Calibration Technician vs. Accuracy Check Technician
The topics of Accuracy Check and Calibration Adjustment create more confusion for students than any other topic in our Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) classes. Students must learn the difference between the two procedures, when and under what circumstances the procedures should be performed, and the operator qualifications required to perform the procedures. While we don’t have enough space to review each of these issues, here is a refresher on the operator qualifications to perform each procedure.
Accuracy Checks may be performed by a BAT who has been trained in the Accuracy Check procedure. Just because an individual has been trained as a BAT doesn’t mean they are qualified to perform Accuracy Checks. According to the DOT Model Curriculum for BAT Training a student is not required to be trained to perform Accuracy Checks in order to be a BAT. However, they must receive the additional training in performing Accuracy Checks if they will perform Accuracy Checks. Typically there is no additional documentation on a BAT’s certificate to note they have been trained in the Accuracy Check procedure, so one must rely on the training documentation to confirm a BAT’s qualifications to perform Accuracy Checks.
Calibration Adjustments may only be performed by a person who has been trained and certified as a Factory Authorized Calibration Technician. As the title indicates, only the manufacturer has the authority to issue a Calibration Technician certificate. Calibration Technician is usually noted as an additional certification on an individual’s BAT certificate, rather than as a second certificate in addition to the BAT certificate.
Intoximeter’s policy is that Calibration Technician certification must be renewed every five years, along with the BAT certification.