InfoComm has announced that ANSI has accredited its Certified Technology Specialist and Certified Technology Specialist - Installation credentials under ISO/IEC 17024.
About 15 months ago, InfoComm announced its intention to apply for American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO)17024 personnel accreditation for the Certified Technology Specialist program. At the time of this announcement, InfoComm’s Board of Governors had been working for several years to chart a strategy for improving quality in the audiovisual industry. They explored outside accreditation of the CTS program with consultants, and grappled with how to ensure that the test accurately assessed the knowledge needed by today’s AV professional.
An independent certification committee was formed, and AMX Corporation’s Spencer Bullins, CTS, was selected as chair. Nearly 100 industry volunteers helped develop new exam questions that reflect the current demands of the AV industry. Certification consultants challenged InfoComm to reinvent its education and certification programs to become separate entities, requiring the reworking of curricula and marketing materials. ANSI accreditation requires an exam development and maintenance process that assures the highest level of exam validity, security and impartiality. A new exam management system and delivery process was developed using multiple committees of volunteer subject matter experts, following the internationally accepted ANSI guidelines for accreditation under the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. Comprehensive candidate handbooks including job task analysis charts were developed and made public to help guide individuals through the application and renewal processes.
In a recent email, Randel E. Lemke, Executive Director of InfoComm International wrote: "What does this mean to you? If you are one of the more than 9,500 CTS holders, this is great news. This milestone is international recognition of the CTS as a valid and meaningful designation. Those who specify AV can now be assured that with ANSI’s independent verification of the InfoComm’s policies and procedures, the CTS credential meets the highest professional standards of examination development and administration. Each and every CTS certification is backed by the ANSI guarantee of program excellence unequaled in this industry."