2. SBE CERTIFICATION: Why it IS critical to your career

3. Why should I become certified?
Your plumber is certified...
Your auto mechanic is certified...
Your accountant is certified...
so…
Why shouldn’t you be certified as well?

4. Why should I become certified?
You work more hours and face more challenges than ever before!
It is important that you are recognized for your accomplishments!
Certification helps our industry and our profession!

5. You owe it to yourself to...
Continually upgrade your knowledge base.
Improve your technical and communication skills.
Further your own career development.
Benchmark your achievements in an
industry-recognized way.

6. Certification Objectives
To raise the status of broadcast engineers by providing standards of professional competence in the practice of broadcast engineering and related technologies.
To recognize those individuals who, by fulfilling the requirements of knowledge, experience, responsibility and conduct, meet those standards of professional competence.
To encourage broadcast engineers to continue their professional development.

7. Which level of certification is for ME?
There are eight engineering certifications
One networking engineer certification
Two operator certifications
One broadcast networking technologist certification
Three specialist certifications
Each certification is valid for five years

8. Certification Classifications
Operator Level Certifications
Certified Radio Operator® (CRO ®)
Certified Television Operator® (CTO®)
Broadcast Networking Certification
Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist® (CBNT®)
Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) AVAILABLE NOW!
Engineering Level Certifications
Certified Broadcast Technologist® (CBT®)
Certified Audio Engineer® (CEA®)
Certified Video Engineer ® (CEV®)
Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE®)
Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE®)
Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE®)
Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE®)
Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer® (CPBE®)

9. Which level of certification is for me?
You may attempt any level of certification for which you are qualified by testing directly at that level; there are no prerequisite certification levels with the exception of CPBE, for which you must already hold an SBE senior certification.

10. Certified Radio Operator (CRO) Certified Television Operator (CTO)
Levels of certification
Certified Radio Operator (CRO) Certified Television Operator (CTO)
Targeted for the entry-level, non-technical
Master Control and Board Operator.
Handbook covers keeping the log, the EAS, tower lights, staying on the air, legal requirements, television and radio signal fundamentals.
The cost of the book is $49 for Television Operator and $47 for Radio Operator which includes a sample test and card that you will send in for the final testing. Upon successful completion of the exam you will receive a wallet card and certificate.
One hour allotted for test completion.
Exam is closed book and requires a 90% score.

11. Entry-Level CERTIFIED BROADCAST TECHNOLOGIST® (CBT ®)
Levels of certification
A Broadcast Technologist certification can be obtained by achieving a passing grade on the proficiency exam. There is no experience requirement to be eligible for the exam.
Broadcast Technologist can also be obtained without examination if you hold a valid General Radiotelephone License or the FCC Amateur Extra Class license and have two years of continuous satisfactory service in either broadcast engineering or a related technology.
Fee: $48 for SBE members, $123 for non-members

12. Entry-Level CERTIFIED BROADCAST NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIST® (CBNT ®)
Levels of certification
Entry-Level CERTIFIED BROADCAST NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIST® (CBNT ®)
A Broadcast Network Technologist certification can be obtained by achieving a passing grade on the proficiency exam. Current employment in a broadcast or broadcast-related field is required to be eligible.
Fee: $57 for SBE members, $132 for non-members

13. Levels of certification
Five-Year Level CERTIFIED AUDIO ENGINEER® (CEA®) CERTIFIED VIDEO ENGINEER® (CEV®) CERTIFIED BROADCAST RADIO ENGINEER (CBRE®) CERTIFIED BROADCAST TELEVISION ENGINEER (CBTE®)
Broadcast Engineer certification requires five years of suitable experience in broadcast engineering or a related technology and a passing grade on the proficiency exam. You may choose either the Radio track or Television track as your experience requires.
Audio/Video Engineer certification requires five years of suitable experience in Audio or Video engineering or related technology and a passing grade on the proficiency exam. There are no RF or FCC questions on these exams.
Fee: $62 for SBE members, $137 for non-members

14. Five-Year Level CERTIFIED BROADCAST NETWORKING ENGINEER (CBNE)
Broadcast Engineer certification requires five years of suitable experience in broadcast engineering or a related technology and a passing grade on the proficiency exam.
This exam was designed for experienced broadcast professionals having significant experience in IP networks and associated storage and playout technologies employed in radio and television operations.
Fee: $75 for SBE members, $150 for non-members

15. Substitution for experience:
Levels of certification
Ten-Year Level CERTIFIED SENIOR RADIO ENGINEER (CSRE®) CERTIFIED SENIOR TELEVISION ENGINEER (CSTE®)
A Senior Broadcast Engineer requires 10 years responsible broadcast engineering or related technology experience and a passing grade on the proficiency exam. The Senior examination also contains an essay question that is chosen especially for you based on your experience and employment history.
Substitution for experience:
Professional Engineer = 4 years
Bachelor’s Degree = 4 years
Associate’s Degree = 2 years
Up to 4 years related accredited education may be used.
Fee: $87 for SBE members, $162 for non-members

16. Twenty-Year Level CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL BROADCAST ENGINEER® (CPBE®)
Levels of certification
Twenty-Year Level CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL BROADCAST ENGINEER® (CPBE®)
REQUIREMENTS
Must currently be Senior Certified, with a minimum 20 years professional broadcast engineering or related technology experience.
Submission of evidence supporting appropriate engineering background, experience and training.
Letters of reference from two Certified Professional Broadcast Engineers, Certified Senior Broadcast Engineers, or State Registered Professional Engineers. A third letter must be from a person who has supervised your work. This person need not be certified.
A personal letter to the National Certification Committee stating why you believe your professional experience, educational background and training qualify you for this level of certification
Fee: $112 for SBE members, $187 for non-members

