SBE CertPreview is an online app that runs in a web browser. Each sample test contains more than 50 questions typical of those found on an actual exam. You will take the exam in its entirety and be able to review questions before scoring your sample exam. By scoring the exam, you will be given a percentage and review the questions you got wrong.
SBE CertPreview can be purchased for the following levels:
Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) Radio or Television FCC, General, Audio, Video, RF, AM-FM RF, TV RF, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT) – No experience required Covers a variety of networking knowledge and skills common to various networks. Not software specific.
Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) 5 years of experience FCC, General, Audio, Video, AM-FM, TV, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Video Engineer (CEV) 5 years of experience FCC, General, Audio, Video, AM-FM, TV, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer (CBRE) 5 years of experience FCC, General, Audio, Video, RF, AM-FM RF, TV RF, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Broadcast Television Engineer (CBTE) 5 years of experience FCC, General, Audio, Video, RF, AM-FM RF, TV RF, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE) 5 years of experience Audio/Video over IP for Broadcast, Digital Content Management, Video Systems in an IT World, Data Transmission Systems and Practices, General PC Hardware, interconnection, and backup
Certified Senior Radio Engineer (CSRE) 10 years of experience FCC, General, Audio, Video, RF, AM-FM RF, TV RF, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
Certified Senior Television Engineer (CSTE) 10 years of experience; FCC, General, Audio, Video, RF, AM-FM RF, TV RF, Satellite, Microwave, Safety, Networking
8-VSB Specialist (8-VSB) – You must first hold a 5-year, 10-year or 20-year certification; transport stream, audio (AC-3), video (MPEG-2), PSIP, DVT standards documents and transmissions systems 8-VSB Diagrams for SBE CertPreview
AM Directional Specialist (AMD) – You must first hold a 5-year, 10-year or 20-year certification; FCC rules concerning directional operation, test equipment and safety procedures, operation, maintenance and repair of the directional antenna system
Digital Radio Broadcast Specialist (DRB) – You must first hold a 5-year, 10-year or 20-year certification.
About Certification Exams
The purpose of the Certification exam is to permit you to demonstrate your comprehension of the prescribed body of knowledge for your particular experience level and field of specialization. The exams consist of 50 multiple choice questions drawn from a file of several hundred questions, ranging from basic electronics to state-of-the-art maintenance problems.
All exams are conducted OPEN BOOK, and calculators are allowed.
Working engineers on the SBE Certification Committee develop the questions.
Cost
Each individual exam level costs $45.
Users of downloadable software SBE CertPreview who purchased the software between November 1, 2024, and April 24, 2025, can upgrade to the online version at no cost. Contact Megan Clappe (mclappe@sbe.org) for details.
Legacy Software Users
The software version of SBE CertPreview is no longer receiving support or updates. If you purchased and installed the software version, it will continue to work. If you need to download and reinstall the software using your original purchase credentials, you can access th software at this link. Download and install the software version SBE CertPreview onto your computer. After the software is installed, you will have to “Register New Exam” in the top right hand corner of the software CertPreview home page. You will be asked to enter in the “Username” and “Password” that you used to purchase the software SBE CertPreview software.
