Top 10 Technical Writer Certifications

Certifications are important for technical writers because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in their field. They provide employers with evidence that the writer has taken the necessary steps to become proficient in their craft. Certifications also show that the technical writer is up-to-date on industry trends and standards, which can be beneficial when applying for jobs. Additionally, certifications can give technical writers an edge over non-certified candidates when competing for positions.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Technical Writers, and explain how these certifications can help boost a technical writer's career.

What are Technical Writer Certifications?

Technical writer certification is a credential demonstrating competency in the field of technical writing. It is obtained through a formal training program or exam that has been approved by an accredited organization such as the Society for Technical Communication (STC). Certification can help technical writers gain credibility, recognition and better job opportunities.

Having a certification can help demonstrate proficiency in technical writing to potential employers, which can make candidates more competitive in the job market. It also gives writers a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their skills. Additionally, it can provide access to different professional development events and resources, such as workshops and webinars. Finally, having a certification shows commitment and dedication to the field of technical writing, which may allow them to stand out from other applicants.

Pro Tip: Before investing in a technical writer certification, research the benefits of having it. Consider the potential return on investment and whether it will help provide valuable skills or open up new opportunities. Also, make sure the credential is recognized by potential employers and other industry professionals.

Related: What does a Technical Writer do?

Top 10 Technical Writer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC)

Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) is a professional certification program offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). The CPTC credential is designed to recognize and validate the technical communication skills of professionals in the field. It is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a mastery of technical communication principles, practices, and processes.

To become a CPTC, candidates must pass an exam administered by STC. Candidates must have at least two years of experience in the field of technical communication and have completed at least 40 hours of training in technical communication topics. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and essay questions covering topics such as writing for different audiences, document design, usability testing, and project management.

The exam fee for the CPTC is $500 USD. It typically takes about four to six weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be issued a certificate from STC that shows you are a Certified Professional Technical Communicator. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your proficiency in this field to potential employers or clients.

2. Certified Technical Writer (CTW)

Certified Technical Writer (CTW) is a professional certification offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of experienced technical writers.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to prepare for the CTW exam. To get certified, you must pass an online multiple-choice exam that covers topics related to technical writing such as grammar, style, document design, usability testing, and project management. The exam consists of 60 questions and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass.

The cost of the CTW certification varies depending on where you take the exam. In the United States, it costs $395 for members of STC and $495 for non-members. The cost includes access to study materials and practice tests.

3. Certified Documentation Professional (CDP)

A Certified Documentation Professional (CDP) is a professional who has been certified to demonstrate their expertise in creating and managing technical documentation. The CDP certification is offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC).

To become a CDP, you must have at least five years of experience in technical communication and pass an exam administered by STC. The exam covers topics such as document design, writing techniques, editing, publishing, and project management. It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam.

The cost of the CDP certification varies depending on whether you are a member of STC or not. For non-members, the fee is $400 USD; for members it is $250 USD.

Once you have passed the exam and become a CDP, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in creating and managing technical documents to potential employers or clients. This can help you stand out from other applicants or consultants when competing for jobs or contracts.

4. Certified Professional Editor (CPE)

Certified Professional Editor (CPE) is a professional designation that recognizes editors who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in their field. This certification is offered by the Editors’ Association of Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in editing and publishing.

The CPE certification requires applicants to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in both copyediting and proofreading. To qualify for the designation, applicants must pass a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge and skills in these two areas. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, as well as written exercises that require editors to demonstrate their ability to edit and proofread text accurately and effectively.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CPE exam, although some people may take longer or shorter depending on their experience level. During this time, it is recommended that applicants review material related to editing and proofreading, such as books or online courses. They should also practice editing and proofreading texts provided by the Editors’ Association of Canada.

To get certified as a CPE, applicants must register with the Editors’ Association of Canada and pay a fee of $395 CAD ($310 USD). This fee covers the cost of registration, access to study materials, and the cost of taking the exam. Once they have successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CPE designation from the Editors’ Association of Canada.

5. American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Certification

The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) Certification is a professional certification for medical writers. It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in the field of medical writing. The certification is intended to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, experience, and skill in the area of medical writing.

It takes approximately six months to complete the certification process. To get certified, one must first become a member of AMWA and then apply for the certification exam. The application requires providing evidence of professional experience in medical writing, such as published articles or other forms of written work. Once approved, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as research methods, grammar and style, ethical considerations, and scientific writing principles.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are an AMWA member or non-member. For members, it costs $325; for non-members it costs $425. This includes the application fee and exam fee. Additional fees may apply if you need to retake the exam or if you want to pursue further certifications from AMWA.

Overall, obtaining AMWA Certification is an important step for those looking to advance their career in medical writing or gain recognition within the industry as a professional writer with expertise in this field.

6. Society for Technical Communication (STC) Certifications

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is an international organization that provides certification programs to recognize the expertise of technical communicators. STC certifications are designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of technical communication.

To get an STC certification, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as writing, editing, design, usability, and project management. The exam typically takes about three hours to complete and can be taken online or at a designated testing center. Applicants must also have at least five years of professional experience in the field of technical communication.

The cost for taking the STC certification exam varies depending on the type of certification sought. For example, the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) exam costs $395 USD while the Certified Professional Editor (CPE) exam costs $495 USD.

Once applicants have passed the exam, they will receive their official certificate from STC within two weeks. The certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years in order to maintain its validity.

7. International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Accreditation

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Accreditation is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of business communication. The accreditation is available to both members and non-members of IABC, and it provides an opportunity for professionals to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field.

