Top 11 Technical Director Certifications

Certifications for a technical director in the job market are important for several reasons. First, they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a certain level of expertise and training in their field. They also show that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies, which can be invaluable in the ever-changing world of media production. Finally, certifications can give a competitive edge when it comes to landing a job or securing promotions. By having certifications, technical directors can prove their worth and value to employers who may not have as much experience in the field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Technical Directors and explains how they can help further a technical director's career.

What are Technical Director Certifications?

Technical director certification is a professional credential that demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience in the field of technical direction. Technical directors are responsible for coordinating the technical aspects of live events or productions, including lighting, sound, video, staging, and other elements. This certification provides recognition of the skills and expertise required to manage complex production environments and ensures that those working in this role have the necessary qualifications and experience to do so effectively.

By obtaining technical director certification, individuals demonstrate to employers that they possess the necessary knowledge and training to excel in their role. This certification can also help open up opportunities for career advancement by demonstrating both an individual’s commitment to their profession as well as their ability to excel in it. Additionally, having this professional credential can provide greater confidence when taking on new projects as it serves as a mark of quality assurance for potential employers or clients.

Pro Tip: Make sure you take the time to research and understand the technical director certification requirements for your specific industry. Each industry has its own set of certifications, so it's important to make sure you are familiar with what is required in order to obtain the certification. Additionally, look into any continuing education courses that may be available to help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in your field.

Related: What does a Technical Director do?

Top 11 Technical Director Certifications

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

1. Certified Technical Director (CTD)

Certified Technical Director (CTD) is a certification program offered by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE). The program is designed to help professionals in the film, television, and digital media industries demonstrate their technical knowledge and expertise. It provides a way for individuals to prove their proficiency in the areas of production, post-production, engineering, and operations.

The CTD certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that covers topics such as camera systems, lighting systems, audio systems, editing systems, and other related technologies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CTD certification program, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the motion picture or television industry. They must also have an accredited degree in a related field or have completed relevant coursework from an accredited institution.

The cost of obtaining the CTD certification varies depending on the country where you are located. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for non-members of SMPTE and around $400 USD for members.

2. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, experience and skills in project management.

It typically takes 3-6 months of preparation time to get the PMP certification. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have a minimum of 4,500 hours of project management experience and 35 contact hours of formal education in project management.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For members, it costs $405 for the first attempt and $275 for each subsequent attempt. For non-members, it costs $555 for the first attempt and $375 for each subsequent attempt.

In order to obtain the PMP certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & controlling, closing and professional responsibility. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program for individuals who want to gain an understanding of the Scrum framework and its application in project management. The CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Scrum.

The CSM certification is designed to help professionals become more effective at leading teams in adopting and using the Scrum framework. It provides an understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and processes involved in managing projects with Scrum. It also provides guidance on how to create a successful environment for teams to collaborate and succeed.

It typically takes two days to complete the CSM coursework and receive your certification. The course includes lectures, discussions, exercises, and assessments that cover topics such as Agile principles, team dynamics, product backlogs, sprint planning meetings, daily stand-ups, retrospectives, burndown charts, release planning meetings, and more.

To get your CSM certification you must attend an official Certified Scrum Master training course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). You can find CSTs listed on the Scrum Alliance website or through other online sources. Once you have attended the training course you will need to take an online assessment which consists of 50 multiple choice questions. If you pass this assessment then you will be awarded your CSM certificate.

The cost of attending a Certified Scrum Master training course varies depending on where it is held and who is teaching it but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD per person.

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an independent information security certification granted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)². The CISSP is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual's knowledge in the field of information security. It is designed to validate an individual's expertise and experience in designing, implementing, managing, and overseeing a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple choice questions and takes 6 hours to complete. In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)² Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

In order to get your CISSP certification you must first pass the exam. After passing the exam you will need to submit an application for endorsement from another professional who holds a current CISSP certification. Once your application has been approved by (ISC)² you will be awarded your CISSP certification.

The cost for taking the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it and when you register. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $699 - $1,199 USD depending on location and timing.

5. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification offered by ISACA, an international professional association that focuses on IT governance. It is designed to help IT professionals identify and manage enterprise risk, as well as design, implement, monitor and maintain information systems controls.

To obtain CRISC certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in two or more of the four domains covered by the exam: Risk Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk Response and Mitigation, and Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting. Applicants must also pass a four-hour exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.

The cost for the exam varies depending on where you take it; generally it costs between $450-$550 USD. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center around the world. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CRISC certification within 4-6 weeks.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program from Microsoft that validates an individual’s technical expertise in designing, implementing, and managing IT solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The MCSE certification demonstrates an individual's ability to design and implement a wide range of business solutions based on the latest Microsoft products and technologies.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the MCSE certification. To get started, you must first pass one of the qualifying exams such as Windows Server 2012 or 2016, Azure Solutions Architect, or Cloud Platform & Infrastructure. After passing the qualifying exam, you must then pass four additional exams related to your chosen technology track.

