Occupational Competency Assessment

You must pass the OCA in the occupational area you are teaching as a requirement for a vocational instructional certificate. It is recommended that you apply for the OCA during your first semester of teaching. Successful completion of the OCA verifies that you possess the occupational competence required to teach. There are three types of assessments -- the type you will take depends on the occupational area you teach.

  • NOCTI Skilled Worker Test ($400): Used for most occupational areas.
  • Committee Evaluation ($400): For occupational areas where a NOCTI Skilled Worker test is not available.
  • Credential Review ($150): For occupational areas where a state licensing bureau credentials a candidate.

Scroll down the page to click on your occupational area for further test information.


2024/2025 Test Schedule*
  Fall 2024 Winter 2025 Spring 2025
Applications due: September 20 January 10 March 7
Knowledge Examination: October 25 February 7 April 11
Performance Examination: late October - mid-November mid-February - early March mid-April - early May
 
   *Scheduled test dates are subject to change.

Application Materials

Click here to print the application materials for the OCA program. If you prefer to receive application forms by mail, call (724) 357-4434 or e-mail to info-cte@iup.edu.


Occupational Competency Test Areas

Click on a link for further test information.

Click here and use your CIP code to search PDE's website to see further details.

NOCTI = NOCTI Skilled Worker Test; CE = Committee Evaluation; CR = Credential Review

