iNARTE Spectrum Management Certification

iNARTE’s Spectrum Engineering certification is for qualified engineers and technicians/practitioners who have a vested interest in advancing their profession and the industry in the field of spectrum management. The purpose of the Spectrum Management Credential Program is to foster technical excellence in spectrum management and engineering. This approach establishes technical competency criteria for spectrum management and enforces these criteria for technical personnel performing spectrum management tasks. The program benefits the individual engineer, the technician, and the professional community as a whole by establishing a standard of excellence in spectrum management engineering that will endure and extend across the boundaries of private and government agencies. In particular, the program’s objectives are to:
  • Create certified spectrum managers and frequency coordinators
  • Assure a uniform level of expertise and quality
The brief definitions of the various grades are presented below. a) SM ENGINEER SM Engineers should have good knowledge of electromagnetic theory and associated mathematics and physics of transmission, propagation, and interaction. They are required to be able to carry out analysis of link and channel budgets, collocation analysis and interactions and have some basic understanding of analysis and simulation tools. SM engineers should also have fundamental knowledge of spectrum testing and monitoring, spectrum risk assessment, and of spectrum management regulatory issues. SM engineers should also be knowledgeable in the applicable EMC spectrum engineering standards, their rational and implications on design and the corresponding spectrum site surveys, monitoring and testing and test set ups to the extent necessary for adequate design and preparation of test and evaluation procedures. SM Engineers require “soft skills” and particularly good writing and presentation skills to an extent that enables them to prepare engineering reports and participate in design reviews. b) SM TECHNICIAN SM technicians should have basic knowledge of SM, to the extent necessary to understand the rationale behind the necessary tests and set-ups, know the instruments and test setups he uses, and be able to verify their proper operation and limitations. The SM technician needs to know the pitfalls of real measurements. SM technicians should be able to compile test reports that adequately record the outcomes of the tests. SM technicians should also be able to help identify failure thresholds and assist in solving problems when identified. Current and past service members can apply for iNARTE Certification for free with proof of service.  Please contact our office at admin@inarte.org for details.

Ongoing Certification Requirements

Click below button to download continuing professional development log to submit with your renewal. Click here to download CPD log

Code of Ethics

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SM EngineerAssociate Engineer Engineer
ExamPassing score of 70% Passing score of 70%
EducationCollege/University Transcript/Diploma College/University Transcript/Diploma
Work Experience N/A Nine years of work experience
SM TechnicianAssociate Technician Technician
ExamPassing score of 70% Passing score of 70%
EducationCollege/University Transcript/Diploma College/University Transcript/Diploma
Work Experience N/A Six years of related work experience

There is one part, four hours duration. All questions are multiple choice.
The exam is 50 questions, and all should be attempted.
The exam is open book, open notes and a scientific calculator is allowed.
The pass mark is 70% average. Retake is possible after 90 days. There will be no credit for past exam scores.
Click here to download the iNARTE Spectrum Management Program Examination Subjects and Skill-Sets.

Once your Spectrum Engineering application fee is received, iNARTE will coordinate and arrange for a testing date, time, and location.  The examination may also be taken on-line through a remote proctor.

The examination for Spectrum Engineering is four hours in duration. All examinations are given with open book. Open notes and a scientific calculator is permitted in the exam room.

Examinations are graded at the iNARTE principal office and the applicant will be advised of a pass/fail within 10 working days.

The passing score for Spectrum Engineering is 70% average. Should a candidate fail the examination, a retake is permissible following a 90-day period. Examinations may be retaken any number of times; however, an examination processing fee is required each time the exam is taken.

Candidates retaking the examination must achieve a passing grade at one four-hour session and will not be allowed to take credit for grades achieved in parts of earlier sessions.

  • National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) manual of regulations and procedures for federal radio frequency management.
  • FCC 47 C.F.R.
  • Kraus Electromagnetics
  • ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook
  • Antenna Theory and Design by Stutzman and Thiele
  • http://www.itu.int
  • Radio Handbook, by William Orr
  • Radio Theory Handbook. Beginner to Advanced. Ronald Bertrand
  • Radio Systems Engineering by Steven W. Ellingson
  • Satellite Communications Systems Engineering: Atmospheric Effects, Satellite Link Design and System Performance by Louis J. Ippolito Jr.
  • Digital Communications, Bernard Sklar
  • IEEE C95.1 RF Safety
  • Introduction to RF Propagation by John Seybold
  • Grounding and Bonding, ARRL
  • Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility, Clayton Paul
  • Modern Communications Receiver Design and Technology, Drentea
  • RF and Microwave Transmitter Design
  • ARRL Antenna Handbook
  • Satellite Communications, Pratt, Bostian, Allnutt
  • Radio Systems Engineering by Steven W. Ellingson
  • RF and Microwave Measurements: device characterization, signal integrity and spectrum analysis, Andrea Mariscotti
  • Microwave and RF Design: A Systems Approach, Michael Steer
  • Analog Filter and Circuit Design Handbook, Arthur Williams
  • Field Expedient SDR: Introduction to Software Defined Radio, Clark
  • The SBE Broadcast Engineering Handbook: A Hands-on Guide to Station Design and Maintenance, Jerry C. Whitaker and Society of Broadcast Engineers
  • Practical Antenna Handbook, Joseph J. Carr
  • Cellular Communications: Reed
  • Introduction to Airborne Radar, Third Edition, by Hugh D. Griffiths, Christopher Baker, and David Adamy