Top 10 Control Room Operator Certifications

Certifications for a control room operator are an important part of the job market. They demonstrate to employers that a potential employee is knowledgeable and experienced in the field. Certifications can also provide employers with assurance that an operator has been trained in the most up-to-date protocols and procedures, which can help reduce risk and ensure compliance with industry standards. Additionally, certifications can give employees an edge over their competition when seeking employment. Employers may be more likely to hire someone with a certification rather than someone without one, as it indicates they have taken the time to gain specialized knowledge.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Control Room Operators and explain how they can benefit an operator's career.

What are Control Room Operator Certifications?

Control room operator certification is a type of training and certification program that teaches operators how to safely and effectively manage the operations of a control room. This type of certification helps ensure that all personnel involved in control room operations understands the rules, regulations, and procedures necessary to safely and efficiently run a control room. It also provides employees with the knowledge they need to identify potential hazards and take corrective actions when needed. By having certified operators in place, companies can reduce the risk of accidents or errors occurring in their control rooms. Additionally, having certified operators on staff helps ensure that their operations are compliant with safety regulations, which can help protect the company from liability in case of an accident or error.

Pro Tip: Control Room Operator certification is a great way to increase your credibility and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. Make sure to research the requirements for certification in your country or state, as they may vary depending on where you live. Additionally, look into continuing education opportunities to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices in the industry.

Related: What does a Control Room Operator do?

Top 10 Control Room Operator Certifications

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

1. Control Room Operator Certification (CROC)

Control Room Operator Certification (CROC) is a certification program designed to provide training and certification for individuals who work in control rooms in the energy industry. The CROC program was developed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and is administered by the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA).

The CROC program consists of two parts: an online course and a practical assessment. The online course covers topics such as safety, communication, system operations, problem solving, and decision making. It also includes a review of relevant regulations and standards. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete.

The practical assessment is conducted at an approved testing facility and consists of both written and hands-on tests that are designed to assess the candidate’s knowledge of control room operations. Candidates must pass both parts of the assessment in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CROC program varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $500-$1,000 USD for the entire program.

2. Industrial Control System Security Professional (ICSPP)

Industrial Control System Security Professional (ICSPP) is a certification program developed by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It provides professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to secure industrial control systems. ICSPP is designed to help organizations protect their critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

The ICSPP certification consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam covers topics such as industrial control system security, risk management, network security, cryptography, and authentication. The practical assessment tests the candidate’s ability to apply the concepts learned in the written exam.

The ICSPP certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. To begin, applicants must submit an application form along with payment for the exam fee (currently $495 USD). Once accepted into the program, applicants will receive access to study materials which they can use to prepare for the written exam. After passing the written exam, applicants must then complete the practical assessment within six months of passing the written exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining ICSPP certification includes both the application fee ($495 USD) and any additional fees associated with taking part in training courses or workshops related to industrial control system security topics.

3. Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)

Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) is a certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). The CCST certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of control systems technology and its application.

The CCST certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as process control, instrumentation, system design, and troubleshooting. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 4 hours.

To obtain the CCST certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the field of automation or control systems technology. They must also complete an approved training program or coursework in automation or control systems technology.

The cost for the CCST certification exam varies depending on location and other factors. Generally, it costs between $200 and $400 USD to take the exam.

4. Certified Process Automation Engineer (CPACE)

Certified Process Automation Engineer (CPACE) is a certification program developed by the International Association of Process Automation Professionals (IAPAP). The CPACE certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of process automation engineers. The program focuses on the development and implementation of automated processes for industrial applications such as manufacturing, production, and logistics.

The CPACE certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as process automation principles, control systems design, system integration, programming languages, communication protocols, safety engineering principles, and project management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To become certified as a Process Automation Engineer you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least three years of experience in process automation engineering
• Possess a degree or equivalent in engineering or related field
• Pass the CPACE exam with a score of 80% or higher
• Sign the IAPAP Code of Professional Conduct
• Pay an application fee

The cost for taking the CPACE exam is $450 USD. Once you have successfully passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from IAPAP. This certificate is valid for three years after which time you must renew it by taking another exam.

5. Automation and Control Systems Technician (ACST)

Automation and Control Systems Technician (ACST) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, maintain, and troubleshoot automated control systems. These systems are used in industrial settings to monitor and manage processes such as manufacturing, production, distribution, and other operations. The ACST certification is offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA).

The ACST certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as system design, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, safety procedures, calibration methods, networking fundamentals, and programming. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. To become certified as an ACST technician one must have at least two years of experience in automation or control systems technology.

The cost of the ACST certification exam varies depending on the country you are located in but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally there may be additional costs associated with obtaining study materials or attending preparatory courses prior to taking the exam.

In order to obtain the ACST certification one must first register for the exam online through ISA’s website. After registering for the exam you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to access your online account where you can pay for the exam fee and schedule your test date. Once you have successfully passed the exam you will be issued an official certificate from ISA verifying your ACST technician status.

6. Certified Industrial Control System Auditor (CICSA)

Certified Industrial Control System Auditor (CICSA) is a certification program developed by the International Society of Automation (ISA). The CICSA certification is designed to provide assurance that an individual has the knowledge and experience necessary to audit industrial control systems.

The CICSA program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as industrial control system security, risk assessment, auditing principles, and the ISA/IEC 62443 series of standards. The practical exam requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply the concepts learned in the written exam in an actual audit situation.

