IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS Certification Online for Wire Harness and Cable Assembly Professionals

No. J-STD-001 sets soldering process requirements for electrical and electronic assemblies. IPC/WHMA-A-620 sets acceptance requirements for cable and wire harness assemblies, including crimping, splicing, connectors and harness securing. If you build or inspect harnesses, 620 is the standard that applies. Read more about 620 vs. J-STD-001.

CIS is the specialist certification for people who build or inspect harnesses. CIT qualifies you to train and certify CIS candidates. CSE is for subject-matter experts who need deep knowledge of the standard but don’t teach. See the 620 CIT and 620 CSE pages.

IPC/WHMA-A-620 covers cable and wire harness assemblies. IPC-A-610 covers printed circuit board assemblies. Shops that build both often certify people in each. See IPC-A-610 CIS certification.

No prior experience is required for CIS certification. The exam prep course is designed to build your technical foundation from the ground up. If you already work in wire harness fabrication or cable assembly inspection, the material will feel familiar — but beginners can absolutely succeed with focused study.

No. IPC does not require formal training to sit for the CIS exam. ElectroSpec's Exam Only and Exam + Preparation tracks give you everything you need to earn your certification without attending a structured training course. Private Team Training is available for organizations that prefer live instructor-led instruction.

Both tracks include the official IPC CIS exam and a free retake on every module. Exam + Preparation adds the 6+ hour IPC/WHMA-A-620 Revision F prep course, 300+ practice questions and the 24/7 AI Tutor. If you already build or inspect harnesses to 620 every day and are recertifying, Exam Only may be enough. If you’re newer to crimping, splicing and connector criteria, choose Exam + Preparation.

Exam + Preparation is a self-paced online program — you study independently using ElectroSpec's proprietary exam prep course, practice questions, and AI tutor, then schedule your exam when you're ready. Private Team Training delivers live instruction from an ElectroSpec expert using official IPC training materials, either online or in-person, on a schedule customized for your team. Training is designed for organizations certifying multiple employees at once.

Yes. The CIS exam is open book and you will need the IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard during the exam. Because many professionals already have a copy through their employer, ElectroSpec offers the standard as an optional add-on rather than bundling it into the price. If you need one, you can add the English language edition to your order at checkout for $360. Please contact us if you require an alternative language version.

The CIS certification consists of 8 open-book module exams, each with approximately 15-20 questions. The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard is required during the exam. Exams are remotely proctored using the IPC Remote Proctor System, which allows you to test from home or office using a computer with a webcam, microphone, and internet connection. If needed, exams can be scheduled across multiple days at your convenience.

Every CIS module exam includes one free exam retake. You can retake the exam as soon as 24 hours after your initial attempt, or up to 90 days after. If you need a third attempt, a $135 fee applies after a minimum one-week waiting period from your previous attempt.

As soon as you're ready. ElectroSpec uses the IPC Remote Proctor System, allowing you to schedule your exam on any date, time, and time zone that works for you — with as little as one business day's notice. You are not locked into a fixed exam date when you enroll.

Most students can complete the exam prep course in as little as one week with focused study, though you have up to 180 days of access so you can take as much time as you need. Study at your own pace and schedule your exam when you feel ready.

Yes. A receipt is provided automatically at checkout and a formal invoice can be requested by contacting us directly. Many of our students receive employer reimbursement for IPC certifications — we're happy to provide whatever documentation your organization requires.

Yes. IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS is the recognized credential for cable and wire harness assembly. It is required or preferred by aerospace, defense, automotive and medical-device manufacturers, and by the harness suppliers that build for them.

Yes. The Exam + Preparation track is available as a single payment of $750 or two monthly payments of $395. The payment plan is processed automatically — no manual follow-up required. Please note that exam scheduling will not be arranged until payment is paid in full. The Exam Only and Private Team Training tracks are not currently available on a payment plan.

The AI Tutor is a chatbot available 24/7 to answer questions, explain concepts, and reinforce your understanding as you study. It is available exclusively in the Exam + Preparation track and is accessible anytime through the Kajabi platform — day or night. The AI Tutor is not trained on IPC standards or IPC copyrighted materials and is intended to support conceptual learning and exam readiness, not to reproduce official IPC content.

Yes. Because ElectroSpec uses the IPC Remote Proctor System, students can enroll and test from anywhere in the world. All materials are delivered online through the Kajabi platform, accessible from any device with an internet connection. Please note that ElectroSpec must abide by IPC policies and procedures and may not be able to offer certification services in certain countries. Contact us before enrolling to confirm availability in your location.

Yes. All exam prep materials are accessible through the Kajabi app on iOS and Android. Study on your phone or tablet whenever and wherever works for you. Your progress syncs across all devices so you can pick up right where you left off.

You're never studying alone. The Exam + Preparation track includes direct email access to your ElectroSpec instructor with responses typically within one business day, plus 24/7 AI Tutor access for immediate answers anytime. If you hit a concept that isn't clicking, help is always available.

The IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS certification is valid for two years. When it's time to recertify, ElectroSpec can help whether you originally certified with us or through another training center. Recertification is available through our Exam Only, Exam + Preparation, or Private Team Training tracks, giving you flexible options.

Once you pass all of your CIS module exams, IPC will issue your official serialized certificate directly in the IPC Edge system. You can log in to IPC Edge to download and print your certificate within 180 days of passing your exams.

No. ElectroSpec treats initial certification and recertification identically — same tracks, same prices, same process. Whether it's your first time earning your CIS or your third two-year renewal, you choose the track that fits your current knowledge level and schedule your module exams when you're ready. There is no separate recertification enrollment.

The current revision is IPC/WHMA-A-620F. If your employer's copy shows a different revision letter on the cover, let us know if you want the exam at that revision instead. If you're unsure, check the cover page of the document or contact your quality department before your exam date. If you need a current copy, you can add the English edition to your order at checkout for $360. Contact us before purchasing if you need a non-English edition or have questions about your employer's existing copy.