Why Be Certified

The Certification Program is a service of the SBE contributing to the advancement of broadcast engineering for the general benefit of the entire broadcast industry.

In 1975, the SBE established a Certification Program to recognize and raise the professional status of broadcast engineers by providing standards of professional competence. Through the years, it has become recognized in the industry as the primary method of verifying the attainment of educational standards. With the industry constantly changing, the SBE-certified engineer must keep up with those changes.

From the certified operator to the Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer, the SBE has a certification for every broadcast engineer and technician. To learn about the different kinds of certification, go to the Certification Levels section. You may also download a printable overview of SBE certification and membership here (PDF).

Program Objectives

To raise the status of broadcast engineers by providing standards of professional competence in the practice of broadcast engineering and related technologies.
To recognize those individuals who, by fulfilling the requirements of knowledge, experience, responsibility and conduct, meet those standards of professional competence.
To encourage broadcast engineers to continue their professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for certification, you must have a strong interest in the design, operation, maintenance or administration of the day-to-day problems and achievements associated with the operation of a broadcast facility or related technology. You must also meet the specific eligibility requirements of the desired certification level. The SBE broadcast engineer certificate is not a license; it is a document that recognizes professional competence by peers in a professional, independent organization. Certification is for individuals only and may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.

Certification and SBE Membership

While membership in the SBE is not a requirement of the Certification Program, and because SBE members share in the overhead cost of all SBE activities, non-member certification fees are higher.

Non-members who certify at a technologist or engineering level are eligible to receive membership in SBE through April 1 of the following year. We hope you take advantage of this proposal. It is our hope that you will like what SBE has to offer and will want to continue your membership and support of your Society.

Administration

Responsibility for administering the Certification Program rests with a National Certification Committee appointed by the SBE president with the approval of the SBE Board of Directors, members of which must be SBE certified. Qualifications of each candidate for certification will be judged by the National Certification Committee. Criteria for the examinations shall also be determined by the National Certification Committee.

A certification director will be responsible for carrying out the details of the program. The certification director will serve on the committee as an advisor but will have no vote. This person will attend all meetings, keep the minutes of those meetings and prepare regular reports to the SBE Board of Directors. Email the certification director.

Examinations will be administered through local chapters under the supervision of proctors approved by the National Certification Committee. Where no chapters exist, the National Certification Committee will arrange for suitable testing procedures. These proctors will be the SBE officers, chapter officers, educators or other responsible persons.

Find a Chapter Certification Chair near you.

Certification Fees

Fees to cover administrative costs are non-refundable. “No Shows” will be assessed the same rescheduling fee as “Retakes” for future exams. Current application fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ Certification page

SBE Certified logo

If you hold a valid SBE Certification, you are authorized to display the SBE Certified logo on your business cards, letterhead, resume, website and email signature. For the proper use of this logo and to download please visit the Press Logo page.

Certification Links

An easy way for you to educate those who are not familiar with the SBE and the certification program is to link your certifications from your email signature.

Below is a link for the certifications so that you can implement this into your own email signature.

CPBE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CPBE

CSTE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CSTE_CSRE

CSRE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CSTE_CSRE

CBTE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CBTE_CBRE

CBRE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CBTE_CBRE

CBNE http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CBNE

CEA http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CEA_CEV

CEV http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CEA_CEV

CBT http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CBT

CBNT http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CBNT

CTO http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CTO

CRO http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#CRO

8-VSB Specialist http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#VSB

AMD Specialist http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#AMD

DRB Specialist http://www.sbe.org/sections/descriptions.php#DRB

Career Advancement Newsletter

The Certification and Education departments produce a monthly career advancement newsletter. Check out archived issues, where you can find information on SBE Certification, upcoming educational opportunities and more.