VDV Certification

All Voice/Data/Video installers, technicians,
and senior technicians working for C-10 Contractors will need to be certified by the State of California by January 1, 2008. To become certified, all installers, technicians, and senior technicians must take and pass the VDV test. To qualify for the test, installers, technicians, and senior technicians must be enrolled in a state approved apprenticeship program, or have met on-the-job requirements.

• Take the Practice Test
• Certification Candidate Bulletin (Spanish)
• Certification Application: Directions
• Certification Application
• ADA Accommodations Request Packet
  

More About the Certification Test

The test is offered at 24 test sites throughout the state. There are 50 multiple choice questions on the installers, technicians, and senior technicians exam, with a two hour time limit to complete the test. A short practice lesson is given prior to the test. The test is administered on a computer, with questions randomly chosen out of hundreds. A minimum score of 70 percent correct is required to pass the exam. Installers, technicians,
and senior technicians will receive their score results immediately upon completion of the exam.

The certification test covers the following topics: preparation; installation; termination; testing; security and access control systems; telecommunications; sound systems; audio/visual systems and safety. 

Installers, technicians, and senior technicians who pass the test will be issued a state certification card, meant to be carried on all job sites. Certification is valid for three years. If VDV installers, technicians, and senior technicians don’t pass the first time, they can take the certification again 60 days from the date of the last exam. The fee is $100 per exam.  

The state exam appointments can be made by calling Thomson Prometric at (800) 805-9123. It is advisable to register well before the deadline, using the Application for installers, technicians, and senior technicians examination and Certification form.

For more information on the test and it’s requirements, and sample test questions please go to: http://www.dir.ca.gov/DAS/ElectricalTrade.htm.
For more information on preparing for the test go to http://www.experioronline.com/caconstruction.htm.

Required for the test: 4000 hours of work for an electrical contractor installing, constructing or maintaining electrical systems covered by the National Electrical Code. The 4000 hours must consist of work in one or more of the following areas, and the maximum number of hours in a particular area that may be counted toward the 4000 hours total are as follows: