IATSE Local 22 Testing Information
Applications are now open for the March 2025 C Test.
All applications must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, March 7, 2025.
The March 2025 C Test will be held at the Kennedy Center Family Theater on March 18th and 19th, 2025.
Read the information below before applying. Then, click here to apply for the March 2025 C Test:
Before The Test
When is the test held?
- The A and B tests occur once a year, usually in August.
- The C test occurs twice a year. The Winter C Test is usually held in February or March. The Summer C Test is usually held in September.
- Test dates are scheduled based on when an appropriate venue is available, so the exact timing is subject to change from year to year.
- The March 2025 C Test will be held at the Kennedy Center Family Theater on March 18th and 19th, 2025.
Who can take the test?
- Any individual who meets the requirements set by the Local 22 Referral Rules and Procedures is eligible to take the test.
- For the A test, seven (7) of the last ten (10) years of experience is required.
- For the B test, four (4) of the last six (6) years of experience is required.
- For the C test, you must have 700 hours performing the work of a stagehand in the territorial jurisdiction of Local 22, and you must have completed the “Introduction to Stagecraft” class offered by Local 22.
- The eligibility and scoring requirements for the test are defined by the IATSE 22 Referral Rules & Procedures. Please familiarize yourself with this information.
How do I apply to take the test?
For 2025, there have been changes to the application process. Read this section even if you have applied to take the test before.
- All test applications are handled through a web form. This form must be submitted by the deadline.
- All applications must use the web form. Applications sent by email will not be accepted.
- You may only apply for one test at a time.
- For the March 2025 C Test, all applications must be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Click the link below to apply for the March 2025 C Test:
How do I submit my Proof of Employment?
For hours worked within the Local 22 referral system:
- If you are sure that you have enough hours within the Referral System, you do not need to attach any additional documentation to your application.
- When your application is processed, hours worked within the Local 22 referral system will be looked up using internal data and automatically counted as qualifying work experience.
For hours worked outside the Local 22 referral system:
- If you wish to submit additional hours from outside the referral system, you must upload them as part of your application form.
- For the C test, any hours from outside the Local 22 referral system must have been completed within the territorial jurisdiction of Local 22.
- For the A and B tests, you may submit hours from any location, as long as they are within the required time frame.
- A Test: within the last 10 years
- B Test: within the last 6 years
- Your documentation must show paid experience doing the work of a stagehand. These documents may include W-2s, pay stubs, benefit summaries, or documentation on letterhead from an employer (which includes your job title and income or hours worked with that company or organization). You may upload as many files as you need.
- If you are submitting hours from outside the referral system, you must upload them each time you apply for a test. Hours submitted for previous testing cycles will not automatically be carried over.
How will I know if my application is approved?
- Updates about the status of your application will be sent by email from testing@iatselocal22.com.
- Eligibility to take the test is determined by the President based on the criteria defined by the Referral Rules. Once your application is processed, you will get an email confirming your eligibility to take the test.
- If it appears that you do not have enough hours to satisfy the eligibility requirements, you will receive an email asking you to upload additional documentation and/or provide an explanation. If you receive this message, please respond as soon as you are able.
- In the event that your application is not approved, you will also be notified by email, including the reason.
What do I need to study?
- Study guides and more information are available at the bottom of this page.
During The Test
Scheduling
When should I show up to take the test?
- Test dates and times are assigned by the office, just like any other work call. It is not possible to request a specific date or time.
- Your test day and time will be assigned after your application is approved. This notification will come though Game Changer, just like a regular work call. Please make sure to respond to the text message when you receive it.
- The testing schedule may be staggered due to a large number of applicants. You will be notified of your testing date and time. Do not assume all testing times are the same.
- Please note that the test has the same status as a work or show call. If, for any reason, you cannot attend the test on the scheduled day or time, you MUST call the Call Stewards or the Business Agent at least two (2) hours before the scheduled test time. If you do not call the Call Stewards or Business Agent by two (2) hours before the start time, you will be subject to disciplinary action by the Union.
- Please show up on time (or slightly early) to your assigned test day and time! Late arrivals will not be permitted to take the test.
How long will it take me to complete the test?
- Testing days can be long, especially for the practical. If a lot of people register, it can take several hours to administer the test, and you will spend time waiting to finish all the practical stations.
- We are always working to improve the process and make test days more efficient. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid wait times and inefficiencies. This is an investment in your career, and we hope you will treat it as such.
For the C Test:
- The written and practical portions of the C test are administered on the same day.
- The C Test takes most individuals between 5 and 7 hours to complete.
- This is not a guarantee, and the test sometimes takes longer than average. It is not possible to guarantee a specific length of time, so please come prepared to spend a full day taking the test.
