- What IND Actually Is
- Who Issues It and Where It Sits
- Exam Format and Delivery
- The 16 Competency Areas
- Core Versus Specialty: A Quirk in the Scope
- Eligibility and the Journeyman Pathway
- Fees, Retakes, and Remote Proctoring
- Keeping the Credential Current
- Who Benefits From This Credential
- Sequencing Your Preparation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- IND is ETA International's Industrial Electronics Journeyman certification, covering 16 numbered competency areas from Safety to Robotics.
- The live exam tables list 100 questions, two hours, a 75% passing score, and a USD 80 fee.
- No hands-on assessment is included; the exam is proctored and uses a non-programmable scientific calculator.
- The Journeyman pathway requires CETa or the complete EM1-5 foundation, with two or more years of experience recommended.
What IND Actually Is
In this context, IND stands for Industrial Electronics, a Journeyman-level certification offered by ETA International (the Electronics Technicians Association, International). It validates that a working technician understands the electrical, electronic, mechanical, and control systems found in factories, plants, and other industrial settings. If you have ever wondered about the acronym itself, our explainers on what IND stands for and IND meaning cover the terminology in more depth.
The exam is built around a published competency document from ETA International titled Industrial Electronics (IND), Competency Requirements: CET Core and Specialties. That document lists 16 numbered categories of knowledge. Everything on the exam traces back to those headings, which makes the document the single most useful scope reference a candidate can read. It is a list of exam objectives, not a curriculum, so it tells you what you must know rather than how to learn it.
Who Issues It and Where It Sits
ETA International is a long-standing electronics certifying body that offers a ladder of credentials, from foundation modules through Associate and Journeyman levels to specialty certifications. IND is a Journeyman-level specialty. That placement matters: it assumes you already have a foundation in electronics fundamentals and are applying it to industrial equipment and systems.
For a broader orientation to the credential, see the overview pages on what IND certification is and the general IND certification hub. If you want a quick sense of how the certification compares to your own experience level, the difficulty guide breaks down where candidates typically feel stretched.
Exam Format and Delivery
ETA International's two live IND tables agree on the core exam parameters. These are the figures this article relies on:
| Exam Feature | IND Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | USD 80 |
| Number of questions | 100 |
| Time allowed | Two hours |
| Passing score | 75% |
| Certification term | Four years |
| Hands-on assessment | None |
Be aware of one discrepancy. ETA's printed certification catalog, whose internal production title references 2024, lists 75 questions instead of 100, and an indexed ETA Press page lists 75 questions and USD 75. This article follows the two live IND tables (100 questions, USD 80) because they are the current, directly published exam figures. Before you register, confirm the numbers with ETA so there are no surprises on exam day. Our passing score guide explains what a 75% threshold means in practical terms.
How the Exam Is Delivered
The exam is proctored through ETA Certification Administrators. You can test using Trapeza online testing or traditional paper and pencil. Remote proctoring through ExamRoom.AI is optional, must be arranged through ETA, and adds USD 16 for the two-hour exam.
Exam-Room Rules
- Photo ID is required.
- Scratch paper is permitted, and used scratch paper is returned to the proctor.
- A non-programmable scientific calculator is allowed.
- Phones are prohibited.
- You may not leave the room once testing begins.
Because there is no hands-on component, the exam is entirely knowledge-based. Expect questions that ask you to interpret diagrams, apply formulas, identify components, reason through troubleshooting scenarios, and recall code and safety requirements. For scheduling logistics, see IND exam dates.
The 16 Competency Areas
The competency document organizes the exam into 16 numbered areas. Below is each one with a sense of what it demands. For a deeper walkthrough, the complete domains guide expands on all 16. ETA publishes no percentage weights for these areas, so treat each as potentially examinable rather than assuming some are lighter.
Domain 1: Safety
Industrial environments combine high voltage, rotating machinery, stored energy, and chemical or pressure hazards.
- Electrical shock and arc hazards
- Lockout/tagout concepts and protective equipment
- Safe handling of energized and de-energized equipment
Domain 2: Industrial Mathematics
The math here is applied, not abstract. You need fluent command of the calculations technicians actually perform.
- Ohm's law and power calculations
- Series and parallel circuit analysis
- Unit conversions and scientific notation
Domain 3: Diagrams and Schematics
Reading drawings is a daily skill for industrial technicians and a reliable source of exam questions.