CIP Code CIP Title Test Type NOCTI Test Title & Code Occupational Area & Code
01.0401 Agricultural and Food Products Processing NOCTI Agriculture and Food Processing
TBD		 Agricultural and Food Products
2128
01.0201 Agricultural Mechanization, General NOCTI Agriculture Mechanics
5181		 Agricultural Mechanics
2026
01.0301 Agricultural Productions Operations, General NOCTI Agricultural Production Operations
TBD		 Agricultural Productions
2129
01.0901 Animal Sciences, General NOCTI Animal Sciences
TBD		 Animal Science
2130
19.0905 Apparel and Textile Marketing Management NOCTI Textile Production & Fabrication
TBD		 Textile Production & Fabrication
2071
01.0601 Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Operations,
General		 NOCTI Applied Horticulture/Horticultural Operations
5957		 Horticulture/Floriculture
2012
15.1303 Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD NOCTI Architectural Drafting
5920		 Architectural-Design Technology
2105
47.0603 Autobody/Collision and Repair
Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
5266		 Automotive Body & Fender
2005
47.0604 Automobile/Automotive Mechanics
Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Automotive Mechanics Technology
5908		 Automotive Technician
2575
12.0501 Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef NOCTI Retail Commercial Baking
5918		 Retail Commercial Baking
2565
12.0402 Barbering/Barber CR
N/A		 Barbering
2011
26.1201 Biotechnology NOCTI Biotechnology
5189		 Biological Technology
2580
46.0401 Building/Property Maintenance NOCTI Building/Property Maintenance
5923		 Building Trades Maintenance
2013
48.0703 Cabinetmaking and Millwork NOCTI Cabinetmaking
5905		 Millwork & Cabinet Making
2047
46.0201 Carpentry/Carpenter NOCTI Carpentry
5265		 Carpentry
2017
19.0708 Child Care and Support Services Management NOCTI Child Care & Support Services Management
5930		 Child Care Services
2216
50.0602 Cinematography and Film/Video Production NOCTI Audio-Visual Communications Technology
5904		 Audio-Visual Communications Technology
2510
50.0402 Commercial and Advertising Art NOCTI Commercial and Advertising Art
5909		 Commercial Art
2019
50.0406 Commercial Photography CE N/A Commercial Photography
2020
10.9999 Communications Technologies/Technicians
& Support Services, Other		 NOCTI Communication Technologies
5964		 Communications Technology
2559
11.0201 Computer Programming/Programmer, General NOCTI Computer Programming
5906		 Computer Technology
2121
11.0901 Computer Systems Networking
and Telecommunications		 NOCTI Computer Systems Networking
5932		 Network Systems Technology
2560
15.1202 Computer Technology/Computer
Systems Technology		 NOCTI Computer Technology
5999		 Computer Servicing Technology
2102
46.9999 Construction Trades, Other NOCTI Building Construction Occupations
5263		 Building Construction Trades
2014
49.0202 Construction/Heavy Equipment/
Earthmoving Equipment Operation		 NOCTI Heavy Equipment
5913		 Heavy Equipment Construction-Operation
2596
12.0401 Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General CR
N/A		 Cosmetology
2023
43.0107 Criminal Justice/Police Science NOCTI Criminal Justice
5369		 Law Enforcement
2048
51.0601 Dental Assisting/Assistant CR
N/A		 Dental Assistant
2201
09.0702 Digital Communications and Media/Multimedia NOCTI Visual Communications/Interactive Media Design
5941		 Digital Technology
2585
15.1301 Drafting and Design Technology/Technician,
General		 NOCTI Drafting and Design Technology PA
5935		 Drafting
2027
15.0303 Electrical/Electronic and Communications
Engineering Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Electronics Technology
5907		 Electronics Technology
2111
15.0399 Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Technologies/Technicians, Other		 NOCTI Electrical Construction Technology
5271		 Electronics Technology
2111
47.0199 Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair
Technology, Other		 NOCTI Electronics Technology
5907		 Electronics Technology
2111
46.0399 Electrical and Power Transmission Installers,
Other		 NOCTI Electrical Power and Transmission Installers
5922		 Electrical Occupations
2088
15.0403 Electromechanical Technology/
Electromechanical Engineering Technology		 NOCTI Electromechanical Engineering Technology
5936		 Electro-Mechanical Technology
2109
51.0904 Emergency Medical Technology/Technician
(EMT Paramedic)		 CR
N/A		 EMT
2299
15.9999 Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other NOCTI Engineering Technologies/Technicians
5991		 Engineering Related Technology
2104
03.0511 Forestry Technology/Technician NOCTI Forestry
TBD		 Forestry Technology/Technician
2131
10.0399 Graphic Communications, Other NOCTI Graphic Production Technology
5938		 Graphic Occupations
2076
51.0899 Health/Medical Assisting Services, Other CR
N/A		 Health Assistant
2202
51.0899 Health/Medical Assisting, Other
(for candidates holding an LPN license)		 NOCTI Health Assisting
5273		 Health Assistant
2202
51.9999 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other CR
N/A		 Health Related Technology 2214
Health Assistant 2202
51.9999 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other NOCTI Health Assisting
5273		 Health Related Technology 2214
Health Assistant 2202
51.0707 Health Information/Medical Records
Technology/Technician		 CR
N/A		 Medical Records Technology
2206
47.0201 Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and
Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician		 NOCTI HVAC Maintenance Technology
5937		 Air Conditioning
2010
47.0302 Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Heavy Equipment Maintenance & Repair
5912		 Heavy Equipment Construction
2044
43.9999 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting
and Related Protective Services, Other		 NOCTI Homeland Security
5990		 Protective Services Occupations
2122
12.0508 Institutional Food Workers NOCTI Commercial Foods
5167		 Quantity Foods
2059
32.0105 Job-Seeking/Changing Skills (Diversified Occupations) NOCTI Cooperative_Education
5961/5962		 Cooperative Education
2361
46.0303 Lineworker NOCTI Electric Power and Distribution
5919		 Electric Power & Comm. Lineperson
2092
52.0203 Logistics, Materials & Supply Chain Management NOCTI Logistics
5914		 Warehousing
2078
48.0501 Machine Tool Technology/Machinist NOCTI Precision Machining
5176		 Machine Shop - 2043
Metalworking Occupations - 2072
52.1201 Management Information System, General NOCTI Management Information System
5926
46.0101 Mason/Masonry NOCTI Mason/Masonry
5933		 Masonry Occupations
2082
51.0801 Medical/Clinical Assistant CR
N/A		 Medical Assistant
2207
47.0613 Medium/Heavy Vehicle and Truck
Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Diesel Technology
5270		 Diesel Mechanic
2025
03.0299 Natural Resources Management and Policy, Other NOCTI Natural Resources
TBD		 Natural Resource Management and Policy
2132
51.3902 Nurse/Nursing Assistant/Aide
and Patient Care Assistant		 CR
N/A		 Nurses Aide
2213
46.0408 Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer NOCTI Painting & Decorating
5903		 Painting & Decorating
2049
46.0503 Plumbing Technology/Plumber NOCTI Plumbing
5924		 Plumbing
2055
48.0599 Precision Metal Working, Other NOCTI Precision Machining
5176		 Machine Shop - 2043
Metalworking Occupations - 2072
51.2604 Rehabilitation Aide CR N/A Rehabilitation Aide
2223
48.0506 Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking CE N/A Sheet Metal
2063
47.0703 Solar Energy System Installation & Repair
Technology/Technician		 NOCTI Solar Energy
TBD
Solar Energy Technology
2133
51.0909 Surgical Technology/Technologist CR N/A Surgical Technology
2134
52.1905 Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations NOCTI Hospitality Management-Lodging
5927		 Hotel/Motel Management
2086
52.1907 Vehicle and Vehicle Parts and
Accessories Marketing		 NOCTI Retail Merchandising
5921		 Auto Parts Counterman
2004
47.0699 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies,
Other		 NOCTI Small Engine Technology
5277		 Small Engine Repair
2067
01.8301 Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician
and Veterinary Assistant		 CR
N/A		 Veterinarian Assistant
2550
11.0801 Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and
Information Resources Design		 NOCTI Web Design
5934		 Digital Web Design
2586
48.0508 Welding Technology/Welder NOCTI Welding
5279		 Welding
2079
46.0504 Well Drilling/Driller CE N/A Well Drilling/Driller
2125