Online Technical Training Blog

A Guide to Understand Module Exemptions between GBC’s Technical Certificate programs

If you're exploring our online technical certificate programs — or have already enrolled — you may have noticed some courses (modules) appear in more than one program. In fact, a common question we hear is:

“There seems to be some content overlap — do I need to take the same module again?”

Closely followed by:

“If not, how do exemptions work? And how does this affect the total cost?”

These are excellent questions. Let’s walk through what this overlap means, how exemptions are applied, and how it can benefit you.

Why Do Modules Overlap?

Our programs are designed with flexibility and real-world relevance in mind. Because many of the technical skills are foundational across fields, they are included in multiple programs. This helps ensure consistency in core learning while allowing you to specialize as needed.

Exemptions: What You Need to Know

If you’ve already completed a module in a previous program, you don’t have to take it again. You're eligible for an automatic exemption, and you’ll not be charged for that module a second time.

This means:

You save time by focusing only on the new content.
You save money — your total tuition reflects only the modules you need.

To help illustrate this, we’ve created comparison charts showing the shared and unique modules across programs.

Modules shown in blue indicate content shared between programs and are eligible for exemption if previously completed.

Electronics Technician to Electromechanical Technical

Once a student completes the Electronics program they will be exempted from 18 modules of the Electromechanical program, leaving modules 8, 10,16,17,18 and 24 to complete to get the second Certificate. Of course the exemptions also apply if you start with the Electromechanical program first; you’ll need to complete modules 8, 10, 16, 17, 18 and 24 to receive an Electronics Technician Certificate.

Electronic (ET) Technician Certificate	Electromechanical (EM) Technician Certificate
Module 1 - Introduction to Electronics	Module 1 - Introduction to Electronics
Module 2 - Current, Voltage & Resistance	Module 2 - Current, Voltage & Resistance
Module 3 - OHM'S Law, Power & Energy	Module 3 - OHM'S Law, Power & Energy
Module 4 - Series Circuits	Module 4 - Series Circuits
Module 5 - Parallel Circuits	Module 5 - Parallel Circuits
Module 6 - Series Parallel Circuits	Module 6 - Series Parallel Circuits
Module 7 - DC Measuring Instruments	Module 7 - DC Measuring Instruments
Module 8 - Network Theorems	Module 8 - Industrial Control Devices
Module 9 - Magnetism	Module 9 - Magnetism
Module 10 - Magnetic Circuits	Module 10 - DC Motor and Control Circuits
Module 11 -Alternating Voltage & Current	Module 11 - Alternating Voltage & Current
Module 1 2- AC Measuring Instruments	Module 1 2- AC Measuring Instruments
Module 13 - Capacitance and Capacitors	Module 13 - Capacitance and Capacitors
Module 14 - Inductance and Inductors	Module 14 - Inductance and Inductors
Module 15 - Transformers	Module 15 - Transformers
Module 16 - Alternating Current Circuits	Module 16 - AC Motor and Drives
Module 17 - Resonance	Module 17 - Analog and Digital Transducers
Module 18 - Coupling and Filter Circuits	Module 18 - Industrial Process Control
Module 19 - Semiconductor Fundamentals	Module 19 - Semiconductor Fundamentals
Module 20 - Transistors and Thyristors	Module 20 - Transistors and Thyristors
Module 21 - Amplifier Circuits	Module 21 - Amplifier Circuits
Module 22 - Integrated Circuits	Module 22 - Integrated Circuits
Module 23 - Digital Electronics	Module 23 - Digital Electronics
Module 24 - Microprocessors	Module 24- Programmable Logic Controllers

PLC Technician to PLC Technician II

Let’s review a second example. Our PLC Technician and PLC Technician II programs share a common core of seven modules. As a graduate of the PLC Technician program, you’ll automatically receive credit for those seven modules if you choose to continue into the PLC Technician II program

PLC Technician Certificate	PLC Technician II Certificate
Module 1 - Overview of PLCs	Module 1 - Introduction to Advanced PLCs
Module 2 - Central Processing Unit	Module 2 - PLC Processors
Module 3 - I/O System	Module 3 - I/O System
Module 4 - Programming Terminals and Peripherals	Module 4 - Programming Terminals and Peripherals
Module 5 - Installation and Maintenance of PLCs	Module 5 - Installation and Maintenance of PLCs
Module 6 - Relay Logic	Module 6 - Tag-based PLCs
Module 7 - Ladder Logic	Module 7 - Ladder Logic Programming
Module 8 - Timers	Module 8 - Timers
Module 9 - Counters	Module 9 - Counters
Module 10 - MCR, JUMP, and FORCE Instructions	Module 10 - Branch and Loop Control
Module 11 - Sequencers	Module 11 - Sequencers
Module 12 - Data Transfer	Module 12 - Data Handling
Module 13 - Math Functions	Module 12 - Math Instruction
Module 14 - Process Control	Module 14 - Process Control
Module 15 - Data Communications	Module 15 - PLC Communications
Module 16 - Number Systems and Codes	Module 16 - Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
Module 17 - Digital Logic	Module 17 - SCADA Systems
Module 18 - RTUs & PACs	Module 18 - Advanced Programming Languages
Module 19 - Introduction to Automation	Module 19 - Robotics

Here’s a quick summary of the total number of module exemptions across all programs

Number of Module Exemptions between Programs

Program	ET	EM	RT	AT	PLC	PLC II	EV
ET	x	18	N/A	1	N/A	N/A	3
EM	18	x	1	5	2	1	3
RT	N/A	1	x	5	2	1	1
AT	1	5	5	x	6	8	N/A
PLC	N/A	2	2	6	x	7	N/A
PLC II	N/A	1	1	8	7	x	N/A
EV	6	6	1	N/A	N/A	N/A	x

Have Questions? Let’s Talk.

If you're unsure how your completed modules apply to a new program or want a breakdown of your exemptions and costs, our Program Consultants are here to help. Just reach out by phone at 1-888-553-5333 or email at [email protected] — we’re happy to guide you through your next step.