Electrical engineering is a field that requires a variety of technical skills. Certification programs can help electrical engineers learn new skills and demonstrate their expertise to potential employers. If you are an electrical engineer, it may be helpful to learn what certifications you can earn and how they might benefit your career. In this article, we explore what electrical engineer certifications are, describe why they’re important, and provide a list of nine important certifications for electrical engineers.
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What are electrical engineering certifications?
Electrical engineer certifications are training and credentialing programs that designate competency in a variety of engineering skills. Electrical engineers can pursue certifications that show their general engineering skills, managerial expertise, or specialized skills in automation, systems engineering, or energy management. Earning these credentials can teach you the skills to enhance your job performance, pursue new positions, and display your professional qualifications to potential employers. Some certifications cater to experienced professionals, while others are helpful for entry-level electrical engineers looking to improve their CVs.
Certifications vs. accreditation
Certifications are credentials that individuals receive to demonstrate that they meet a set of professional standards. To earn certifications, candidates often complete training programs followed by a written or oral exam. Accreditation is a similar process of recognition that authorizes institutions to grant certifications or degrees. To receive accreditation, an organization often receives an audit to ensure its compliance with industry standards of education.
Since a diverse group of organizations offers certifications in engineering, there isn’t a standard process of accreditation. State engineering boards and professional engineering organizations consist of experienced professionals. This gives them the knowledge and authority to set standards for their industry. Engineers can also earn certifications in a variety of different tools and technologies. In these cases, the company that makes the product often offers the certification.
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Why are certifications important for electrical engineers?
Certifications can provide many benefits for electrical engineers, such as helping them build a resume, which may be especially important for young professionals with little work experience. Certification programs often require candidates to complete training programs before testing. This can help engineers learn new or special skills that may help them pursue different positions or change their specialization. Certification can also help distinguish electrical engineers from other candidates when looking for jobs or help current electrical engineers improve the safety and efficiency of their work.
Best certifications for electrical engineers
These are some common certifications that electrical engineers can pursue to demonstrate their professional skills:
1. Autodesk AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design software that professionals in many industries use to generate models, blueprints, and other designs. This certification can demonstrate your proficiency with this important platform. Autodesk provides certification in Autodesk at three levels, Autodesk Certified Associate, Autodesk Certified Professional, and Autodesk Certified Expert. Earning these certifications requires candidates to have a certain number of practical experience with AutoCAD and to pass a proctored exam.
2. Engineer in Training (EIT)
The EIT certification is an important entry-level certification for engineers in a wide variety of fields. It’s often the first step in earning a Professional Engineer (PE) certification. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying administers EIT testing in all states during four periods each year. After passing the EIT exam, the candidate’s state engineering board issues them the certification, which allows them to work as an entry-level engineer in their area.
3. Certified Technical Professional (CTP)
The CTP offers a credential for young technical professionals who have graduated from either associate or bachelor’s programs. Unlike some certifications, it doesn’t require work experience, and it can help entry-level professionals build their credentials. After completing the CTP, some individuals choose to pursue a Certified Technical Manager certification or CTM. This can help prepare them for leadership positions in their field.
4. Professional Engineer (PE)
The PE certification is an advanced certification that can be a valuable asset in many engineering fields, including electrical engineering. To earn this certification, candidates first complete a four-year degree, pass the EIT or FE exam, and work for a minimum of four years with a certified PE. They are then eligible to take an intensive exam to earn their PE certification. Many states also require engineers to complete continuing education courses to retain their PE.
5. Project Management Professional (PgMP)
This certification is often helpful for electrical engineers who are interested in pursuing a leadership position. It can show their ability to lead company projects and accomplish strategic goals. Earning this certification requires an associate or bachelor’s degree, two years of previous project management experience, and an exam. Many project management professionals have to renew their certification every three years.
6. Certified Systems Engineer Professional (CSEP)
The CSEP certification can indicate an individual’s expertise in designing and managing complex multidisciplinary engineering projects. The International Council on Systems Engineering or INCOSE grants this certification to engineers who complete its requirements. These requirements include a minimum of five years of systems engineering experience and an undergraduate or graduate degree that some can replace with extra work experience. INCOSE also requires candidates to provide professional references and pass a multiple-choice exam.
7. Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) certification
A certification in PLC programming can help electrical engineers show their expertise with electronic automation tools. There are many PLC classes that engineers can take in person or online that issue certification after completion. Many courses specialize in teaching a certain PLC platform, and it may be helpful to choose a class based on which PLC you are most likely to use in your work. For example, if you expect to work with the Allen Bradley series of PLCs, you can pursue a certification program from Allen Bradley or through a third party like the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT).
8. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) certification
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. It’s an increasingly important automation tool in manufacturing, and SCADA expertise may be valuable for electrical engineers who plan to work in the manufacturing or energy industries. There are a variety of online courses that can teach engineers the fundamentals of SCADA and certify them on completion.
9. Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
A CEM certification shows that an engineer has gained expertise in managing and optimizing facility energy performance. The Association of Energy Engineers grants this certification to engineers who meet its eligibility requirements and complete a training seminar and written exam. The experience requirements for eligibility vary based on the educational background of the candidate. Those with a four-year engineering degree require three years of experience, while those with no degree require 10 years of work experience. Other educational backgrounds require varying levels of work experience based on their relevance to energy engineering.
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