CEDIA Overhauls Certification Program to Raise Industry's 'Credibility'

After launching a Cabling and Infrastructure Technician (CIT) certification in January as a starting level for accreditation, CEDIA is developing a next-level certification, Integrated Systems Technician (IST), as part of the CEDIA certification program restructuring, said a May update.

The updated certifications are designed to raise the credibility of the industry and to give integrators a way to be examined and recognized for specific skill sets and commitment to professionalism, CEDIA said. The CIT, in the application stage, is awaiting ANSI/ANAB accreditation under the global ISO/IEC 17024 standard to ensure that the certification program meets high standards of quality and that the exam is fair, valid and reliable, CEDIA said. It is continuing to revamp all certification exams and pathways under the direction of the certification commission to “raise the credibility of the industry as a whole."

More than 20 volunteers are working on the IST exam, due to begin beta testing in September and covering more than 120 knowledge and skill areas within six domains: project processes, infrastructure, equipment installation, communication systems, integrated systems, and system verification and testing, said the organization. The final IST exam will be “the gold standard for integrators,” it said. The test’s 150 questions make it longer than any previous CEDIA certification exam.

Prerequisites for the IST exam are active CIT or Electronic Systems Certified Technician (ESC-T) status. Once launched, the IST will replace the ESC-T as CEDIA’s core technician certification. In addition, CEDIA put in place a new code of conduct agreement for CITs and ISTs, along with a one-year work experience requirement for the IST.

CEDIA’s Networking Specialist certification is also in the early stages of revision, said the group. A committee of integrators, educators and manufacturers is doing a job task analysis to update the list of knowledge and skills most needed for competent job performance in residential networking. A survey will be conducted in summer to validate the framework and update the exam blueprint. Networking Specialist certification, requiring two years’ experience, will cover infrastructure, design, configuration and security.

The IST beta exam will be available at CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis in September. It will also be available via remote proctoring or live at Kryterion testing centers worldwide, said the group. Information on prerequisites, study materials and beta exam sign-up can be found at cedia.net/certification.