ICIA CTS Program Earns National Recognition

ICIA CTS program earns national recognition and registry listing by the National Certification Commission

Professional certification by ICIA, the premier trade association for the professional audiovisual industry, has always been an important career step for audiovisual and communications specialists seeking to improve their skills while securing a competitive advantage. Now, ICIA certification has become even more prestigious.

The National Certification Commission, a not-for-profit organization representing 150 member associations, has accepted ICIA's Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) program into its National Registry. NCC acceptance verifies that ICIA's program is comprehensive and objective, and meets the criteria established by the NCC for professional certification programs.

As the industry leader in education and certification, ICIA has been certifying professionals since 1981, offering training at both general and specialized levels. Every year, ICIA certifies more qualified AV professionals than any other organization. CTS-accredited individuals can be found from India to New Zealand, Canada to Argentina, and from the United Kingdom to Africa. A CTS certification is truly the mark of an AV professional around the globe. The current rate of certification is approximately 1,000 worldwide annually.

"It's a great day for us," said Lou Nanni, ICIA Director of Certification. "That our program has been reviewed and accredited by a significant outside organization further validates the high standards our certification program sets, and its value to our industry."

Based in Maryland, near Washington, D.C., the National Certification Commission assists associations representing a broad range of specialties. Fully independent, the NCC is non-governmental, not operated by a management firm, and not affiliated with product vendors. It offers objective, cost-effective information and advice, in addition to its review service which evaluates programs for its National Registry.

The NCC's review of ICIA's certification program was voluntary and initiated by ICIA, which proved itself able to meet the NCC's six key criteria and 14 critical guidelines. The resulting Full Registration, in the words of the NCC, "further supports the credibility (of the program) to participants, the organization, and the general public."

Mike Weems, CTS, MCP, Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC) Chair said, "It's a fabulous honor, and it further validates efforts of staff and faculty towards creating a program to recognize the achievements of our members." The new honor also comes as ICIA is preparing for InfoComm 2005, June 4-10, in Las Vegas, where numerous certification-related courses and testing opportunities are available to attendees, and as ICIA's InfoComm Academy launches "Certification Prep," a new three-day course designed to help candidates prepare for Certification.

Professionals in the AV industry are permitted to use the highly respected CTS designation after their name upon successfully taking ICIA's CTS test. Individuals can begin with the General CTS Test, then move on to advanced testing that allows them to add the designations CTS-D, indicating a specialty in design; CTS-I, for installation specialists; CTS-R for a rentals specialty; and CTS-S for expertise in sales.

For those just embarking on the Certification process, ICIA's InfoComm Academy is offering Certification Prep, a new classroom course designed to help candidates prepare for the General CTS exam. The three-day Prep will be held March 20-22 at the InfoComm Academy's state-of-the-art training facility in Fairfax, Va., then again as an Institute for Professional Development course in June at this year's InfoComm.

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