painting inspection; inspection of paint application.
Management of Coatings Projects
The corporate coatings program; planning for programmed painting; contracting for coatings work; specifying and testing coating materials; project roles and responsibilities; quality assurance: formal systems; quality control and coating inspection.
Standards and Specifications for Coatings Projects
Engineering standards for protective coatings; specifications for coatings systems; preparing a coatings specification.
Achieving Economic Protection by Coatings
Corrosion and its prevention; selection of construction materials; alternate construction materials; coatings and linings; economic considerations in coatings system selection.
New Construction and Planned Maintenance Painting
Coordinating and scheduling new construction projects; coating systems selection; shop and field painting; maintenance painting; facility condition survey and analysis; selecting coating systems for maintenance; implementation of the maintenance plan.
Contracts and Documentation for Coatings Projects
Contractor qualification; competitive bidding; project management and inspection.
Coating Failures
Causes of coating failures; consequences of coating failure; investigating the cause of failure; laboratory analysis of coating failures; responsibility for failure and repairs.
Regulations and Safety for Coatings Projects
Environmental regulations affecting the coatings industry; regulating hazardous materials; worker safety and health; OSHA general and construction industry standards; specifying and complying with regulation; hazard communication; hazards from toxic materials and operations; surface preparation hazards and safety requirements; paint application hazards and safety requirements; hazards in high, confined, and remote places; personal protective equipment; other safety issues.
More about the PCS Exam
Embosser program for PCS individuals
A) Eligibility
1. Every PCS Certified Individual whose certification is current is eligible to enroll for the PCS Embosser. “Eligible” shall mean that the individual has provided SSPC with the appropriate paperwork to maintain their certification, have paid their PCS fees and have completed and returned this document to SSPC along with necessary fees.
B) Fees
1. PCS individuals who wish to enroll in the program will be charged the one-time fee, to have the Embosser customized. (Shipping/handling may be applicable)
2. If you lose your Embosser, you will be charged the fee to have the Embosser re-created as a replacement.
*Embosser fee is $165.00, and may change. Call or email to confirm current rate.
C) Registration of PCS Signature
1. The official signature (on this document) of each individual requesting the Embosser shall be on file at SSPC prior to use.
D) PCS Embosser
1.Each individual enrolled shall be provided with an official PCS Embosser that shall be used to authenticate the documents on which the stamp is used.
2. Use of the Embosser is limited to a PCS Certified individuals review and approval of documents.
3. Each time the Embosser is used, the PCS Certified must also use the stamp provided by SSPC with their expiration date.
4. In order to reduce the risk of unauthorized duplication of the Embosser, use only the Embosser provided to you by SSPC.
E) Log Book
1. Each individual shall keep an accurate register of all documents on which the PCS Embosser is used, in any appropriate logbook. The log shall contain the date on which the Embosser was affixed, the name or title of the document on which the Embosser was used, the date of the document, and the reason for using the PCS stamp (review and/or approval).
2. f SSPC is contacted to verify the validity of an Embosser used on a document, SSPC may request a copy of your log.
3.It is your responsibility to maintain the log. If a log is not maintained and SSPC is contacted to verify the validity of an Embosser, your Embosser may be revoked.
F) Limitations of Use
1. No individual may assign use of the Embosser to any other person.
2. Any unauthorized use of the Embosser is at the risk of the PCS individuals’ certification and will jeopardize hi/her certification if used improperly.
G) Surrender of Embosser
1. Should a PCS individual not renew their certification or become de-certified for any reason, they shall return their Embosser to the office of SSPC within 30 days.
2. If a PCS Embosser is forfeited, there is no fee refund.
H) Liability
1. SSPC assumes no liability or risk concerning the individual’s use of the Embosser. PCS Certified individuals should consider obtaining an individual policy for Errors or Omissions from their insurance carrier to cover any potential liability pertaining to the documents on which they affix their Embosser. Please take this opportunity to provide SSPC with a summary of your liability insurance information (carrier, policy number, date effective, etc.)
Certification Status?
Want to verify the Certification status of an individual? If you are an SSPC Member Click here and then login to your SSPC MarketPlace account and search the SSPC Member Directories (located on the Members Only Tab of the SSPC MarketPlace to verify the Certification status of an individual. Note: The most up to date info is in the MarketPlace based searches.
Non-Members of SSPC are invited to contact Silvia Palmieri at SSPC to assist in the verification of an individual's certification status. Updates for individuals contact information should be sent to SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings at 40 24th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or sent via email to Silvia Palmieri
General Administrative Questions, Comments, & Suggestions:Silvia Palmieri (P: 412/281-2331 x 2201, or E: palmieri@sspc.org ) Details of this program are listed at the following website address http://www.sspc.org/pdfs/embosserdetails.pdf Contact Silvia Palmieri at palmieri@sspc.org if you are interested in enrolling in this program.
PCS Marketing
initiatives:
PCS Marketing (P: 412/281-2331, or E: training@sspc.org
PCS Background
SSPC's certification process for coatings specialists was developed with the assistance of SSPC's C.6 Education & Certification Technical Committee and authorized by SSPC's Board of Governors. SSPC staff, the SSPC Education Committee, and a consensus of coatings industry representatives, including facility owners, contractors, consultants, academic institutions, professional societies, and SSPC members experienced in teaching coatings courses contributed to the design of the certification process.
A certification panel consisting of a minimum of three instructors who are SSPC Protective Coatings Specialists, and the Board of Governors oversee the certification process. The SSPC President appoints the certification panel, whose primary responsibilities are to review and validate examination grades (when required), resolve any disputes on grading procedures, review and ratify policies, and develop new exam material.
Additional Information:
PCS Program Contacts:Shawn Nedley Silvia Palmieri ------------------------------- Educational MaterialsOrder these publications through the Online Bookstore, or by contacting: Jeannine Bodack ------------------------------- Note: A comprehensive list of Training and Education Materials is available through the Online Bookstore.
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