Certification Management System
The AIMS-UTA Certification is an attestation to Subsurface Utility Engineering education, Damage Prevention auditing experience, utility locating training, personal, and professional skills and attributes, and adherence to the AIMS-UTA Standards for Professional Practice and Code of Ethics.
The Management Systems for CPUDPI and CPUL certification criteria build on SUE Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data CI/ASCE 38-02 (ASCE), and Standard Guideline for Underground Utility Mapping (JUPEM-2006) - Guidelines for Utility Damage Prevention and Utility Locating and Mapping services - along with a combination of quality utility locating and mapping principals and procedures. Industry experts identified these criteria as the generally accepted credentials necessary for CPUL and CPUDPI professional to effectively perform their duties in underground infrastructure management services.
- Understanding locating and mapping principals, laws, and regulations.
- Assessing compliance with laws and regulations.
- Identifying damages prevention aspects and impacts.
- Applying professional services practices prescribe in the SUE Depiction of Existing Subsurface Utility Data CI/ASCE 38-02 (ASCE), and Standard Guideline for Underground Utility Mapping (JUPEM-2006) and in the AIMS-UTA Standards for the Professional Practice of Utility Locating and Mapping.
Why choose AIMS-UTA certification?
Market research revealed that the utility locating and mapping services providers prefer to use AIMS-UTA to fulfill certification needs in ASIA by a wide margin. In addition, AIMS-UTA is dedicated to serving the needs of utility locating, mapping and utility damages prevention for all underground utilities infrastructure.
UTA AMERICA has granted full accreditation to AIMS's Certified Professional Utility Locator (CPUL), Certified Professional Utility Damage Prevention Inspector (CPUDPI) and Certified Professional Utility Locators Trainer (CPULT) certification. This recognition and accreditation is tangible evidence of AIMS's commitment to excellence of it's UTA program and provides assurance to applicants, certificants, and employers of certificants that the AIMS-UTA Certified Professional program is skill enhancement of an individual or specialist whom wish to further obtain consistent with recognized credentialing practices in the utility surveying industries and service providing.
Who else recognizes the AIMS-UTA certification?
The Charted Institute Professional Management of USA (CIPM), Untied Kingdom Association of Professionals (UKAP), Institute of Surveyors Malaysia, Construction Industry of Development Board Malaysia (CIDB), Indah Water Konsortium Sdn.Bhd. and supported by various agencies and other utility agencies.
The UTA has trained over thousand members worldwide and is the most experienced and credible Utility Training Academy in the world.
In December 2007 IEWM (Malaysia) and the UTA (USA) created an academic and training partnership which gives IEWM (Malaysia) to promote and implementing of CPUL, CPUDPI, and CPUT program for the Asian Regions.
In February 2008 AIMS (Malaysia) and the UTA (USA) created an academic partnership which gives AIMS (Malaysia) an oversight role in implementing CPUL and CPUDPI as the Responsible Care third-party certifications for the Asian Regions.
AIMS have an Agreement and Membership arrangement with the UNITED KINGDOM ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL (UKAP) UK, and CHATERED INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL MANAGERS (CIPM) USA qualifies for Professional Membership Status with annual Fee for those CPUL and CPUDPI applicants.
All successful pass candidates for the Certified Professional Utility Locator, Certified Professional Utility Damage Prevention Inspector, and Certified Professional Utility Locator Trainer will be eligible for AIMS membership for first year.
All successful Certificant entitle to use designation as “CPUL M.AIMS” or “CPUDPI M.AIMS” or “CPULT M.AIMS” respectively. Or with additional qualification from UKAP and CIPM.
Benefits
What are the benefits of AIMS-UTA certification?
- Verification of experience, education, and technical proficiency.
- Confirmation of professional preparation and commitment to professional services for Best Practices of Utility Locating.
- Recognition among peers.
- Greater acceptance as an specialist for underground infrastructure management.
- A prestigious credential for the employment market and an edge over others competing for the same employment opportunities for the underground utility locating and mapping services.
