IPC Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) Certification
Study Guide, 2026/2027 – Electronics Assembly
and Workmanship Competency Assessment
SECTION 1: GENERAL CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS & STANDARDS (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
What does the acronym CIS stand for in the context of IPC certification?
A. Certified International Specialist
B. Certified IPC Specialist
C. Certified Inspection Standard
D. Component Integration Standard
Correct Answer: B. Certified IPC Specialist
Rationale: CIS stands for Certified IPC Specialist. This is the individual
certification obtained after completing training on an IPC standard, such as
IPC-A-610 .
Question 2
Which IPC standard is known as “Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies”?
A. IPC-J-STD-001
B. IPC-7711/7721
C. IPC-A-610
D. IPC-2221
Correct Answer: C. IPC-A-610
Rationale: IPC-A-610 is the standard titled “Acceptability of Electronic
Assemblies”. It is the primary document used for inspection criteria.
Question 3
How long is the IPC-A-610 CIS certification valid before it expires?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: The CIS certification is valid for 2 years. To maintain certification,
the individual must complete a recertification course .
Question 4
What is the minimum passing score for an IPC-A-610 CIS certification exam?
A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 85%
Correct Answer: B. 70%
Rationale: Participants must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the exam
to receive CIS certification .
Question 5
Which company/institute develops and maintains the IPC-A-610 standard?
A. IEEE
B. IEC
C. IPC
D. JEDEC
Correct Answer: C. IPC
Rationale: IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) is the US-
based institute that develops and maintains the IPC-A-610 standard and its
associated training programs .
Question 6
The IPC-A-610 standard is primarily used for which purpose in
manufacturing?
A. Design and layout of bare PCBs
B. Final inspection of electronic assemblies and incoming goods inspection
C. Soldering iron tip temperature calibration
D. Programming of automated test equipment
Correct Answer: B. Final inspection of electronic assemblies and incoming
goods inspection
Rationale: IPC-A-610 is used for final inspection by the assembler and
sometimes as incoming goods inspection by the final assembly company .
, Question 7
What is the primary reason the IPC-A-610 is referred to as the "IPC photo
album"?
A. It contains only photographs with no text.
B. It provides visual examples (photos/illustrations) of Acceptable and Defect
conditions.
C. It is only available in a digital photo format.
D. It was created by photographers.
Correct Answer: B. It provides visual examples (photos/illustrations) of
Acceptable and Defect conditions.
Rationale: The standard is known as the “photo album” because it uses clear
photographic examples next to the criteria to show what is acceptable and
what is not.
Question 8
According to the course description, how long does the initial CIS training
typically take?
A. 1 day
B. 2 days
C. Approximately 4 days
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: C. Approximately 4 days
Rationale: The CIS training is modular and typically lasts approximately 4
days .
Question 9
If a participant passes the mandatory module exam but fails an optional
module exam, can they still receive a CIS certificate?
A. No, all modules must be passed.
B. Yes, but the optional modules will not be listed on the certificate.
C. Yes, but they must repeat the entire course.
D. No, they must wait 6 months to retest.
Correct Answer: B. Yes, but the optional modules will not be listed on the
certificate.
Rationale: Successful completion of the mandatory module(s) with a 70%
score qualifies the participant for the CIS certificate. Optional modules, if not
passed, are simply not listed on the certificate.
Question 10
What should an operator do to extend their CIS certification status after the
initial 2-year period?
Study Guide, 2026/2027 – Electronics Assembly
and Workmanship Competency Assessment
SECTION 1: GENERAL CERTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS & STANDARDS (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
What does the acronym CIS stand for in the context of IPC certification?
A. Certified International Specialist
B. Certified IPC Specialist
C. Certified Inspection Standard
D. Component Integration Standard
Correct Answer: B. Certified IPC Specialist
Rationale: CIS stands for Certified IPC Specialist. This is the individual
certification obtained after completing training on an IPC standard, such as
IPC-A-610 .
Question 2
Which IPC standard is known as “Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies”?
A. IPC-J-STD-001
B. IPC-7711/7721
C. IPC-A-610
D. IPC-2221
Correct Answer: C. IPC-A-610
Rationale: IPC-A-610 is the standard titled “Acceptability of Electronic
Assemblies”. It is the primary document used for inspection criteria.
Question 3
How long is the IPC-A-610 CIS certification valid before it expires?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
,C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: B. 2 years
Rationale: The CIS certification is valid for 2 years. To maintain certification,
the individual must complete a recertification course .
Question 4
What is the minimum passing score for an IPC-A-610 CIS certification exam?
A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 75%
D. 85%
Correct Answer: B. 70%
Rationale: Participants must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the exam
to receive CIS certification .
Question 5
Which company/institute develops and maintains the IPC-A-610 standard?
A. IEEE
B. IEC
C. IPC
D. JEDEC
Correct Answer: C. IPC
Rationale: IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) is the US-
based institute that develops and maintains the IPC-A-610 standard and its
associated training programs .
Question 6
The IPC-A-610 standard is primarily used for which purpose in
manufacturing?
A. Design and layout of bare PCBs
B. Final inspection of electronic assemblies and incoming goods inspection
C. Soldering iron tip temperature calibration
D. Programming of automated test equipment
Correct Answer: B. Final inspection of electronic assemblies and incoming
goods inspection
Rationale: IPC-A-610 is used for final inspection by the assembler and
sometimes as incoming goods inspection by the final assembly company .
, Question 7
What is the primary reason the IPC-A-610 is referred to as the "IPC photo
album"?
A. It contains only photographs with no text.
B. It provides visual examples (photos/illustrations) of Acceptable and Defect
conditions.
C. It is only available in a digital photo format.
D. It was created by photographers.
Correct Answer: B. It provides visual examples (photos/illustrations) of
Acceptable and Defect conditions.
Rationale: The standard is known as the “photo album” because it uses clear
photographic examples next to the criteria to show what is acceptable and
what is not.
Question 8
According to the course description, how long does the initial CIS training
typically take?
A. 1 day
B. 2 days
C. Approximately 4 days
D. 2 weeks
Correct Answer: C. Approximately 4 days
Rationale: The CIS training is modular and typically lasts approximately 4
days .
Question 9
If a participant passes the mandatory module exam but fails an optional
module exam, can they still receive a CIS certificate?
A. No, all modules must be passed.
B. Yes, but the optional modules will not be listed on the certificate.
C. Yes, but they must repeat the entire course.
D. No, they must wait 6 months to retest.
Correct Answer: B. Yes, but the optional modules will not be listed on the
certificate.
Rationale: Successful completion of the mandatory module(s) with a 70%
score qualifies the participant for the CIS certificate. Optional modules, if not
passed, are simply not listed on the certificate.
Question 10
What should an operator do to extend their CIS certification status after the
initial 2-year period?
