Top 10 Telecommunications Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for telecommunications engineers in the job market because they demonstrate that the engineer has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job successfully. Certifications show potential employers that an engineer is knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of telecommunications engineering, including wireless, satellite, optical fiber, and other related technologies. By earning certifications, a telecommunications engineer is able to stand out from other applicants and prove their qualifications for a job. Additionally, certifications can help a telecommunications engineer stay up-to-date on emerging technologies, which can be beneficial when applying for jobs.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Telecommunications Engineers and explains how they can contribute to a Telecommunications Engineer's career, enabling them to stay ahead in their field.

What are Telecommunications Engineer Certifications?

Telecommunications engineer certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a telecommunications engineer's knowledge, skills and abilities in the field. It is designed to provide employers, customers and other stakeholders with an assurance of the engineer’s qualifications and expertise.

Telecommunications engineers are responsible for designing, installing, maintaining and repairing telecommunication systems such as telephone networks, broadband internet connections, mobile phone networks and satellite TV systems. As technology advances, so do the demands placed on telecommunications engineers. Telecommunications engineering certification therefore provides assurance that a certified engineer has the necessary skills to design, install and maintain complex communication systems.

By obtaining certification from a reputable organization such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), telecommunications engineers can demonstrate their proficiency in the field. This can help them stand out from other applicants when seeking employment or contracts, as well as providing reassurance to potential customers that they have chosen an experienced professional who is qualified to undertake their project. Certification also allows engineers to stay up-to-date with developments in their field by completing continuing education courses or attending seminars. This ensures they remain informed of new technologies and best practices in order to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing market.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the specific certification requirements for each telecommunications engineer role that you are interested in. Different roles may require different certifications, and you should be aware of what is required before applying for a job. Additionally, consider taking continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Related: What does a Telecommunications Engineer do?

Top 10 Telecommunications Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Telecommunications Engineers today.

1. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification program for IT professionals who work in the field of networking. It is designed to help professionals develop their skills and knowledge in configuring, troubleshooting, and managing Cisco network solutions. The CCNP certification requires candidates to pass three exams: Route, Switch, and Tshoot.

In order to obtain the CCNP certification, you must first pass the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam or have at least one year of experience working with Cisco networks. You must also have a valid Cisco ID number and be able to demonstrate your knowledge of networking fundamentals. After passing the CCNA exam, you will need to complete three additional exams: Route, Switch, and Tshoot. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $300 USD each.

Once you have passed all three exams, you will receive your official CCNP certification from Cisco Systems. This certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires passing either one new exam or completing approved training courses from Cisco Learning Partners. The cost of renewal varies depending on which option you choose but typically ranges between $100-$300 USD per year.

2. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP)

The Juniper Networks Certified Internet Professional (JNCIP) is a mid-level certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting Juniper Networks enterprise routing and switching solutions. It demonstrates a thorough understanding of routing technologies and related platform configuration and troubleshooting skills.

In order to earn the JNCIP certification, candidates must pass two exams: JN0-103 (Junos Routing & Switching) and JN0-347 (Enterprise Routing & Switching). The exams are administered by Pearson VUE, which offers online testing as well as in-person testing at their authorized test centers.

The cost of each exam is $400 USD. Depending on your experience level, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months of preparation before taking the exams. It is recommended that you have hands-on experience with Juniper Networks products prior to attempting the exams.

Once you have passed both exams successfully, you will receive your JNCIP certification from Juniper Networks. This certification is valid for three years from the date of issue. After three years, you will need to recertify by passing one of the recertification exams offered by Juniper Networks.

3. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is a certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructure. It is an industry-recognized credential that shows employers that the holder has the necessary skills to work with computer networks.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as networking technologies, network media and topologies, network devices, network management, and network security.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification you must pass the CompTIA Network+ exam (N10-007). The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center. You can also take the exam online through ProctorU.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $299 to $349 USD.

