Top 10 Bench Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for a bench technician in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge. They provide employers with an assurance that the technician is qualified to do the job and has the necessary skills and experience. Certification also demonstrates that the technician is committed to staying updated on industry trends and best practices, which is essential for any successful technician. Additionally, certifications can help technicians stand out from other applicants when seeking employment, since having one or more certifications can give them a competitive edge.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Bench Technicians and explain how these certifications can help advance their career.

What are Bench Technician Certifications?

Bench technician certification is an industry-recognized qualification that validates the knowledge and skills of technicians who work on computer hardware at a bench. This certification is designed to demonstrate the technical proficiency of bench technicians, as well as their ability to troubleshoot and repair computer hardware.

Having a bench technician certification can help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs or promotions. It also serves as evidence of the individual’s technical abilities, making them more attractive to employers. Furthermore, having a certified technician on staff may be beneficial for businesses in terms of customer service and assurance of quality workmanship. A certified technician can provide customers with peace of mind that their computer repair needs will be handled by someone with the necessary qualifications and experience.

In addition to providing job security, having a bench technician certification can also lead to higher wages. Many employers are willing to pay a premium for employees who have taken the time to obtain this type of certification, as they know they are getting a qualified professional that can handle complex repairs quickly and efficiently.

Overall, obtaining bench technician certification is an excellent way for tech professionals to advance their career prospects and increase their earning potential.

Pro Tip: When considering bench technician certification, look for programs that are accredited by a professional organization or industry association. This will ensure that the program is up-to-date with the latest industry standards and best practices. Additionally, seek out programs that provide hands-on training to give you the practical experience necessary to become an effective bench technician.

Related: What does a Bench Technician do?

Top 10 Bench Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Bench Technicians today.

1. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals. It is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of computer hardware and software, as well as troubleshooting, networking, security, and other related topics. It is one of the most popular certifications in the IT field and is often required by employers.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams that must be passed in order to obtain the certification: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). The exams cover a range of topics including hardware, networking, mobile devices, security, cloud computing, virtualization, and more.

The exams are offered at approved testing centers around the world. The exams can be taken online or in person. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam and how many times you need to retake it if necessary. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200-$300 USD per exam ($400-$600 total).

In order to maintain your CompTIA A+ certification status you must recertify every three years by either taking an updated version of the exam or completing continuing education credits.

2. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, and manage Microsoft products and technologies. The MCITP certifies an individual’s expertise in the areas of server administration, virtualization, desktop support, database administration, messaging and security.

It typically takes around three months to complete the process of obtaining the MCITP certification. During this time you will need to pass several exams related to the specific technology that you are trying to become certified in. You can find out more about these exams on Microsoft's website.

In order to get the MCITP certification you must first take and pass a series of exams related to your desired technology. Once you have passed all of these exams then you will be awarded with your MCITP certification.

The cost of obtaining your MCITP certification varies depending on which technology you are trying to become certified in. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $200-$500 for each exam that you take and pass.

3. Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT)

The Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) certification is a professional credential offered by Apple Inc. to individuals who demonstrate their expertise in the repair and maintenance of Mac computers. To become an ACMT, candidates must pass two exams: the Apple Service Fundamentals Exam and the Apple Hardware Repair Exam.

The Apple Service Fundamentals Exam is a multiple-choice test that covers basic Mac repair topics such as troubleshooting, safety, tools, and documentation. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $150 USD.

The Apple Hardware Repair Exam focuses on more advanced topics such as hardware diagnostics, repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. This exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $300 USD.

In order to become certified as an ACMT, both exams must be passed with a score of at least 80%. The total cost for both exams is $450 USD. It typically takes around one month to prepare for both exams and receive the certification once they are completed successfully.

4. Dell Certified Systems Expert (DCSE)

Dell Certified Systems Expert (DCSE) is a certification program from Dell that validates an individual's expertise in deploying and managing Dell enterprise products. It is designed to demonstrate the individual’s understanding of Dell enterprise products, technologies, and solutions, as well as their ability to configure, deploy, manage and troubleshoot these products. The DCSE certification is available for both technical professionals and sales professionals who work with Dell enterprise solutions.

The DCSE certification requires candidates to pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of Dell enterprise solutions and another on a specific technology or solution. The fundamentals exam covers topics such as system architecture, storage technologies, networking technologies, server virtualization and cloud computing. The technology-specific exam focuses on the candidate's knowledge of a particular product or solution from Dell.

It typically takes between 4-6 months to complete the DCSE certification program depending on how quickly you can study for the exams. To get started with the DCSE program you will need to register for it online at Dell’s website. Once registered you can access the training materials that are provided by Dell which include courseware, practice tests and other resources that will help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of obtaining your DCSE certification varies depending on which country you are located in but generally ranges from $200-$500 USD per exam.

5. HP Accredited Technical Associate (HPATA)

HP Accredited Technical Associate (HPATA) is an online certification program offered by Hewlett Packard Enterprise. It is designed to equip IT professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to install, configure, and troubleshoot HPE products. The program consists of two courses: HPE Product Foundations and HPE Networking Solutions.

The HPATA program takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s prior knowledge and experience. To get certified, individuals must pass both courses with a score of 80% or higher.

