Top 11 Electrical Designer Certifications

Certifications are important for electrical designers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and proficiency in their field. By earning certifications, electrical designers can show potential employers that they have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the profession. Certifications also help employers determine which candidates are most qualified for positions and can be used as a benchmark when evaluating potential employees. In addition, certifications provide recognition from industry organizations, which can help increase an electrical designer’s credibility and value in the marketplace.

This article reviews the top certifications for Electrical Designers and explains how they can help to advance an electrical designer's career.

What are Electrical Designer Certifications?

Electrical Designer Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Institute for Electrical Designers (NIED). It is designed to help electrical designers demonstrate their expertise in the field and develop a higher level of proficiency. This certification allows electrical designers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field, as well as show employers that they are competent in their work.

The certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical application test. The written exam covers topics such as electrical theory, circuits, components, wiring diagrams, troubleshooting techniques, and safety considerations. The practical application test requires applicants to complete various tasks such as designing an electrical circuit or wiring diagram from scratch.

By obtaining Electrical Designer Certification, individuals can show employers that they have the necessary skills to design safe and efficient electrical systems. This certification also helps employers identify qualified professionals who understand current industry standards and practices. Furthermore, it can help individuals advance their careers by providing them with a competitive edge when applying for positions within the industry.

Pro Tip: Obtaining certification as an electrical designer can help to set you apart from other job applicants and demonstrate your knowledge of the field. Make sure to research the various certifications available and determine which one is best suited for your experience level and career goals. Once you have identified the right certification, create a plan to prepare for the exam and stay on top of any required continuing education requirements.

Related: What does an Electrical Designer do?

Top 11 Electrical Designer Certifications

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

1. Certified Electrical Designer (CED)

Certified Electrical Designer (CED) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise and experience of experienced electrical designers. The CED designation is awarded by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET).

To become certified, applicants must have at least five years of experience as an electrical designer and pass a comprehensive written exam. The exam covers topics such as electrical theory, design principles, codes and standards, safety practices, and project management. Candidates must also demonstrate their knowledge of computer-aided design software and other related technologies.

The process typically takes about six months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application with supporting documents to NICET. Once approved, they can then register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CED certificate.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the level of certification sought. The basic fee is around $500, but additional fees may apply depending on the complexity of the application and other factors.

2. Certified Professional Electrical Designer (CPED)

Certified Professional Electrical Designer (CPED) is a professional certification program offered by the National Council on Qualifications for the Electrical Industry (NCQEI). This certification recognizes those who have achieved a high level of expertise in electrical design. It is designed to provide assurance that those who possess this credential have met the highest standards of knowledge and experience in the field.

The CPED program requires applicants to successfully complete an examination that covers topics such as safety, codes, calculations, materials selection, and system design. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in four hours. Applicants must also meet certain educational requirements, including at least two years of college-level coursework in electrical engineering or related fields.

To get certified, applicants must submit an application form along with their transcripts and other required documents to NCQEI. Once approved, they will be sent an invitation to take the CPED examination. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate within three months.

The cost for taking the CPED exam is $295 USD plus applicable taxes and fees.

3. Certified Power System Designer (CPSD)

Certified Power System Designer (CPSD) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). The CPSD program is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the design, analysis, and operation of electrical power systems.

The CPSD program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. To become certified, candidates must pass both parts with a score of 70% or higher. The online exam covers topics such as electrical safety, power system components, power system protection, power system economics, and more. The practical project requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to design and analyze an electrical power system based on given parameters.

The entire CPSD program typically takes around four months to complete. Candidates must register for the online exam at least one month before the scheduled date. After passing the online exam, they must submit their practical project within three months of registering for the exam.

The cost for the CPSD program varies depending on whether you are an AEE member or not. For non-members, it costs $500 USD for the online exam and $1,000 USD for the practical project. For members, it costs $400 USD for the online exam and $800 USD for the practical project.

4. Certified Building Automation System Designer (CBASD)

Certified Building Automation System Designer (CBASD) is a professional certification program offered by the Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet) International. The CBASD certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience in designing, installing, commissioning, and maintaining building automation systems.

