How can you tell if they're qualified?

Building Operating Management, Nov 1998 by Warmke, Jay

A facility executive hardly has the time to become an expert on telecommunications cabling systems. Still, it's crucial to make sure that the people hired to design or install the system know what they are doing. How can you tell? How can you wind your way through the changing technology, the seemingly endless acronyms, the hundreds of choices?

Fortunately, there are a number of well-respected credentials to look for. While these designations are no guarantee of performance, they at least should give you the confidence that the person sitting across the table from you has been tested by an unbiased third party and found to have met the knowledge or performance standards set by the industry.

The premier association focused on cabling issues for voice, data and video throughout the world is BICSI. BICSI was originally formed in the early 1970s to serve telephone company "building industry consultants" the people who designed phone systems for new construction. The association has since grown to more than 14,000 members from 70 nations and provides training and credentials for the low voltage industry.

The flagship credential offered by BICSI is the RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer). This examination focuses on the design of low-voltage systems. A candidate must have a minimum of two years experience and pass a very comprehensive examination. Only about 40 percent of those who take the examination pass. The RCDD is valid for three years. To renew the designation, the RCDD must complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education within the three-year registration period. There are currently more than 4,600 RCDDs throughout the world.

As the field has evolved, BICSI has added a LAN Specialty program to the RCDD. Only RCDDs can apply for the examination, which focuses on specific aspects of data distribution design. Additional specialties are planned, such as one in outside plant design.

BICSI also offers a three-tier program for telecommunications installers, the people who actually pull, terminate and test the cables. These programs include the Apprentice Level (for those with less than two years experience), the Installer Level (for those with two to five years experience) and the Technician Level for those with five or more years of experience). Apart from demonstrating their experience, those seeking these designations must pass a written examination as well as a "hands-on" examination. This program is only about 2 years old and there are currently about 2,600 registered at the various levels. For additional information you can contact BICSI at 800-2427405 or at its website, www.bicsi.org.

While BICSI focuses on UTP (unshielded twisted pair) and fiber optics for voice, data and video, other programs focus on other mediums and applications. For example, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) has an excellent program focused on coaxial cable. This association has traditionally focused on the education and credentialing of those providing cable television services.

SCTE offers a number of areas of certification. Most of these focus heavily on the broadband (cable television) technologies; however, as technologies converge, they are necessarily addressing other technologies as well. For example, SCTE has recently introduced a Telephony Certification. This program tests individuals' knowledge in a wide variety of voice and data subject areas, from professionalism to public switched telephone networks to SONET (Synchronous Optical Networks).

As with most association credential programs, SCTE's various programs require a demonstration of experience, an examination (including "hands-on for the installation trades), and some form of continuing education for renewal. For additional information contact SCTE at 800-542-5040 or visit its website, www.scte.org.

NARTE (The National Association of Radio and Telecommunications Engineers) also offers certification programs focused on the telecommunications industry. As with SCTE, these programs encompass a broad range of technical information, focusing on more than just the cabling infrastructure. To learn more about its programs, call NARTE at 508-533-8333 or visit its website, www.narte.org.

ETA (Electronics Technicians Association) offers a wide variety of certification programs as well, several of which focus on the telecommunications industry. Its recently enacted Certified Fiber Optics Installers program has been gaining increasing support within the industry. For more information on this program or the ETA, call 765-653-8262.

Jay Warmke is executive director of BICSI