Industry Certifications                  

ESPA          ETA-International          CEDIA         

The industry is expanding and both homeowners and home technology companies and contractors wish to have a common frame-of-reference that verifies the training and knowledge of technicians. Vendor-neutral certification programs provide a broad base of knowledge, preparing technicians to support the technologies that are in today's multi-vendor computer environments. Having employees that are well-versed on technology helps to achieve higher operational efficiency. Vendor-neutral training programs also provide a solid foundation for advanced, vendor-specific programs, thereby maximizing the training investment in these programs.

Certification Benefits for the technician:

• Proof of his or her professional achievement and knowledge
• A competitive advantage over non-certified technicians
• Clear career path
• Improved job opportunities
• Foundation for additional higher-level certifications

Certification Benefits for the employer and homeowner:

• Enhances business reputation and professionalism
• Verifies skills of job candidates and simplifies recruitment and hiring
• Reduces entry-level training costs
• Improves installation performance and efficiencies
• Increases customer satisfaction, follow-up business and referrals
• Reduces repeat service calls and costs
• Increased competitive advantage over companies without certified technicians

ESPA - Electronic Systems Professional Alliance 

Through a unique collaboration among some of the most respected industry associations and businesses, the Electronic Systems Professional Alliance (ESPA) offers high-quality education and credible certification that is universally recognized as the path to a career in installing, maintaining and upgrading 21st century technology.

C-EST (Certified Electronic Systems Technician)

The ESPA Certified-EST® is an individual who has less than one year of experience and is interested in pursuing a low-voltage career. The ESPA Certified-EST® program applies to many technology career verticals including residential and commercial audio/video, computers, lighting, automation controls, security, alarm, telecom, cable, and satellite sectors. ESPA’s core curriculum covers five key domains: electrical basics; tools; construction methods and materials; wiring and installation practices; and standards, codes, and safety practices. Visit www.espa.org for more details.

ETA-INTERNATIONAL Certification 

With over 30 years of experience, ETA International is proud to offer the RESIDENTIAL ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR (RESI) professional certification for those who design and oversee the installation and integration of electronics systems in residences and light commercial buildings. The objective of the Integrator is to produce a residential or light commercial electronics systems package that will allow all data, control and communication signals to be integrated at the premise controller and converged into one secure cohesive communication stream, to either be used within the premise or to be passed back and forth through the gateway. The Integrator should be proficient in the many protocols used over diverse media to communicate with and control residential and light commercial electronics systems.

Residential Electronics Systems Integrator (Basic)

The BASIC RESI is proficient in the design, installation, and troubleshooting of low-voltage structured wiring systems.  They will plan and oversee the installation of structured low-voltage wiring for cable TV, satellite and antenna outlets, telephone equipment outlets, audio and video entertainment, communication, networking, security, environmental and inventory controls used in residential and light commercial applications. They should be proficient in the skills required for low-voltage wiring installation and troubleshooting. Integrators typically will also be qualified in one or more of the five endorsement specialty areas.  For exam competencies and more information, click here.

RESI Audio/Video (AV) Endorsement

The RESI who holds the AV endorsement will be able to design, install, and configure a residential or light-commercial Audio/Video system and integrate it into the whole premise signals system. The AV will be proficient in:  Speakers, Speaker Cabling, Audio Systems Basics, Surround Sound, Acoustics, Video, Display Devices, Home Theatre Systems, Off-Air Antennas, Cable TV, Distribution Systems, Troubleshooting, Test Equipment and Documentation. The AV should be able to analyze customer needs and using commercially available components design Audio/Video systems to satisfy those needs. For exam competencies and more information, click here. 

RESI Computer Networking (CN) Endorsement

The RESI that holds the Computer Networking endorsement will not only be qualified in LAN and WAN technologies, but will be proficient in the integration of the many protocols used to carry signals in either a residence or the premise of a light commercial enterprise. The protocols will include, but not be limited to:  X-10, Z-Wave, Bluetooth, Home Power Line Alliance, Home Phone Line Alliance, Home RF, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, and IEEE 802.11 TCP/IP. Not only will the CN integrator be able to configure the protocols, but will also be proficient in the hardware and media used to implement them.  They will be able to integrate all signals at the premise controller as well as configure both a home server and gateway. The CN integrator will be able to design, install, and configure a residential or light-commercial network robust enough to allow either local or remote secure access, control and monitoring of all signals generated within a premise. For exam competencies and more information, click here. 

RESI Closed-Circuit (CCTV) Endorsement

The RESI that holds the CCTV endorsement will be qualified in all facets of Closed-Circuit TV designed for residential and light-commercial uses.  The CCTV integrator will be proficient in the installation and operation of: Mounts & Enclosures, Video, Cabling Systems, Protocols, Software, Premise Security, Wireless Basics, Cameras, Recorders, Distribution Systems, Residential Security-Surveillance, System Design, Troubleshooting-Test Equipment, Documentation and Legal Issues. The CCTV integrator will be able to analyze customer needs and, using commercially available components, design a residential or light-commercial Closed-Circuit TV system to satisfy those needs.  They will also be competent in troubleshooting CCTV systems. For exam competencies and more information, click here.

RESI Security/Surveillance (SS) Endorsement

The RESI that holds the Security/Surveillance endorsement will be qualified in all facets of Security/Surveillance systems designed for residential and light-commercial uses.  The SS integrator will be proficient in the installation and operation of:  Residential and light-commercial Security-Surveillance, Systems to include: Temperature, Smoke-ionizing, Motion, Sound, Infrared, Magnetic, and Visible Light Sensors, Network Interfacing, Systems, Software, Wireless Basics, Distribution Systems, System Design, Troubleshooting, Test Equipment, Documentation and Legal Issues. The SS integrator will be able to analyze customer needs and, using commercially available components, design a residential or light commercial Security/Surveillance system. They will also be competent in troubleshooting SS systems. They will be able to integrate all SS signals into the whole premise system for monitoring and control. For exam competencies and more information, click here.

RESI Environmental Control (EC) Endorsement

The RESI that holds the Environmental Control endorsement will be qualified in all facets of Environmental systems designed for residential and light commercial uses.  The EC integrator will be proficient in the installation and operation of: Heating, Lighting, and Air-conditioning Management systems, Sensors & Actuators, System Control, Network Interfacing, Event Recording, Storage, and Retrieval, Inventory Control, RFID.  Water Management Systems for: Lawn Sprinklers, Hot tubs, Swimming Pools and Sump Pumps. The EC integrator will be able to conduct a needs assessment and, using commercially available components, design Environmental systems for residential and light-commercial applications.  They will also be competent in troubleshooting EC systems, along with the ability to integrate all EC signals into the whole premise system for monitoring and control. For exam competencies and more information, click here.

Master Residential Electronics Systems Integrator (RESIma)

The MASTER RESI will be proficient in all of the core RESI skills and knowledge and in planning, designing, overseeing the installation of, and integrating electronic systems used in residential and light commercial applications as well as troubleshooting and debugging the system. The Master RESI is also proficient in the layout for new and existing construction, project management, proposal development, permitting, and ROI calculations.  The MASTER RESI is capable of designing the entire system and network for audio, video, data and control of security and environment to function as one secure integrated system.  For more information, click here.

CEDIA Certification 

Certification from CEDIA, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, establishes detailed, objective standards for the electronic systems professionals working on home theater, audio, video, automation, lighting, environmental control and home network. CEDIA’s intent with certification is to advance the custom electronics industry through the development and maintenance of a valid, credible, and reliable certification system based upon a sound structure and quality standards.

CEDIA Electronic Systems Technician (EST) II

The CEDIA Certified Professional EST II is an individual with at least 12 months of experience who 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 Pre-wire and Trim-out duties and is in training in all other areas. Exam content and more information can be found here. 

CEDIA Electronic Systems Technician III (Advanced EST)

The CEDIA Electronic Systems Technician III, Advanced EST, 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 installations meet the design specifications. The exam covers the technical body of knowledge expected for an employee with approximately five years of experience in this field. Exam content and more information can be found here.

CEDIA Electronics Systems 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. Exam content and more information can be found here.

CEDIA Home Theater Design Specialist

The CEDIA Home Theater Design Specialist (HTDS) Certification is a two-day practicum exam and is only open to existing holders of active CEDIA Designer Certification. It has been designed to test ability to design a home theater room according to a supplied client brief and to the performance standards laid out in the CEDIA Home Theater recommended practices. The test addresses the ability to synthesize and apply existing knowledge. The exam will be in the form of a design exercise where the applicant will be given a total of 12 hours (two six-hour days) to complete the task. Additionally, prospective candidates will be required to pass a pre-test in order to register for the exam. Exam content and more information can be found here.

  Approved Courses for CEU – Continuing Education Units 

Many of our courses and workshops have been approved for CEUs by industry associations.  More Info