Which Certification is Right for You?
Jul 25, 2012 4:39 PM
As you look for ways to expand your business and reach new clientele – why not consider what professional certifications can do to establish your company as a partner in home technology solutions. CEDIA Certification is what consumers look for when incorporating technology into their home. Check out the certification and credential options CEDIA currently offers including the new Residential Networking Specialist credential.
CEDIA Certified Professional EST II
The CEDIA Certified Professional EST II is an individual with at least 12 months of experience and wishes to advance their low-voltage career. This person works under the direction of a supervisor, has a firm understanding of what to do and how to do it but not always “why”. This person is assumed to have become proficient at most Prewire and Trim duties and is in training in all other areas. As a result the majority of questions on this exam are “Application” based meaning the candidate will need to be able to “apply” existing knowledge to a specific problem. This person has completed the appropriate Level 200 CEDIA courseware (or equivalent). CEDIA Basic and Advanced Residential Boot Camps are also strongly recommended.
CEDIA Certified Professional EST III (Advanced EST)
The CEDIA Certified Professional EST III is an individual with at least three years of experience and wishes to advance their residential low-voltage career beyond the entry-level EST II exam. The CEDIA Certified Professional Electronic Systems Technician assists in the training and mentoring of new technicians, interacts with others, installs, troubleshoots, calibrates, programs remotes, works with subsystem integration and control, and ensures the installation meets the design specifications. The EST III exam covers the technical body of knowledge expected for an employee with approximately five years of experience in the residential field.
CEDIA Certified Professional Designer
The CEDIA Certified Professional Designer certification is for an individual who communicates with clients and design and installation professionals. Also, a certified designer selects the appropriate products and materials to design individual (integrated) residential systems (including alarm, telephone, cable television, satellite television, data, audio, video, home theatre, HVAC, and lighting control). This person has at least five years of related field experience prior to taking the examination.
CEDIA Residential Networking Specialist
The CEDIA Residential Networking Specialist understands networking fundamentals and infrastructure, is able to design and configure wireless networks, and comprehends networking techniques such as VLANS, QoS, and remote access. This credential tests the technical body of knowledge expected for an employee with approximately two years of networking experience in the residential field. This new credential is curriculum based and does not replace attaining CEDIA certification. It is recommended that industry professionals pass the CEDIA EST II certification before applying for the Residential Networking Specialist credential to ensure a broad knowledge of infrastructure and subsystems.
Exam blueprints, pre-test assessments and additional information on each credential and certification can be found at www.cedia.net/pretest. All certifications and credential exams will be offered at CEDIA EXPO, September 5-8 in Indianapolis. Learn more or register at www.cedia.net/expo. Stay up-to-date on CEDIA EXPO news by following @CEDIA on Twitter or visiting the attendee news section on the CEDIA EXPO website.