17. SPECIALIST CERTIFICATIONS
Levels of certification
SPECIALIST CERTIFICATIONS
To establish a benchmark of individual strengths, the Certification Committee created the concept of Specialist Certifications. The SBE Program of Certification designed the following certifications to help evaluate an individual’s ability to perform the necessary tasks to keep facilities operating properly: 8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB) AM Directional Specialist (AMD) Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB)

18. Specialist AM DIRECTIONAL Specialist (AMD)
The exam will cover the operation, maintenance and repair of a directional antenna system
AM radiators
Understanding of the principles of phase addition and cancellation
Familiarity with the various components used in a directional antenna system
Ability to correctly make necessary measurements and take proper procedures to make repairs and adjustments to the system.
FCC rules concerning directional operation, test equipment and safety procedures.

19. Specialist 8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB)
The exam will cover these areas of competency:
Transport stream
Audio (AC-3)
Video (MPEG-2)
PSIP, DTV standards documents
Transmission system.

20. Specialist DIGITAL RADIO BROADCAST Specialist (DRB)
The specialist exam will include:
Knowledge of importers
Exporters
The various methods of combining analog and digital transmitters to antenna systems
Delivery of digital audio signals and data to transmitter sites
Transmitter emission mask measurements
AM and FM FCC rules
Monitoring of digital signals and bandwidth requirements for AM antenna systems

21. To apply for a specialist certification, you must currently hold certification at the Broadcast Engineer or Senior Broadcast Engineer or Professional Broadcast Engineer Certification level. Please visit the SBE website to obtain applications for any SBE Certification

22. I haven’t had to take a test in years. Why should I test?

23. CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS
SBE Certification exams reflect what you do every day and you can utilize the tools you use every day to take the exams. All questions are prepared by broadcast engineers!
Examinations are based on 50 multiple-choice questions, computer-selected to reflect the particular discipline being tested. The multiple-choice exam is open book.
The degree of difficulty increases as the seniority level increases. Senior levels include supervision and management questions along with an essay question suited to the certification sought. This essay question is closed book. You may chose one of three related questions.

24. When and where are the tests given?
Examinations are given through the local chapters four times a year: February, June, August and November.
Exams are also given during the NAB spring convention in Las Vegas.
Exams may also be proctored through local universities, colleges and tech schools as well as through the offices of educational professionals throughout the world.
Private, confidential proctoring is also available.
IF YOU ARE WILLING, WE WILL FIND A WAY!

25. What about Recertification?
Just as you expect your doctor to keep up with the latest in medical developments over the course of a career, so too does the SBE expect certified members to keep abreast of new media/communications technology.
You can renew your certification every FIVE years without taking another test, if you meet minimum requirements set by the SBE for career development!

26. Once you hold an SBE certification, you may use the SBE Certified logo on your business cards, letterhead, resume, website and signature
To download the SBE Certified logo and to learn about when and how you can use it, please visit the SBE website under: About Us/Press Releases/Logo Use

27. Who is behind this program?
The National Certification Committee, whose chairman is appointed by the SBE President. The Committee is comprised of 14 working engineers who meet in person at least twice a year and correspond frequently through throughout the rest of the year.
The National Certification Committee works in conjunction with Local Chapter Certification Chairmen and Committees and the National Certification Director.
The National Certification Committee reviews all applications for certification.

28. The National Certification Committee and the SBE National Staff are committed to this program and to the broadcast engineering profession. The Committee and Chapter Certification Chairmen have dedicated hours and hours of volunteer time to make sure that certification tests reflect current technology and are fairly administered. The integrity of this program speaks for itself. The test questions, scoring methodology and certification administration have never been compromised.

29. Certification FAQ
Q. What is a passing grade on the Technologist, Broadcast Engineer, Audio and Video Engineer, and Senior Broadcast Engineer Exams?
A. 70 on all levels except Senior, which requires 84.
Q. What happens if I don’t pass?
A. You can retake the exam for a $25 retake fee as early as the next scheduled exam session.

30. Certification FAQ
Q. How long will it be once I’ve taken the test before I know the results?
A. Typically 4-6 weeks. Pass or fail, no one but you will know the results--not even your local Certification Chair!
Q. After I pass, then what?
A. You will receive a card and a certificate of certification, valid for 5 years. SBE will also notify your employer, or anyone else you designate, of your certification if you so request.

31. Certification FAQ Q. How many books may I bring to the examination?
A. As many as you like, but remember they cannot be used during the essay portion of the senior or specialist exams.
Q. How about written notes?
A. You may not utilize notes during the examination process. This is done to insure the integrity of the question database.

32. Certification FAQ
Q. Are calculators and computers allowed during the test?
A. Calculators, yes--PCs, no. You may utilize your smart phone device as a calculator but you will be required to put it in “airplane mode” . You will be on your honor not to utilize it for recording notes during the test.
Q. Why aren’t computers allowed?
A. Maintaining the integrity of the question database is critical to the success of our program. We want to be certain that the questions are not removed from the examination room, and by eliminating computers, and restricting handwritten notes, we hope to accomplish that objective.

33. Certification FAQ
Q. Will success in a Certification Test guarantee a pay increase for me?
A. Sorry, no one can guarantee that. However, you will be joining a select group that proclaims to the world that they believe in investing in their future and improving their value to their employers.
Q. How current are the exam questions?
A. They are reviewed by the Certification Committee at least three times per year. We make a significant investment to keep the questions aligned with current technology.

34. Any Questions?
Contact the SBE Certification Director Megan Clappe N. Meridian St., Suite 150 Indianapolis, IN 46260