Photonics Technician Operator (PTO)

Photonics Technician Operator (PTO)

Photonics technicians work in jobs where they assemble, measure, test, and repair optical components such as lenses, mirrors, filters, fiber optics and electro-optic or other photonics devices plus optical sources such as lasers and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Technicians typically work in applications where photonics is an “enabling technology”- such as manufacturing/materials processing, internet/communications, biomedical equipment, and defense/homeland security systems development/integration. Due to the high technical standards and safety issues involved, technicians will receive specialized training in both knowledge and hands-on skill items.

The knowledge component comprises of four separate exams totaling 233 questions. These
four exams must be taken within a two year period.


Additional Information

  • FREE retake! ETA allows one free retake with all ETA certification exams after a 30-day waiting period. (This does not apply to FCC exams.) Retakes must be completed within one year of the first exam session.
  • ACCREDITED by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC)

PTO Exam Info

Price: $200
Type of Certification: Stand-Alone
Maintenance Required:
Certification Term: 4 Yrs
Hands-On Required:
Questions on Exam: 233
Passing Score: 75%
Time Allowed to Test: 2 hours