Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Formal certification plans match up with the types of training. There are several lev-
els of certification within each plan, and you may or may not need to progress lin-
early from one to another. In several cases, the installer certification levels have been
developed more recently, and no installer precertification may be needed for the
designer level certificate.
The formal certification of cabling technology knowledge is rather like a
diploma from one of the training programs. In many cases, the certification also
implies a certain amount of on-the-job experience as well. Certification is important
as an employment qualification, as well as a testament to prospective clients that
you and your installers have the proper knowledge and training to install the cabling
components properly, thus ensuring the proper level of performance.
In some areas, such training and certification may be required for local licens-
ing and permits.
General-Purpose Certification
General-purpose training usually offers a test-based certification of competence.
These training program certifications are often required by contracts for wiring
jobs. In addition, employers may require a specific certification as a job prerequi-
site, or may offer additional pay and status to employees with these industry certi-
fications. In many ways, the certifications offer the cabling technologist status
similar to that of the certified network engineer in LAN technology.
BICSI offers certification of Apprentice, Installer, Technician, Registered
Communication Distribution Designer (RCDD
®
), RCDD Network Transport
Systems (NTS) Specialist, RCDD/Outside Plant (OSP) Specialist, and RCDD/
Wireless Design (WD) Specialist.
ACP offers similar completion certificates for courses from Installer and
Journeyman to Designer and LAN Specialist, although the only formal program at
present is the Installer designation.
Other general-purpose programs offer a completion certificate as evidence of
completion. The certificate may in some cases be obtained only after an end-of-
course exam is successfully passed. Some college classes offer college credit for the
courses, while others merely offer a completion certificate.
Some of the certification programs, such as those offered by BICSI, require contin-
uing education to maintain the designation. This is similar to the continuing recertifica-
tion requirement of software training. Continuing education requirements recognize the
changing face of wiring technology and the need to stay current in the field.
