Outside Plant Design Principles

BICSI recognizes 21 CEC’s upon successful completion of this Critical Path Training Course.

CEC's are awarded to existing credential holders only.

The Critical Path Consulting Outside Plant Principles Course is a full 2-day course that provides an in-depth review to all facets of OSP.

Required Course Material: Outside Plant Design Reference Manual (OSPDRM), 6th Edition

Written by industry experts representing thousands of completed projects, the OSPDRM, 6th edition contains new and updated material on the following:

• OSP-specific information on passive optical networks (PON)

• Material to cover OSP aerial installation of all dielectric self-supporting cable (ADSS)

• New chapter on maintenance and restoration of outside plant

• Information on radio frequency over glass (RFoG) specific to OSP fiber optic installations

• Information for additional excavation methods for direct-buried cable and pathways (i.e., vacuum, hydro-vac, and air nozzle)

• New storm loading requirements for aerial OSP design to include the U.S. Warm Islands zone per requirements in 2017 NESC

• A project design chapter that includes updated relevant project management information as it concerns OSP design and added information on geographic information systems (GIS)

• Updated fiber cable types (added OM5, removed OM1 and OM2 as no longer recognized for new installations)

• Information regarding air-assisted cable installation 

• Material related to joint-use/make-ready activities for OSP aerial plant

• Expanded Appendix A

• Glossary updated

• General updates, including changes resulting from the release of the 2017 edition of the NESC concerning clearances and grounding/bonding requirements.

Within each three-year designation period, beginning when the exam is passed, all OSPs must obtain a minimum of 24 approved CECs to recertify. If you do not recertify by your designation period end date, you may no longer use your OSP credential or represent yourself as certified.