The CBASD certification requires applicants to have at least three years of documented experience in the design of building automation systems. Applicants must also pass a written exam which covers topics such as system architecture, communication protocols, device integration, data management, and system optimization.

The CBASD certification process typically takes around four weeks from the time you submit your application until you receive your official certificate. To apply for the CBASD certification, you will need to complete an online application form on BACnet International’s website and pay a $300 fee. You will then be sent a study guide and exam voucher which can be used to register for the exam at any Prometric Testing Center.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit proof of your three years of experience in order to receive your official certificate from BACnet International. The cost of the CBASD certification is $300 for the application fee plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a Prometric Testing Center.

5. Certified Lighting Designer (CLD)

A Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in the field of lighting design. The CLD designation is awarded by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), which is the leading technical and educational organization for lighting professionals.

The CLD program requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in lighting design through a rigorous application process. This includes submitting an extensive portfolio of past projects, taking an exam, and completing a written essay on lighting design principles. Applicants must also have at least five years of professional experience in the field of lighting design.

The application process typically takes several months to complete, depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. Once accepted into the program, applicants must pay a fee to become certified. The fee varies depending on whether or not you are already an IES member; however, it generally ranges from $150-200 USD.

In addition to becoming certified, CLDs must maintain their certification by participating in continuing education activities related to lighting design every two years. This ensures that CLDs remain up-to-date with current trends and technologies in the industry.

6. Certified Industrial Control System Designer (CICSD)

Certified Industrial Control System Designer (CICSD) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial control systems. The CICSD certification is administered by the International Society of Automation (ISA).

The CICSD certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in industrial automation. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as safety, instrumentation, process control, networking and communications protocols, system architecture and programming. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To obtain the CICSD certification, candidates must submit an application form along with their resume and proof of experience. Once approved by ISA, candidates will receive a study guide that contains all the information needed to prepare for the exam. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their certificate from ISA.

The cost for the CICSD certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of ISA. For non-members it costs $500 USD while members pay $400 USD. In addition to this fee, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as travel expenses or registration fees.

7. Certified Fire Alarm System Designer (CFASD)

Certified Fire Alarm System Designer (CFASD) is a certification program offered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the design, installation, operation and maintenance of fire alarm systems. The CFASD certification is valid for five years from the date of issuance.

To obtain the CFASD certification, an individual must meet certain prerequisites and pass an exam administered by NICET. Prerequisites include having at least three years of experience in designing fire alarm systems or having a degree in engineering or architecture with at least one year of experience in designing fire alarm systems.

The exam consists of two parts: a written test and a practical demonstration. The written test covers topics such as codes and standards, system design, system components and operations, system testing and maintenance. The practical demonstration requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to design a fire alarm system based on given criteria.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

8. Certified Energy Management System Designer (CEMSD)

Certified Energy Management System Designer (CEMSD) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in energy management system design and implementation.

The CEMSD program requires applicants to have at least five years of experience in energy management systems, including two years in the design and implementation of such systems. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as energy auditing, energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, and building automation systems.

The CEMSD program takes approximately six months to complete. The first step is to submit an application for the certification along with the required documents and fees. After the application is approved, applicants must register for and take the CEMSD exam. Once they pass the exam, they will receive their official certificate from AEE.

The cost of obtaining a CEMSD certification varies depending on how many exams are taken and if any additional materials or training are needed. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD depending on these factors.

9. Certified Telecommunications System Designer (CTSD)

Certified Telecommunications System Designer (CTSD) is a certification program offered by the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE). The CTSD certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in designing and installing telecommunications systems. It is a comprehensive certification that covers all aspects of telecommunications system design, including voice, data, video, and security systems.

To become certified as a CTSD, an individual must pass an exam administered by SCTE. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as network architecture, system design principles, installation methods, troubleshooting techniques, and industry standards. The exam typically takes two hours to complete and requires a passing score of 70%.