4. Telecommunications Certification Organization (TCO) Certification

Telecommunications Certification Organization (TCO) Certification is an international certification program that provides independent, third-party validation of products and services for the telecommunications industry. It is designed to ensure that products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and reliability.

The certification process typically takes between six to twelve months from submission of a product or service to receiving a certificate. The process begins with the company submitting their product or service for review by TCO’s technical experts. After reviewing the product or service, TCO will issue a certificate if it meets all of their requirements.

In order to get TCO Certification, companies must first register with TCO and pay an application fee. They must then submit detailed information about their product or service including technical specifications and documentation. Once approved, they must pay an annual fee for each product or service they are certifying.

The cost of getting TCO Certification varies depending on the type of product or service being certified and the complexity of the certification process. Generally speaking, it can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per year per product or service certified.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Communication

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who design and implement solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is the highest level of Microsoft certification available, and it is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to build robust, secure, and reliable solutions using Microsoft products.

The MCSE: Communication certification focuses on the ability to design, deploy, configure, troubleshoot, and manage communication infrastructure in an enterprise environment. It validates expertise in core technologies such as Exchange Server 2016, Skype for Business 2015, SharePoint Server 2016, and Office 365.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to obtain the MCSE: Communication certification. To get the certification you must first pass a series of exams that cover topics such as networking fundamentals; server administration; client operating systems; messaging; security; identity management; collaboration tools; directory services; cloud services; virtualization technology; storage solutions; and disaster recovery.

The cost of obtaining the MCSE: Communication certification varies depending on which exams you choose to take. The cost of each exam ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam. In addition to the cost of taking the exams there may be other costs associated with obtaining this certification such as study materials or training courses.

6. Avaya Certified Implementation Specialist (ACIS)

Avaya Certified Implementation Specialist (ACIS) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills in the implementation of Avaya products and solutions. It is designed to validate the expertise of professionals who are responsible for planning, designing, installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Avaya products and solutions.

It typically takes about 8 to 12 weeks to complete the ACIS certification program. The program consists of two courses: Avaya Professional Sales Specialist (APSS) and Avaya Certified Implementation Specialist (ACIS). Each course includes a series of lectures, hands-on labs, exams, and practical assignments.

To get ACIS certified, you must first pass both the APSS and ACIS exams. The cost of these exams vary depending on your location but generally range from $200-$400 USD each. After passing both exams, you will receive an official certificate from Avaya that confirms your certification status.

The cost of the entire ACIS certification program varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $2,000-$3,000 USD. This cost includes tuition fees for both courses as well as exam fees for both APSS and ACIS exams.

7. Alcatel-Lucent Certified Solutions Architect (ALCSA)

The Alcatel-Lucent Certified Solutions Architect (ALCSA) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, and manage Alcatel-Lucent solutions. It is intended for those who have experience in working with Alcatel-Lucent products, services, and solutions.

The ALCSA certification consists of two levels: Associate and Professional. The Associate level requires passing an online exam that covers basic concepts related to the Alcatel-Lucent portfolio of products and services. The Professional level requires passing a more advanced exam that covers topics such as network design, security, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.

It typically takes about three months to complete the coursework for the ALCSA certification. This includes studying for the exams, attending training sessions or webinars, and completing hands-on labs or other activities.

To get certified as an ALCSA Professional you must first pass both the Associate and Professional exams. You can register for these exams through the Alcatel-Lucent website or through a third party provider such as Pearson VUE or Prometric.

The cost of getting certified as an ALCSA Professional varies depending on which exam provider you use but typically ranges from $200-$300 per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exams at a testing center.

8. Ericsson Certified Technology Expert (ECTE)

Ericsson Certified Technology Expert (ECTE) is a certification program designed to recognize technical professionals who have a deep understanding of Ericsson products and services. The certification requires successful completion of an online assessment, as well as practical experience in the field.

