Certified Weighing Technician (CWT)

Certified Weighing Technicians have a broad range knowledge of the technical and regulatory requirements of the industry, including installing, evaluating and servicing the customers weighing needs. The Certified Weighing Technician has:

  • technical knowledge in areas of testing, calibrating and troubleshooting for small/light capacity, medium/heavy capacity scales and balance weighing products.
  • technical knowledge in the area of systems and systems communications.
  • knowledge and proper completion of testing, reporting and documentation required within the weighing industry.
  • knowledge of testing and legal regulations, as they relate to each customer's particular requirements.
  • knowledge to reduce safety hazards by understanding and practicing safety standards as they relate to the customer's requirements.
  • knowledge of the proper use and maintenance of testing equipment and tools used within the weighing industry.

 

Assessment Structure

The CWT examination will consist of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQ). Several types of MCQs may appear on an examination. The A-type consists of a stem and five options; it is the most common MCQ. The B-type is a short matching item. The K-type allows a combination of options to be selected. The S-type is a scenario with several common item types (or sets of items).

Eligibility Requirements

The prerequisites for taking the Certified Weighing Technician test are:

  1. Have, within the last five (5) years, a minimum experience of two (2) years working within the weights and measures industry in a technical or related position.
  2. Have a High School diploma or equivalent.
  3. Hold a Handbook 44 Certification from an ISWM approved testing center or demonstrate the equivalent.

 

Examination Content

Certified Weighing Technician Examination Outline

I. Small-Light Capacity (approx. 16% of exam)
A. Testing
B. Calibration
C. Troubleshooting
II. Medium-Heavy Capacity (approx. 16% of exam)
A. Testing
B. Calibration
C. Troubleshooting
III. Balance (approx. 16% of exam)
A. Testing
B. Calibration
C. Troubleshooting
IV. Systems (approx. 16% of exam)
A. Communications Diagnostics
B. Systems Set-Up
C. Systems Overview
D. Basic Blueprints & Schematics
V. Documentation (approx. 6% of exam)
A. Placed-in-Service.
B. As Found
C. As Left
D. Awareness of Customer Documents
VI. Safety (approx. 5% of exam)
A. Lock-out/Tag-out
B. Confined Space
C. Power Safety
D. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
VII. Legal Regulations (approx. 5% of exam)
A. Handbook 44
B. NTEP
C. Local Requirements
VIII. Testing Regulations (approx. 5% of exam)
A. GIPSA
B. PUB 112 EPO
C. HB 44
D. Proper Class of Weights
IX. Test Equipment/Tools (approx. 5% of exam)
A. Maintenance of Test Weights
B. Device Knowledge
C. Protocol Analyzer
D. Manufacturers’ Specifications
X. Basic Scale Components & Technical Terms (approx. 10% of exam)
A. Mechanics
B. Electronics
C. Terms and Definitions
D. Basic Computer Knowledge
The exam will contain approximately 100 questions, and the time to complete the exam will be a maximum of three hours and fifty minutes.

Certified Weighing Technician Examination Sample Questions

001. When replacing a local cell in a bench scale, the technician should:
(1) not re-adjust overload stops.
(2) use the original load cell shims, if possible.
(3) allow twice acceptance tolerance errors.
(4) run a shift and linearity test.
A. (1), (2) and (3) only are correct.
B. (1) and (3) only are correct.
C. (2) and (4) only are correct.
D. (4) only is correct.
E. All are correct.
The correct answer is "C.”
Match the scale types and accuracy classes.
A. analytical balance
B. wheel head weighers
C. hopper scale (non-grain)
D. 10,000 lb. floor scale
E. jeweler’s scale
002. class I
003. class II
004. class III
005. class III L
The correct answers are "A”, "E”, "D” and "C.”
006. The minimum amount of test weight required to test a 300 lb. scale in a legal-for-trade application is:
A. 50 lb.
B. 75 lb.
C. 150 lb.
D. 300 lb.
E. whatever can be conveniently carried.
The correct answer is "D.”