Top 11 CAD Draftsman Certifications

Certifications for a cad draftsman are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency that employers look for when hiring. By obtaining certifications, a cad draftsman can prove to potential employers that he or she has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively complete drafting tasks. Additionally, certifications help differentiate one candidate from another, making it easier for employers to select the most qualified individual for the job. Certifications also provide an opportunity for cad draftsmen to stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements, which can help them remain competitive in the job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for CAD Draftsmans, and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are CAD Draftsman Certifications?

Cad Draftsman Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with an opportunity to demonstrate their technical knowledge and expertise in computer-aided design (CAD) drafting. This certification can help individuals become more marketable as it provides employers with confidence that the individual has a basic understanding of CAD technology, software, and processes.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can stand out in the job market by demonstrating their proficiency in CAD software and its related processes. The certification also allows them to prove their skillset to potential employers. This is especially useful for those who are looking to advance their career or move into higher-level positions.

The Cad Draftsman Certification program is designed to provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how to use CAD software efficiently and effectively in order to produce quality drawings. It covers topics such as 2D/3D modeling, designing, drawing, editing, presentation techniques, and more. Individuals must pass an exam in order to obtain the certification.

Overall, Cad Draftsman Certification can be very beneficial for those looking to gain recognition for their technical skills and expertise in the field of CAD drafting. It can open up new opportunities for advancement within the industry and help individuals become more competitive applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the various certifications offered by different organizations in order to find the one that best fits your career goals. Consider the requirements, costs and expected outcomes of each certification before deciding which one is right for you.

Related: What does a CAD Draftsman do?

Top 11 CAD Draftsman Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to CAD Draftsmans today.

1. Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP)

Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) is a certification program offered by Autodesk, Inc., a leading provider of 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software. The ACP program is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using Autodesk products. It is intended for professionals who use Autodesk products on a daily basis and are looking to validate their skills and knowledge with an industry-recognized credential.

It typically takes about one month to complete the ACP certification process. To get certified, you must first register for the exam through the Autodesk website. Once registered, you will need to pass an online assessment that covers topics such as product features and functions, product customization, workflow optimization, troubleshooting techniques, and more. After passing the assessment, you will be eligible to take the final exam at an authorized testing center.

The cost of the ACP certification varies depending on which Autodesk product you are certifying in. Generally speaking, it can range from $100-$200 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam at an authorized testing center or purchasing study materials to help prepare for the exam.

2. Autodesk Certified User (ACU)

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the skills of users of Autodesk software. This certification is designed to demonstrate that individuals have a fundamental understanding of the Autodesk software and are able to use it effectively in their daily work.

The ACU certification is available for a variety of different Autodesk products, including AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, 3ds Max, Fusion 360 and more. The certification consists of a one-hour online assessment with multiple-choice questions covering topics such as product features and functions, design techniques, workflow processes and project management.

Getting certified typically takes about two weeks from start to finish. To get started, you will need to purchase an ACU exam voucher from either the Autodesk website or an authorized reseller. After purchasing the voucher, you will be given instructions on how to register for the exam and access your online assessment.

The cost of an ACU exam voucher varies depending on which product you are certifying in but typically ranges from $100 - $200 USD.

3. Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD (ACP-ACAD)

Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD (ACP-ACAD) is an industry-recognized certification for professionals who demonstrate expertise in the use of Autodesk’s AutoCAD software. It is a comprehensive credential that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced AutoCAD users.

The ACP-ACAD exam takes approximately two hours to complete and covers topics such as drafting, design, 3D modeling, printing, plotting, and customization. The exam is administered by Autodesk at authorized testing centers around the world.

To become certified, you must first register with Autodesk and purchase a voucher to take the exam. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your location and can range from $150 to $200 USD. Once you have purchased the voucher, you will be able to schedule your exam at an authorized testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Autodesk acknowledging your achievement as an Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD (ACP-ACAD). This certificate will serve as proof of your expertise in using AutoCAD software and can help open doors for job opportunities or promotions within your current organization.

4. Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit (ACP-REVIT)

Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit (ACP-REVIT) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the use of Autodesk Revit software. The program provides a way for employers and customers to identify professionals who possess the skills needed to successfully create, manage, and deliver projects using Autodesk Revit.

The ACP-REVIT certification requires passing an exam that tests knowledge of the features and functions of Autodesk Revit. The exam covers topics such as project setup, design development, documentation, collaboration, and analysis. It also tests knowledge of tools used to create 3D models and generate drawings from those models.