The cost for the CTSD exam varies depending on the testing location; however, it typically ranges from $200 to $400. Additionally, applicants must pay an application fee of $50 when they register for the exam.

Once an individual has passed the CTSD exam and successfully completed all other requirements for certification, they will be issued a certificate from SCTE confirming their status as a Certified Telecommunications System Designer. This certificate is valid for three years before recertification is required.

10. Certified Renewable Energy Systems Designers (CRESD)

Certified Renewable Energy Systems Designers (CRESD) are professionals who have been trained and certified to design, install, and maintain renewable energy systems. The certification is offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

To become a CRESD, individuals must meet certain educational requirements, such as completing an accredited program in renewable energy technology or engineering. They must also pass the NABCEP’s written exam and demonstrate their knowledge of renewable energy systems through a portfolio review.

The process of obtaining CRESD certification typically takes several months to complete. After meeting the educational requirements, applicants must submit their application to NABCEP for review. Once approved, they must register for the exam and pay the associated fees. The exam itself is a two-hour long multiple-choice test that covers topics such as solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, hydropower systems, geothermal energy systems, and more.

The cost of obtaining CRESD certification varies depending on where you live and other factors. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$1,500 USD for all associated costs including application fees, exam fees, portfolio review fees, etc.

11. Certified Solar PV Designers and Installers (CSDI).

Certified Solar PV Designers and Installers (CSDI) is a certification program offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). It is designed to ensure that solar photovoltaic (PV) designers and installers have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to safely and efficiently design, install, operate, and maintain PV systems. The certification program includes two exams: a written exam on solar PV system design principles, and a practical exam on installation techniques.

To get certified as a CSDI, applicants must first complete an approved training course in solar PV system design or installation. This can be done through an accredited college or university or through an NABCEP-approved training provider. Once the training is completed, applicants must submit an application to take the written exam. After passing the written exam with a score of 70% or higher, applicants can then take the practical exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the type of training taken and any additional fees associated with taking the exams. Generally speaking, it typically costs around $2,000-$3,000 for both exams and related costs such as study materials and registration fees. The total time required to get certified depends on how quickly you are able to complete your training course and pass both exams; however it typically takes between 6 months to 1 year from start to finish.

Do You Really Need a Electrical Designer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the career path you wish to pursue. If you are interested in becoming an electrical designer, then a certificate may be important. A certificate can demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to design electrical systems, as well as offer credibility in the field.

If you already have experience in the area of electrical design, or if you are not interested in pursuing a career in this field, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, it is important to note that having a certificate could make you more marketable for certain jobs and may give you an edge over other applicants who do not have any formal training or credentials in the area of electrical design. It could also be beneficial for those wishing to open their own business or become self-employed as an independent contractor or consultant.

Ultimately, whether or not one needs an electrical designer certificate depends on their goals and desired career path. If a person is looking to get into this field, then obtaining certification would likely be beneficial. If they already have the necessary skills and experience and just need to prove it to potential employers, then a certificate may not be necessary.

Related: Electrical Designer Resume Examples

FAQs About Electrical Designer Certifications

1. What is an Electrical Designer Certification?

Answer: An Electrical Designer Certification is a professional certification that provides recognition of a person's knowledge and expertise in the electrical design field. It demonstrates a commitment to professional development and is beneficial for those seeking employment or advancement in the electrical design field.

2. How do I become certified as an Electrical Designer?

Answer: Becoming certified as an Electrical Designer requires passing an examination administered by a recognized certifying organization such as NCCER, which offers the Certified Electrical Design Professional (CEDP) program.

3. Is there any experience required to become certified as an Electrical Designer?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require at least two years of experience in the electrical design field before taking the exam.

4. How long does it take to complete the certification process?

Answer: The length of time varies depending on the certifying organization but typically between 8-12 weeks from start to finish.

5. What are some benefits of earning an Electrical Designer Certification?

Answer: Benefits include increased job opportunities, higher pay grades, improved job security and career advancement potential, recognition among peers and employers, plus greater credibility and respect within the industry.