- Market differentiation between qualified professionals and others and fills perceived market need
- A basis for developing publicly recognized common practices and standards applicable to the profession of utility locating
- The opportunity for better pay and/or bonuses
- Improved advancement of career opportunities
- An alternative to and /or extension of other relevant certifications
- The personal satisfaction of attaining a recognized measure of competency
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AIMS-UTA offers the certification in the following specialty programs:
- Qualifications Criteria
- Utility Locating and Mapping Compliance
- Certification Exam Exemption and Retake Policy
- What is the pass rate for the AIMS-UTA certification exams?
Certified Professional Utility Damages Prevention: Qualification Criteria
Education: A diploma or higher qualification. To allow for consideration for cultural and societal differences worldwide, an equivalency review can be requested for candidates who do not poses any diploma or first degree.
Professional Experience: A candidate for certification must have 1-3 years of relevant work experience as defined below. In terms Land surveying, Resident engineers, Risk management, or Certified Professional Utility locating experience, a candidate must have performed a minimum of 200 days within the past 3 years. Of the 200 days, a minimum of 50 days site experience.
Damage Prevention Training: Formal training as an attendee is required within the three years prior to application for certification. This training shall consist of 40 hours of formal training as outlined in the Definition of Relevant Experience and Training Elements shown below and may be internal or external to the applicant's organization.
Character Reference: Candidates must arrange for submission of two written character references from responsible persons such as a supervisor, a manager, or an educator. Individuals providing references must have known the candidate for a minimum of two years.
Certification Examination: Candidates must successfully complete AIMS-UTA 40-hour professional training and examination. This professional training examination is provided by IEWM and held at various locations throughout the year.
Certified Professional Utility Locator’s: Compliance Qualification Criteria
Education: A Certificate or higher qualification. To allow for consideration for cultural and societal differences worldwide, an equivalency review can be requested by candidates who do not posses any certificate.
Professional Experience: A candidate for certification must have 1 year of relevant work experience as defined below. In terms of locating experience, a candidate must perform a minimum of 100 days within the past 1 year. Of the 100 days, a minimum of 60 days must be conducted on site.
Locating Training: Formal training as an attendee is required within 1 year prior to application for certification. This training shall consist of 40 hours of formal training as outlined in the Definition of Relevant Experience and Training Elements outlined below and may be internal or external to the applicant's organization.
Character References: Candidates must arrange for submission of two written character references from responsible persons such as a supervisor, a manager, or an educator. Individuals providing references must have known the candidate for a minimum of two years.
Certification Examination: Candidates must successfully complete AIMS-UTA 40-hour professional training and examination. This professional training examination is provided by IEWM and held at various locations throughout the year.
Standards of Conduct
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall exercise honesty, objectivity, and diligence in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. CPUDPIs/CPUL and Applicants shall exhibit loyalty in all matters pertaining to the affairs of their organizations or to whomever they may be rendering a service. However, CPUDPIs/CPUL and Applicants shall not intentionally and knowingly be a party to any illegal or improper activity related to underground infrastructures, environmental, health and safety laws or otherwise indicating a lack of personal integrity.
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall not engage in acts or activities, which are discreditable to the profession of utility locating and their organizations including, but not limited to acts or missions of a dishonest, deceitful or fraudulent nature.
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall refrain from entering into any activity that may be in conflict with the interest of their organizations or which would prejudice their ability to carry out objectively their duties and responsibilities.
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall not accept anything of value from anyone that would impair or be presumed to impair their professional judgment.
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall undertake only those services they can reasonably expect to complete with professional competence.
CPUDPI’s/CPUL’s and Applicants shall adopt suitable means to comply with professional audit standards as outlined in AIMS-UTA’s Standards for the Professional Practice of Utility Damage Prevention and Utility Locating and Mapping, Subsurface Utility Engineering practices and to Standard Guidelines by JUPEM.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants shall be prudent in the use of information acquired in the course of their duties. They shall not use confidential information for any personal gain nor in any manner that would be contrary to law.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants, when reporting on the results of their work, shall reveal all material facts known to them which, if not revealed, could either distort reports of operations under review or conceal unlawful practices.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants shall continually strive for improvement in their proficiency and skills and in the effectiveness and quality of their service.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants shall cooperate fully with an inquiry in the event of any alleged breach of these Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants shall not represent their acts or statements in such a way as to lead others to believe that they officially represent the AIMS-UTA, or IEWM unless they are duly authorized to do so by the Board of Directors of Asian Centre for Utility Training Academy or its partners.
