Top 10 Craftsman Certifications

Certifications are important for a craftsman in the job market because they provide evidence of a craftsman’s knowledge and expertise in their field. They are also important because they show potential employers that the craftsman is committed to their career and has invested time and money into furthering their professional development. Certifications can also give a craftsman an edge over other applicants who may not have them, and can open up new job opportunities or increase the likelihood of being hired for a particular job. Finally, certifications can be used to demonstrate continued competence and can help keep a craftsman’s skills up-to-date so that they remain competitive in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to examine the various certifications available to Craftsmen and provide insight into how they can help advance their career.

What are Craftsman Certifications?

Craftsman certification is a form of professional certification that verifies an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities in a particular trade or craft. This type of certification is typically earned through a combination of work experience and training, and requires the completion of an exam or series of tests. By obtaining craftsman certification, individuals can demonstrate their competency in the trade to potential employers and customers.

Having a craftsman certification can help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs. Employers are often more confident in hiring someone with a recognized credential as it indicates that they have met specific standards for their trade. Additionally, having this type of certification can increase earning potential as it demonstrates expertise in the field. Those with craftsman certifications may also have access to specialized job opportunities that require these credentials. Lastly, having this type of credential can provide individuals with greater job satisfaction as they are able to show others their commitment to their profession.

Pro Tip: If you are looking to become a certified craftsman, make sure to research the credentials and certifications offered by different organizations. It is important to know what type of certification is required for your particular field of craftsmanship and to ensure that the organization offering the certification is reputable.

Related: What does a Craftsman do?

Top 10 Craftsman Certifications

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

1. Craftsman Certified Automotive Technician

Craftsman Certified Automotive Technician is a certification program offered by Craftsman, an American tool and equipment brand. It is designed to recognize the professional automotive technician who has achieved excellence in their field. The certification program is based on a comprehensive set of standards that measure technical knowledge and skill levels.

To become a Craftsman Certified Automotive Technician, individuals must pass a series of tests and assessments covering all aspects of automotive repair and maintenance. This includes engine diagnosis and repair, electrical systems, brakes, steering and suspension systems, heating and air conditioning systems, fuel systems, exhaust systems, transmissions, drivetrain components and more.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To get started, applicants must first register with Craftsman for the program. Once registered, they will be given access to online study materials as well as practice tests to help them prepare for the exams. Applicants must then take two written exams (one on general automotive topics and one on specific areas of expertise) as well as a hands-on practical exam. Upon successful completion of all three exams, applicants will receive their Craftsman Certified Automotive Technician certificate.

The cost of registering for the program varies depending on the type of package chosen but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

2. Craftsman Certified Small Engine Repair Technician

Craftsman Certified Small Engine Repair Technician is a certification program offered by Craftsman that allows technicians to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in small engine repair. The program covers topics such as engine diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of two-stroke and four-stroke engines. It also covers topics related to fuel systems, electrical systems, and other components of small engines.

The certification process requires technicians to pass an online exam that consists of multiple choice questions. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and must be passed with a score of 70% or higher. Once the exam is completed, the technician will receive their Craftsman Certified Small Engine Repair Technician certificate.

To get certified as a Craftsman Certified Small Engine Repair Technician, one must first register for the program on the Craftsman website. Registration costs $99 USD and includes access to study materials and practice exams. After registering, technicians can then schedule an appointment to take the online exam at any authorized testing center.

The cost of taking the exam is $95 USD per attempt. Upon successful completion of the exam, technicians will receive their certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks after passing the test.

3. Craftsman Certified Woodworking Technician

Craftsman Certified Woodworking Technician is a certification program offered by the Craftsman Certification Institute (CCI). The program is designed to provide woodworkers with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the woodworking industry. It covers topics such as design, joinery, finishing, safety, and more.

To become a Craftsman Certified Woodworking Technician, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge of the craftsmanship techniques used in woodworking. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To prepare for the exam, you can take an online course or attend a workshop offered by CCI.

The cost of becoming a Craftsman Certified Woodworking Technician varies depending on which type of certification you are pursuing. For example, if you are seeking a basic certification, it will cost around $300 USD; however, if you are seeking an advanced certification, it could cost up to $1000 USD.

