Top 10 Instrument Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for an instrument technician in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency and knowledge in the field. Hiring managers want to ensure that they have someone who is knowledgeable and skilled enough to handle the job. Having certifications also allows instrument technicians to be eligible for higher-paying positions, as employers often look more favorably upon certified technicians. Certifications also give instrument technicians more credibility and trustworthiness among employers, which can lead to greater job security. Finally, certifications provide a way for instrument technicians to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and industry trends, which gives them an edge over those without certifications.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of some of the most beneficial certifications for Instrument Technicians and explain how they can help advance an instrument technician's career.

What are Instrument Technician Certifications?

Instrument Technician Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary for working with instruments and controls in industrial settings. The certification program covers topics such as instrument calibration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and installation of process control systems.

The certification helps technicians gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of instrumentation and control systems, as well as providing the skills needed to properly install, operate, maintain and troubleshoot these systems. Through this certification program technicians can improve their job performance by having a deeper understanding of instrumentation devices, their application, and how they interact with one another. Additionally, having this certification can open up new career opportunities for individuals that are looking to specialize in the field of instrumentation technology. Finally, employers may find instrument technician certifications attractive when hiring new candidates or promoting existing employees because it demonstrates a commitment to training and development in the field.

Pro Tip: When considering an instrument technician certification, make sure to research the specific requirements and qualifications for the program you are interested in. Different certifications may have different prerequisites and require various levels of experience. Additionally, inquire about any continuing education requirements that may be necessary to maintain your certification.

Related: What does an Instrument Technician do?

Top 10 Instrument Technician Certifications

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

1. Certified Instrument Technician (CIT)

A Certified Instrument Technician (CIT) is a professional who is certified to work on instrumentation and control systems. The CIT certification program is designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge in the field of instrumentation and control systems. This certification provides employers with assurance that the individual has been trained and tested in the fundamentals of instrumentation and control systems.

The CIT certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as electrical theory, safety procedures, troubleshooting, installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of instrumentation and control systems. The practical exam requires hands-on experience working with instrumentation and control systems.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the CIT certification program depending on the individual's experience level. To get started, individuals must first obtain an application from a certifying organization such as ISA or NCCER. Once they have completed the application process, they will be able to register for the written exam and begin studying for it. After passing the written exam, individuals can then register for the practical exam which will require them to demonstrate their skills by completing hands-on tasks related to instrumentation and control systems.

The cost of obtaining the CIT certification varies depending on which certifying organization you use but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD including all fees associated with taking both exams.

2. Certified Industrial Instrumentation Technician (CIIT)

Certified Industrial Instrumentation Technician (CIIT) is a certification program designed to provide technicians with the knowledge and skills needed to install, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial instrumentation systems. This certification is offered through the International Society of Automation (ISA).

The CIIT certification requires passing both a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as electrical principles, control loops, instrumentation components, communication protocols, and safety procedures. The practical exam tests the technician’s ability to properly install, configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot industrial instrumentation systems.

To be eligible for the CIIT certification program, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in an industrial instrumentation field or have completed an approved training program from an accredited institution.

The cost of the CIIT certification program varies depending on which type of exam you choose to take. The written exam costs $200 USD and the practical exam costs $400 USD. Both exams must be taken within three years of each other in order to receive your certification.

3. Certified Control System Technician (CCST)

Certified Control System Technician (CCST) is a certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of industrial automation, instrumentation, and control systems. The CCST certification is suitable for technicians working in the field of process automation, instrumentation, and control systems.

The CCST exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as system architecture, process control theory, instrumentation and calibration, safety systems, and troubleshooting. To get certified as a CCST technician, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The exam can be taken at any ISA-approved testing center located around the world. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; typically it costs between $200 - $300 USD. Additionally, there is an application fee of $75 USD to apply for the certification program.

In order to qualify for the CCST certification program, applicants must have at least two years of work experience in industrial automation or related fields. Applicants must also complete an approved training course prior to taking the exam.

Overall, it usually takes about one year from start to finish to become certified as a CCST technician.

4. Certified Automation Professional (CAP)

Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of industrial automation. CAPs are expected to have a broad knowledge of automation, including control systems, instrumentation, networking, software engineering, robotics, and process control.

The CAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics related to industrial automation. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and is administered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). The cost for the exam is $395 US dollars.

In order to obtain the CAP certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in industrial automation and must pass the CAP exam with a score of 70% or higher. Applicants must also agree to abide by ISA's Code of Ethics for Automation Professionals.

5. National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD)

National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) is a certification program that verifies the knowledge and skills of LabVIEW developers. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in using the software, as well as developing applications with it.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as basic programming concepts, data flow, user interfaces, debugging tools, and other related topics. The cost of taking the exam is $150 USD.

To become a CLAD, you must first register for the exam on the National Instruments website. Once registered, you will be given access to an online practice exam so that you can familiarize yourself with the format and content of the actual exam. After completing the practice exam, you will be able to schedule your actual test date at a local testing center. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your official CLAD certification from National Instruments.

6. National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD)

National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) is a certification program designed to help developers demonstrate their expertise in using LabVIEW software. This certification gives employers and customers the confidence that developers have the skills necessary to develop applications with LabVIEW.

To become a CLD, applicants must first complete an online training course. The online course covers topics such as graphical programming, dataflow programming, debugging, and advanced topics like object-oriented programming. After completing the online course, applicants must pass a written exam to earn their CLD certification.

The length of time it takes to complete the training and pass the exam varies depending on each individual's experience level and study habits. Typically, it takes between two and three months for most people to become certified.

In order to get started with the CLD program, applicants should visit the National Instruments website and register for the CLD Training Course. Once registered, they will receive access to all of the materials needed for the course including videos, tutorials, and practice exams. The cost of registration for this course is $999 USD.

