Certified Fiber Optic Specialist Outside Plant (CFOS/O)
Dates: May 7-8, 2025
Meets: W and Th from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: IB 151 - Pendleton Campus, IBDC Building
Registration/Tuition: $1,100.00
There are still openings remaining at this time.
This 2-day, 16 hour (*appx) fiber optic specialist course is for students who will be directly involved with installing Outside Plant (OSP) Fiber Optics Cabling. Further, it is an add-on course to their FOA portfolio once they have successfully completed the 3-day, basic CFOT course and can be taken concurrently with the CFOT course. This advanced Fiber Optic Training combines lecture sessions and 85% hands-on activities to prepare the student to take the CFOS/O, OSP hands on and written exams that are sanctioned by the FOA (Fiber Optics Association) and given and graded the final class day. This course introduces the student to industry standards governing the installation, testing, and troubleshooting of OSP fiber optics cable - used in the Outside Plant Rugged Environment. Students will learn how to properly identify OSP fiber cabling types, recognize various outside plant closures used in OSP fiber installation, install, prepare, terminate, splice, and thoroughly test and troubleshoot installed OSP fiber cable to existing standards. Hands-on activities include both mechanical and fusion splicing. Course fee includes study materials, Text Book and exams and 3-year membership to the FOA. Note: The student must pass both the written and hands on exams to successfully pass this course.
Particular Physical Demand(s) on student: Students should be physically able to see, identify, install, and test fiber optics connectors safely and efficiently. Must be able to manipulate small hand tools. Students must be able to see, manipulate, and hold small tools and test equipment. Students must be able to read and speak the English language. Students must have the ability to announce to anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or are currently on and active. Further, student must be able to hear and react to the announcement from anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or currently active. Finally, students considering this, or any other fiber optics course must understand that, because of safety issues in dealing high-power lasers and microscopes, the ability to communicate these important announcements to co-workers and the ability to hear and react to these announcements from co-workers is required once in the field working in this industry.
Textbook: Fiber Optics Technician's Reference Manual by Jim Hayes. Supplementary study materials, and Student Lab Manual. Course fee includes all study materials, consumables and exams
Prerequisite: FOA CFOT Course. As of January 1, 2015, the student MUST have successfully passed the basic CFOT course within the preceding 12 months or have renewed their FOA membership within that time frame prior to attending the CFOS/T, CFOS/S, and/or the CFOS/O FOA Specialist courses offered by BDI Datalynk. There are no exceptions. Students are encouraged to register for all courses being offered at the individual locations with the understanding that the CFOT is the prerequisite for all other courses and it must be successfully completed first prior to attending any of the other specialist courses.
Course Schedule:
Day 1:
Particular Physical Demand(s) on student: Students should be physically able to see, identify, install, and test fiber optics connectors safely and efficiently. Must be able to manipulate small hand tools. Students must be able to see, manipulate, and hold small tools and test equipment. Students must be able to read and speak the English language. Students must have the ability to announce to anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or are currently on and active. Further, student must be able to hear and react to the announcement from anyone in the classroom that lasers are about to be turned on or currently active. Finally, students considering this, or any other fiber optics course must understand that, because of safety issues in dealing high-power lasers and microscopes, the ability to communicate these important announcements to co-workers and the ability to hear and react to these announcements from co-workers is required once in the field working in this industry.
Textbook: Fiber Optics Technician's Reference Manual by Jim Hayes. Supplementary study materials, and Student Lab Manual. Course fee includes all study materials, consumables and exams
Prerequisite: FOA CFOT Course. As of January 1, 2015, the student MUST have successfully passed the basic CFOT course within the preceding 12 months or have renewed their FOA membership within that time frame prior to attending the CFOS/T, CFOS/S, and/or the CFOS/O FOA Specialist courses offered by BDI Datalynk. There are no exceptions. Students are encouraged to register for all courses being offered at the individual locations with the understanding that the CFOT is the prerequisite for all other courses and it must be successfully completed first prior to attending any of the other specialist courses.
Course Schedule:
Day 1:
- Introduction to OSP Plant Cabling
- OSP Cable Preparation
- Installation of Fan Out Kits and Connectors
- Hands-on activities begin. Students are required to build, troubleshoot, and test actual, outside plant fiber optics cabling system using armored OSP cable. Must be able to demonstrate both mechanical and fusion splicing techniques in addition to cable preparation procedures and installation into industry recognized OSP splice closures.
- Closures: Types and Hardware
- Splicing: Mechanical and Fusion
- Preparation and cleaning of OSP cable
- Fiber Optics Safety
- Study Questions Review Session
- Hands-on Session Continues
- OTDR, OLTS, VFL Procedures
- OSP Fiber Plant Testing, Troubleshooting, and Repair
- Written and Hands-on exams: Students must pass both written and hands-on exams to receive FOA certification.
- Certificates issued to successful students
Notes:
Pre-Requisite: All students must take and pass the CFOT course first.
| Fee: | $1,100.00 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | 16.00 |
| CEUs: | 1.60 |
IB 151 - Pendleton Campus, IBDC Building
The Industrial and Business Development Center (IBDC) is located on the main campus in Pendleton. Parking is available near the IBDC in "Lot I" and "Lot E" (https://www.tctc.edu/media/8540/campus-map-0222-color-cp022822.pdf).Please complete a parking permit form (https://www.tctc.edu/media/9356/tctc_pendleton_campus_cce_parking_permit.pdf) and place it on the dashboard of your vehicle while parked on campus.
The physical location of Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) Pendleton Campus is 7900 Highway 76 East, Pendleton, SC 29670. Directions: (https://www.tctc.edu/admissions/the-tctc-value/convenient-locations/pendleton-campus/).
Tom Rauch
Tom Rauch
FOA Master Instructor – CFOT, CFOI
Tom retired from Verizon Communications as Manager, Network Operations. He was responsible for installation and maintenance field work groups throughout New Jersey. During his 30 year career with Verizon, Tom was involved in POTS (installation and maintenance), Digital, T1, T3, DSL/ADSL, Special Services (analog/digital), Safety, Training, Sales Generation and Public Affairs.
After his retirement Tom has worked as a training consultant teaching FTTH (voice, data and video), Fiber Splicing and Fiber CO/Distribution Network Applications to broadband technicians throughout the country. He has also worked as a consultant providing computer training at community colleges in NJ, MD and VA.
Tom is a Certified Fiber Optics Instructor and Fiber Optics Network Testing & Maintenance Specialist certified by the Fiber Optic Association (FOA).
Hobbies – Biking, Camping, Water Sports, Traveling, Sports Enthusiast.
| Date | Day | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/07/2025 | Wednesday | 1 PM to 5 PM | IB 151 - Pendleton Campus, IBDC Building |
| 05/08/2025 | Thursday | 8 AM to 3 PM | IB 151 - Pendleton Campus, IBDC Building |