Once you have passed the exam and paid the associated fees, you will receive your certificate and be officially recognized as a Craftsman Certified Woodworking Technician. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed upon completion of continuing education credits.

4. Craftsman Certified Plumbing Technician

Craftsman Certified Plumbing Technician (CCPT) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the plumbing trade. This certification is offered by Craftsman, an organization dedicated to providing training and certifications for skilled tradespeople.

To become a CCPT, individuals must first complete an approved apprenticeship program or equivalent amount of on-the-job experience. Once the required training has been completed, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam covering all aspects of the plumbing trade. The exam consists of both written and practical components and covers topics such as plumbing codes, installation techniques, troubleshooting, safety practices, and more.

The cost of becoming a CCPT varies depending on the specific requirements of each individual's apprenticeship program or experience level. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $400 to $1,000.

Once certified, CCPTs are expected to maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses every two years. This ensures that they stay up to date with the latest industry trends and best practices in order to provide quality service to their customers.

5. Craftsman Certified HVAC/R Technician

Craftsman Certified HVAC/R Technician is a certification program offered by Craftsman, a leading provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. The program is designed to ensure that technicians have the knowledge and skills necessary to properly install, maintain and repair HVAC/R systems.

The Craftsman Certified HVAC/R Technician certification requires successful completion of an online training course. The course covers topics such as basic electricity, refrigeration principles, system components and safety procedures. Upon completion of the course, technicians must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The online training course takes approximately 20 hours to complete. Technicians can complete the course at their own pace and in their own time frame.

To get certified as a Craftsman Certified HVAC/R Technician, you must first purchase the online training course from Craftsman's website for $299 USD. After completing the course, you will take an exam which costs an additional $150 USD. If you pass the exam, you will receive your certification within 7-10 business days.

Overall, it costs $449 USD to become a Craftsman Certified HVAC/R Technician.

6. Craftsman Certified Electrical Technician

Craftsman Certified Electrical Technician (CCET) is a certification program offered by the Craftsman Institute. It is designed to provide professional electrical technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical systems in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

To become certified as a CCET, individuals must complete an online course that covers topics such as basic electricity theory, electrical safety practices, wiring methods, installation techniques, troubleshooting strategies, and more. The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete.

Once the course has been completed successfully, individuals must take an exam to demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the course. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through the Craftsman Institute website.

The cost of becoming a CCET varies depending on where you take your exam. Generally speaking, it costs between $150-$200 for the course materials plus any applicable testing fees.

7. Craftsman Certified Appliance Repair Technician

Craftsman Certified Appliance Repair Technician (CCART) is a certification program offered by the Craftsman Institute. The program provides technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly diagnose, repair, and maintain household appliances.

The CCART program consists of two parts: an online course and a hands-on training session. The online course covers topics such as appliance troubleshooting, safety practices, electrical fundamentals, and more. The hands-on training session includes practical exercises and demonstrations that allow technicians to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CCART program. To get certified, applicants must first register for the program through the Craftsman Institute website. After registering, they will receive access to the online course material and have up to six months to complete it. Once they have completed the online course, they can schedule their hands-on training session at one of the Craftsman Institute's approved locations.

The cost of becoming a Craftsman Certified Appliance Repair Technician varies depending on where you take your training session. Generally speaking, it costs around $600-$800 for both parts of the program (online course + hands-on training).

8. Craftsman Certified Metal Working Technician

Craftsman Certified Metal Working Technician is a certification program developed by Craftsman, a leading manufacturer of tools and equipment. It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in metal working techniques. The certification requires successful completion of an online assessment, as well as hands-on training and experience in the field.

It typically takes about three months to complete the program and become certified. During this time, participants must complete the online assessment, attend at least two days of hands-on training, and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. After completing these requirements, participants will receive their official Craftsman Certified Metal Working Technician certificate.

