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Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program — Standards Equivalency & Alignment Statement
Issued by: Electrical Code Academy, Inc.
Program Owner: Certified Thermal Electrician™
Founder & Instructor: Paul Abernathy, CMECP®, Master Electrician, NEC® Code Expert, Member of NFPA CMP-5 and CMP-17
Program Website: ThermalElectrician.com
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- Purpose of this Statement
This statement documents the equivalency of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ (CTE) program to recognized Level I Infrared Thermography certification standards. It outlines the alignment of course competencies, learning outcomes, and qualification criteria with NFPA 70B, NFPA 70E, ASNT SNT-TC-1A, and ISO 18436-7, demonstrating that graduates of the CTE program meet or exceed the knowledge and performance requirements expected of a “Level I Thermographer” for electrical inspection applications.
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- Governing Reference Standards
The CTE Program content and certification procedures are aligned with the following national and international standards and recommended practices:
Standard Scope of Relevance CTE Program Alignment
NFPA 70B (2023), Section 11.17 – Thermographic Inspections Defines requirements for qualified persons performing electrical thermal inspections and interpreting results. CTE graduates are trained and assessed as qualified persons per NFPA 70B § 3.3.24 and § 11.17.2, capable of performing thermographic inspections in accordance with § 11.17.4 – § 11.17.7.
NFPA 70E (2024), Article 100 – Qualified Person Defines a qualified person as one who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to identify and avoid hazards. CTE participants are licensed or experienced electrical professionals who receive additional training in thermal diagnostics, hazard identification, and safe infrared inspection methods.
ASNT SNT-TC-1A (2020 Edition) – Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing Establishes Level I, II, III competency frameworks for infrared thermography. CTE curriculum and assessments meet and exceed the knowledge and practical requirements for Level I Infrared Thermography with specialization in electrical power systems.
ISO 18436-7 (Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics – Infrared Thermography) Specifies training, qualification, and assessment of thermography personnel. CTE learning objectives and evaluations align with ISO 18436-7 Level I learning outcomes, customized to the electrical environment.
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- Curriculum and Competency Alignment
Competency Area ASNT/ISO Level I Requirement Certified Thermal Electrician™ Coverage
Infrared Theory & Heat Transfer Fundamentals of radiation, conduction, convection Covered in Module 1 with applied examples of conductor heating, contact resistance, and load imbalance.
Camera Operation & Calibration Focus, range, span, emissivity, reflected temperature Covered in Module 2 with lab exercises using electrical components of varying emissivity.
Emissivity & Reflection Adjustment Measurement techniques and compensation Covered in Module 3 – Electrical Metals and Surface Treatments (copper, aluminum, zinc-coated terminations).
Safety Practices Safe work procedures, PPE, hazard recognition Covered in Module 4 – NFPA 70E/NEC integration; students apply approach boundaries and PPE selection.
Data Acquisition & Image Quality Correct data capture and annotation Practiced through on-site and simulated lab assignments.
Data Interpretation & Analysis Identify anomalies and thermal patterns Module 5 – Interpreting Electrical Defects: loose lugs, phase imbalance, overloaded conductors.
Reporting & Documentation Proper format and content of inspection reports Module 6 – Pre/Post inspection reporting per NFPA 70B § 11.17.6 – § 11.17.7.
Electrical Code Integration Not required under ASNT; optional in ISO CTE adds in-depth coverage of NEC 110.14(C), 310.16, 240.4(D), 408.3, and temperature limits of conductors and terminals.
Practical Demonstration Hands-on performance Required submission of thermal inspection images and analysis for certification approval.
Assessment & Certification Written and practical exams Online proctored exam + image submission; serial-numbered digital certificate issued upon completion.
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- Qualified Instructor Credentials
All Certified Thermal Electrician™ courses are developed and instructed by Paul Abernathy, a nationally recognized electrical code educator, Master Electrician, and technical committee member for the National Electrical Code® (NFPA 70).
Mr. Abernathy’s credentials, teaching history, and subject-matter expertise in both electrical systems and thermography establish the program’s instructor qualification equivalency to ASNT Level III or higher within the specialized domain of electrical thermography.
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- Certification Scope and Designation
Graduates of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program are authorized to perform and document electrical thermal inspections on:
Panelboards, switchgear, and MCCs
Transformers, busbars, and terminations
Conductors, cables, and breakers under load
and are recognized as Qualified Persons for thermographic inspection of electrical equipment in accordance with NFPA 70B § 11.17 and NFPA 70E Article 100.
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- Conclusion
The Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential is a specialized professional qualification that:
Meets or exceeds the competencies of a Level I Infrared Thermographer under ASNT SNT-TC-1A and ISO 18436-7;
Fully satisfies the “qualified person” definition under NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E;
Provides a code-based, electrician-specific framework absent from conventional thermography certifications.
