Certification
The rules governing NanoXperts Professional Certification: eligibility, assessment, issuance, conduct and revocation.
These standards apply to all applicants for, and holders of, NanoXperts Professional Certification, and to the use of the designation in the NanoXperts Network.
Professional Certification is available only to natural persons. Applications from companies, partnerships or other legal entities are not accepted.
An applicant must have completed the required NanoXperts Academy education prior to sitting the examination. Completion is recorded against the individual's Academy record.
An applicant must be able to confirm their identity. Certificates are issued in the individual's legal name.
The Professional Certification Examination consists of 100 questions drawn from eight subject domains: surface science; glass; stone and concrete; tile and grout; wood; coatings and application; inspection and troubleshooting; professional standards and ethics.
Questions are selected from a maintained item bank. Item content is reviewed periodically to reflect current practice.
The examination is completed by the registered individual without assistance. Third-party completion is a breach of these standards.
A candidate must achieve the published minimum overall score to pass. Results are recorded as pass or fail; scores are not published in the directory.
Where a candidate fails, domain-level feedback is provided to guide further study.
A candidate who does not pass may retake the examination after the published waiting period.
Retake attempts use a different selection of items from the item bank. There is no limit on the number of attempts, provided each waiting period is observed.
On passing, a certificate is issued to the individual. Each certificate carries a unique certificate identifier, the certified individual's name, the certification held, the issue date and the current status.
Certificates are issued to individuals only. A certificate is never issued to, transferred to, or held by a company.
Certified individuals assess the surface before recommending protection, and base recommendations on the condition and requirements of that surface rather than on commercial preference.
Certified individuals represent the capabilities and limitations of protection systems accurately, and do not make performance claims that cannot be substantiated.
Certified individuals communicate honestly with customers regarding scope, expected outcomes, maintenance obligations and cost.
Certified individuals maintain manufacturer neutrality in the advice they give, disclosing any commercial relationship that could reasonably be perceived to influence a recommendation.
The designation NanoXperts Certified Surface Protection Specialist may be used only by the individual to whom it was issued, and only while that certificate is active.
A company may state that it employs certified specialists. A company may not describe itself as certified, display the certification badge as a company credential, or imply that certification extends to unlicensed staff.
Non-certified Network participants are listed as Surface Protection Service Providers. Such listings must not use certification wording, badges or visual treatments, and must carry the published non-certified disclosure.
Certification may be suspended or revoked for examination misconduct, misrepresentation of certified status, serious or repeated breach of the code of conduct, or provision of false information during application.
Where certification is revoked, the certificate status is updated, any associated Network profile loses certified status and the designation must no longer be used.
An individual whose certification has been revoked may apply for reinstatement only after the published period and by re-sitting the examination.
Certification status can be confirmed at any time using the certificate identifier or the certified individual's name through the NanoXperts verification service.
Verification returns the individual's name, the certification held, the issue date and the current status. No other personal data is disclosed.
NanoXperts intends to introduce periodic renewal requirements, including continuing education and reconfirmation of the code of conduct.
Renewal requirements will be published in advance of taking effect. Certificates issued before that date remain valid under the terms in force at issuance until the published transition applies.