To get started with the program, interested individuals should contact Craftsman directly or visit their website for more information on how to apply and register for the program. The cost of the program varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

9. Craftsman Certified Masonry and Concrete Finisher

Craftsman Certified Masonry and Concrete Finisher is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the skills required for successful masonry and concrete finishing. The program is offered by Craftsman Certification, Inc., an independent, non-profit organization that provides training and certification services to the construction industry.

To become Craftsman Certified Masonry and Concrete Finisher, individuals must complete a series of courses and assessments. The program consists of three levels: Level 1 (Foundation), Level 2 (Intermediate) and Level 3 (Advanced). Each level requires a minimum of 40 hours of instruction and hands-on training in masonry and concrete finishing techniques. Upon successful completion of all three levels, participants will receive their Craftsman Certification Masonry and Concrete Finisher Certificate.

The cost for the program varies depending on the individual’s location, but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD. This includes all course materials, assessments, instructor fees, as well as the certificate itself.

In order to register for the program, individuals must submit an application form along with payment information to Craftsman Certification Inc. Once accepted into the program, participants will be provided with further instructions on how to access course materials online or through traditional classroom instruction.

Overall, it typically takes between six months to one year to complete all three levels of the Craftsman Certified Masonry and Concrete Finisher Program depending on an individual’s availability for study time.

10. Craftsman Certified Landscaping and Gardening Technician

Craftsman Certified Landscaping and Gardening Technician is a certification program offered by Craftsman that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the areas of landscaping and gardening. The program covers topics such as plant selection and identification, soil preparation, irrigation systems, landscape design, pest control, and more.

The program consists of an online course that takes approximately 8 hours to complete. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass an exam with a score of at least 80%. Upon successful completion of the exam, participants will receive their Craftsman Certified Landscaping and Gardening Technician certification.

To get the certification, you must first register for the online course at Craftsman's website. The cost for the course is $295. After completing the course and passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your Craftsman Certified Landscaping and Gardening Technician certification.

Do You Really Need a Craftsman Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Craftsman Certificate depends on what you plan to do with it. A Craftsman Certificate is an official document that certifies you have achieved a certain level of proficiency in a particular craft or trade. It is generally issued by organizations such as trade schools, apprenticeship programs, and professional associations that are focused on the specific craft or trade.

The main purpose of having a Craftsman Certificate is to demonstrate your skill and knowledge in the field of your chosen craft or trade. It can be used to show potential employers or clients that you have the necessary training and experience to work in the area, thereby increasing your chances of employment or contracting opportunities. In addition, some employers may even require applicants to hold a valid Craftsman Certificate before they will consider them for employment.

For individuals who plan on entering into a career in their chosen craft or trade, having a Craftsman Certificate can be invaluable. Not only will it demonstrate your proficiency and commitment, but it could also open doors to better job opportunities and higher pay rates. For those who simply want to pursue their hobby, there may not be any need for one as long as they are comfortable with their skill level and do not plan on making money from it.

In conclusion, whether you need a Craftsman Certificate depends on what you want to use it for. For those looking for professional opportunities in their chosen field, having one can be extremely beneficial; however those who are just pursuing their hobby may not need one at all.

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FAQs About Craftsman Certifications

1. What is a Craftsman Certification?

A Craftsman Certification is a professional certification that verifies that an individual has the skills and knowledge to complete specific tasks related to their trade. It is awarded by an independent organization and can be used to demonstrate proficiency in a particular field.

2. How do I become certified?

To become certified, you must meet the requirements set forth by the certifying organization. This may involve completing a certain number of hours of training, passing an exam, or demonstrating mastery of certain skills through a portfolio review.

3. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Yes, most certifications require some level of experience in your chosen craft before you can apply for certification. Additionally, each certifying organization may have additional prerequisites that must be met before applying for certification.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

The amount of time it takes to become certified varies depending on the certifying organization and the type of certification being sought after. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months to several years to obtain a Craftsman Certification depending on your prior experience and the requirements for the particular certification being sought after.

5. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Becoming certified as a Craftsman can provide many benefits including increased job opportunities, higher wages, greater credibility within your field, and improved career prospects overall. Additionally, having a Craftsman Certification can help demonstrate your commitment and dedication to mastering your trade which can open up new opportunities for advancement or further education down the line.