Top 11 Process Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for process technicians in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that employers look for when hiring. Certifications provide proof that the technician has successfully completed training and can perform their duties effectively. They also show that the technician is up-to-date on the latest industry standards, which is essential in a rapidly changing field. Furthermore, certifications can help technicians advance their career by providing them with more opportunities to move up in their field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Process Technicians and explains how they can contribute to a process technician's career advancement.

What are Process Technician Certifications?

Process technician certification is a program that provides individuals with the training and skills necessary to work as a process technician in an industrial setting. This certification helps to ensure that technicians have the necessary knowledge, experience, and skills to safely and effectively operate complex process systems.

The certification program covers topics such as safety practices, equipment and system operations, troubleshooting techniques, process control methods, and quality assurance procedures. It also includes instruction on how to identify potential problems with the process system and how to take corrective action when needed. The certification also helps technicians gain a better understanding of the overall operation of their systems so they can make more informed decisions when making changes or repairs.

By obtaining a process technician certification, technicians are able to demonstrate their expertise in this field which can lead to increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and better job security. Additionally, employers may be more likely to hire certified technicians since they know that these individuals have been properly trained and have demonstrated their ability to work safely with complex systems. Furthermore, having this certification may help technicians stand out from other applicants when applying for positions within their chosen industry.

Pro Tip: When pursuing process technician certification, make sure to take advantage of available resources like online courses and practice tests to ensure you are fully prepared for the certification exam.

Related: What does a Process Technician do?

Top 11 Process Technician Certifications

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

1. Certified Process Technician (CPT)

Certified Process Technician (CPT) is a certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively operate, maintain, and troubleshoot process control systems. The CPT certification is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in process automation and control.

The CPT certification program consists of three levels:

Level 1: Foundation Level – covers basic concepts in process control;

Level 2: Advanced Level – covers advanced topics such as system design, optimization, and troubleshooting;

Level 3: Professional Level – covers topics such as project management, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The CPT certification program typically takes between two to three years to complete depending on the level of study taken. To become certified at any level, individuals must pass both a written exam and a practical exam. The exams are administered by ISA-certified proctors at authorized testing centers around the world.

The cost of the CPT certification varies depending on which level you are pursuing. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $500-$1,000 USD per exam plus any associated fees for taking the exam at an authorized testing center.

2. Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (CIMM)

Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic (CIMM) is a certification program designed to provide industrial maintenance technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to work safely and effectively in a variety of industrial settings. The CIMM program is administered by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).

To become certified, applicants must pass three tests: an online exam, a hands-on performance evaluation, and a written exam. The online exam covers topics such as safety, electrical systems, mechanical systems, pneumatics and hydraulics, welding, and machine tool operations. The hands-on performance evaluation requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to perform basic maintenance tasks in an industrial environment. The written exam covers topics such as mathematics, technical drawing, and blueprint reading.

The CIMM certification process typically takes between four and six weeks to complete. Applicants can register for the exams through NIMS or through one of its authorized training providers. The cost of the program varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $200-$500 USD.

3. Certified Automation Professional (CAP)

Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is a certification program offered by the International Society of Automation (ISA). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate a high level of competence in automation and control systems engineering. The CAP program is intended to provide employers with an assurance that their automation professionals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively design, implement, maintain, and troubleshoot automated systems.

The CAP program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical project. The written exam covers topics such as system architecture, process control theory, instrumentation, programming languages, safety standards, and system integration. The practical project requires applicants to develop a working automation system from start to finish.

The CAP certification process typically takes 6-12 months from start to finish. Applicants must first register for the exam with ISA and pay an application fee. After registering for the exam, applicants must complete an online training course or attend an approved training workshop before taking the written exam. Once the written exam has been successfully completed, applicants will be invited to submit their practical project for review by ISA's Certification Board. If accepted, applicants will then receive their CAP certification upon successful completion of their project.

The cost of obtaining the Certified Automation Professional (CAP) certification varies depending on how much preparation is required prior to taking the exam. The registration fee for the exam is $400 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. Additional costs may include travel expenses if attending an approved training workshop or purchasing additional study materials for self-study purposes.