For the A and B Test:
- For the A and B tests, each test takes place over two separate days. One of those days is the written test; the other is the practical test.
- The written test takes most individuals between 5 and 7 hours to complete.
- The practical test is highly variable depending on how long it takes each individual to complete each section. Sometimes, this causes compounding wait times for the sections which take the longest, and can lead to significant wait times for certain stations. It takes most individuals between 7 and 10 hours to complete.
- It is not possible to guarantee a specific length of time, so please come prepared to spend a full day taking the test.
Are there any breaks?
- Once you have entered the testing area, we cannot let you leave until you have completed the test.
- If you need some time to rest between stations, please inform the Front Desk when you return from a station, and you will be allowed to remain in the waiting area until you are ready for the next one.
- If you would like to step outside for some fresh air, or to smoke, please inform the Front Desk and a proctor will escort you outside for a short break.
What to Expect On Test Day
What should I bring to the test?
- Show up dressed for a work call, and prepared to work. Some stations may take place outside or at height.
- Bring all of your required tools, including your employment verification documents/ID.
- Bring any medication, food, and beverages you need for an all-day event.
- Snacks, coffee, and water will be provided, but you are responsible for bringing a meal if you want one.
- You may bring a book/reading material, a puzzle to solve, or any non-electronic, non-stagecraft-related activities for entertainment while you are in the waiting area between stations.
- If you require reading glasses which you do not typically have at work, please make sure to bring them with you to all test days.
Once you have signed in, you will not be permitted to leave to return to your car for anything you have forgotten.
What should I NOT bring to the test?
If you bring any of the following prohibited items, they must be turned in to the Front Desk when you enter the testing area, and they will be held for you until you complete the test.
- Study and training materials
- Stagecraft-related books, handouts, and other written materials are not permitted.
- Training tools, such as ropes for practicing knots, or practice tie-off pins, are not permitted.
- Phones, smartwatches, tablets/e-readers, and other electronic devices
- You will not be allowed to make or receive phone calls, or send or reply to text messages, during the testing period.
- We can provide you with a phone number for someone at the testing location so you can arrange to be contacted in the event of an emergency. Contact testing@iatselocal22.com to arrange this.
- E-readers are not permitted. However, you may bring a paper book, as long as it is not stagecraft-related.
- Anything that would not normally be permitted at a venue or work call
- Please keep in mind that the Kennedy Center is federal property.
- The Parilla PAC at Montgomery College is Montgomery County Government property.
What is the format of the practical test?
- Each practical test consists of 10 to 12 stations. Each station consists of a series of work activities that are commonly seen in Local 22 venues.
- At each station, you will be asked to independently demonstrate skills as if you are the person in charge, or the most experienced person on site.
- Proctors are able to physically assist with any skills that require a team to accomplish, but you will have to tell them exactly what to do.
- Some practical stations involve working outside or working at height. Please come prepared for a variety of settings.
- Between stations, you will return to a Waiting Area. From there, you will be assigned to the next station when it is available.
- At the practical test, you will be given a Tracking Sheet so you may take notes about the individual stations. You will not be allowed to take this sheet out of the test, but it will be preserved with your scoring sheets and will be available for reference during the review process (more info on this below).
What is the format of the written test?
- The written test has a combination of multiple choice questions, open-form written questions, and photo matching questions.
- Each question is designed to evaluate your knowledge of trade skills, working practices, and referral procedures.
- If the test has questions which require you to do calculations, calculators will be provided.
- Your answer sheet for the test will not have your name on it. Instead, you will be given an identification number which will be recorded separately. This allows each written test to be evaluated fairly and anonymously.
Who evaluates the tests?
Practical Tests
- The practical tests are conducted by Local 22 stagehands who have passed that test before. Anybody who has passed the test can sign up to be a proctor.
- Proctors will provide you with the test instructions, and will evaluate your work once it is complete.
- Proctors follow a script and scoring rubric for each candidate, in order to ensure a fair and consistent process.
- The content and rules for evaluating each section are determined in advance by the Testing Committee.
- Multiple proctors are present at each station to ensure fairness and assist with any multi-person tasks you are asked to demonstrate.
- Proctors also keep track of scores and document what happens at each station, which allows any issues to be reviewed in detail by the Testing Committee.
Written Tests
- The written tests are monitored by Local 22 stagehands who have passed that test before. They are there to monitor the test area and answer any questions you have about the format of the test.
- Written tests are scored anonymously by the Testing Committee. Your name is not associated with the test until after it is graded, in order to ensure fairness.
- This is a standardized test. The answers to all multiple choice and photo matching questions are determined in advance by the Testing Committee.
