Certification Exam

ESPA Certified-EST® exam is based upon the best practices of the commercial and residential electronic industries. ESPA certification "sets the bar" and provides the foundational knowledge and skills required to pursue a career in many fields including commercial and residential A/V, telecom, cable, satellite, fire & security, computers, building & general trades, and advanced manufacturing. There are thousands of available jobs in these EST-related career verticals - ESPA hopes to open the door for you by giving you the entry-level credential that will put you on the priority list for the hiring managers in these fields.

ESPA's core curriculum was written and contributed to by volunteers including longtime industry educators and innovators. ESPA Certified Electronic Systems Technician® or ESPA Certified-EST® is the building block upon which advanced specialty certifications can be pursued. In 2010, ESPA will begin internationalizing the Certified-EST® as ESPA works through groups of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in key regions throughout the world. The review course and exam cover the following electronic systems concepts:
  • Electrical Basics
  • Construction Methods and Materials
  • Tools
  • Wiring and Installation Practices
  • Safety, Codes and Standards
A detailed list of the exam’s contents helps you focus your studies.
Download the exam blueprint.

The ESPA Certified-EST® exam is designed to be challenging. It tests a technician candidate's understanding of industry basics and is a true indicator of whether or not the technician is prepared for a career in electronic systems contracting.

How to sign up and pay for the ESPA Exam:

All ESPA Certified-EST® exams are professionally proctored at sites across North America. You can take the ESPA exam at more than 250 sites owned by our testing partner Castle Worldwide or you can choose to attend a tradeshow where the ESPA program is administered by one of our other partners.
  1. Computer-based Testing: 75% of candidates in the US are within a 90-minute drive of a Castle Worldwide testing center. Once you have paid for the exam – following the instructions below – you can select one of these testing sites based on your location. Here you will sit in front of a computer terminal and receive your score as soon as you finish. No ESPA training is done at Castle testing sites.
  2. Instructor-Led Training & Testing: Look at the Review Course & Exam Schedule for an ESPA training and testing partner event that works with your schedule. ESPA partners offer instructor-led review courses (only for current ESTs needing refresher courses) and administer the exam in a paper-and-pencil format using a score sheet and a #2 pencil. Tradeshow or partner administered ESPA testing is usually billed through them.

Exam Options

Cost
Administered at Castle Worldwide Test Site $199.00
Administered thru Tradeshow or Partner* $199.00
*Tradeshow or Partner administered exams are usually billed through them.

Later this summer, we’ll offer full training and exam online ordering functionality. Until then, sign up for any of the training options by filling out this order form and either fax it to 703-226-3771 or e-mail it to Exam@ESPA.org. If you choose to take the exam at a Castle Worldwide testing site, Castle will contact you with time and location options after we have processed your application and payment information.

For more information about ESPA's certification programs, please contact info@espa.org.