TIER 1 UNLOCKED

Entry Registered Apprentice (Tier 1)

Entry Apprentice: Complete 8,000 operational hours (approx. 4.0 yrs) of paid on-the-job rotations to Journeyman Licensure.

T1 (0h)
T2 (2k)
T3 (4k)
T4 (6k)
Journeyman (8k)
Master (12k)
1

Select Your Career Standing & Pathway

Choose between Student & New Entrant intake or Experienced Practitioner Grandfathering.

NEW TO TECH & STUDENTS
EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS (GRANDFATHERING TRANSITION)
2

Entry Pipeline: Cross-Skilling & Service Credits

Accredited Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) applied toward early wage step advancement.

0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
Grants 1,000 hrs PLA credit per year (capped at 2,000 hrs toward Tier 2 entry).
0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
Army 17C, Navy CWT, Air Force 1B4X1, USMC 1721 (2,000 hrs PLA/yr, up to 4,000 hrs max).
3

Coursework Articulation & Benchmark Practical Gate

Fee-free validation, coursework RTI articulation & debt defense under Pillars I & II.

Mandatory Benchmark Gate for Paid W-2 Dispatch (Pillar I)

Under statutory apprenticeship rules, passing a proctored, hands-on practical lab filter (Linux, TCP/IP, defensive Python) is mandatory to receive unrestricted JATC employer dispatch ($25 to $32/hr base).

About Stranded Learner & Challenge Protection:

Under Pillars I & II, the trade framework protects students from predatory training debt. Anyone can challenge the practical benchmark at zero cost, articulate completed coursework toward RTI, and transition directly into a paid, debt-free W-2 apprenticeship.

2

Track A: Operational Runtime & Experience

Calculated at 2,000 verified operational hours per full-time year.

0 Months (0 hrs)
0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
Grants 1,000 hrs PLA credit per year (capped at 2,000 hrs toward Tier 2 entry).
0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
Army 17C, Navy CWT, Air Force 1B4X1, USMC 1721 (2,000 hrs PLA/yr, up to 4,000 hrs max).
3

Track A: Degrees & Grandfathering Verification

Submitted to Regional JATC for Day-1 grandfathering audit.

2

Track B: Operational Runtime & Experience

Combined with benchmark credentials for expedited portfolio processing.

0 Months (0 hrs)
0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
0 Months (0 hrs PLA)
Army 17C, Navy CWT, Air Force 1B4X1, USMC 1721 (2,000 hrs PLA/yr, up to 4,000 hrs max).
3

Track B: Credentials, Degrees & Verification

Historical certifications receive permanent durable Related Technical Instruction (RTI) credit.

Vendor-neutral hands-on lab and foundational exams credited toward apprentice tiers.
Active or lapsed status accepted. Zero vendor AMF back-fees required.
2

Track C: Practical Range Challenge Exam

Proctored hands-on cyber range validation for instant Day-1 Journeyman Licensure (zero paper trails or certs required).

Awards Immediate Day-1 Journeyman Licensure (8,000 hr Legal Baseline)

About the Practical Range Challenge:

Track C is designed for non-traditional talent, CTF competitors, independent security researchers, and self-taught engineers. Passing the 4-hour proctored range challenge confers immediate Licensed Journeyman standing (100% RJPB wage floor) with zero historical employment verification required.

3

Prior Career Runtime & Master Elevation (Optional)

For practitioners with historical runtime and research artifacts seeking Master Practitioner standing.

0 Months (0 hrs)
Range Challenge winners with 8+ years verified defense runtime can immediately submit 3 engineering artifacts for Master Oral Board defense.
Direct Operational Runtime: 0 hrs
Prior Learning Credit (PLA): 0 hrs (Max 4,000 hrs / 50% cap)
Total Accredited Hours: 0 hrs

Operational Authorities & Trade Benefits Unlocked

Path to Next Milestone

JATC Portfolio Submission Checklist

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GOVERNANCE & PRIVACY

Project Framework Notice

  • 100% Client-Side Privacy: Runs entirely in your browser memory. Zero personal inputs or telemetry are ever collected, stored, or transmitted.
  • Provisional Test Models: Practical Benchmark and Range exams are open framework specifications. Live testing ranges will be chartered under the National Cybersecurity Trade Board (NCTB).
  • Open Estimator Model: Provided for career planning and illustrative grandfathering trajectory. Official licensure is issued exclusively by tripartite JATC training committees.