4. 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 demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of control systems technology and the ability to apply it in industrial settings.

The CCST certification requires applicants to pass an examination that covers topics such as instrumentation, electrical principles, process control, safety, and system integration. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience working with control systems or related technologies.

To get the CCST certification, applicants must first register for the exam through ISA's website. After registering for the exam, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to access their online application. Once the application is completed and submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email from ISA with further instructions on scheduling their exam date and time.

The cost of taking the CCST exam varies depending on where you take it; however, typically it costs around $300 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.

5. Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMT)

Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMT) is a professional certification awarded by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of modern manufacturing technology. The CMT certification is intended for those working in technical roles in the manufacturing industry, such as engineers, technicians, and supervisors.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as production processes, materials science and engineering, quality assurance and control, automation systems, and safety. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that are based on a body of knowledge developed by SME.

The CMT certification typically takes between one to two years to complete. Applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements before taking the exam. These include having at least three years of relevant work experience in manufacturing or an associate’s degree or higher in engineering technology or related field.

To get the CMT certification, applicants must register with SME and pay a fee which varies depending on whether they are members or non-members. Once registered, they can take the exam at any approved testing center around the world. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CMT certificate from SME.

The cost for taking the CMT exam varies depending on whether you are an SME member or not. For non-members, it costs $395 USD for US residents and $495 USD for international residents; for members it costs $295 USD for US residents and $395 USD for international residents.

6. Certified Process Operator (CPO)

Certified Process Operator (CPO) is a certification program offered by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the operation and maintenance of chemical process equipment. The program consists of two parts: a written exam and an on-site practical assessment.

The written exam covers topics such as safety, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and process control. It typically takes about three hours to complete the exam. After successful completion of the written exam, applicants must pass a practical assessment. This involves demonstrating their ability to operate and maintain chemical process equipment in a simulated environment.

The cost of the CPO certification varies depending on the provider, but it generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD. It typically takes about six months from start to finish for an individual to complete all requirements for certification.

To become certified, individuals must first register with AIChE and pay the applicable fee. They then must take an approved training course in chemical process operations or demonstrate equivalent experience. After completing this step, they can apply for the CPO certification exam and submit proof of their training or experience. Once accepted into the program, they will receive instructions on how to prepare for and take the written exam and practical assessment. Upon successful completion of both components, they will be awarded their Certified Process Operator certificate from AIChE.

7. Certified Quality Technician (CQT)

Certified Quality Technician (CQT) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in quality assurance and control. The CQT program covers topics such as quality management, statistical process control, inspection techniques, metrology, and problem solving.

The CQT exam typically takes three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of experience in quality assurance or related fields. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by ASQ.

The cost of the CQT exam is $325 for ASQ members and $425 for non-members. Additional fees may apply depending on the location of the testing center.

8. Instrumentation and Control Technician Certification (ICTC)

Instrumentation and Control Technician Certification (ICTC) is a certification program that is designed to provide technicians with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, and repair process control systems. The certification is offered by the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA).

The ICTC certification requires applicants to pass a written exam as well as an oral exam. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as instrumentation principles, instrumentation installation techniques, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting techniques, calibration methods, and safety practices. The oral exam focuses on practical application of the knowledge acquired from the written exam.

The ICTC certification process typically takes about 6-9 months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or certificates from relevant courses taken in college or technical school. Once accepted into the program, applicants must then complete a series of online courses and exams before being eligible for the final exams.

The cost of obtaining ICTC certification varies depending on the type of package chosen by the applicant. The basic package costs $800 USD which includes registration fees for both exams and access to online course materials. Additional packages are available which include additional services such as mentoring or practice tests for an additional fee.

Overall, obtaining ICTC certification can be a lengthy but rewarding process that provides technicians with valuable knowledge and skills needed to work in instrumentation and control systems.

