Operations Technician Certification
Who Needs this Certification
The Operations Technician Certification is designed for individuals at all levels who support the daily operation and supervision of amusement attractions within theme parks, water parks, portable shows, and other entertainment-based venues. This certification is a good fit for ride and attraction operators, operations supervisors and managers, park leadership and operations staff.
Program Requirements
The Operations Technician Certification Program is designed to confirm the knowledge of individuals working in the operations field within the amusement industry. Certification is an outward demonstration of one’s knowledge of general activities and technologies that are an integral part of a daily amusement ride program and his or her participation in such activities and programs. Certification is useful for securing additional business opportunities and jurisdictional accreditation as well as personal development.
There are three levels of Operations Technician certification
Certified Operations Technician Level I
Certified Operations Technician Level II
Certified Operations Professional Level III
In order to achieve certification, an individual must provide verification of his or her industry experience and education. In addition, he or she must receive passing scores on the certification exams. The certifications are renewable. In order to maintain the certification, receipt of continuing education units (CEU), attendance in an AIMS-approved curriculum, and involvement in the amusement industry must be documented.
The AIMS Operations Technician Certification Program is an internationally recognized program for verification of knowledge and participation in the field of amusement operations. When an individual achieves a Level III certification, it will be clear that the individual is a person who not only has gained knowledge with years of experience, but he or she also unselfishly gives back to the industry from which he or she has benefited.
ASTM International Standards
Those seeking certifications need to know the specific ASTM standards that apply to their facility and operations to be able to pass the exams. As there are no national standards for ride inspection, AIMS will instruct on the ASTM standards, state standards and other universally accepted industry practices
Certification Information
All certifications are valid for two years
AIMS Certified Operations Technician Level I
Qualifications
Education: Applicant must attest to having a high school diploma, college diploma, or GED (General Equivalency Diploma). Note: if documentation of education cannot be provided, applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field for a minimum of 36 months.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement maintenance field that equals at least 12 months (36 months if no proof of education).
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on the Operations Technician Level I exam. Students with the above required experience should have enough knowledge to pass the exam. Unsuccessful applicants will be eligible to reapply for the exam 60 days after the initial examination date.
Eye Exam: an eye exam is not required to obtain a Operations Technician certification nor a renewal requirement.
Courses (CEUs)
Coursework is not required to take this Level I exam to receive your initial certification, only for renewals.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
Exams
Online Exams
Available for Level I Only
*Applications will be active approximately 1 month before the exam dates
March 17, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
March 18, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on March 12, 2026
May 19, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
May 20, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on May 14, 2026
August 18, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
August 19, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on August 13, 2026
October 20, 2026 @ 11:00 am ET
October 21, 2026 @ 1:00 pm ET
Exam applications are due by 5:00pm ET on October 15, 2026
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
AIMS Asia Pacific Seminar
SafeConnect Conference
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $85
- AIMS on the Road or Regional Event Application Fee - $110
- Online Exam Application Fee - $135
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100
AIMS Certified Operations Technician Level II
Qualifications
Current Certification: Applicant must hold a current AIMS Level I Operations Technician Certification.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field that equals at least 36 months.
Eye Exam: An eye exam is not required to obtain a Operations Technician certification nor a renewal requirement.
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on the Operations Technician Level II exam.
Courses (CEUs)
Applicant must provide, at the time the application is made, verification of receipt of 8 CEUs (80 Hours) from attending amusement industry or other applicable seminars or education.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
Exams
Online EXAMS
Online exams are not available for this certification
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
AIMS Asia Pacific Seminar
SafeConnect Conference
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $85
- AIMS on the Road or Regional Application Fee - $110
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100
AIMS Certified Operations Professional, Level III
Qualifications
Current Certification: Applicant must hold a current AIMS Level II Operations Certification.
Experience: Applicant must provide dates of employment in the amusement ride inspection field that equals at least 120 months.
Eye Exam: An eye exam is not required to obtain an Operations Technician certification nor a renewal requirement.
Examination: Applicant must receive a passing score on the Operations Level III exam and submit the following presentation criteria:
- Written Exam: Passing score on 50 question exam
- Presentation Criteria:
- Must be vetted by a SME (Subject Matter Expert) or Certification Committee Member
- Must be 45 minutes in length
- Must meet seminar course requirements:
- Safety related topic
- Title
- Course Description
- Learning Outcomes
- 3 Knowledge Check Questions
- Must be presented at the safety seminar to a class capped at 20 attendees
- Sitting in the course to monitor must be 3 Proctors (1 SME and 2 Committee Committees or 3 Committee Members)
Must maintain an AIMS Associate Level Membership.
The individual must be willing to serve on the AIMS Maintenance Examination Committee.
Courses (CEUs)
Courses (CEUs): Applicant must provide, at the time the application is made, verification of receipt of 12 CEUs (120 Hours) from attending amusement industry or other applicable seminars or education.
Certificate Renewal
- 4 CEU (40 hours) AIMS - approved curriculum every 2 years (earned during the renewal period) from seminar attendance or AIMS ConnectED online courses
- Eye exam is not required
- Expired Certificates: It is required to retest after a certification has expired 5 years or more
- Certificate holders may not take the Level I, Level II or Level III exam again in lieu of receiving CEU’s in order to maintain the Level III certification.
Exams
Online EXAMS
Online exams are not available for this certification
Seminar Exams
This exam is available to take at the these seminars:
AIMS International Safety Seminar
FEES
- Application Fee to test during AIMS Seminar - $135
- Non-Seminar Application Fee - $170
- On-Time Renewal Fee - $75
- Expired Certification Reinstatement of up to one year - $100
- Expired Certification Reinstatement beyond one year - $80 per certification period plus $100