CPUDPIs/CPUL’s and Applicants, in the practice of their profession, shall be ever mindful of the obligation to maintain the high standards of competence, morality, and dignity promulgated by the AIMS-UTA
Code of Ethics
PURPOSE: A distinguishing mark of a profession is acceptance by its members of responsibility to the interests of those it serves. Certificant of CPUDPI and CPUL must maintain high standards of conduct to effectively discharge this responsibility.
APPLICABILITY: This Code of Ethics is applicable to all participants of CPUDPI, CPUL and applicants. Applicants may not misrepresent any credential in support of application. By acceptance applicants assume an obligation of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of laws and regulations.
The Standards of Conduct set forth in this Code of Ethics provide basic principles in the practice of Utility Locating, Mapping, and Damage Prevention. Participants should realize that their individual judgment is required in the application of these principles.
All applicants are judged by the Board of Directors of the AIMS-UTA to be in violation of the Standards of Conduct of the Code of Ethics shall be subject to revocation of their certification or application.
Ethics Procedures
The AIMS-UTA Ethics Committee is responsible for overseeing and implementing the AIMS-UTA Code of Ethics, addressing issues of professional responsibility and serving as the panel or tribunal that conducts due process hearings as required by the AIMS-UTA by-laws. The following documents are available for your review on the ACUTA Ethics Procedures: AIMS-UTA Ethics Complaint Review Process and Disciplinary Procedures.
Continuing Professional Development Requirements
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements define the mandatory requirements for Certified Professional Utility Damages (CPUDPI) and Certified Professional Utility Locator (CPUL). It also specifies the method of reporting for CPUDPI and CPUL who wish to keep their designation in good standing.
CPUDPI and CPUL Professionals are responsible for:
Re-Certification Criteria
Maintenance of Competence
AIMS-UTA applicants must maintain competence by ensuring currency of their knowledge of:
- Aspects of relevant surveying science.
- Appropriate technical and knowledge aspects of locating and mapping.
- Relevant requirements of environmental laws, regulations, and related documents.
- SUE and related standards against which audits may be conducted.
- Work procedures, processes, and techniques.
Due Professional Care
Every two years, beginning with the initial date of certification, CPUDPI & CPUL are required to submit objective evidence of 10 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), available from IEWM, or any other agency relevant to education and experience requirements in AIMS-UTA Compliance Program Qualification Criteria.
AIMS-UTA applicants must adhere to the AIMS-UTA Code of Ethics; exhibit due professional care; exhibit professionalism at all times; avoid conflicts of interest; possess integrity; abide by all laws and regulations; and practice only in the areas of personal proficiency and expertise.
Annual Renewal
Applicants are required to pay a bi-yearly certification renewal fee to maintain their certification and applicant status. Annual renewal notices are mailed 90 days prior to renewal date.
Termination of Designation
CPUDPI and CPUL who do not maintain bi-yearly renewal fee or provide evidence of 10 hours Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are subject to loss of their CPUDPI and CPUL designation. The IEWM office sends certification fee renewal notices three months prior to the bi-yearly certification expiration date. Further notices are sent monthly thereafter until the certification renewal fee is paid or the expiration date, whichever occurs first. If there is no response by the third notice, AIMS-UTA then sends a final delinquent notice by certified mail. If there is no response, the CPUDPI and CPUL designation is then terminated. CPUDPI and CPUL whose certification is terminated will be notified by mail and by advertisement in IEWM and ACUTA website. Once certification is terminated, the application process must be started over, including sitting for the required examination.
Certification Examination Retake and Exemption Policy:
The AIMS-UTA certification examinations are set on a three-part module basis: Part I -multiple choices; Part II -multiple choice and/or short answer; Part III –Practical. An applicant who passes Part I of their initial certification exam, may be exempt from taking Part I of any subsequent certification exam they apply for within 1 years.
An applicant who does not pass their initial certification exam (a total score of 70% or better) may carry forward, up to two (2) years, the score of the module/s of the exam that they do pass and only retake that module/s of the exam that they did not pass.
Those holding the following certifications (CPUDPI) are exempted from Part I of (CPUL) exams
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