Since the Institute was founded in 1961, more than 148,000 technicians and technologists have met NICET's rigorous certification criteria, and the number grows rapidly as more employers and local and state governments rely on NICET certification to measure the qualifications of their workforce. The certificate and wallet card issued by NICET serve as a portable credential for certified technicians and technologists who seek to maximize their skills and knowledge and advance in their professions. By employing those workers who have demonstrated their technical mastery, employers can provide their customers higher quality goods and services. And, ultimately, the public enjoys a higher degree of safety and protection.