IST Certification

Description

CEDIA is proud to offer the new global standard of excellence for experienced technicians who want to stand out from the crowd, be recognized for their expertise and earn the respect of their clients, employers, and industry partners.

The CEDIA Certified Integrated System Technician (IST) was designed by integrators who believe that a truly successful technician is not only competent in a broad range of essential skills but is also committed to professional ethics and ongoing learning.

It doesn’t matter if you are a one-person shop or work for a large integration firm. If your job involves installing and connecting technology in the home, this is your certification. We invite you to join a community of certified technicians who take pride in their work and what it means to be a professional.

Starting December 1, 2023 technicians with over 3 years of direct work experience will no longer have to earn the CIT as a prerequisite to take the IST.

Start Application IST Handbook Exam Blueprint

Features of the IST

Updated – The content of this exam has been thoroughly vetted by a team of over 20 global subject matters experts.
Aligned – For technicians looking for a career pathway, this certification is the next step up from the entry-level CIT Certification. It establishes a core foundation of knowledge that support further growth into the specialist ESC-N and ESC-D certifications.
Supported – Apart from the Certification process, CEDIA’s Education and Standards departments have used the IST blueprint to create new curriculum and reference materials that align to this framework and give learners a clear pathway to follow.
Global - CEDIA has worked hard to ensure that, as much as possible, the content is representative of a global audience.

The CEDIA Certified Integrated System Technician (IST) is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as having met the international standard for personnel certification bodies defined by the ISO/IEC 17024 standard.

Click here to learn more about the certification program’s governance and official recognition.

IST Certification Details

Cost

CEDIA Member – $200 USD / £170

Non-member – $300 USD / £250

Retest - $125 USD / £100

Please contact certification@cedia.org for emerging market prices.

Exam Length and Format

The exam is taken in a proctored environment where candidates have 3 hours to complete the 150 multiple choice questions. No study material is permitted.The passing score is 70% (105 out of 120 questions). It is a pass or fail exam, but candidates will receive a score report which shows their performance in each of the 6 domains according to the Exam Blueprint.

Eligibility

All candidates must agree to the terms and conditions listed in the CEDIA Certification Code of Conduct.

Option 1: Certification + Experience

Candidates must actively hold the CIT or equivalent certification.
Candidates must have at least 1 year of verified experience installing infrastructure cabling andequipment for integrated systems.

Option 2: Experience Only

Candidates must have at least 3 years of verified experience installing infrastructure cabling and equipment for integrated systems.

Note: Retest policies vary based on eligibility option selected. See IST Handbook for full details.

Experience Level

At least one year of experience is required, but first-time earners frequently have a few years of experience. This certification is actively held by technicians throughout their career who maintain their knowledge and skill level by earning CEUs.

Practice Test

CEDIA has created a free practice test with 50+ sample IST questions that candidates can use to simulate an exam environment. No questions are used on the official exam, and it is not intended to be exhaustive. While results are helpful for revealing areas that might need study, they should not be seen as a guarantee of similar results on the exam. There are 2 versions of the same test.

Practice Test Option 1 – No answers provided. Results are displayed by domain.
Practice Test Option 2 – Answers are provided after each question at the end of the exam where results are also displayed by domain.

Preparing for the Exam

Start by reviewing the exam blueprint asses your familiarity with the content. Some individuals may feel ready to test right away, and others might want to pursue additional learning either as arefresher or a dedicated learning path.

CEDIA offers a textbook, online or in-person courses, practice tests and other additional resources.

No specific training is required to sit for the exam, and candidates may choose to utilize a variety of methods to prepare including internal training or on-the-job experience. If you need further guidance about options please contact certification@cedia.org.

Taking the Exam

You will first need to submit an application form along with the fee which is paid at the sametime. This form must be filled out by the person actually taking the exam. There is also an option to buy a transferable IST exam voucher and then forward that code to the person taking the exam so that they can complete the form themselves.
After the form has been reviewed by CEDIA you will receive an email from CEDIA certification with instructions and a link to Kryterion’s Webassessor testing platform. You willneed to create a Webasessor account and can choose between two options for testing. A voucher will be provided to complete scheduling and exam registration process.

A. Remote Online Proctoring– Take the exam from the convenience of your own home or business. Learn more about this option in the IST Candidate Handbook and from the Kryterion Support Page. B. Kryterion’s Local Test Centers – There are 1,000+ global test centers and you can browse to locate one near you.

Duration and Renewal

Please visit the Certification Portal for more details on managing your certifications. Complete policies can be found in the IST Handbook.

Integrated Systems Technician (IST) Certification