Because of a number of requests for a certification program from forensic consultants, insurance companies, floor treatment contractors and even OSHA, William English, Inc. has instituted a program to certify as competent any XL user possessing minimum qualifications who satisfactorily completes the course, including classroom instruction, a written test and demonstration of valid operating performance. Over the years since its inception in 2000, many certification classes have been completed, and participants have been universally enthusiastic about the adequacy of the course.

Who Can Be Certified?
Anyone who has an English XL Variable Incidence Tribometer and meets minimum background qualifications can be certified. The course is not basic training for neophytes. It is advanced training for experienced users. It is a demanding course, but active XL users who have studied the instructional material should be able to pass the exam, no sweat. Experience has shown that those who have not been subscribed to my newsletter have trouble passing.

What Is the Curriculum?
It is a one-day course, including 3 hours of classroom instruction, a 90-minute written exam and a hands-on operating test. The textbook for the course is the Pedestrian Slip Resistance book [Second Edition] that came with your XL. All you have to do is register, pay the fee, and show up for the class with your slipmeter and textbook. I supply the training and the CO2. Following satisfactory completion of the written test you will be required to meter two surfaces with your XL and produce correct results, demonstrating proper technique. The examination is open-book. The class will be held 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lunch is on you.

A handsome certificate suitable for framing will be mailed to each participant who successfully completes the training and examinations and you will thereafter be entitled to put "CXLT" after your name.

Also some CXLTs elect to re-take the course to obtain sufficient credits to maintain their certification at renewal and to be on the leading edge of the art and to take advantage of improvements in the curriculum as the course has evolved since they first participated. So far, every retaker has said something like "I got more out of the course the second time than the first." They are among the most satisfied CXLTs.

Details About the Program
An overview of the program, fees and copies of required forms can be found on http://englishxl.com/cert-doc.html. Details concerning requirements for renewal of certification every three years can also be found there.

Where Can I Take the Training?
Classes may be held at any location where a sufficient number of applicants can be aggregated for a class of adequate size. The minimum class size will be 12 to facilitate discussion and to make my travel expenses practical. The maximum number we can accept in a class is 16.

When Is the Next Class?
This class is scheduled the day before the F13 meeting at ASTM in Philadelphia, so you could kill two birds with one stone (as they might say in the medical industry) and take in both functions with one plane ticket. I have rented the meeting room at the Comfort Inn Philadelphia Airport at 53 Industrial Highway, Essington, PA 19029 for Monday, June 2, 2008. . This is the only class now scheduled. If you need to be certified, you need to register without waiting much longer.

The January class in Tampa sold out over two weeks before the date of the class, and this June class will also be sold out, because there will be several retakers who had failed the last class, and several people did not have enough points for renewal and will be retaking, besides the growing number of newer users. The credibility of the CXLT program continues to grow because of the high standards for passage, and if you will be a first-timer, you need to be studying PSR, Second Edition and getting a lot of experience with your XL.

This class is scheduled at this hotel for the third time. Its facilities are adequate, it has free van service from the airport, and it has reasonable room rates. A block of rooms has been reserved for us at $89/night. If you want to stay at this hotel, call 610-521-9800 to make a reservation and tell them you are in the William English, Inc. group. I have found the service at this hotel quite good, and have had no complaints from enrollees. You also get a free breakfast there.

Additional developments will be given in my free e-mail newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, send me a request to subscribe at Bill@EnglishXL.com.

What Is the Cost?
The fee for the certification course, including a calibration check of your instrument, examination and issuance of a handsome certificate of competence will be $450 if application is received at least two weeks before the class date. After that it is $500. A reservation for your participation will be made upon receipt of your completed application and $450 check. Upon satisfactory completion of the training and your demonstration of competence by examination your certificate will be mailed to you. See the application materials for details of the advance registration discount.

Who Has Been Certified?
For a list of users who have completed the course and have been certified, click here.

How Do I Register for the Next Class?
Full information is available on http://englishxl.com/cert-doc.html and in the newsletter.