ESPA is a not-for-profit trade association that is registered as a 501 (c) 6 organization. The intent of the
ESPA certification program is to advance the electronics industry through the development and
maintenance of a valid, credible and reliable certification system based upon a sound structure
and quality standards. The nationally recognized ESPA Certification Program reflects a dedication
to establish the highest standards for professionals in the electronics systems industry.
In 2006, a Certification Committee was appointed by the ESPA Board of Directors to develop an
entry-level certification program for low voltage electronic systems technicians. The Certification
Committee established an exam development process that is assisted by Subject Matter Experts
(SMEs) in the field, as well as certification consultants and psychometricians
(professional test development specialists) to insure that the content, format and testing practices
of the ESPA certification program are accurate, valid and repeatable.
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The first major step in the development process of the ESPA Certified-EST® program
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was to undergo a job task analysis (JTA) role delineation to determine the knowledge,
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skills and abilities that an EST should possess in order to perform their work safely
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and effectively. The JTA results were mailed to a random group of industry members
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for review and comment. Final changes were made after all responses were considered.
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The SMEs then used the resulting information to develop the knowledge requirements of
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the role (job description) and the ESPA Certified-EST® test content outline.
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The second step was to combine the curricula for CEDIA’s Installer I and NSCA’s CSI
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programs that were donated to ESPA when those two organizations helped form ESPA
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to help create one universal entry-level exam for the electronics industry.
The ESPA Certified-EST® exam is subject to continuous review and will be updated on an as-need
basis to ensure all questions and information are current and accurate. The value and integrity of the
exam are held in the highest regard with strict security measures enforced at all times.