To become certified, an individual must pass both exams within two years of each other. The written exam takes approximately four hours to complete, while the practical exam can take up to eight hours.

The cost for taking the CICSA certification exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, it will cost around $500 for both exams combined.

7. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional certification provided by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The CRE certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in reliability engineering. The certification requires an individual to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of reliability engineering, design of experiments, maintenance planning and scheduling, root cause analysis, and failure prevention.

To become a CRE, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. These include having at least five years of work experience in a related field as well as passing an exam. Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam through ASQ's website.

The cost of the CRE exam varies depending on your location and whether or not you are a member of ASQ. In general, it costs around $400-$600 USD to take the exam. The exam itself takes approximately three hours to complete.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CRE certification from ASQ. This certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years by taking continuing education courses or retaking the exam.

8. Programmable Logic Controller Technician Certification (PLCTC)

Programmable Logic Controller Technician Certification (PLCTC) is a certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). The certification provides an industry-recognized credential for individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and program industrial automation systems. It is designed for technicians who work with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and other related industrial control systems.

The PLCTC certification requires applicants to pass a written exam. The exam covers topics such as PLC programming, hardware configuration, troubleshooting techniques, safety procedures, system integration, and communications protocols. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the PLCTC certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience working with industrial automation systems or have completed an approved training program in PLCs. Applicants must also submit proof of their experience or training along with their application.

The cost of the PLCTC certification varies depending on the type of membership you choose with ISA. For non-members, the cost is $350 USD; for members it is $250 USD; and for student members it is $200 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from ISA within 8 weeks after completion of your application process.

9. National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) is a professional certification organization that provides certifications to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform engineering technology tasks. This certification is recognized by employers and organizations throughout the United States as an indication of competency in engineering technology.

NICET offers four levels of certification: Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV. The amount of time it takes to earn each level depends on the individual's experience and education. Generally, it takes about two years to complete all four levels of certification.

To get certified at any level, individuals must pass a written exam that covers topics such as mathematics, engineering principles, safety practices and codes. Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge through practical experience or coursework related to the field they are seeking certification in.

The cost of NICET certification varies depending on the level sought and whether or not an applicant needs to retake any exams. Generally speaking, applicants can expect to pay between $200-$400 for each exam they take.

10. International Society of Automation's Certified Automation Professional (CAP).

The International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Automation Professional (CAP) program is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and experience of automation professionals. This certification is intended for those who have a broad knowledge base in automation and control systems technology, including project management, design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

To become an ISA CAP requires passing an examination that covers a wide range of topics related to automation and control systems. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering areas such as process control, instrumentation and measurement, system integration and networking, safety systems engineering, project management and economics. The exam is administered by Prometric Testing Centers worldwide.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the CAP exam depending on the individual's background in automation and control systems technology. During this time it is recommended that applicants review relevant material from ISA publications or other sources such as textbooks or online resources.

The cost of the CAP exam varies by country but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD. In addition to the exam fee there may be additional costs associated with study materials or preparation courses offered by ISA or other organizations.

In order to maintain their certification status ISA CAPs must earn continuing education credits every three years through activities such as attending conferences or workshops, publishing articles in technical journals, teaching classes or seminars on automation topics, or participating in professional development activities related to their field of expertise.

Do You Really Need a Control Room Operator Certificate?

Whether or not you need a control room operator certificate depends on the specific job you are applying for. If the job description requires it, then it is essential that you have the necessary certification. Otherwise, it may not be necessary.

Control room operators manage and monitor equipment in a variety of settings such as power plants, water treatment plants, and manufacturing facilities. They are responsible for ensuring that all systems are functioning properly and that safety protocols are followed. As such, employers often require control room operators to possess certain certifications in order to ensure they have the knowledge and expertise necessary to safely operate the equipment.

In addition to having an understanding of the equipment being operated, control room operators must also be able to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documents. They must also possess strong problem-solving skills in order to troubleshoot any potential issues with the equipment. Therefore, if a job listing requires these skills or certifications, then obtaining a Control Room Operator Certificate would be beneficial in order to demonstrate your qualifications for the position.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a control room operator certificate depends on what specific job you are applying for and what qualifications it requires. If the job listing states that it is necessary then obtaining one will improve your chances of getting hired for the position.

Related: Control Room Operator Resume Examples

FAQs About Control Room Operator Certifications

1. What is a Control Room Operator Certification?

Answer: A Control Room Operator Certification is a qualification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to safely and effectively operate control room equipment in order to monitor, diagnose, and/or control operations.

2. What skills are required for certification?

Answer: The specific skills required for certification vary based on the type of equipment being operated, however they generally include knowledge of safety protocols, familiarity with automation systems and software, communication abilities, and problem-solving.

3. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified depends on the individual’s experience level and the specific certification requirements established by their employer or regulatory body. Generally speaking, most certifications can be obtained within 6 months to 1 year after completing all necessary training and assessments.

4. What kind of jobs can I get with a Control Room Operator Certification?

Answer: With a Control Room Operator Certification, you may qualify for positions such as power plant operator or technician, process engineer or technician, instrumentation technician, or even a supervisor or manager in related fields.

5. Are there any recertification requirements?

Answer: Yes, depending on the certification program you are enrolled in there may be periodic recertification requirements such as additional training courses or passing an assessment exam in order to maintain your certification status.