- Schematic symbols and one-line versus ladder diagrams
- Tracing signal and power paths
- Interpreting wiring and block diagrams
Domain 4: Electrical Components
Know what components do, how they fail, and how they behave in a circuit.
- Resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers
- Semiconductors and switching devices
- Fuses, breakers, and protective devices
Domain 5: Electro-Mechanical Devices
Industrial control relies on devices that convert electrical signals into mechanical action.
- Relays, contactors, and solenoids
- Switches and sensors used in control circuits
- Operating principles and typical failure modes
Domain 6: Wiring and Codes
This area tests whether your work would be safe and compliant.
- Conductor selection and installation practices
- Grounding and bonding concepts
- Applicable electrical code requirements
Domain 7: AC Power Sources and Motors
AC power and motors dominate most industrial facilities.
- Single-phase and three-phase power
- Induction and synchronous motor operation
- Motor starting, protection, and speed control
Domain 8: DC Power Sources and Motors
DC remains important for control power, drives, and legacy equipment.
- Batteries, rectifiers, and power supplies
- DC motor types and characteristics
- Regulation and common troubleshooting scenarios
Domain 9: Networking, Interfacing, and Programming
Modern industrial systems exchange data, so technicians must understand how devices connect and are configured.
- Interfacing sensors and controllers
- Basic programming and logic concepts
- Data exchange fundamentals
Domain 10: Test Equipment and Troubleshooting
Methodical diagnosis separates strong technicians from guessers.
- Multimeters, oscilloscopes, and other instruments
- Measurement technique and safe meter use
- Logical fault isolation
Domain 11: Industrial Communications
Plant devices talk to each other across defined signaling and protocol methods.
- Serial and fieldbus-style communication concepts
- Signal standards and noise considerations
Domain 12: Networks
Industrial networking builds on general networking principles with reliability and determinism in mind.
- Network topologies and media
- Addressing and basic network troubleshooting
Domain 13: Fluid Power
Hydraulics and pneumatics move much of the world's industrial machinery.
- Pneumatic and hydraulic components and symbols
- Pressure, flow, and actuator behavior
- Electrical control of fluid power systems
Domain 14: Instrumentation
Process measurement and control depend on accurate sensing and signal conditioning.
- Sensors for temperature, pressure, level, and flow
- Analog signal standards and calibration concepts
Domain 15: PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)
PLCs are the workhorse of industrial automation and a major topic for any industrial electronics technician.
- Controller architecture and I/O
- Ladder logic reading and basic programming
- Troubleshooting controller-based systems
Domain 16: Robotics
Robotics ties together mechanics, motors, sensing, and control in automated cells.
- Robot components and axes of motion
- Safety around automated equipment
- Basic integration with controllers and sensors
Core Versus Specialty: A Quirk in the Scope
The competency document contains an internal inconsistency worth understanding rather than glossing over. Its introduction says the IND Core examination covers all 16 categories, yet it also describes twelve core categories. Meanwhile, the body labels categories 1 through 10 as Core and groups categories 11 through 16 into five specialty areas.
For candidates, the practical reading is cautious: because the introduction states the exam covers all 16 categories, prepare for all 16. Do not assume the specialty-grouped areas (such as Fluid Power, Instrumentation, PLCs, and Robotics) will be skipped. The document also contains an unnumbered, unfinished Additive Manufacturing placeholder with no usable objectives; it should not drive your study plan.
Eligibility and the Journeyman Pathway
IND is a Journeyman-level credential, so it has prerequisites. According to ETA's pathway materials, the Journeyman route requires CETa or the complete EM1-5 foundation. ETA issues CETa when all five module certifications are current. ETA also says a Journeyman candidate should have two or more years of experience.
Put simply: IND is not an entry-level exam. If you are new to electronics, plan to complete the foundation modules first. Our detailed IND requirements guide walks through how to qualify and what to verify with ETA before you register.
Fees, Retakes, and Remote Proctoring
The published exam fee is USD 80. Remote proctoring through ExamRoom.AI is optional and adds USD 16 for the two-hour examination. That surcharge also applies to an otherwise eligible free retake taken with remote proctoring.