Once applicants have completed their training and passed their exam, they will receive their official CLD certificate from National Instruments along with recognition on their profile page on NI’s website.

7. ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP)

The ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is a globally recognized certification program that validates the knowledge and experience of automation professionals. It is designed to help employers identify qualified personnel, and for individuals to demonstrate their expertise in industrial automation.

To become an ISA CAP, you must meet the prerequisites outlined by ISA (International Society of Automation). This includes having at least five years of experience in automation engineering, control systems engineering, instrumentation engineering, or related fields. You must also have completed a minimum of 80 hours of continuing education in automation-related topics within the last three years.

Once you have met the prerequisites, you can apply for the CAP exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as process control systems, instrumentation and measurement systems, safety systems, system integration techniques, and project management principles. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam and costs $395 USD.

Once you have passed the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will be awarded your CAP certification from ISA. The certification is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed. To renew your certification, you must complete 40 hours of continuing education credits in automation-related topics during your three year period. The renewal fee is $195 USD.

8. ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)

The ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the field of industrial automation and control systems. The CCST certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a level of technical competency in the areas of design, installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of industrial control systems.

To become an ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST), you must pass a three-part exam administered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). This exam tests your knowledge in the areas of system architecture, process control fundamentals, instrumentation and control devices, logic controllers, and programming.

The exam consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical performance evaluation. The written examination consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as system architecture, process control fundamentals, instrumentation and control devices, logic controllers, programming languages, networking protocols, safety standards and regulations. The practical performance evaluation requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to install, configure, operate and troubleshoot various types of industrial automation systems.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CCST exam. During this time it is important to gain experience working with industrial automation systems through hands-on training or on-the-job experience. Additionally it is recommended that you take courses or workshops related to industrial automation systems prior to taking the exam.

The cost for taking the CCST exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

9. ISA Process Control and Instrumentation Certification Program

The ISA Process Control and Instrumentation Certification Program (ISA-PCI) is an internationally recognized certification program designed to demonstrate a professional’s proficiency in process control and instrumentation. The program provides a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively manage process control systems.

The certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of process control theory, principles, techniques, equipment, and instrumentation. The practical exam requires the candidate to demonstrate their ability to apply this knowledge in a real-world setting.

The entire certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. Candidates must first register for the program by completing an application form and submitting it along with the required fees. After registering for the program, candidates have up to one year to complete both exams.

The cost for the ISA-PCI certification program varies depending on where you are taking the exams. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for both exams combined. Additional fees may be charged for retakes or other services related to the certification process.

10. NETA Certified Electrical Testing Technician

NETA Certified Electrical Testing Technician (CETT) is a certification program offered by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA). The program is designed to provide technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform electrical testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The program consists of four levels of certification: Level I, Level II, Level III, and Master Technician. Each level requires completion of a series of courses and examinations. Level I focuses on basic electrical theory and safety; Level II covers advanced topics such as circuit analysis and troubleshooting; Level III covers more complex topics such as power systems and protection; and Master Technician covers all aspects of electrical systems.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the entire NETA CETT program depending on the individual's experience level. To get certified, you must first pass an exam at each level. You can find out more information about the exams on the NETA website.

The cost for taking the NETA CETT exams varies depending on which level you are taking. Generally speaking, it costs around $250-$500 per exam.

Do You Really Need a Instrument Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals and the industry in which you work. If you are looking to pursue a career as an instrument technician, then having a certificate is likely necessary. Instrument technicians must have a thorough knowledge of the tools and instruments they use, as well as safety protocols, so certification can be helpful in demonstrating that you have this knowledge.

Instrument technicians may be employed in a variety of industries, such as medical laboratories, industrial manufacturing, or energy production. The duties of an instrument technician vary depending on the industry they work in, but generally include installing and maintaining various types of instruments or equipment. Having a certificate can help demonstrate to potential employers that you are qualified for the job and understand the intricacies of working with these instruments.

In addition to providing evidence of your qualifications, having an instrument technician certificate can also give you access to more job opportunities. Many employers prefer applicants who possess certification because it shows that they have taken the time to learn about their field and are committed to their profession. It can also make it easier for employers to evaluate your skillset quickly when considering multiple candidates for a position.

Overall, while having an instrument technician certificate is not always required by employers, it can be beneficial if you are looking to pursue a career as an instrument technician or increase your chances of employment in this field.

Related: Instrument Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Instrument Technician Certifications

1. What is an Instrument Technician Certification?

Answer: An instrument technician certification is a credential that verifies the knowledge and experience of an individual working in the field of instrumentation and control systems. It typically involves completing a course or program, passing an exam, and demonstrating proficiency in the use of instruments and related technologies.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining an Instrument Technician Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an instrument technician certification can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs, as it demonstrates your expertise in instrumentation and control systems. Additionally, it may allow you to pursue higher-level positions or increase your earning potential.

3. How do I become certified as an Instrument Technician?

Answer: In order to become certified as an instrument technician, you must complete a formal training program or course, pass a qualifying exam, and demonstrate proficiency in the use of instruments and related technologies. Additionally, many certifying organizations require continuing education credits in order to maintain certification status.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Instrument Technician?

Answer: Yes, some certifying organizations may require applicants to have prior experience working with instrumentation and control systems before they are eligible for certification. Additionally, most require applicants to pass a qualifying exam before they can become certified.

5. How long does it take to become certified as an Instrument Technician?

Answer: The amount of time required to become certified depends on the type of certification being pursued as well as individual circumstances such as prior experience or educational background. Generally speaking, most programs or courses can be completed within six months to one year depending on the amount of time dedicated each week to studying for the certification exam.