Sub.Trade Reference
Low-voltage certifications
Vendor-neutral technical credentials low-voltage installers carry. Different from state licenses (which authorize work) and from manufacturer-specific certifications (which authorize a product). These prove individual installer competency to a third-party standard.
Structured Cabling
INST 1 / INST 2 - BICSI Installer (Levels 1 and 2)
Entry-level (INST 1) and intermediate (INST 2) BICSI credentials for cabling installers working in the field. Proves baseline competency to TDMM standards.
RCDD - Registered Communications Distribution Designer
BICSI's flagship credential for telecommunications distribution design. Widely required on commercial cabling specifications.
TECH - BICSI Technician
Senior BICSI installer credential for technicians leading installation crews. Covers project oversight, testing, troubleshooting, and standards compliance.
Audio Visual
CTS - Certified Technology Specialist
AVIXA's foundational credential for commercial AV professionals. The base certification before CTS-I (installer) or CTS-D (designer).
CTS-D - Certified Technology Specialist - Design
AVIXA's specialist credential for AV designers. Required for sealed AV system designs on most commercial bids.
CTS-I - Certified Technology Specialist - Installation
AVIXA's specialist credential for AV installers. Required on many commercial AV bid specs alongside CTS-D for the design team.
Fire / Life Safety
NICET I-IV (Fire Alarm) - NICET Fire Alarm Systems
NICET's tiered (Level I-IV) certification for fire alarm system technicians. Required by many state alarm-licensing programs.
NICET ITM - NICET Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems
NICET certification specifically for fire alarm INSPECTION and TESTING (vs install). Required for techs performing annual NFPA 72 fire alarm inspections.
Video Surveillance
NICET Video Security - NICET Video Security Systems Technician
NICET certification track for video surveillance / CCTV technicians. Mid-level credential between manufacturer-specific and BICSI cabling.
SICC - Certified Cybersecurity in Physical Security
SIA-issued credential for physical security professionals navigating the cybersecurity hardening of cameras, access readers, and PSIM platforms.
Physical Security
NICET Video Security - NICET Video Security Systems Technician
NICET certification track for video surveillance / CCTV technicians. Mid-level credential between manufacturer-specific and BICSI cabling.
SICC - Certified Cybersecurity in Physical Security
SIA-issued credential for physical security professionals navigating the cybersecurity hardening of cameras, access readers, and PSIM platforms.
Safety / OSHA
OSHA 10 - OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety
Baseline construction safety training. Many GCs and end-customers require all on-site personnel to hold a current OSHA 10 card.
OSHA 30 - OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety
Supervisor-level construction safety training (30 hours). Required by many GCs for foremen, project managers, and on-site supervisors.
Telecommunications
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Sub.Trade is not affiliated with the issuing organizations listed above. Information is aggregated from public sources.