Certification

     The final summary report from SBE national headquarters is in for the last
Certification testing cycle. The new for 1999 list shows 208 new Certifications nationwide. Of these, the majority were in Broadcast Technologist licenses and
exams, and in Television Operators. This list includes local chapter exams from
the first of the year and the tests administered at the NAB show.
     Up to date of the summary, there were 100 exams scheduled for the June cycle
at local chapters. Remember that there have been additional testing opportunities added for this year at the local level so you have plenty of chances to study for and take the certification exam you need. If you need information, forms or dates of testing let me know.
     Re-certifications for 1999 so far stand at 92 and the Millennium Certification Project whereby you can regain the certification you formerly held and allowed to lapse, added 25 more.
     More and more people are choosing the computer disc version of the sample
tests to prepare for certification exams. In two months the disc tests have been available, 128 of them have been ordered. I have a couple of copies of the order
form, or you can call the folks at national for one. Cost is $25.00 plus $3.00 for shipping for each category. Each of the testing categories contains sub-categories
so that each of the questions is representative of the real world we work in. The questions are developed by working engineers on the Certification Committee of SBE…… I guess the working part explains why they didn’t ask me for input.
     Looking ahead. July is the month for the Certification Night presentation. This
is a Power Point presentation designed and built at national that I will try to do
justice to. The idea is to convince you that you need to be certified, and that it
is an obtainable goal for each of you. Things that you are already well aware of
due to my efforts…..yeah right. Please plan to attend this meeting and devote your
full attention to the presentation since the alternative is for the new chapter
chairman to sing and dance to polka music.
     Testing dates for the Y2K exams are ready. The first one of the new millennium
has a deadline for applications of December 31, 1999, and the tests will be at local chapters between 11-21 February 2000.       
                                                                                              Richard Goldy