Accordingly, holders of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential are recognized as qualified to perform thermal electrical inspections in compliance with the latest NFPA and industry standards.
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Authorized by:
Electrical Code Academy, Inc.
Paul Abernathy – CEO & Founder
Master Electrician | CMECP® | Certified Thermal Electrician
NFPA CMP-5 & CMP-17 Member
📍Mineral, Virginia USA
Hey Family - We just dropped (3) new Master The NEC Podcast Episodes over on FastTraxTube.com, and they are also available on your FastTraxSystem.com Mobile App as well. These (3) episodes are dedicated to Growing Your Business.
We expect Part 3 to be uploaded to FastTraxTube.com today at some point. We also released a podcast episode today titled "Let’s Ask Paul Podcast | Episode 213 | Will AI Take My Job? | Message To NFPA". The podcast is available on FastTraxTube.com as well as Spotify, Spreaker, Deezer, iHeart Radio, and ofcourse Apple Podcast. Just search for "Let's Ask Paul Podcast". BTW - If you have the FREE mobile app from our website you can listen there as well.
Dear NFPA Team,
As an active participant in the NEC development process, serving on Code-Making Panels 5 and 17, and as an individual who personally pays for access to NFPA Link, I feel compelled to express my serious concerns regarding the terms and conditions presented upon activation of Link or even the “free” online access version.
As a well-known electrical educator and advocate for code literacy, my organization frequently utilizes NFPA Link in commentary and instructional videos to educate students, apprentices, journeyman and master electricians, and engineers on how to properly understand, interpret, and apply NFPA 70. These efforts directly support the broader mission of electrical safety and public understanding of the Code.
It is troubling that NFPA—an organization that does not author the NEC language but instead compiles and publishes the work developed through the public consensus process and the volunteer efforts of committee members like myself—would restrict the educational use of Link or direct NEC text. This position not only conflicts with the spirit of collaboration upon which the NEC is built but also risks hindering legitimate educational outreach that promotes compliance, understanding, and the purchase of official NFPA materials.
Furthermore, I encourage your legal team to revisit the principles of Fair Use and Transformational Content as they apply to instructional and commentary materials. Educators referencing NEC language for teaching and discussion purposes are not reproducing NFPA content for commercial resale but are instead fostering proper comprehension of the very safety standards NFPA seeks to promote.
Regarding paraphrasing, it is often necessary to use exact NEC language in instruction to ensure that students and professionals become familiar with the precise terminology and context of the Code. Requiring educators to paraphrase inherently risks misinterpretation and dilutes the clarity and consistency essential to maintaining safety standards.
In closing, I am deeply disappointed by NFPA’s stance on this issue. It is educators—those of us who teach, promote, and encourage compliance—who drive the ongoing interest and sales of NFPA Link and printed NEC materials. I sincerely hope NFPA will reconsider its approach and align its policies with the shared mission of promoting education and safety rather than creating unnecessary barriers to learning.
Best Regards,
Paul Abernathy, CMECP® | CEO & President
Electrical Code Academy, Inc. | www.FastTraxSystem.com
395 Mica Road, Mineral, VA 23117
Office : 540-607-0116
ECA,Inc. is planning a 8 week LIVE exam prep program in 2026. This WILL NOT be included in existing Basic or Enhanced Programs. This will be a Group session done (2) times a week for 8 weeks with 4 weeks focused on NEC Skills and 4 weeks on Calculations. The cost will be $1,350.00 for this workshop and again is more One-on-One training. The sessions will be open to 2017, 2020, 2023, and 2026 NEC.
More details to come in early 2026. Limited to (15) students and WILL NOT start until a minimum of (8) students are enrolled.
Ok Folks. We have been getting a fair number of folks wanting our affiliate program back or at least some version of it. So, we will announce that exclusively HERE on the PORTAL when that happens.
Copyright and Fair Use Notice
Portions of instructional materials used on FastTraxTube.com may contain copyrighted text, graphics, or visual slides owned by third-party authors. These materials are utilized solely for educational commentary, explanation, and professional instruction under the “fair use” provisions of United States Copyright Law (17 U.S.C. §107).
All videos, commentary, and instructional additions are the original work and intellectual property of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., and are presented for the purpose of education, analysis, and professional development.
These materials are for use only by enrolled members or subscribers within this private educational platform and may not be copied, redistributed, or transmitted in any form outside this environment.
Original copyrights remain with their respective owners, who are credited appropriately on the associated presentation slides.
We will be releasing short 2026 NEC Code Change Commentary Videos on FastTraxTube.com very soon. However, they are not designed to give any CEU Credits. They are commentary and for active learning education only.