The accreditation process consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person interview. The online assessment evaluates knowledge and skills related to communication topics such as writing, planning, research, media relations, public speaking, and more. Once the assessment is completed, applicants must pass a face-to-face interview with a panel of IABC accredited professionals. This interview assesses practical experience in business communication and verifies that applicants meet the standards for accreditation.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the entire process from start to finish. This timeline can vary depending on how quickly applicants complete their assessments and interviews.

To get started, applicants must first register for the program by submitting their contact information on IABC’s website. After registering, they will receive access to the online assessment which must be completed within six weeks from registration date. Upon completion of the assessment, applicants will be notified if they qualify for an in-person interview with an IABC accredited professional or panel of professionals.

The cost for IABC Accreditation is $500 USD for members and $750 USD for non-members. This fee covers all costs associated with the application process including registration fees, assessments, interviews, etc. Additionally, once accredited individuals may also be eligible for discounts on certain products or services offered by IABC or its partners.

8. Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) Certification

The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) Certification is a professional certification program for technical communicators. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who work in the field of technical communication. The ISTC Certification is based on a comprehensive set of standards that cover all aspects of technical communication from writing to editing, design, project management, and more.

To receive the ISTC Certification, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of the ISTC standards. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as grammar and usage, document design principles, project management techniques, and more. The exam typically takes two to three hours to complete.

In order to take the ISTC Certification Exam, applicants must first submit an application form along with a fee. The fee varies depending on where you are taking the exam; however it usually ranges between $100-$200 USD. Once your application has been approved by ISTC, you will be sent an email containing instructions on how to register for the exam.

Once you have successfully passed your ISTC Certification Exam, you will receive a certificate confirming your status as an ISTC Certified Professional. This certificate can then be used as proof of your qualifications when applying for jobs or other opportunities in technical communication.

9. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is a globally recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in Microsoft Office applications. It demonstrates proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

The certification process typically takes between two to four weeks to complete. To get certified, individuals must first pass a series of exams that test their knowledge and skills in the various Microsoft Office applications. The exams are available online or at authorized testing centers.

The cost of the MOS certification varies depending on which application you are taking the exam for. Generally, each exam costs around $150 USD. However, there may be discounts available if you purchase multiple exams at once.

Once an individual has successfully passed all of the required exams, they will receive their MOS certification from Microsoft and can use it to demonstrate their expertise to employers and clients.

10. Adobe Certified Expert Program

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) program is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who demonstrate expertise in Adobe products. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who use Adobe software, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, and more.

The ACE program consists of two levels: Associate and Professional. To become an ACE Associate, you must pass one or more exams related to the product you wish to be certified in. The exam questions are based on real-world scenarios and require a high level of proficiency in the product. Once you have passed the exam(s), you will receive an official certificate from Adobe acknowledging your achievement.

To become an ACE Professional, you must have already achieved ACE Associate status and then pass additional exams related to advanced features of the product(s). This level requires a deeper understanding of the product(s) and is designed for experienced users who want to demonstrate their mastery of Adobe software.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on how much experience you have with the product(s) and how quickly you can learn new material. Generally speaking, it may take anywhere from several days to several months to prepare for an exam depending on your experience level.

The cost for taking an ACE exam varies depending on which product(s) you are testing for. Prices range from $50-$200 per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Once certified, there are no ongoing requirements or fees associated with maintaining your certification status; however, Adobe recommends that ACEs stay up-to-date with changes in their respective products by participating in ongoing training opportunities offered by Adobe or other third parties.

Do You Really Need a Technical Writer Certificate?

When considering whether or not to pursue a technical writing certificate, it is important to consider the purpose that this certification serves and the value of such a credential. A technical writing certificate can help distinguish an individual from other job candidates and demonstrate their expertise in the field. It can also be beneficial for those who are looking to further their career prospects by demonstrating their knowledge and skills in a specific area.

The most common type of technical writing certificate is the Certified Technical Writer (CTW). This designation is offered by many professional organizations, including the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The CTW certification requires applicants to have a minimum amount of experience in technical writing, typically at least two years, as well as pass an examination covering topics like grammar, editing, formatting, and research. Those who obtain this certification may find that they are more competitive when applying for jobs or promotions.

In addition to the CTW certification, there are other types of certificates available for those interested in pursuing a career in technical writing. These include certificates related to specific industries, such as medical or engineering writing, as well as general certificates in areas like business communication or multimedia production. While these certifications may not carry as much weight as the CTW credential, they can still be beneficial for those looking to specialize their skillset or gain additional knowledge in certain areas.

Ultimately, whether or not someone should pursue a technical writing certificate depends on their individual goals and needs. For some individuals who are just starting out in the field, obtaining a basic background may be sufficient; however for those wanting to stand out from other job candidates or advance further along within their current positions, obtaining an appropriate certification may be worth considering.

Related: Technical Writer Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Writer Certifications

1. What are the different types of Technical Writer Certifications?

Answer: There are a variety of Technical Writer Certifications available, including the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC), Certified Technical Communicator (CTC), and Certified Professional Editor (CPE).

2. What is the cost of obtaining a Technical Writer Certification?

Answer: The cost for obtaining a Technical Writer Certification will vary depending on the type of certification and provider. Generally, the cost will range between $200-$350 USD.

3. How long does it take to complete a Technical Writer Certification?

Answer: The amount of time needed to complete a Technical Writer Certification will vary depending on the type of certification and provider. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6-12 months to complete a certification program.

4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Technical Writer Certification?

Answer: Yes, most providers require that applicants have at least two years of experience in technical writing or related fields before applying for a certification program. Additionally, some providers may have specific educational requirements as well.

5. Is it necessary to renew my Technical Writer Certification?

Answer: Yes, most providers require that certifications be renewed every 3-5 years in order to maintain their validity.