It typically takes around 4-6 months to prepare for the ACP-REVIT certification exam. This includes studying course materials provided by Autodesk or other sources, attending training courses or workshops, completing practice exams, and gaining hands-on experience with the software.

To get certified as an ACP-REVIT professional you must register for the exam with Autodesk and pass it with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from Autodesk confirming your status as an ACP-REVIT professional.

The cost of taking the ACP-REVIT certification exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

5. Autodesk Certified Professional in Inventor (ACP-INVENTOR)

Autodesk Certified Professional in Inventor (ACP-INVENTOR) is a certification program that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated advanced skills and knowledge in Autodesk Inventor software. This certification is designed to validate the user’s ability to design, analyze, and present 3D models using Autodesk Inventor.

The ACP-INVENTOR certification requires passing two exams: the Autodesk Certified Professional for Inventor Exam and the Autodesk Certified User for Inventor Exam. The first exam focuses on core concepts such as sketching, part modeling, assembly modeling, detailing, drawing production, and presentation techniques. The second exam focuses on advanced topics such as sheet metal design, weldments, simulation tools, data management tools, and rendering tools.

It typically takes about 40 hours of study time to prepare for the ACP-INVENTOR certification exams. Preparation materials are available from Autodesk or from third-party providers such as Certiport or Prometric.

The cost of the ACP-INVENTOR certification varies depending on which provider you use to take the exams. The cost of taking both exams through Certiport is $250 USD while the cost of taking both exams through Prometric is $300 USD.

6. Autodesk Certified User in AutoCAD (ACU-ACAD)

Autodesk Certified User in AutoCAD (ACU-ACAD) is an entry-level certification program designed to validate the skills of users who are new to AutoCAD. It is a digital badge that verifies a user’s basic knowledge of AutoCAD software and its features. It demonstrates proficiency in creating, editing, and printing drawings using the software.

The certification process typically takes around one hour to complete. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions covering topics such as drawing setup, working with objects, layers, dimensioning, plotting, and more. The exam must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get certified, you must register for the ACU-ACAD exam on Autodesk's website. The cost of the exam is $75 USD. Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive instructions on how to access it online and begin your preparation for the test.

Once you have passed the exam and received your digital badge, you can share it with employers or use it to demonstrate your proficiency in AutoCAD software to potential employers or clients.

7. Autodesk Certified User in Revit (ACU-REVIT)

Autodesk Certified User in Revit (ACU-REVIT) is a certification program offered by Autodesk that certifies users of Autodesk Revit software as having the skills and knowledge necessary to create 3D architectural designs. It is designed for professionals who are new to the software, or those who want to demonstrate their proficiency in using it.

The ACU-REVIT certification requires passing an online exam that assesses your understanding of the features and functions of Autodesk Revit. The exam consists of 50 questions and takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

In order to take the ACU-REVIT exam, you must first register with Autodesk and purchase an exam voucher. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on where you live, but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD. You can purchase an exam voucher through Autodesk's website or through a third-party provider such as Certiport.

Once you have purchased your exam voucher, you will be able to schedule your test at any authorized Certiport testing center near you. After successfully completing the test, you will receive your official ACU-REVIT certification from Autodesk within 7-10 business days.

8. Autodesk Certified User in Inventor (ACU-INVENTOR)

Autodesk Certified User in Inventor (ACU-INVENTOR) is a certification program offered by Autodesk that validates the skills of users who have achieved a certain level of proficiency with Autodesk Inventor software. It is designed to help employers and educators verify an individual’s ability to use Autodesk Inventor, which is a 3D mechanical design software used for product development.

It takes approximately two hours to complete the ACU-INVENTOR exam. The exam consists of 25 multiple choice questions that test your understanding of the basic concepts and tools within Autodesk Inventor. To become certified, you must score at least 80% on the exam.

To get started, you will need to create an Autodesk account and purchase an ACU-INVENTOR voucher from the Autodesk Store. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can register for the ACU-INVENTOR exam through Pearson VUE, which is an online testing platform. After registering for the exam, you will receive instructions on how to access the exam and complete it within two hours.

The cost of the ACU-INVENTOR voucher varies depending on where it is purchased; however, it typically costs around $100 USD.

9. SolidWorks Associate Certification

SolidWorks Associate Certification is a certification program offered by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the SolidWorks 3D CAD software. The certification is available for both the Standard and Professional versions of the software.

The certification consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on assessment. The online exam tests your knowledge of the basics of SolidWorks, such as its user interface, basic modeling techniques, assembly design, drawing creation, and analysis tools. The hands-on assessment requires you to complete several tasks using SolidWorks in a timed environment.

