Top 11 Test Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for a test technician in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their job effectively. Certifications provide evidence of an individual's qualifications and commitment to their profession, as well as a record of their ongoing professional development. They also demonstrate that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. As a result, certifications can give test technicians an edge in the job market and make them more attractive candidates when competing for jobs.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Test Technicians and explain how they can help further a test technician's career.

What are Test Technician Certifications?

Test technician certification is a type of professional certification that verifies a person's expertise in the field of test engineering. Test engineering involves the design, development, and implementation of tests to ensure that products meet safety and quality requirements. It typically includes activities such as conducting failure analysis, performing system integration tests, developing test plans and scripts, and troubleshooting problems. By becoming certified as a test technician, individuals demonstrate their knowledge and experience in this field.

Having a test technician certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees. For employers, it helps them identify qualified applicants who have the skillset necessary to perform testing tasks accurately and efficiently. Certification also provides assurance that employees are up-to-date on industry standards, best practices, and regulations for product testing. For employees, having a certification can help them stand out from other job seekers when applying for positions in the field of test engineering. It can also be used as an opportunity to increase their pay or move into more senior roles within their organization. Furthermore, continuing education credits may be earned through earning certifications which can help them stay current with industry trends and technologies.

Pro Tip: When looking for a test technician certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly and ensure that it meets the requirements of your industry. Additionally, check to see if the program offers any continuing education or recertification options to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date.

Related: What does a Test Technician do?

Top 11 Test Technician Certifications

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

1. Certified Electronics Technician (CET)

Certified Electronics Technician (CET) is a professional certification program offered by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET). The CET certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate mastery in the field of electronics technology. This certification is intended for those who are currently employed or seeking employment in the electronics industry.

The CET certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as electrical safety, digital and analog circuits, microprocessors, telecommunications, and other related topics. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can take up to three hours to complete. In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of documented experience in the field of electronics technology or have completed an approved course of study.

In order to get certified as a CET, applicants must first register with ISCET and pay a one-time fee of $95 USD. After registering, they will then be able to access the online application and take the required exam. Once they have successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CET certificate from ISCET.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $50-$200 USD per attempt. It may take several attempts before passing the exam so it’s important to budget accordingly when planning for this expense.

2. Certified Test & Evaluation Professional (CTEP)

Certified Test & Evaluation Professional (CTEP) is a professional certification that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and experience necessary to perform test and evaluation activities. The certification is offered by the International Test & Evaluation Association (ITEA).

To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of relevant professional experience in test and evaluation activities. They must also pass an examination consisting of multiple-choice questions on topics such as test planning, data analysis, and reporting.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete, and applicants must score at least 70% to pass. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country where it is taken, but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Once certified, CTEPs are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every three years. This includes attending conferences or taking courses related to test and evaluation activities.

3. Certified Quality Inspector (CQI)

Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) is a professional certification program offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to provide quality professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to inspect products and services, identify defects, and ensure quality standards are met. The CQI certification is recognized worldwide as an important credential for quality assurance professionals.

It typically takes between three and six months to complete the CQI certification process. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as inspection methods, sampling techniques, statistical process control, corrective action procedures, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken online or in person at an ASQ testing center.

The cost of the CQI certification varies depending on where you take the exam. In general, it costs around $400-$500 for the application fee and exam fee combined. Additional fees may apply if you need to retake the exam or if you choose to take a review course prior to taking the exam.

4. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional designation given by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in reliability engineering. CREs are typically employed in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, and telecommunications.

It takes approximately six months to become certified as a CRE. To obtain certification, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as reliability engineering principles and practices, system design and analysis, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), reliability testing and data analysis, root cause analysis, preventive maintenance planning, and quality assurance.

In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in reliability engineering or a related field. Applicants must also complete an application form with supporting documentation.

The cost of the CRE exam is $395 USD for ASQ members or $495 USD for non-members. The exam fee includes the cost of the study guide materials and other resources needed to prepare for the exam.

5. International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Automation Professional (CAP)

The International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Automation Professional (CAP) is a globally recognized certification program that provides an objective measure of an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of automation. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the application of automation principles and technologies.

The program consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral/practical exam. The written exam focuses on the fundamentals of automation, including topics such as process control, instrumentation, system integration, programming, and safety. The oral/practical exam tests the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

To obtain the CAP certification, candidates must pass both exams within three years. The written exam can be taken at any ISA-authorized testing center or online through ProctorU. The cost for the written exam is $295 USD for ISA members and $395 USD for non-members. The oral/practical exam must be taken at an ISA-approved testing center and costs $695 USD for ISA members and $795 USD for non-members.

In addition to passing both exams, candidates must also meet certain educational requirements before they can become certified. These include having a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field from an accredited university or college; having at least five years of experience in automation technology; and completing at least 40 hours of continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification status.

6. American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Technician (CQT)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Technician (CQT) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the field of quality assurance. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their commitment to quality assurance and their ability to apply best practices in the workplace.

To become an ASQ Certified Quality Technician, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as quality control, inspection techniques, statistical process control, and root cause analysis. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CQT exam, applicants must meet certain educational requirements or have a minimum of three years of experience in a related field. Applicants must also pay an application fee before they can take the exam.

The cost of taking the CQT exam varies depending on whether you are an ASQ member or non-member. For members, the cost is $225 USD; for non-members, it is $325 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will need to pay an additional fee for your certificate and wallet card.

Once certified, CQTs are required to maintain their certification by earning continuing education credits every three years. This can be done through attending seminars and workshops or participating in online courses related to quality assurance topics.

