Certification Overview
The IECEx CoPC Technician Certification pathway validates a technician’s competence to work safely and effectively in hazardous areas. This certification confirms that the individual has demonstrated the required knowledge and skills in accordance with the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence (CoPC) Scheme.
The certification covers a comprehensive range of IECEx units relevant to the installation, maintenance, inspection, and testing of explosion-protected equipment and systems, ensuring compliance with international and Australian standards.
- Hazardous Area Installation
- Hazardous Area Maintenance
- Hazardous Area Inspection
- Hazardous Area Testing of Explosion-Protected Equipment and Systems.
About Our IECEx CoPC Electrical Technician Certification Pathway
| Unit Code | Description |
| Ex 001 | Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres. |
| Ex 003 | Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems. |
| Ex 004 | Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres. |
| Ex 006 | Test equipment in explosive atmospheres |
| Ex 007 | Perform visual and close inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres. |
| Ex 008 | Perform detailed inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres. |
Principles of Protection (Ex 001):
Certification confirms the individual understands the principles of explosion protection, including the various protection techniques and their correct application to equipment and systems in hazardous areas.
Installation of Explosion-Protected Equipment (Ex 003):
Certification confirms the individual is competent to install explosion-protected equipment and associated wiring systems in accordance with the IEC 60079 series and relevant industry practices.
Maintenance of Equipment (Ex 004):
Certification confirms the individual is competent to maintain equipment in hazardous areas, ensuring continued compliance, integrity, and safe operation in accordance with the IEC 60079 series.
Testing of Equipment (Ex 006):
Certification confirms the individual is competent to carry out testing of equipment in hazardous areas to verify integrity and compliance with applicable IECEx requirements.
Visual and Close Inspections (Ex 007):
Certification confirms the individual is competent to perform visual and close inspections of electrical installations in hazardous areas, identifying defects and ensuring compliance with the IEC 60079 series.
Detailed Inspections (Ex 008):
Certification confirms the individual is competent to perform detailed inspections of electrical installations in hazardous areas, ensuring full compliance with applicable standards and safety requirements.
The IECEx CoPC Technician Certification process is typically completed over two days, incorporating both theoretical assessment and practical evaluation. This structure allows candidates to demonstrate their competence across all relevant IECEx units under controlled examination conditions.
The IECEx CoPC Technician Certification is intended for personnel who work, or are seeking to work, in roles involving electrical or instrumentation activities within explosive atmospheres.
It is suitable for:
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Qualified electricians, technicians, and tradespeople performing installation, maintenance, or inspection in hazardous areas.
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Supervisors or engineers responsible for ensuring compliance of hazardous area electrical systems.
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Individuals seeking formal recognition of their competence under the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competence Scheme.
The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained relevant to the application through documents such as college certificates and vocational Certifications, etc. For an operative, a minimum of 3 years experience in industrial electrical installation, maintenance testing and inspection practices. Visit the Prerequisite Knowledge for IECEx CoPC Units page for specific details on each unit. Prerequisite Knowledge
Successful candidates are issued an IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence (CoPC) for the relevant units assessed. This internationally recognised certificate confirms that the individual has demonstrated the required competence to safely and effectively perform duties within explosive atmospheres.
The certificate is published on the official IECEx online certificate database and can be verified globally. Each certificate specifies the scope of competence, including the applicable IECEx units and protection techniques assessed.
Holders of an IECEx CoPC are recognised worldwide as competent professionals under the IECEx Personnel Competence Scheme, supporting consistent safety and compliance across international industries.