The total cost of the PLC Technician Certificate Program is $1800. (Interactive Learning Package - $375 includes web-based curriculum, laboratory simulation software and all module exams, and Tuition - $1425)
Yes, the technical training certificate program is credit bearing and students will be granted Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Upon program completion students will be granted Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
The academic prerequisites for students entering into the PLC Technician programs is high school level math or mature student status (19 years or older).
Students entering this program must have a high school diploma with credits at, or above, the general level or hold an equivalent mature student status. PLC experience is also helpful, but not essential.
Registration is available on a quarterly basis for start in January, April, July and October and you have 18 months from start date to complete it.
Program start dates:
July 17, 2023, Oct. 14, 2023, Jan. 16, 2024, April 14, 2024
The average completion time is approximately 28-32 weeks of part-time study. The flexible computer-based modules are designed to fit into your schedule, not ours, so you can work at your own pace to complete the program.
Yes, each module has an exam. The exams are written online using a computer-based testing package. A timed, 90 minute exam is taken to confirm a student's mastery of the material in each module. The exams are downloaded by the student from our web site, completed by the student and then returned to us electronically for grading.
You must obtain a 60% or higher to successfully complete each module of a program.
No, this program is offered entirely by distance education.
The Interactive Learning Package includes
- Web-based curriculum material
- Lab simulation software
- Software user manual
- Tutorial and Technical Support
- Access to additional online program resources
- Online Testing
Our program curriculum products are now available by direct download. Once a registration is confirmed, we will provide new students with a download link from which to download and install the web-based curriculum software.
While enrolled, students receive technical and tutorial support from the program's Student Support Center. The Student Support Center is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm (EST) and can be contacted by calling 1-844-223-6350 or by email at [email protected] also have dedicated Discussion Forums, where students can direct specific questions to our online tutor, seek assistance from and interact with other students, and view tutorials and previous discussion threads about difficult program content.
The program incorporates a state-of-the-art PLC simulator, PLCLogix 500, which functions similarly to real world PLC tools. With the simulator you can design, test and troubleshoot PLC ladder logic circuits.
The certificate programs were created in direct response to requests from industry. The programs were developed to meet the emerging requirements of industry and to provide the highest quality education and relevant training to students
Students must have access to a personal computer with the following minimum configuration:
- Intel Core i3, i5, i7, AMD Ryzen 3, 5, 7 or equivalent processor for AT/PLC/PLCII/RT
- Intel Pentium or equivalent processor for ET/EM/EV
- 4GB RAM AT/PLC/PLCII/RT
- 2GB RAM for ET/EM/EV
- 500 MB available disk space
- Windows7/Windows 8/ Windows 8.1/ Windows 10/Windows 11
- 32 and 64 bit compatible
- Internet Access
- Email Account
Note: Our program software is strictly made for Windows Operating Systems and will therefore only run on Windows-based computers. It will NOT work on Apple computers running Mac Operating Systems such as Macbook, Chromebook computers running Chrome Operating Systems such as Google Pixelbook or any device running Linux Operating Systems.
Once enrolled in the program, you are responsible for obeying and supporting an honor system that prohibits lying, cheating, or stealing in relation to the academic practices of Cape Fear Community College. The honor systems also required you to refrain from conduct that significantly impairs the welfare or the educational opportunities of others in the Cape Fear Community College community. You are expected to do your own work in all aspects of your program.
The PLC Technician program provides a introduction to PLCs and is a foundation to PLCs in manufacturing. It includes a lab simulator, PLCLogix 500 that emulates the Rockwell (Allen-Bradley) Logix 500 series PLC control software. The PLC Technician II program provides a more advanced study of PLCs in manufacturing and its simulator emulates Rockwell’s 5000 series of PLC hardware and software.
The answer depends on your specific needs and goals regarding the training. We do recommend taking the first PLC program if you have little or no background in PLCs, but the first program is not a prerequisite for PLC Technician II. PLC II is more challenging to learn since it uses tag-based addressing versus traditional IO addressing found in most other PLCs. traditional IO addressing found in most other PLCs.
Contact a Program Consultant toll-free at 1-844-223-6350 to help you decide which program will best fit your needs.
Upon successful completion of each of the Automation, Electronics, Electromechanical, Electric Vehicle, Robotics, PLC or PLC Technician II Programs a Certificate of Completion will be issued by Cape Fear Community College
To receive a Program refund, you must officially withdraw no later than 10 business days after you receive the web-based curriculum.
You must officially withdraw in writing. Please send your withdrawal request to Kathy Segda [email protected], including your name, your student ID number, the Program name and the reason you are withdrawing.
Please note that there is no refund on the program web-based curriculum material (ET & EM - $370, AT- $515, PLC & PLCII - $375, EV - $490, or RT - $480. There will be also a $50 Admin Fee charged to process the refund.