Who Should Attend
SMTA Certification is intended for manufacturing and process engineers. Additionally, production, design, test and quality engineering personnel, as well as SMT assembly managers who want to confirm their current competence at a fundamental level of overall process technology should also consider participating.
The recommended prerequisites for SMTA Certification are:
Two years of college (or equivalent). 2-3 years of experience in all aspects of SMT, including process optimization. Knowledge of all process and systems steps, including calculations from screen printing and dispensing through test and inspection.
Individual Benefits
Demonstrate and acquire proof of your knowledge, experience and competency. Learn from face-to-face instruction by industry-recognized leaders and "top-tier" SMTA instructors. Receive recognition in SMTA publications and at a yearly Recognition Ceremony. Initiate opportunity for possible career advancement and benefits at performance reviews. Opportunity for experienced practitioners to take a step back and comprehensively overview the entire assembly process (with no interuptions).
Employer and Industry Benefits
Encourages companies to stay competitive by ensuring highly qualified personnel. Increases marketability by employing SMTA Certified Engineers. Provides a means to assess the qualifications of engineers hired.
Please note, SMTA certification is not a guarantee of an individual’s performance or future success. Certification indicates that an individual has passed an examination designed to test the individual’s comprehension of the minimum body of knowledge relative to the level tested. No other warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied.
Industry-Recognized Instructors
About the Examination Process
The exams for either program are taken at the conclusion of the 1.5-day refresher workshop. Applicants may choose to take the examination without enrolling in the workshop. The SMTA will issue and mail the certificate within three weeks of the program to applicants who have passed the exam.
Certification Curriculum
All applicants must pass a combined open and closed book exam focusing on the following curriculum for SMT Processes or Six Sigma Green Belt.
SMT Processes
SMT Materials Component Placement SMT Components Reflow Soldering Stencil Printing Wave Soldering Dispensing Test and Inspection Line Balancing (Downtime, line design) | Six Sigma Green Belt
Statistical Process Control (SPC) Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Design of Experiments (DOE) Problem Solving, Troubleshooting and Failure Analysis |
* Additional Six Sigma Green Belt prerequisite: Familiarity with elementary statistics. All students will need to bring a laptop computer with a free download of Minitab 15 software (www.minitab.com).
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 Services for Persons with Disabilities
If special arrangements are required, please contact SMTA at 952-920-7682.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need to take the workshop to prepare me for the exam?
A: We think so, and many past attendees of the program recommend the refresher workshop, as well! Our instructors are consistently rated as "excellent" and we think the hours devoted to attending the refresher will be "time well spent".
Q: Do the course and study guide cover everything that will be included in the exam?
A: No, the exam tests your knowledge of the full SMT process. The course and materials provide specific information, but do not cover everything on the test. They will, however, provide assistance in taking and passing the exam.
Q: How long is the exam?
A: Each exam should not take more than eight hours to complete.
Q: What score must I receive to pass the exam?
A: A score of 70% or higher is required to pass the exam.
Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: Instruction each day, study materials, refreshment breaks, exam, and certificate.
Q: Can I use a laptop computer and/or calculator during the exam?
A: Yes! You will need to bring a calculator to the course. You may also use spreadsheet software on a laptop computer to assist you with problem solving. For Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, a laptop is required.
Testimonials
"The SMTA Processes preparation course and exam challenges you while providing practical knowledge that can be applied to actual SMT issues and problems. I regularly use the concepts and calculations learned during the review such as line balancing, downtime, secondary side mounting and others to assist with decision-making. I highly recommend the Certification program to engineers working in the SMT industry."
"Industry colleagues from other plants now have more respect for me and my company due to my certification."
"My boss always makes certain to let visiting customers know that I am a SMTA Certified Process Engineer, and then they know they can trust our assembly processes, and our overall ability and knowledge in SMT." | SMTA Certification Committee
Bill Barthel, Plexus Corp.
Tom Borkes, The Jefferson Project
W. James Hall, ITM Consulting
Ronald Lasky, PE, Indium Corporation / Dartmouth College
Scott Penin, Paradigm Contract Manufacturing LLC
Linda Woody, Lockheed Martin
Phil Zarrow, ITM Consulting
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Contact SMTA director of educational programming Melissa Serres with any questions or for further information.
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W. James Hall
Dr. Ron Lasky
Michael Wong
David Hu