To get started, individuals must register for the program on the HPATC website. Registration costs $99 USD and includes access to both courses as well as a one-year subscription to the HPATC Learning Center which provides additional resources for learning and practice exams.

Once registered, individuals can begin their studies at their own pace. Upon successful completion of both courses, they will receive their official HPATA certificate from Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

6. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's knowledge of networking fundamentals, routing and switching protocols, and Cisco technologies. It is one of the most popular certifications in the IT industry and is widely recognized as a benchmark for entry-level network engineers.

The CCNA certification requires passing two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices 2). Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions.

It usually takes around six months to prepare for the CCNA exam. This includes studying course material, attending classes, taking practice tests, and completing hands-on labs.

To get the CCNA certification, you must pass both ICND1 and ICND2 exams with a score of at least 80%. You can take either exam first, but it is recommended that you take them in order.

The cost of the CCNA certification varies depending on where you take it. The cost of the two exams combined is $325 USD when taken at a Pearson VUE center or through an authorized training partner.

7. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills in networking technologies. It validates the ability to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. CompTIA Network+ is accredited by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to show compliance with the ISO/IEC 17024 standard.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam. However, this timeline can vary depending on an individual’s experience level and study habits. To get certified, you must pass the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-007). The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on your location and the testing center you choose. Generally, it costs between $300-$400 USD. Additionally, some training providers offer discounted rates or bundled packages that include both training materials and exams at a reduced rate.

8. CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in the field of network security. It is a globally accepted, vendor-neutral certification that proves competence in system security, network infrastructure, access control, cryptography, and organizational security.

The CompTIA Security+ exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions and takes up to 90 minutes to complete. The passing score for the exam is 750 out of 900 points.

To obtain the Security+ certification, candidates must pass a single exam (SY0-501). The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Certiport testing center.

The cost of the CompTIA Security+ exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $320 to $400 USD.

9. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program from Microsoft that recognizes IT professionals who demonstrate their expertise in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who want to stay ahead of the technology curve and demonstrate their knowledge in the latest Microsoft products and services.

To become an MCSE, you must pass one or more exams related to the technology you plan to specialize in. These exams cover topics such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server, SharePoint, System Center, Office 365, Azure, and other related technologies. The number of exams required depends on which technology track you choose.

The time it takes to get an MCSE certification varies depending on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year or more to complete all the requirements for an MCSE certification.

To get an MCSE certification, you must first meet certain prerequisites such as having two years of experience working with relevant Microsoft technologies or having passed certain prerequisite certifications. You will then need to register for and pass one or more exams related to the technology track you are pursuing. Once all requirements have been met, you will receive your official MCSE certificate from Microsoft.

The cost of getting an MCSE certification varies depending on which technology track you choose and how many exams you need to take. Each exam costs around $165 USD plus any applicable taxes and fees.

10. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program offered by VMware that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in virtualization technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware vSphere environments.

In order to become VCP certified, individuals must first complete a VMware-authorized training course and then pass the VCP exam. The length of the course varies depending on the type of training taken, but typically takes between two to five days to complete.

Once the course has been completed, individuals can register for the VCP exam through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam varies depending on which version of VCP is being taken; however, it typically costs around $250 USD.

Once the exam has been passed, individuals will be awarded with a VCP certification that is valid for two years from the date of completion. After two years, individuals must recertify by taking another authorized training course and passing a new version of the VCP exam in order to maintain their certification status.

Do You Really Need a Bench Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals and the industry in which you are seeking employment. Generally speaking, a Bench Technician Certificate can provide increased job opportunities and higher wages. It can also demonstrate a level of technical proficiency that many employers look for when hiring bench technicians.

For some people, earning a Bench Technician Certificate may not be necessary if they already have substantial experience with related technology or experience working in the same type of role. However, for those who are just beginning their career as a bench technician or who have limited experience, obtaining a certificate may be the best way to stand out from other applicants and show potential employers that they have the knowledge and skills required to perform at a high level.

In addition to demonstrating competency in specific skills and technologies, having a Bench Technician Certificate can also open up additional career paths and advancement opportunities. By showing employers that you are serious about your profession and willing to invest in yourself, you will likely become more attractive to employers looking for qualified candidates.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Bench Technician Certificate depends on your own individual situation and goals. If you are serious about pursuing this profession and want to maximize your chances of success, then it is likely worth investing in obtaining one.

Related: Bench Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Bench Technician Certifications

1. What are the requirements for becoming a certified bench technician?

Answer: Generally, the requirements for becoming a certified bench technician vary by certifying organization, but they typically include having relevant work experience and passing an exam.

2. What are the benefits of becoming a certified bench technician?

Answer: Becoming a certified bench technician can help you stand out among other job applicants, demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the field, and increase your earning potential.

3. What types of exams do I need to take to become a certified bench technician?

Answer: The type of exam required will depend on which certifying organization you choose. Typically, exams may include topics such as electrical theory, safety practices, diagnostic procedures, repair techniques, and more.

4. How long is a bench technician certification valid?

Answer: Depending on the certifying organization, a bench technician certification may be valid for one to three years before needing to be renewed.

5. How much does it cost to become a certified bench technician?

Answer: Fees vary depending on the certifying organization and any additional materials or services required (such as study materials). Generally speaking, however, most certification programs range from $100-$500 USD.