9. International Society of Automation – Certified Automation Professional (ISA-CAP)

The International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Automation Professional (CAP) program is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of automation professionals. The CAP certification provides employers with a reliable means of verifying an individual’s qualifications for entry-level or mid-level positions in the field of industrial automation.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the requirements for the ISA-CAP certification. The first step is to take and pass the ISA-CAP exam. This exam covers topics such as process control systems, instrumentation, programming, networking, safety systems and more. After passing the exam, you must also complete a minimum of two years of professional experience in industrial automation or related fields.

To get started on your path to becoming an ISA-CAP certified professional, you will need to register with ISA and pay a fee of $395 USD (plus applicable taxes). This fee covers the cost of taking the exam as well as access to study materials that can help you prepare for it. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your exam at an approved testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam and completed two years of professional experience in industrial automation or related fields, you will be eligible for certification. You will then need to submit an application along with proof of your experience in order for your application to be reviewed by ISA’s Certification Board. If approved, you will receive your official certificate from ISA and become an officially certified Automation Professional!

10. National Institute for Metalworking Skills – Machining Level I & II

The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Machining Level I & II is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become proficient in machining operations. The program consists of two levels: Level I and Level II.

Level I covers basic machining operations, including safety, measurement, layout, and machine setup. It also includes instruction in manual milling, turning, grinding, sawing, drilling, and tapping. This level takes approximately 12-15 weeks to complete depending on the school or institution offering the course.

Level II focuses on advanced machining operations such as CNC programming, CAD/CAM software applications, and other related topics. This level takes approximately 18-24 weeks to complete depending on the school or institution offering the course.

To get certified at either level you must take a written exam administered by NIMS as well as a hands-on performance test administered by an accredited evaluator. The cost of taking the exams varies depending on the school or institution offering them but usually ranges from $100-$200 per level.

11. American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Manufacturing Engineer Certification Program

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Manufacturing Engineer Certification Program is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of manufacturing engineers. It is designed to help employers identify qualified professionals in the field of manufacturing engineering.

To obtain the certification, applicants must pass an online exam that tests their knowledge and skills in various areas including process planning, design for manufacturability, production planning and control, quality assurance and control, materials selection and processing, and operations management. The exam typically takes about three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in a manufacturing engineering role or hold a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. They must also submit proof of their education or work experience to ASME.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on whether you are an ASME member or not. For non-members, it costs $350 USD while members pay $250 USD. In addition to this fee, there is also an application fee of $50 USD that must be paid before taking the exam.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your certificate from ASME with your name printed on it as well as your date of certification. This certificate is valid for three years after which time you will need to renew it if you wish to continue using it as evidence of your qualifications as a manufacturing engineer.

Do You Really Need a Process Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. If you are looking to become a process technician, then a certificate in the field may be beneficial for you. Having a certificate can show that you have the skills and knowledge necessary for the job, and it can also help you stand out from other applicants. However, it is important to consider your individual circumstances when deciding whether or not to pursue a process technician certificate.

If you already have experience in the industry or are knowledgeable about the processes involved in being a process technician, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary as employers may recognize your expertise without one. Additionally, if you plan on advancing your career within the industry and gaining higher-level positions such as an operations manager or plant manager, then having additional education beyond just a certificate may be beneficial.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a process technician certificate will depend on your individual goals and objectives. If you feel that having one will give you an edge over other candidates or open up more opportunities for advancement, then it may be worth considering obtaining one.

Related: Process Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Process Technician Certifications

1. What is a Process Technician Certification?

Answer: A Process Technician Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the skills and knowledge to safely operate and maintain process equipment in industrial settings.

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must meet certain requirements such as completing an accredited certification program and passing an exam.

3. What are the benefits of having a Process Technician Certification?

Answer: Benefits of having a Process Technician Certification include higher job security, increased salary potential, and improved career opportunities.

4. What type of jobs can I get with a Process Technician Certification?

Answer: Possible job titles for those with a Process Technician Certification include process technician, production technician, plant operator, and maintenance technician.

5. Are there any specializations or endorsements available for certification holders?

Answer: Yes, there are several specializations and endorsements available depending on the certification program you choose to pursue such as chemical processing technology, mechanical systems technology, or electrical and instrumentation technology.