ETA Data Cabling Installers are expected to know the basic concepts of copper cabling installation and service—which are then applicable to all the procedures required to safely and competently install communications cabling. Basic electricity and safety; data communications basics; definitions, symbols and abbreviations; cable construction and types; cable performance characteristics; cabling standards; basic network topologies; basic network architectures; National Electrical Code (NEC^®); cabling system components; DCIC installation tools; connectors and outlets; cabling system design; cabling installation; connector installation; cabling testing and certification; cabling troubleshooting; documentation.

A Fiber Optics Technician has a full understanding of inside plant optical fiber, connector, and splice performance characteristics as described in TIA-568 and can use these performance characteristics to create a worst case power budget for a fiber optic cable plant. An FOT can proficiently troubleshoot, perform optical loss testing as described in TIA/EIA-526-14A and perform connector endface evaluation as described in TIA-455. Using an OTDR an FOT can effectively locate faults in a fiber optic cable, mated connector pair, or splice as well as evaluate optical fiber performance, mated connector pair performance, or splice performance for compliance with TIA-568.