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The Site for Inland Empire, California and AFRTS Broadcast Engineers

Webmaster's Note:  The following information is taken directly from the SBE National Home page at www.sbe.org and is intended only for informational purposes for our members and our prospective members. Links are included for all application forms. Click here for the standard Membership form to join without certification.  You will need the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader to access these forms. Download it FREE!
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Program of Certification

The Certification Program is a service of SBE contributing to the advancement of broadcast engineering for the general benefit of the entire broadcast industry.

Membership in SBE is not a requirement of the Certification Program. Because SBE members share in the overhead cost of all SBE activities, non-member certification fees are higher.

Non-members who certify are eligible to receive one (1) free year of membership in SBE. We hope you take advantage of this offer. It is our hope that you will like what SBE has to offer and will want to continue your membership and support of your Society.

OBJECTIVES OF THE
PROGRAM OF CERTIFICATION

  • 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.

ADMINISTRATION

Responsibility for administering the Certification Program rests with a National Certification Committee appointed by the SBE President with the approval of the SBE Board of Directors. Board members and officers must be SBE Certified.

The Certification Director will be responsible for carrying out the details of the program. The Certification Director will serve on the Committee as an advisor, but will have no vote. This person will attend all meetings, keep the minutes of those meetings, and prepare regular reports to the SBE Board of Directors.

Qualifications of each candidate for Certification will be judged by the National Certification Committee.

Examinations will be administered through local Chapters under the supervision of proctors approved by the National Certification Committee. Where no Chapters exist, the National Certification Committee will arrange for suitable testing procedures. These proctors will be SBE Officers, Chapter Officers, educators, or other responsible persons.

CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Certification, a candidate must have a strong interest in the design, operation, maintenance, or administration of the day-to-day problems and achievements associated with the operation of a broadcast facility or related technology. The candidate must also meet the specific eligibility requirements of the desired certification level.

CERTIFICATION CLASSIFICATIONS

There are four (4) classes of Certification, each to be valid for a period of five (5) years:

BROADCAST TECHNOLOGIST
(See Application Form A)
The Broadcast Technologist certification can be obtained by meeting one of the following requirements:

a. By achieving a passing grade on the proficiency examination. There is no experience requirement to be eligible for the examination.

b. By holders of a valid Life-time General Class license with either two (2) years of continuous satisfactory service in broadcast engineering or related technology prior to the date of application, or a total of three (3) out of the last five (5) years of satisfactory service in broadcast engineering or related technology. (The service record on the back of the FCC General Class license must show no record of discharge for unsatisfactory service or for unlawful activity.)

c. By holders of a valid FCC Amateur Extra Class license who meet the above service requirement.

d. By holders of a valid license equivalent to one of the FCC licenses listed above, who meet the service requirement. (NOTE: This provision is for those who live in areas that do not operate under the rules and regulations of the FCC.)

The Broadcast Technologist Exam: Exams consist of fifty (50) multiple choice general exam questions for both radio and television. The applicant can request questions selected from radio or television or both. Each exam is computer selected from a file of hundreds of questions, therefore, every exam will be different. Each correct answer will be worth two (2) points. The Broadcast Technologist multiple choice examination will consist of questions on:

  • electronic fundamentals
  • FCC rules pertaining to operating tolerances
  • safety

BROADCAST ENGINEER
(See Application Form B)
The Broadcast Engineer candidate must have had five (5) years of suitable experience in broadcast engineering, or related technology, and achieve a passing grade on the proficiency examination.

NOTE: Substitution of broadcast engineering, or education in related technologies, for experience may be made as follows:
a. A state registered Professional Engineer's license will count as four (4) years experience for all levels of certification.
b. A Bachelor Degree will count as four (4) years experience.
c. An Associate Degree will count as two (2) years experience.
d. Up to four (4) years related accredited education, (i.e., military, correspondence, etc.) can be substituted.
e. Applicant will not receive dual credit for concurrent years of experience and education.

The Broadcast Engineer Exam: Fifty (50) multiple choice questions for each endorsement covering the equivalent of five (5) years experience will be selected. Each correct answer will be worth two (2) points. The Broadcast Engineer multiple choice examination will consist of questions on:

  • operating practices
  • theory
  • problems
  • safety

NOTE: The Broadcast Engineer certificate will carry space for special endorsements in AM/FM and TV. The candidate may take the Broadcast Engineer examination by meeting the experience requirement either in AM/FM or TV or in both fields of specialization. Satisfactory passing of one or more of these classes will permit the person to attach the respective endorsement(s) to the certificate. Endorsements will be by examination only.

AUDIO OR VIDEO ENGINEER
(See Application Form B)
The AUDIO/VIDEO Engineer candidate must have had five (5) years of suitable experience in audio/video engineering, or related technology, and achieve a passing grade on the proficiency examination.