Speaking of retakes: ETA allows one eligible exam retake free of charge within one year of the original session. That safety net lowers the cost of a first miss, but it is not a reason to sit unprepared. Use the retake window to refocus on weak domains if needed. A full accounting of costs, including maintenance, appears in the IND certification cost breakdown.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | USD 80 |
| Optional remote proctoring (ExamRoom.AI) | Adds USD 16 |
| Free retake window | One eligible retake within one year |
| Annual maintenance fee | USD 25 per year (USD 100 over four years) |
Keeping the Credential Current
IND carries a four-year certification term. For credentials without a hands-on component, ETA's general maintenance route requires a Certification Maintenance Form plus one of two documentation options:
- Continuing education: 10 hours per year, or 40 hours across the four-year term.
- Employer Verification: a supervisor-completed verification form.
In addition, there is a USD 25 annual fee, totaling USD 100 over the four-year cycle. Because the exam has no hands-on assessment, this general route applies. Plan your continuing education early rather than scrambling in year four; training courses and workplace learning can often count toward the hours. If you are weighing the long-term commitment, the ROI analysis considers whether maintenance effort pays off.
Who Benefits From This Credential
Industrial electronics technicians are needed wherever production equipment must keep running: manufacturing plants, processing facilities, packaging lines, warehouse automation, utilities, and maintenance contractors. The IND credential suits technicians who maintain motors, drives, controls, sensors, networks, PLC-based systems, fluid power equipment, and robotic cells.
Employers value a recognized third-party certification because it signals verified, broad competence across the electrical and control stack rather than expertise in a single machine. For a look at roles that commonly use these skills, see IND jobs, and for compensation context, the IND salary guide. Rather than quoting figures here, we encourage you to check current job postings and wage data in your own region, since pay varies widely by location and industry.
Sequencing Your Preparation
Since ETA publishes no domain weights, a balanced plan that touches all 16 areas works best. Sequence matters because later domains build on earlier ones. Here is one way to order your effort, tied to how the domains depend on each other. For a fuller plan, see the IND study guide, and keep the cheat sheet handy for last-week review.
Foundations
- Safety, Industrial Mathematics, and Diagrams and Schematics (Domains 1-3)
- Why first: every later topic assumes you can calculate, read drawings, and work safely
Components, Power, and Wiring
- Electrical Components, Electro-Mechanical Devices, Wiring and Codes, AC and DC Power and Motors (Domains 4-8)
- Why here: this is the physical heart of industrial systems
Data and Diagnosis
- Networking, Interfacing, and Programming; Test Equipment and Troubleshooting; Industrial Communications; Networks (Domains 9-12)
Automation Specialties
- Fluid Power, Instrumentation, PLCs, and Robotics (Domains 13-16)
- Finish with timed practice covering all 16 areas
Key Takeaway
Practice under the actual exam constraints: 100 questions in two hours, with only a non-programmable scientific calculator and scratch paper. Timed runs on our IND practice tests help you build the pacing the real session demands.
As you progress, track your accuracy by domain rather than overall. A single strong area can mask a weak one, and with a 75% passing threshold across 100 questions, a few neglected domains can sink an otherwise solid effort. Our pass rate article discusses what is and is not publicly known about outcomes. You can also review additional IND training options to fill specific gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
IND stands for Industrial Electronics. It is a Journeyman-level certification from ETA International (the Electronics Technicians Association, International). The page what is a IND offers another angle on the same question.
ETA's live IND tables list 100 questions and a two-hour time limit, with a 75% passing score. A printed catalog lists 75 questions, so confirm the current figure with ETA when you register.
No. The IND exam has no hands-on assessment. It is a proctored, knowledge-based exam delivered through Trapeza online testing or paper and pencil, with optional remote proctoring.
The Journeyman pathway requires CETa or the complete EM1-5 foundation, and ETA says candidates should have two or more years of experience. See the requirements guide for details.
ETA allows one eligible retake at no charge within one year of the original session. If you use optional remote proctoring for the retake, the USD 16 surcharge still applies.
Understanding exactly what IND is, who issues it, and how it is structured is the first step toward passing it. Use the 16 published competency areas as your roadmap, verify current fees and format with ETA International before you register, and build your plan around all 16 domains rather than hoping the specialties will be skipped.