Top 10 Board Operator Certifications

Certifications are important to board operators in the job market because they provide proof that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively perform their duties. Certification programs demonstrate that a person is qualified to work as a board operator, and employers are more likely to hire individuals with certifications than those without them. Certifications also show potential employers that the applicant is committed to learning the latest industry trends and staying up-to-date on technology. Additionally, certification programs can help board operators stay competitive in an increasingly saturated job market by providing them with additional credentials that set them apart from other candidates.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Board Operators and explains how they can help to advance a board operator's career.

What are Board Operator Certifications?

Board operator certification is a program designed to help professionals in the radio broadcasting industry become more knowledgeable and competent in their roles as radio station operators. It provides an understanding of the principles and practices of broadcast engineering, such as transmitter operations, studio maintenance, and FCC regulations.

Certification can help by providing a comprehensive overview of the basics of radio technology and operations that are necessary for any successful board operator. This knowledge can then be applied to ensure that broadcasts run smoothly, technical problems are avoided or quickly resolved, and legal requirements are met. Certification also demonstrates to employers that an individual has a strong understanding of the industry and is capable of handling all aspects of operating a station. Finally, it provides an opportunity for board operators to expand their skillset with new techniques, technologies, and trends in the industry.

Pro Tip: Become certified as a board operator to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. Certification shows employers that you have the technical skills needed to operate a sound board, allowing them to trust you with their equipment and audio production. Additionally, certification can also open up new career opportunities in broadcast engineering or audio production.

Related: What does a Board Operator do?

Top 10 Board Operator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Board Operators today.

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2012

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2012 is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to work with the Windows Server 2012 operating system. It validates a candidate’s knowledge of the core features and functionality of Windows Server 2012, as well as their ability to configure, manage, and maintain a Windows Server environment.

The MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification requires passing three exams: 70-410, 70-411, and 70-412. It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all three exams.

To get started on the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification path, individuals must first become certified in Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Networking Fundamentals or have equivalent knowledge. Then they must pass the three required exams for MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification.

The cost of each exam varies by region but is typically around $150 USD per exam. Therefore, the total cost for obtaining the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification is approximately $450 USD.

2. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-leading certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals. It is designed to help them understand, maintain, troubleshoot, install, and configure basic personal computer hardware and operating systems.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). The exams cover a wide range of topics related to PC hardware and software, networking, mobile devices, security, cloud computing, and operational procedures. To become certified, candidates must pass both exams within three years of each other.

To get the CompTIA A+ certification you must first register for the exam at the CompTIA website or through a local testing center. You will then need to study for the exam using textbooks or online resources. After studying you can take the exam at a local testing center or online with proctored services such as ProctorU.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam and which version you choose (Core 1 or Core 2). Generally speaking it costs around $200 per exam or $400 for both exams combined.

3. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-leading certification program that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in the field of networking. This certification is designed to help IT professionals understand the fundamentals of network technologies, configure, manage and troubleshoot networks, and implement network security measures.

The CompTIA Network+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, network security, and network troubleshooting. To obtain the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 720 out of 900 points.

To get CompTIA Network+ certified, you must first purchase a voucher from an authorized testing center or online retailer. The cost for the voucher varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $300 to $400 USD. Once you have purchased the voucher, you can register for the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online via their website.

Once you have passed the exam and received your results, CompTIA will send you your official certificate within two weeks. The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by taking a recertification exam every three years.

4. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Windows Server 2016

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Windows Server 2016 is a certification that validates the ability to implement, manage, maintain and troubleshoot Windows Server 2016. It is intended for IT professionals who have experience in working with Windows Server 2016 and who want to demonstrate their knowledge of the product.

The MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification requires passing two exams: Exam 70-740: Installation, Storage, and Compute with Windows Server 2016 and Exam 70-741: Networking with Windows Server 2016. The exams are designed to test your understanding of the installation, storage, compute, networking and identity features of Windows Server 2016.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification. This includes studying course materials such as books or online courses, taking practice tests, and doing hands-on labs or simulations.

To get certified you must register for an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online through Microsoft's website. You will need to pay the exam fee which is currently $165 USD per exam.

In total it will cost approximately $330 USD to become certified as an MCSA: Windows Server 2016 professional.

5. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Routing & Switching

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Routing & Switching is a professional-level certification from Cisco that validates the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, verify, and troubleshoot local and wide area enterprise networks. The CCNP R&S certification is designed for network engineers who are responsible for the implementation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of enterprise LAN/WAN networks.

The CCNP R&S certification requires three exams: 300-101 ROUTE (Implementing Cisco IP Routing), 300-115 SWITCH (Implementing Cisco IP Switched Networks), and 300-135 TSHOOT (Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks). All three exams must be passed in order to become certified.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete all three exams if you are studying full time. If you are studying part time it can take up to 12 months or more depending on your schedule.

To get the CCNP R&S certification you need to first pass the three exams mentioned above. You can prepare for these exams by taking official Cisco training courses or self-study using books and online resources. Once you have passed all three exams you will receive your CCNP R&S certification from Cisco.

The cost of the CCNP R&S exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200 - $400 per exam.

6. VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Data Center Virtualization

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) Data Center Virtualization is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s technical skills and knowledge in VMware vSphere, the world’s leading virtualization platform. The VCP Data Center Virtualization certification demonstrates proficiency in installing, configuring, managing and troubleshooting vSphere environments. It also proves expertise in deploying and managing virtual machines, storage, networking, high availability and scalability features of vSphere.

The VCP Data Center Virtualization certification is designed for IT professionals who have at least six months of experience working with VMware vSphere technologies. To obtain the certification, individuals must pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of vSphere and another on advanced topics related to vSphere. The exams are offered by Pearson VUE and can be taken at any authorized testing center.

The cost of the VCP Data Center Virtualization certification varies depending on the country you are located in. Generally speaking, it costs around $450 USD to take both exams. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as proctoring fees or travel expenses if you need to go to a testing center that is not local to you.

In terms of time investment, it typically takes between four weeks and three months to prepare for the exams depending on your level of experience with VMware technologies. However, some people may require more time depending on their learning style or existing knowledge base.

7. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of system administrators and other IT professionals who are responsible for deploying, configuring, and managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The RHCSA certification is earned by passing a hands-on, performance-based exam that tests candidates’ knowledge and ability to configure local storage, set up users and groups, manage security, deploy network services, install packages, manage processes, and troubleshoot system issues.

The RHCSA exam typically takes around 2 hours to complete. To obtain the certification, you must pass the RHCSA exam with a score of at least 70%. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location; however it typically ranges from $400-$500 USD. You can find more information about the RHCSA exam and its requirements on Red Hat's website.

8. Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional

Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional (OCP) is a professional certification program for Oracle Database administrators. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who are responsible for managing Oracle databases.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to become an OCP, depending on the individual's experience and study habits. To get certified, individuals must pass two exams: 1Z0-052 Oracle Database 11g Administration I and 1Z0-053 Oracle Database 11g Administration II.

The cost of the exams varies by country, but generally ranges from $150 - $200 USD per exam. The cost of the certification itself is included in the fee for each exam.

9. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to deploy, manage, and operate applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It is designed for individuals who have experience in system administration in a cloud environment and are responsible for managing and operating systems on AWS.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for the exam, depending on your prior experience. To get certified, you need to pass the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can take up to three hours to complete.

The cost of the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam varies from country to country but usually ranges between $150 and $300 USD. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with preparing for the exam such as training courses or practice exams.

10. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the ITIL framework and how it can be used to improve IT service management. It is designed for IT professionals who wish to gain knowledge and best practices in IT service management.

The certification takes approximately 20 hours to complete, depending on the individual's experience with the ITIL framework. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must score 65% or higher.

To get certified, individuals must attend an accredited training course or self-study using official study materials from AXELOS, the organization responsible for managing the ITIL framework. After completing training, individuals can register for the exam online through PeopleCert or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on whether you choose to attend a classroom course or self-study using official materials. Classroom courses typically range from $1,000-$3,000 while self-study materials usually cost around $200-$400. The exam fee is also separate and generally costs around $250-$300 depending on where you take it.

Do You Really Need a Board Operator Certificate?

In some cases, a Board Operator Certificate may be necessary for obtaining a job in the broadcasting industry. This certificate demonstrates that the individual has gained knowledge about the technical aspects of radio and television operations. It is important for employers to know that their employees are well-versed in how to operate broadcasting equipment properly and efficiently.

The requirements for obtaining a Board Operator Certificate can vary from state to state and from country to country. In general, it involves taking courses related to broadcasting technology as well as passing an exam. Some states may require additional experience working with radio or television equipment before issuing the certificate.

For those looking for work in radio or television operations, having a Board Operator Certificate can be beneficial. It is an important credential that shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge needed to run live broadcasts or recordings correctly and safely. Additionally, if you ever decide to move into higher positions such as station manager or producer, having this certification could help make you stand out from other applicants.

Whether or not you need a Board Operator Certificate depends on your specific situation. If you already have experience operating broadcast equipment and are confident in your abilities, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain one. However, if you are new to the field or want to demonstrate your competence more clearly, then obtaining a Board Operator Certificate could be beneficial for both yourself and potential employers.

Related: Board Operator Resume Examples

FAQs About Board Operator Certifications

1. What is a Board Operator Certification?

Answer: A Board Operator Certification is a credential awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the operation of broadcast boards, such as radio and television consoles.

2. How do I obtain a Board Operator Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Board Operator Certification, you must complete an approved course of study or training program that covers topics such as audio engineering, broadcast technologies, FCC regulations, and more.

3. What are the benefits of obtaining a Board Operator Certification?

Answer: Having a Board Operator Certification demonstrates to employers that you possess the necessary technical expertise to work in this field. It can also help you find employment opportunities more easily. Additionally, it provides assurance to clients that they are working with someone who has the proper qualifications for the job.

4. Is there an exam I need to pass in order to receive my certification?

Answer: Yes, you must pass a written exam administered by an approved testing agency in order to receive your certification. The exam will cover topics related to board operation such as audio engineering, broadcast technologies, FCC regulations, and more.

5. How long does my Board Operator Certification remain valid?

Answer: Your Board Operator Certification remains valid for two years from the date of issuance; however, some certifying bodies may require additional continuing education credits in order for it to remain valid beyond the initial two-year period.