Certified Fastener
Specialist™ Training
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Certified Fastener Specialist™ designation? Developed in 1998 with guidance from the International Fastener Institute, the Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) advanced technical training program is the most noteworthy measurement of technical aptitude for fastener professionals. With more than 1,400 alumni of the CFS program, the Fastener Training Institute has helped professionals and businesses nationwide advance the fastener and manufacturing industries by improving safety and championing professional development. Now more than ever, FTI is dedicated to its mission of providing fastener product and technical training to enhance fastener use, reliability and safety and strengthen the industry and its personnel in all segments. How can I receive the CFS designation? To receive the CFS designation, students must complete seven full-day training sessions, or the weeklong intensive Fastener Training Week program offered throughout the year and pass a final exam at the end of the training. Classes do not need to be taken in sequence. If a class is missed, it can be made up the following year. Upon completion of the CFS program and passing the exam, students receive an engraved plaque designating their certification as a fastener specialist, according to the requirements established by the Fastener Training Institute. What classes are required for the CFS designation? Individual classes or Fastener Training Week Classes* 1. Fastener Specifications and Terminology 2. Understanding the Bolted Joint 3. Dimensional and Material Specifications 4. Fastener Quality Assurance 5. Fastener Testing 6. Fastener Manufacturing Plant Tour 7. Fastener Secondary Processes Plant Tour *Classes can be taken in any order What is Fastener Training Week? Fastener Training Week offers five intensive days of education and plant tours as part of the acclaimed Certified Fastener Specialist™ advanced technical training program. After completing this accelerated industry training in a small group environment and passing a final exam, attendees are eligible for the CFS designation. How do I register for the required classes or Fastener Training Week? The Training Schedule webpage lists dates for each class offered. Click on a class to view course details and to register.
562.473.5373
Copyright © 2023 Fastener Training Institute All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer
The holder of the CFS designation has completed an advanced technical training program on fasteners, following rigorous requirements established by the Fastener Training Institute. The CFS certification is an indication of the commitment and qualifications of the holder but should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional engineering or application advice and/or specifications. Consult a qualified professional engineer or the manufacturer for professional advice concerning applications or specifications.What Our Students Have To Say
“From the detailed educational and informative marketing content to the personable instruction and
professional coordination, this training deepened my technical knowledge of fastener products that
will enable me to serve my company and its sales representatives better.”
“As a newcomer to the fastener industry, Fastener Training Week was an incredible experience that
gave me a much greater appreciation of the industry and the engineering behind such seemingly sim-
ple items.”
“I appreciate the opportunity provided by the Fastener Training Institute to gain more industry knowl-
edge and experience – thank you!”
“The Fastener Testing class was great, mostly because of the volume of information and things to see,
plus the fact that everyone there really seemed interested in doing a good job of helping us
understand.”
“The small class size, instructors’ attentiveness to questions and instructional material all made this a
great seminar. Looking forward to the next one!”
Fastener Training Institute
1545 N. Columbus Avenue
Glendale, CA 91202
562-473-5373
info@fastenertraining.org
Instructors for FTI’s advanced fastener courses include:
Instructors
Salim Brahimi
Salim Brahimi is Director of Engineering Technology for the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) and president of IBECA Technologies, a consulting firm that provides engineering and business process improvement services. He is a licensed member of the Quebec Order of Professional Engineers and is an active voting member of numerous ASTM, SAE, IFI, and ISO standards and technical committees. In May 2004, he was awarded the Fred F. Weingruber Award, bestowed by ASTM Committee F16 for his outstanding contributions to the development of fastener standards, especially in the field of hydrogen embrittlement. Mr. Brahimi is also currently completing a doctorate at McGill University in Montreal on the topic of fastener hydrogen embrittlement.
Laurence Claus
Laurence Claus is Director of Education and Training for the Industrial Fastener Institute. With over 25 years of experience in the fastener industry, he is knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of automotive, industrial, and aerospace fasteners. He is a degreed Mechanical Engineer and participates in the technical standards activity of the IFI, SAE, ISO, ASME, ASTM, and NASC. Claus is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt
John Medcalf
John is the Principal Engineer of Peak Innovations Engineering, an Illinois-based company specializing in the design, testing, and validation of bolted joints. His educational background includes a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering along with certificates in business management and materials failure analysis. Medcalf held positions in quality, engineering, and engineering management. He is actively involved in fastener standardization through the ASME, ASTM, and ISO fastener standards committees, serving as vice-chairman of the ASME B18 committee, and chairman or vice-chairman of several ASME and ASTM subcommittees, and US delegate to ISO TC/2. His thesis work on hydrogen embrittlement of case-hardened fasteners has helped advance the knowledge of the phenomenon within the industry and influenced relevant standards.Carmen Vertullo CFS
Carmen Vertullo, CFS is the founder of CarVer Consulting, a San Diego-based consulting, engineering, and training company specializing in fasteners and bolted joints. He has experience in fastener quality assurance, manufacturing, sales, and inventory management programs. He has developed and teaches a series of advanced fastener training classes for the Fastener Training Institute. Vertullo is a Certified Fastener Specialist through FTI, and he holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from National University, San Diego, CA.