The entire process typically takes about 10 hours to complete. First, you must register for the certification program on the SolidWorks website and pay the associated fee (currently $150). Then you will be given access to an online course that will prepare you for the exams. Once you have completed the course material, you can take the online exam at any time convenient for you. After passing the online exam, you will be invited to take part in a hands-on assessment at one of Dassault Systèmes' authorized training centers or partner locations around the world.

Once both parts of the certification are successfully completed, you will receive your official SolidWorks Associate Certificate from Dassault Systèmes. This certificate is valid for three years from date of issue and can be used as proof of your proficiency with SolidWorks software in job applications or other professional settings.

10. SolidWorks Professional Certification

SolidWorks Professional Certification is a professional certification program that is designed to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in the use of SolidWorks software. It is offered by Dassault Systèmes, the company behind SolidWorks. The certification verifies that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to design and analyze complex 3D models using SolidWorks.

The certification process typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete, depending on your level of experience with SolidWorks. To get certified, you must first register for the exam through the SolidWorks website. You will then be given access to a practice exam and a tutorial video to help prepare you for the test. Once you have completed these two steps, you can schedule an appointment at a local testing center and take the exam.

The cost of the certification varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $200-$400 USD. This includes both the cost of taking the exam and any additional fees associated with registering for it or scheduling an appointment at a testing center.

11. SOLIDWORKS Expert Certification

SOLIDWORKS Expert Certification is a professional certification program offered by SOLIDWORKS, a leader in 3D CAD software. It is designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced SOLIDWORKS users who have mastered the advanced features and functions of the software. The certification is valid for three years and requires an annual renewal fee to maintain certification status.

To become a SOLIDWORKS Expert, you must first pass two exams: CSWA (Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate) and CSWP (Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional). Both exams are administered by Dassault Systèmes Certification Services. The CSWA exam focuses on basic design principles and concepts, while the CSWP exam tests your ability to use advanced features of the software such as assemblies, drawings, surfacing, mold design, sheet metal design, and more.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your official certificate from Dassault Systèmes Certification Services. You will also be added to their online database of certified professionals which can be used by employers when searching for qualified candidates.

The cost of the certification process varies depending on where you take the exams but typically ranges from $200-400 USD per exam.

Do You Really Need a CAD Draftsman Certificate?

The short answer is, it depends. While having a CAD Draftsman Certificate can be beneficial to those who are looking to get into the field of drafting, it may not be necessary for everyone. It depends on the type of job you’re applying for and the employer’s requirements.

For instance, if you’re applying for a job as an architectural drafter or mechanical drafter, a CAD Draftsman Certificate could help demonstrate your knowledge and skills in areas such as creating blueprints and schematics, using 3D modeling software, and understanding drafting standards. Having this certificate could also show potential employers that you have taken the initiative to learn more about the field and gain additional qualifications.

On the other hand, if you’re applying for a job that doesn’t require any specific qualifications related to drafting or CAD software, then a CAD Draftsman Certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, employers typically look at experience and practical skills when considering applicants, rather than certifications or qualifications.

Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of job you are looking for and what qualifications are required by the employer. If they specify that they want someone with a CAD Draftsman Certificate or some other form of qualification related to drafting or CAD software then having one may give you an edge over other applicants. However, if they don’t specifically mention this requirement then it may not be necessary.

Related: CAD Draftsman Resume Examples

FAQs About CAD Draftsman Certifications

1. What is a CAD Draftsman Certification?

Answer: A CAD Draftsman Certification is a professional certification that verifies a person’s ability to use computer-aided drafting (CAD) software tools to create technical drawings and designs.

2. What are the benefits of getting a CAD Draftsman Certification?

Answer: Obtaining a CAD Draftsman Certification demonstrates proficiency in using industry-standard software and can lead to career opportunities and higher wages. It also provides recognition from employers, peers, and customers that an individual has the skills necessary to produce quality work in the field of drafting.

3. How do I become certified as a CAD Draftsman?

Answer: Becoming certified as a CAD Draftsman typically involves completing courses or programs offered by educational institutions, trade schools, or certifying bodies. After completing the required coursework, individuals must pass an examination to receive their certification.

4. How long does it take to get a CAD Draftsman Certification?

Answer: The amount of time needed for certification varies depending on the institution offering the program and how much time an individual is able to dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally, it takes between six months and one year of study before taking the exam to achieve certification.

5. Is there any continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require continuing education credits in order for individuals to maintain their certifications over time. This may include attending seminars or workshops related to CAD draftsmen topics or taking additional online classes or exams in order to stay up-to-date with industry standards and technologies.