7. National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD)

National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) is a certification program that validates the knowledge and skills of individuals who have developed applications using NI LabVIEW software. The CLAD certification is designed to ensure that developers are familiar with the fundamentals of LabVIEW programming, and can create effective, reliable, and maintainable applications.

The CLAD exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a hands-on practical assessment. The written exam covers topics such as dataflow programming, debugging techniques, graphical user interface design, communication protocols, and data analysis. The practical assessment requires applicants to build an application based on specific requirements provided by National Instruments.

The CLAD exam typically takes between three and four hours to complete. It is available in both online and in-person formats at various locations around the world. To take the exam, applicants must be registered with National Instruments’ Certification Program. The cost of the CLAD exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

8. National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD)

The National Instruments Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) is a professional certification for engineers and developers who use the LabVIEW graphical programming language. It is designed to validate technical proficiency in developing applications with LabVIEW. This certification demonstrates that the individual has achieved a level of expertise necessary to design, develop, debug, and deploy sophisticated LabVIEW applications.

To become a CLD, individuals must pass a two-hour exam that covers topics such as data flow programming, debugging techniques, user interface design, and advanced topics in LabVIEW development. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and requires the applicant to demonstrate their knowledge of the software by completing various tasks within the program.

The cost for taking the CLD exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $200-$400 USD. The exam can be taken at any NI-approved testing center or online through NI’s website. Once an individual passes the exam they will receive their official CLD certificate from NI.

It typically takes around 2 hours to complete the CLD exam; however, some individuals may take longer depending on their familiarity with LabVIEW and how much time they spend preparing for the test.

9. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification that verifies a technician’s skills in computer hardware and software. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge of basic computer technology, networking, security, troubleshooting and operational procedures.

The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Both exams are 90 minutes long and include a maximum of 90 multiple-choice questions. The cost for each exam is $226 USD.

To get the CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass both exams within three years of each other. You can take the exams at any authorized testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your CompTIA A+ certificate from CompTIA.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam and how many times you need to retake it if necessary. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $452 USD to over $1000 USD depending on these factors.

10. IPC-A-610 Certification

IPC-A-610 Certification is an industry standard certification program developed by the Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC). It is designed to ensure that electronic assemblies meet the highest quality standards. The IPC-A-610 certification program provides a comprehensive set of criteria for evaluating the acceptability of electronic assemblies.

The IPC-A-610 certification requires a two day course, followed by a written and practical exam. The course covers topics such as soldering, crimping and inspection techniques. Upon successful completion of the course and exams, individuals will receive an IPC-A-610 Certified Specialist certificate.

To get IPC-A-610 certified, you must first register for the training course with an approved IPC trainer or training center. After registering for the course, you will need to complete both days of training and pass both the written and practical exams in order to become certified.

The cost of getting IPC-A-610 certified varies depending on where you take your training course, but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

11. Solder Certification by IPC J-STD-001

IPC J-STD-001 is an industry-recognized certification program for soldering. It is a standard set by the IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) that provides requirements for producing quality soldered electrical and electronic assemblies. The standard covers the materials, methods, and verification criteria for producing high-quality soldered interconnections.

The certification process consists of two parts: a theory exam and a practical exam. The theory exam tests knowledge of the IPC J-STD-001 requirements and related topics such as cleaning, inspection, rework, and repair. The practical exam requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to properly solder components on printed circuit boards according to IPC J-STD-001 requirements.

It typically takes about two days to complete the certification process, depending on the number of candidates taking the course. To get certified in IPC J-STD-001, you must first attend an approved training course from an authorized instructor or provider. After completing the training course, you will then be eligible to take the exams required for certification.

The cost of getting certified in IPC J-STD-001 varies depending on where you take your training course and which certifying organization you use. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2000 USD per person for both the training course and exams combined.

Do You Really Need a Test Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the specific job requirements and qualifications needed for the position. Generally, a test technician certificate is not required for most entry-level jobs in the field. However, depending on the company or position you are applying for, a certificate may be necessary or beneficial in order to stand out from other applicants.

For example, some employers may require that you have a certificate in order to be considered for a job as a test technician. This could include certifications in specific electrical engineering topics such as soldering, wiring and circuit analysis. Having a certification can also give employers confidence that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job effectively. Additionally, if you are already working as a test technician but want to advance your career, having a certification can demonstrate that you have taken extra effort to develop your skills and knowledge even further.

Ultimately, obtaining a test technician certificate is not essential but it can certainly help when applying for certain positions. It shows potential employers that you are serious about your profession and have taken the time to invest in yourself by learning more about the industry and developing your skillset further.

Related: Test Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Test Technician Certifications

Q1: What is a Test Technician Certification?

Answer: A Test Technician Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's proficiency in conducting quality assurance and product testing. It validates the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to perform these tasks effectively and accurately.

Q2: How do I get certified as a Test Technician?

Answer: To become certified as a Test Technician, you must first complete an accredited training program or course of study. After completing the program, you must then pass an industry-recognized certification exam to demonstrate your knowledge and proficiency in the field.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming a certified Test Technician?

Answer: Becoming a certified Test Technician can provide you with access to higher-paying jobs, increased job security, recognition from employers, and credibility within the industry. Additionally, certification may be necessary for certain positions or organizations.

Q4: How long does it take to become a certified Test Technician?

Answer: The length of time required to become a certified Test Technician varies depending on the type of training program or course of study you complete. Generally speaking, it takes between six months and two years to complete all requirements for certification.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for becoming a certified Test Technician?

Answer: Most accredited training programs or courses of study require applicants to have at least one year of prior experience in the field. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have completed specific courses or hold certain academic qualifications before applying for certification.