Certified Fastener
Specialist™ Training
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Certified Fastener Specialist™ designation? Developed in 1998 with guidance from the International Fastener Institute, the Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) advanced technical training program is the most noteworthy measurement of technical aptitude for fastener professionals. With more than 1,400 alumni of the CFS program, the Fastener Training Institute has helped professionals and businesses nationwide advance the fastener and manufacturing industries by improving safety and championing professional development. Now more than ever, FTI is dedicated to its mission of providing fastener product and technical training to enhance fastener use, reliability and safety and strengthen the industry and its personnel in all segments. How can I receive the CFS designation? To receive the CFS designation, students must complete seven full-day training sessions, or the weeklong intensive Fastener Training Week program offered throughout the year and pass a final exam at the end of the training. Classes do not need to be taken in sequence. If a class is missed, it can be made up the following year. Upon completion of the CFS program and passing the exam, students receive an engraved plaque designating their certification as a fastener specialist, according to the requirements established by the Fastener Training Institute. What classes are required for the CFS designation? Individual classes or Fastener Training Week Classes* 1. Fastener Specifications and Terminology 2. Understanding the Bolted Joint 3. Dimensional and Material Specifications 4. Fastener Quality Assurance 5. Fastener Testing 6. Fastener Manufacturing Plant Tour 7. Fastener Secondary Processes Plant Tour *Classes can be taken in any order What is Fastener Training Week? Fastener Training Week offers five intensive days of education and plant tours as part of the acclaimed Certified Fastener Specialist™ advanced technical training program. After completing this accelerated industry training in a small group environment and passing a final exam, attendees are eligible for the CFS designation. How do I register for the required classes or Fastener Training Week? The Training Schedule webpage lists dates for each class offered. Click on a class to view course details and to register.
562.473.5373
Copyright © 2023 Fastener Training Institute All Rights Reserved
Fastener Training Institute
Disclaimer
The holder of the “Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS)” designation has successfully completed an advanced technical training program on fasteners, in accordance with rigorous requirements established by the Fastener Training Institute. The CFS certification is an indication of the commitment and qualifications of the holder, but should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional engineering or applications advice and/or specifications. Consult a qualified professional engineer or the manufacturer for professional advice concerning applications or specifications.What Our Students Have To Say
“From the detailed educational and informative mar-
keting content to the personable instruction and pro-
fessional coordination, this training deepened my
technical knowledge of fastener products that will en-
able me to serve my company and its sales represen-
tatives better.”
“As a newcomer to the fastener industry, Fastener
Training Week was an incredible experience that gave
me a much greater appreciation of the industry and
the engineering behind such seemingly simple items.”
“I appreciate the opportunity provided by the
Fastener Training Institute to gain more industry
knowledge and experience – thank you!”
“The Fastener Testing class was great, mostly because
of the volume of information and things to see, plus
the fact that everyone there really seemed interested
in doing a good job of helping us understand.”
“The small class size, instructors’ attentiveness to
questions and instructional material all made this a
great seminar. Looking forward to the next one!”
Instructors for FTI’s advanced fastener cour-
ses include:
Instructors
Salim Brahimi
Salim Brahimi is Director of Engineering Technology for the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) and president of IBECA Technologies, a consulting firm that provides engineering and business process improvement services. He is a licensed member of the Quebec Order of Professional Engineers and is an active voting member of numerous ASTM, SAE, IFI, and ISO standards and technical committees. In May 2004, he was awarded the Fred F. Weingruber Award, bestowed by ASTM Committee F16 for his outstanding contributions to the development of fastener standards, especially in the field of hydrogen embrittlement. Mr. Brahimi is also currently completing a doctorate at McGill University in Montreal on the topic of fastener hydrogen embrittlement.Laurence Claus
Laurence Claus is Director of Education and Training for the Industrial Fastener Institute. With over 25 years of experience in the fastener industry, he is knowledgeable in the manufacture and use of automotive, industrial, and aerospace fasteners. He is a degreed Mechanical Engineer and participates in the technical standards activity of the IFI, SAE, ISO, ASME, ASTM, and NASC. Claus is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Carmen Vertullo CFS
Carmen Vertullo, CFS is the founder of CarVer Consulting, a San Diego-based consulting, engineering, and training company specializing in fasteners and bolted joints. He has experience in fastener quality assurance, manufacturing, sales, and inventory management programs. He has developed and teaches a series of advanced fastener training classes for the Fastener Training Institute. Vertullo is a Certified Fastener Specialist through FTI, and he holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from National University, San Diego, CA.
John Medcalf
John is the Principal Engineer of Peak Innovations Engineering, an Illinois-based company specializing in the design, testing, and validation of bolted joints. His educational background includes a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering along with certificates in business management and materials failure analysis. Medcalf held positions in quality, engineering, and engineering management. He is actively involved in fastener standardization through the ASME, ASTM, and ISO fastener standards committees, serving as vice-chairman of the ASME B18 committee, and chairman or vice-chairman of several ASME and ASTM subcommittees, and US delegate to ISO TC/2. His thesis work on hydrogen embrittlement of case-hardened fasteners has helped advance the knowledge of the phenomenon within the industry and influenced relevant standards.John Medcalf
John is the Principal Engineer of Peak Innovations Engineering, an Illinois based company specializing in the design, testing, and validation of bolted joints. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering along with certificates in business management and materials failure analysis. John held positions in quality, engineering and engineering management. He is actively involved in fastener standardization through the ASME, ASTM, and ISO fastener standards committees, serving as vice chairman of the ASME B18 committee, chairman or vice chairman of several ASME and ASTM subcommittees, and US delegate to ISO TC/2. His thesis work on hydrogen embrittlement of case hardened fasteners has helped advance the knowledge of the phenomenon within the industry and influenced relevant standards.