- All open-form written answers are evaluated anonymously by a panel of multiple Testing Committee members.
Confidentiality Agreement and Academic Dishonesty
- Local 22 takes cheating and academic dishonesty very seriously.
- When you check in for the test, you will be required to complete a Confidentiality Agreement which states that you will not discuss the content of the test with others, both during and after the test.
- The test is designed with various methods for preventing and detecting cheating.
- If you are found to be involved in any academic dishonesty during the testing process, you may be removed from the test and/or your results may be invalidated, and you will be subject to disciplinary action.
- If you witness or become aware of any academic dishonesty, please report it immediately to any of the Officers or Testing Chairs, or by emailing testing@iatselocal22.com.
After The Test
Did I pass?
- Results will be sent to you by email from testing@iatselocal22.com no later than 21 days after the last day of the test.
- The passing grade for all I.A.T.S.E. Local 22 tests is 85% for both sections.
- All persons scoring 85% or higher on both Practical and Written tests will advance to the appropriate level of the referral list.
- A combined score is not allowed, which means a passing score must be achieved separately for both sections.
- Anyone who scores at least 80%, but below 85%, on one or both sections is eligible to file an appeal.
- All test-takers, regardless of score, including those who pass, may make an appointment to review their test and discuss their results, though an appeal cannot be submitted with a score below 80%.
Reviews and Appeals
- If you did not pass the test, but scored 80% or higher on both parts, you may, during your test review, appeal any answer you feel was unfairly marked against you. This is a three-step process:
1. Reviewing and Appealing the test with the President of the Local
- This is the only step that will involve you directly.
- You will meet with the President and go over your test together. During this meeting, you will be able to discuss any questions you have about the test content, and will be able to review your Tracking Sheet from the practical test.
- If you are eligible for appeal and believe that any question was unfairly marked against you, you may make your case during this meeting. Your explanation will be documented and presented anonymously to the Testing Committee in the next step.
2. Review by the Testing Committee
- The Testing Committee meets with the President and reviews all of the appeal issues anonymously at the same time.
- The Testing Committee will then determine whether the argument presented by the test taker is valid.
- The Testing Committee is carefully shielded from knowing whose test they are reviewing. Only the President knows the identity of any test taker making an appeal.
- To preserve the anonymity of the process, this meeting does not occur until the President has been able to meet with everyone submitting an appeal for that test. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee a specific timeline for the resolution of appeals.
3. (Optional) Second Review by the Executive Board
- If the Testing Committee cannot resolve an issue, or you disagree with their decision, you may make an appointment to present your appeal to the Executive Board for resolution.
- This step only involves the President and the Executive Board. The Testing Committee is not part of this step.
- The decision of the Executive Board is final.
- If you did not pass and your scores are below the threshold to allow an appeal, you may still review your test. This is recommended by the Testing Committee.
Questions
What do I need to study?
- A wide variety of stagecraft topics and departments are covered on the test. The exam is a comprehensive evaluation of your knowledge of how to work in many different departments. This includes (but is not limited to) shop and stage carpentry, fly system operation, rigging, audio, video, props, lighting, power distribution, cargo handling, and equipment familiarity, during various phases of a project including load in, tech/rehearsal, show run, and load out.
- These tests do not correspond to a specific curriculum; rather, they are designed to evaluate an individual’s knowledge and skill set as developed by their many years of experience doing the work of a stagehand in various departments, as well as knowledge of working practices within Local 22 venues.
- We recommend that you obtain a copy of the Local 22 Study Guide, available at the links below. These study guides are intended to be a helpful reference, but are not a representation of every single topic that might be found on the test.
- Do not overlook the valuable information available from the people you work with! Ask questions if you have questions. We recommend you seek information about stagecraft techniques and best practices from the office, the officers of the Local, and experienced workers within the referral system. Pay attention to everything happening around you on the job site, and make it a habit to familiarize yourself with any equipment, techniques, and situations that you do not already know about, or that you see done differently than what you are used to.
- There are also many websites related to stagecraft on the internet, including manuals and other technical documentation from equipment manufacturers. These can be a very good source for up-to-date information.
- You should also take advantage of the classes that are given by the IATSE Local 22 Training Fund. Reference documents and other handouts you have received from classes are also a good choice of study material. It is important to note that while every effort is made in these classes to provide accurate and relevant training about professional technical theater, the list of possible topics and techniques that may be part of the test is very broad and is not designed to exactly match the content or scope of the classes.
Study Guides
You can download Study Guides for each of the tests below:
Download C Test Study Guide
Download B Test Study Guide
Download A Test Study Guide
Page Last Updated: Jan 26, 2025 (16:39:39)
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