The Society of Broadcast Engineers

The Association for Broadcast and Multimedia Technology Professionals

Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) and Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE)

CBRE and CBTE Application

The candidate for Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer or Certified Broadcast Television Engineer must have five years of suitable experience in broadcast engineering or related technology.

Substitution of broadcast engineering, or education in related technologies, for experience may be made as follows:

  • A state registered Professional Engineer’s license will count as four (4) years experience for all levels of certification.
  • A Bachelor Degree will count as four (4) years experience.
  • An Associate Degree will count as two (2) years experience.
  • Years of related accredited education, i.e., military, correspondence, etc. can be substituted, year for year, up to four (4) years.
  • Applicant will not receive dual credit for concurrent years of experience and education.

The Certified Broadcast Engineer Exam:  Exams are three hours and consist of 50 multiple-choice questions relating to either AM/FM or TV, covering the equivalent of five (5) years experience. 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 Engineer multiple choice examination will consist of questions on:

  • safety
  • problems: electronic and practical
  • operating practices
  • theory

NOTE: The Certified Broadcast Engineer certificate will carry space for a special designation in either AM/FM or 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 designation(s) to the certificate. Designations will be by examination only.