Maintenance of Certification Program

A specific number of professional credits are required to maintain certification under each Certification level:

Broadcast Networking Technologist (CBNT)	20
Audio Engineer or Video Engineer (CEA or CEV)	20
Broadcast Radio Engineer or Television Engineer (CBRE or CBTE)	20
Broadcast Networking Engineer (CBNE)	20
Senior Radio Engineer or Senior Television Engineer (CSRE or CSTE)	25
Professional Broadcast Engineer (CPBE)	30

To help you keep track of your credits as you go, the Certification Committee provides a Maintenance of Certification brochure

There is also an excel spreadsheet that you may use to keep track of your activities.

Completing the Application

Fill out all four (4) pages of the recertification application. On pages three and four of the application (Recertification by Professional Credits), list dates, activities and estimated credits for all professional credits claimed.

(Sample Recertification by Professional Credits application)

Attach any statements, documents or forms you have that verify your activities, participations or publications for which you are seeking credits. The Certification Committee reserves the right to ask any individual for verification of any or all professional credits claimed. Remember, the Certification Committee can only evaluate the information you give them on this application, so please make clear any and all reasons you feel you should be recertified.

After your application has been reviewed, you will be notified of the Certification Committee’s decision. If recertification is granted, you will receive a new seal of renewal for your present certificate and a certification wallet card. Your present certification number will not change.

The credit values for each of the activities and the total professional credits required for recertification are based on guidelines of the Commission on Certification and recertification requirements of other professional societies. The credits claimed must be selected from at least four (4) of the categories listed below. 

CATEGORY A

• Employment as a full-time manager or supervisor, or at a decision-making level in broadcast engineering, or related technology, or as a consultant or equivalent: 2 credits per year
• Full-time employment in broadcast engineering or allied field: 1 credit per year (Maximum 10 credits)

Those claiming this credit must provide a statement of the work performed and the period claimed, also provide a statement that there has been no change in his/her responsibility or qualifications since certification. Each statement used must be attested to by his/her supervisor.

CATEGORY B

• SBE Leadership Development Course: 1 credit per 8 hours of instruction
• Successful completion of an accredited course in broadcast engineering or allied field as a student: 1 credit for each CEU (Continuing Education Unit) earned
• If you are not a full-time teacher, teaching an accredited course in broadcast engineering or allied field: 2 credits per CEU

Sponsors of continuing education programs may request the National Certification Committee to assign a professional credit value to a specific course or program. Any SBE Certified Broadcast Engineer may request a determination of credit value for a specific course or program if the sponsor has not requested professional credit.

CATEGORY C

• Presentation of a significant paper or talk on a broadcast engineering subject before a national or regional engineering meeting or conference: 2-10 credits per paper or talk
• Presentation for a local chapter technical meeting: 1-5 credits per paper or talk

The National Certification Committee will determine the credit value based on the significance of the paper or talk.

CATEGORY D

• Publication of a technical article in a national broadcast periodical: 2-10 credits per article
• Publication of an article in a local chapter publication: 1-5 credits per article

The National Certification Committee will determine the credit value based on the significance of the article.

CATEGORY E

• Active membership and participation in the SBE or other national technical society related to broadcasting: 1 credit per group per year (Maximum 10 credits)

CATEGORY F

• Active participation as an elected or appointed officer or committee member in the SBE or other technical society, either at a local or national level: 2 credits per group per year (Maximum 10 credits)

CATEGORY G

• Attendance at local SBE meetings and other local technical conferences and seminars: 1/2 credit per local meeting
• Attendance at regional or national conferences, seminars and workshops of one or more full day’s duration: 1 credit per day
• Conference on Chapter of the Air (HAMnet): 1/2 credit per session (Maximum 6 credits per year)
• Game Day Coordination (GDC): 1/2 credit per game (Maximum 10 credits)
• Active participation in the SBE Roundtable (e-mail discussion group): Determination of credits granted will be based upon hardcopy evidence of such participation.

CATEGORY H

• Attendance at factory schools or in-station schools: 1 credit per each 10 contact hours

CATEGORY I

• SBE University courses: 1 credit per course
• Webinars by SBE: 1 credit per webinar
• Mentee Program: 1 credit per 10 contact hours
• Home study courses may qualify for professional credits as evaluated by the National Certification Committee. Any SBE Certified Broadcast Engineer may request a determination of credit value for a specific course or program if the sponsor has not requested professional credit. Please write to the National Certification Committee for a ruling.

CATEGORY J

• Mentor Program: 1 credit per 10 contact hours
• Other activities involved in the broadcast engineering or allied field may qualify for professional credits at the discretion of the National Certification Committee. Please write to the National Certification Committee for a ruling.

Use Category J for activities, such as special achievements, that do not fall under Categories A through I.

PDF Application for Recertification by Professional Credits

Recertification for both SBE members and non-members will be through the local Chapters wherever possible. It will be your responsibility to keep your certification record of professional credits up-to-date by submitting the proper statements or forms attesting to your activities and/or participation. One year before your certification expires, you should review your certification record for shortages of credits. The National Certification Committee reserves the right to ask any individual for verification of any or all of the professional credits claimed.

Application for recertification will be accepted six (6) months prior to expiration of the five-year period as shown on your certificate.

If an individual SBE Certified at any of the levels of Certification elects to recertify by taking the examination, he or she must sit for an exam prior to the expiration of his or her current certification. All applications for recertification by exam must be submitted by the exam application cut-off date.

Suspension or Revocation of Certification

If a Certified Broadcast Engineer does not accumulate the required professional credits in the five-year period, his/her Certification shall terminate unless, in the judgment of the National Certification Committee, extenuating circumstances exist and the deficiency can be readily overcome.

Certification can be withdrawn by the National Certification Committee for falsification of credentials, unethical behavior and/or failure to meet the “maintenance of certification” requirements. Such action requires due process by the SBE Board of Directors or its designee.