NOTE: Substitution of broadcast engineering, or education in related technologies, for experience may be made as follows:
a. A state registered Professional Engineer's license will count as four (4) years experience for all levels of certification.
b. A Bachelor Degree will count as four (4) years experience.
c. An Associate Degree will count as two (2) years experience.
d. Up to four (4) years related accredited education, (i.e., military, correspondence, etc.) can be substituted.
e. Applicant will not receive dual credit for concurrent years of experience and education.

The Audio or Video Engineer Exam: Fifty (50) multiple choice questions for each endorsement covering the equivalent of five (5) years experience will be selected. Each correct answer will be worth two (2) points. The Audio/Video Engineer multiple choice examination will consist of questions on:

  • operating practices
  • theory
  • problems
  • safety

SENIOR BROADCAST ENGINEER
(See Application Form B)
The Senior Broadcast Engineer candidate must have had ten (10) years of responsible broadcast engineering or related technology experience, and achieve a passing grade on the proficiency examination.

NOTE: Substitution of broadcast engineering, or education in related technologies, for experience may be made in the qualifications as follows:
a. A state registered Professional Engineer's license will count as four (4) years experience for all levels of certification.
b. A Bachelor Degree will count as four (4) years experience.
c. An Associate Degree will count as two (2) years experience.
d. Years of related accredited education, i.e., military, correspondence, etc. can be substituted, year for year, up to four (4) years.
e. Applicant will not receive dual credit for years of experience and education which are concurrent.

The Senior Broadcast Engineer Exam: Exam consists of fifty (50) multiple choice questions for each endorsement representative of ten (10) years experience at a responsible level. Each question is worth two (2) points. One essay-type question will be selected for each endorsement. Each essay question is worth twenty (20) points. The Senior Broadcast Engineer multiple-choice examination will consist of questions on:

  • operating practices
  • theory
  • problems
  • safety
  • supervision and management

NOTE: The Senior Broadcast Engineer certificate will carry space for special endorsements in AM/FM and TV. The candidate may take the Senior Broadcast Engineer examination by meeting the experience requirement either in AM/FM or TV or in both fields of specialization. Satisfactory passing of one or more of these classes will permit the person to attach the respective endorsement(s) to the certificate. Endorsements will be by examination only.

PROFESSIONAL BROADCAST ENGINEER
(See Application Form C)
The candidate must have had at least twenty (20) years of professional broadcast engineering or related technologies experience in radio and/or television. The candidate must presently be certified on the Senior Broadcast Engineer level.

The candidate must submit evidence satisfactory to the Committee that he or she has the appropriate engineering background, experience and training. The candidate must demonstrate a degree of knowledge and participation in one or more of (but not limited to) the following:

a. Maintenance
b. Systems Design
c. Management or Supervision
d. Continuing Education

A state registered Professional Engineer's license will count as four (4) years experience.

The candidate must have letters of reference from two (2) certified Professional or Senior Broadcast Engineers. At least one letter of reference must be from a person who has supervised his/her work. This person does not necessarily have to be certified. The required letters of reference, written specifically for the 20 year certification level, must accompany the application. In addition to the completed application form, a resume attached to the application is most helpful to the National Certification Committee in reviewing the application. You must also submit a statement showing why you believe your professional experience, educational background and training qualifies you for certification under this provision of the Certification Program.

The review procedure for Professional Broadcast Engineer certification will be the same as that used for recertification. The application will be reviewed by the local chapter Certification Committee before final evaluation by the National Certification Committee.

CERTIFIED BROADCAST NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIST

(See Application FORM D)

This certification is designed for persons who wish to demonstrate a basic familiarity with networking hardware as utilized in business and audio/video applications in broadcast facilities. The Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist certification can be obtained by meeting one of the following requirements:

a. By achieving a passing grade on the proficiency examination. There is no experience requirement to be eligible for the examination other than current employment in broadcast engineering or related technology.

b. By holding a valid network certification issued by other industry-recognized associations and vendors, as determined by the National Certification Committee, with two (2) years of continuous satisfactory service in broadcast engineering or related technology prior to the date of application. Persons desiring to take advantage of this provision should contact the Certification Director prior to application.

The Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist Exam:

The examination consists of fifty (50) multiple-choice questions relating to radio and television broadcast station internal network installation and operation. The examination is not software-specific and is designed to place an emphasis on the hardware and installation issues common to all platforms. Each exam is computer selected from a pool of questions, and every exam is unique. Each correct answer will be worth two (2) points.

The Broadcast Networking Technologist exam will consist of questions on:

  • Network topologies and layouts
  • Common network protocols
  • Wiring standards and practices
  • Maintenance, troubleshooting and connectivity issues
  • Challenges unique to broadcast-based networks

 
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