The assessment consists of two parts: a multiple-choice exam and a hands-on lab simulation. The exam covers topics such as network architecture, system design, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting. The lab simulation tests the candidate’s ability to configure and troubleshoot Ericsson products in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes 2-3 months to complete the ECTE certification process. Candidates are required to register for the program on the Ericsson website and pay an enrollment fee of $1,000 USD. Once registered, candidates will receive access to study materials and practice exams that can help them prepare for the assessment.

Once they pass both parts of the assessment, candidates will be awarded their ECTE certification from Ericsson. This certification is valid for three years from date of issue and can be renewed by taking additional assessments or attending approved training courses.

9. Nokia Siemens Networks Certified Solutions Expert (NSN-CSE)

Nokia Siemens Networks Certified Solutions Expert (NSN-CSE) is a certification program from Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in designing, deploying, and managing Nokia Siemens Networks products and solutions. The NSN-CSE certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the areas of network design, configuration, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the NSN-CSE program. To get the NSN-CSE certification, you must first pass an online exam that consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as network architecture, protocols, security, and troubleshooting. Once you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate verifying your achievement.

The cost for taking the NSN-CSE exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as proctoring fees or travel expenses if you need to take it at an approved testing center.

10. Nortel Networks Certified Support Specialist (NNCSS)

Nortel Networks Certified Support Specialist (NNCSS) is a certification program offered by Nortel Networks. It is designed to provide technical professionals with the knowledge and skills to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Nortel products and solutions. The NNCSS certification is available at two levels: Associate and Professional.

The Associate level certification requires that applicants have at least six months of experience in networking or telecommunications technology and pass an online exam. The Professional level certification requires that applicants have at least one year of experience in networking or telecommunications technology, pass an online exam, and complete a hands-on lab exam.

To obtain the NNCSS certification, applicants must first register for the exams through the Nortel Networks Learning Portal. After registering for the exams, applicants will receive instructions on how to access the exams. Applicants must then complete both exams within six months of registering for them in order to receive their certifications.

The cost of obtaining the NNCSS certification varies depending on which level of certification you are seeking. For the Associate level certification, it costs $150 USD plus applicable taxes; for the Professional level certification, it costs $250 USD plus applicable taxes.

Do You Really Need a Telecommunications Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and interests. If you are looking to pursue a career in telecommunications engineering, then the short answer is yes, you do need a telecommunications engineer certificate. A certificate program provides the necessary education and training to become qualified for entry-level positions in the field. It is also important to note that many employers require certification or licensure in order to be considered for certain jobs.

In addition to providing an educational foundation, a telecommunications engineer certificate will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field of telecommunications engineering. This can be especially beneficial if you are looking to move up in your current job or advance into a new role. Certification will help prove your capabilities and can give you an edge when competing for more advanced positions.

It is important to keep in mind that having a certificate alone does not guarantee success as a telecommunications engineer; it is just one piece of the puzzle. You must also have strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and dedication in order to excel in this field. With hard work and determination, however, having a telecommunications engineer certificate can open up new opportunities for advancement and growth within the industry.

Related: Telecommunications Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Telecommunications Engineer Certifications

1. What certification do I need to become a Telecommunications Engineer?

Answer: To become a Telecommunications Engineer, you will need to earn a Professional Engineer (PE) certification from your state licensing board.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Telecommunications Engineer?

Answer: The time required for certification varies depending on the specific requirements of the state licensing board and your experience level. Generally, it takes at least four years of relevant work experience and passing the PE exam in order to become certified.

3. What is the cost of becoming a Telecommunications Engineer?

Answer: The cost of becoming a Telecommunications Engineer varies by state and can range from $200-$1000 depending on the specific requirements. This includes fees for registration, exams, and continuing education courses.

4. Are there any online courses available to help me prepare for the PE exam?

Answer: Yes, there are online courses available that can help you prepare for the PE exam. These courses typically include practice tests, study guides, and video tutorials to supplement your studies.

5. Is there an age limit for becoming certified as a Telecommunications Engineer?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for becoming certified as a Telecommunications Engineer. However, individuals under 18 may need parental consent in order to take the exam or participate in certain educational programs related to telecommunications engineering certification requirements.