Embarking on the journey to becoming a Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) demands a clear plan with key strategies and practical insights. Proper preparation and understanding are crucial before enrolling in the CRE exam. Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, this resource simplifies the complexities of the exam.
What Is A Certified Reliability Engineer Examination?
The Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) examination is a certification test for reliability engineers who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. Administered by recognized certifying bodies, the CRE exam evaluates a candidate’s understanding of various aspects related to reliability, including principles, tools, and methodologies.
Successful completion of the CRE examination demonstrates a candidate’s proficiency in applying reliability engineering concepts to enhance the performance and dependability of systems, processes, and products. Obtaining CRE certification signifies a high level of expertise and is recognized as a valuable credential within the field of reliability engineering.
What Are The Requirements of CRE Examination?
Requirements for CRE Examination |
Experience: 8 years of on-the-job experience in Certified Reliability Body of Knowledge areas. |
Decision-making Position: 3 years of on-the-job experience in a “Decision-making” position. |
Work Status: Candidates must have worked in a full-time, paid role. |
Definition of Decision-making Position: A “Decision-making” position involves the authority to define, execute, or control projects/processes and be responsible for the outcome. This may or may not include management or supervisory positions. |
Previous ASQ Certification: Candidates previously certified by ASQ as quality engineers, quality auditors, software quality engineers, or quality manager may use their experience in these fields to qualify for certification as a reliability engineer. |
Requirements for CRE Examination |
Experience Waivers
Diploma from a technical or trade school One year waived Associate degree Two years waived Bachelor’s degree Four years waived Master’s or doctorate Five years waived |
Education
Candidates with a degree from a college, university, or technical school can have part of the eight-year experience requirement waived, based on the following scale. Only one of these waivers may be claimed. |
What Is The Format of the CRE Exam?
The Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) exam is designed to assess your understanding of the Body of Knowledge through a set of multiple-choice questions. The exam is available in two formats
Exam Format |
Computer Delivered |
Paper and Pencil |
Parts | One-part exam | One-part exam |
Number of Questions | 165 questions | 150 questions |
Language | English only | English, Korean, and Mandarin (in certain locations) |
Total Appointment Time | Four-and-a-half hours | Four hours |
Exam Time | 4 hours and 18 minutes | Four hours |
Scored/Unscored Questions | 150 scored, 15 unscored | All 150 questions are scored |
Open-Book | Yes | Yes |
Reference Materials | Participants must bring their own | Participants must bring their own |
Delivery Options | Remote Proctoring (Online) | Prometric Test Center (In-person) |
You are allowed to use reference materials and calculators during the examination. For more details on examination delivery options, including online and remote proctored exams, you can visit the computer-based testing page.
For remote proctoring, a stable internet connection is crucial. Before scheduling and closer to your exam date, conduct a system readiness check to ensure your system meets requirements. If you encounter connectivity issues leading to exam launch or completion failure, a $130 rescheduling fee applies for a reattempt. Using a wired internet connection during the exam is recommended.
Meanwhile, for in-person testing, arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment for check-in. Test center staff will help set up your workstation, ensuring a hassle-free start with your exam ready to begin.
How To Register for The CRE Exam?
Before diving into the exam registration process for the Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) certification, let’s break it down into clear steps:
1. Submit Your Application
Apply online, and your application will be reviewed in 1-2 business days (3-5 days for hardcopy applications). If additional information is needed, you might receive a “hold” message, or if you don’t meet the requirements, you’ll get a refund with a $130 processing fee deducted.
2. ASQ Review
After ASQ reviews your application, you’ll either get an approval email or a “hold” message requiring more information. If you’re found ineligible, you’ll receive a refund minus a $130 processing fee.
3. Testing Options
For the Computer-Based Testing (CBT), within 1-2 business days of approval, you’ll get an eligibility email with instructions to schedule your exam through Prometric.
Meanwhile for the Paper-Based Testing (PBT), you will not get an eligibility email. Instead, about 2 weeks before your exam, you’ll receive a seating letter with details on the date, time, and location.
4. Schedule Your Exam with Prometric
After knowing your eligibility, you may pick a testing window during the application process, and once approved, schedule your exam appointment through Prometric.
How Do I Know The Results of CRE Exam?
Upon completing the Computer-Based Testing (CBT), success is immediately apparent, with instant result feedback. An email confirmation follows within 3-5 business days. ASQ will provide further details on claiming your digital certificate and badge through the Accredible platform. This process is particularly efficient for exams with updated or new Bodies of Knowledge, where results are communicated within five weeks.
In the event of a CBT exam failure, expect to receive a performance summary via email within 3-5 business days of your initial attempt. However, there’s a silver lining – for two years from your previous attempt, you have the opportunity to apply for a retake at a significantly reduced “retake rate”. Please note that results for Paper-based tests may experience a slight delay.
Considering your aspirations to become a Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), we strongly encourage you to explore the CRE training offered by PetroSync. Our training program is meticulously crafted to align with the CRE Body of Knowledge.
By choosing PetroSync, you ensure that your preparation adheres closely to the essential principles and practices outlined for the CRE certification. This focused and comprehensive training will not only enhance your understanding but also significantly boost your chances of success in the CRE exam. Take the proactive step toward achieving your certification goals by enrolling in PetroSync‘s CRE training and acquiring the knowledge needed to excel in the examination!
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