The Society of Broadcast Engineers

The Association for Broadcast and Multimedia Technology Professionals

SBE Certification Exam Preparation

SBE CertPreview

CertPreviewWhat will the exam be like? The SBE National Certification Committee offers sample test software for the SBE certification examinations.

Learn more about SBE CertPreview

ORDER SBE CertPreview ONLINE

SBE Suggested References

The National Certification Committee suggests a number of references for you to review in preparation for SBE certification examinations.

Suggested Reference Lists

Taking the Test

  1. Multiple choice questions are used, even for problems requiring calculations. Only in the senior broadcast engineer, broadcast networking engineer and specialist exams are there essay-type questions.
  2. Candidates will be allowed to utilize the internet, notes, standard reference texts and tables and calculators during open-book portions of the exam. Essay questions are closed book. Operator exams remain closed-book.
  3. Scratch paper may be used but must be re-sealed with the exam. Only blank paper may be taken from the examination room.
  4. The examinations are designed to be representative of the “real world” of broadcast engineering. Therefore, emphasis is placed on the ability to solve problems rather than on the memorization of answers.
  5. Each examination must be completed within three hours.
  6. Each examination will be identified with the name of the candidate and will be handled in specially sealed envelopes.
  7. Each candidate will be required to sign a statement that he/she will not divulge the contents of any questions contained in his/her examination.
  8. Numerical scores will NOT be reported. Candidates will be notified ONLY of pass/fail results.

Passing Scores for the Exams

  • Certified Television Operator (CTO) – 70%
  • Certified Radio Operator (CRO) – 70%
  • Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) – 70%
  • Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT) – 70%
  • Certified Video Engineer (CEV) – 70%
  • Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) – 70%
  • Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE) – 70%
  • Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) – 70%
  • Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • 8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • AM Directional Specialist (AMD) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • ATSC 3 Specialist (ATSC3) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question
  • Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB) – 84% combined score of multiple choice and essay question

Helpful articles that have appeared in The Signal


More questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions certification page.