The cost of each exam varies depending on which exam you choose. The cost ranges from $165-$300 per exam. In addition to the cost of the exams, there may also be other costs associated with obtaining your MCSE certification such as training materials and practice tests.

Overall, obtaining your MCSE certification can be a great investment in your career as it will demonstrate your technical expertise in designing and managing IT solutions based on Microsoft technologies.

7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in networking. It is the entry-level certification for those interested in pursuing a career in network engineering, administration, and support.

The CCNA certification requires passing one exam which covers a range of topics related to networking fundamentals, routing and switching technologies, IP services, security fundamentals, automation and programmability. The exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60-70 questions.

In order to obtain the CCNA certification, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 825 out of 1000 points. You can prepare for the exam by taking courses from Cisco or other providers such as Udemy or CBT Nuggets. Additionally, practice tests are available online to help you assess your readiness for the exam.

The cost of the CCNA exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $250-$300 USD.

8. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a technician’s knowledge and skills in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security, troubleshooting, and customer service. It is designed for entry-level IT professionals with at least six months of on-the-job experience in the field.

It typically takes around 6 to 12 months to complete the CompTIA A+ certification process. The process involves studying for and passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Both exams cover topics such as hardware components, operating systems, networking technologies, mobile devices, security principles, software troubleshooting, virtualization/cloud computing concepts and operational procedures.

To get CompTIA A+ certified you must first purchase the exam voucher from CompTIA or an authorized reseller. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where it is purchased but generally ranges from $200 to $300 USD. After purchasing the exam voucher you will need to register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. You can then schedule your exam at a time that works best for you.

Once you have passed both exams successfully you will receive your official CompTIA A+ certification which will be valid for three years from the date of issue. To maintain your certification status you must retake either one or both exams every three years in order to renew your certification.

9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect

AWS Certified Solutions Architect is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s technical skills and knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS). The certification is intended for individuals who have experience designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. It covers topics such as designing, deploying, and operating applications using AWS services.

It typically takes about 6 months of study, practice exams, and hands-on experience with AWS to prepare for the exam. To get certified, you must pass an exam administered by Amazon. The exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that cover a wide range of topics related to AWS.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your region but typically ranges from $150 to $300 USD. You can register for the exam online through the AWS Certification Program website or at an authorized testing center.

10. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification program that provides an understanding of IT service management best practices. It is based on the ITIL framework, which is a set of guidelines and processes for managing IT services. The certification covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual improvement.

The ITIL Foundation Certification takes approximately two to three days to complete and requires passing an exam at the end. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To get certified, you must attend an accredited course or self-study with official materials from AXELOS (the organization responsible for maintaining the ITIL framework).

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider and the type of learning material used. Generally speaking, it can range from $200 to $2,000 USD.

11. Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect is a certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, developing, and managing applications on Google Cloud Platform. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their ability to design, develop, manage, and secure applications on the Google Cloud Platform.

In order to obtain the certification, individuals must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of Google Cloud Platform services and technologies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and hands-on labs that require applicants to demonstrate their understanding of the platform. The exam typically takes around three hours to complete.

To get the certification, individuals must first register for the exam through the Google Cloud Certification website. Once registered, they can take the exam at any authorized testing center or online at home with a proctoring service such as ProctorU or Examity.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $200 USD.

Do You Really Need a Technical Director Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Technical Director Certificate depends on your individual career goals and the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Generally speaking, a Technical Director Certificate is not required to become a Technical Director; however, it can be beneficial in helping you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field.

The certificate is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the technical aspects of directing live events, such as theater, dance, film, television, or music performances. The coursework covers topics such as stage management, lighting design, audio engineering, video production, and budgeting. It also provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software.

If you are looking for an entry-level position in this field or plan to take on more complex roles later on in your career path, having a Technical Director Certificate can be very beneficial. It will help you build credibility as well as show potential employers that you have taken the time to learn about the technical aspects of directing live events. Additionally, having this certification may give you an advantage over other candidates who lack formal training in this area.

In conclusion, while having a Technical Director Certificate is not necessary to become a Technical Director, it can certainly be beneficial depending on your individual goals and the requirements of the job for which you are applying. It can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills in this specialized field as well as give you an edge over other applicants without formal training.

Related: Technical Director Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Director Certifications

1. What is a Technical Director Certification?

Answer: A Technical Director Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in technical direction, which involves the management of technical aspects of live or recorded video productions.

2. What qualifications do I need to become certified?

Answer: To become certified as a Technical Director, you must have at least two years of experience in the field and complete an approved training program. Additionally, you may be required to pass a comprehensive exam.

3. How much does it cost to get certified?

Answer: The cost of certification can vary depending on the program you choose, but typically ranges from $500-$2000 USD.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The time it takes to get certified depends on the program you choose and your level of experience; however, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months.

5. What are the benefits of getting certified?

Answer: Benefits of getting certified include increased credibility and recognition in your field, potential career advancements, increased job opportunities, and higher salaries.