CEDIA has announced that the Integrated Systems Technician (IST) certification has earned third-party accreditation certification in accordance with the global ISO/IEC 17024:2012, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons.

The IST certification joins the Cabling and Infrastructure Technician (CIT) as CEDIA’s second ISO/IEC 17024-accredited standard. Together, these two certifications represent a globally recognised career path for residential technology integrators.

CEDIA’s ISO/IEC 17024 accredited certifications demonstrate to other trades, customers, and lawmakers that the custom integration industry is a clearly defined profession with rigorous, widely accepted criteria for competency. The conformance process was overseen by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a wholly owned subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

CEDIA senior director of certification, David Whitney, says: “Certification is where CEDIA’s advocacy and workforce development efforts meet. As these globally accredited certifications gain adoption and recognition, we strengthen the position of the whole smart home industry.”

CEDIA created the IST certification to be both rigorous and accessible. Industry veterans who hold CEDIA’s earlier ESC-T certification will have a pathway to transition to the accredited IST certification without retesting. CEDIA also provides a wide range of preparation resources for new certification candidates.

The IST recognises experienced integration technicians who can perform the full scope of pre-wire (first fix) and trim-out (second fix), including system testing and troubleshooting. IST-certified individuals possess a broad range of essential technical skills, up-to-date knowledge of standards and recommended practices, and strong conceptual foundations. This certification builds on the foundational knowledge encompassed by the CIT exam and serves as the basis for CEDIA’s advanced certifications and curriculum. Holding an IST certification indicates that an individual is experienced, competent, and committed to professional development and ethics.

All current IST certifications are now ISO/IEC 17024 accredited. Holders of the previous-generation technician certification, the ESC-T, can transition to the IST during their next renewal period. Current ESC-T holders must earn 30 Continuing Education Units, submit a renewal application, and signed code of conduct agreement to transition to the IST. Renewal application fees will be waived for those transitioning from the ESC-T.

Those who do not yet hold an IST or ESC-T must complete two prerequisites before challenging the IST exam: They must have at least one year of industry experience, and they must hold a CIT or equivalent certification. CEDIA offers a wide range of study resources for both the CIT and IST certifications, including textbooks, online self-paced courses, in-person and hybrid Technician School, and practice tests. Certification hopefuls can also enrol in online study sessions and take either test onsite at the upcoming CEDIA Expo in Dallas.

To find out more about CEDIA’s ISO/IEC 17024 accredited CIT certification and other CEDIA Certifications, visit cedia.net/certification.