Making the decision to pursue a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) is a commitment to be very proud of and is a reflection on your desire to grow in the industry. Obtaining this designation increases your marketability in the telecommunications field but financing, studying and testing for this certification can be expensive. Once you have passed your exam, establishing a maintenance plan may be the best decision to stay on top of your credentials.
So where do you start? Determine what is attainable for yourself. Are you able to travel to BICSI conferences and remote locations for RCDD classroom training. Or are you more interested in online training? Outside of the BICSI conferences, are you able to manage the time and finances to attend one conference every three years? No single plan is successful for every person. On any path to success, one-size-fits-all is obsolete. It is up to you to decide which path is the means to your success.
It is mandatory to attend at least one conference to fulfill the requirements to renew your Registered Communications Distribution Designer designation. In addition, you need 30 additional hours of continuing education. This can be done by webinar, BICSI regional events or by attending BICSI- certified manufacturer-based training.
So, what are your options? You can continue your education by learning something new to add to your credentials, or you can repeat courses you’ve already taken for your certification. You can find links to course providers on BICSI’s website. Depending on your location, the expenses for travel and stay may vary.
Roughly 65% of engineers have held their accreditation for more than 4 years, and 35% have maintained their credential for more than 10 years. Several infrastructure engineers are partners in a business or own their own business. About 60 percent of RCDDs who are not self-employed say that the cost of their continued education is paid for by their employer.
The RCDD credential is an essential part of any structured cabling system. From concept and design to installation and final testing, the RCDD helps insure a finely tuned system. Be sure to have one involved in your project."
-Gregg D. Garlesky, RCDD - V-Soft Infrastructure
What is BICSI?
Established in 1984, the RCDD is the most renowned of all Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI) accreditations. BICSI is a professional information and communications technology (ICT) association that offers resources, training, and certifications to people wanting to advance their career in the information technology industry.
With the membership spanning nearly 100 countries, BICSI makes it easy for members to advance their abilities and enhance professional stature to deliver the highest quality products and services.
What does BICSI Provide?
All Building Industry Consulting Services International (BISCI) accreditations provide:
- Education and Training
- Conferences and Events
- Credentials and Certification Programs
- Standards and Best Practices
- Reference Manuals
- Community and Membership
What is Information and Communication Technology (ICT)?
ICT is the infrastructure components that implement modern computing. Too broad for a single definition, ICT encompasses all devices, applications, networking components and systems that allow people and organizations (i.e., governments, businesses, criminal enterprises, etc.) to connect in the digital world. ICT covers a spectrum of:
- Voice/Data/Audio/Video Technologies
- Electronic Safety & Security
- Project Management (Telecommunications)
- Audio and Video Technologies
- Wireless-based Systems
- Design, Integration & Installation of Telecommunications Distributions
- All Fiber- and Copper-Based Distribution Systems and Infrastructure
- Commercial Transportation of Information and Data
- Data Center Design
- Outside Plant Cabling
RCDD credential holders follow current standards and best practices and must meet continuing education requirements to maintain their credential. The RCDD is a core element of BICSI, and timely research will ensure the gold standard quality of this credential. BICSI is pleased to continue providing essential education and credentialing programs to further support and advance information technology systems."
-John D. Clark Jr., CAE, BICSI Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer
How to Become a Registered Communications Distribution Designer
It’s becoming quite common for larger and government jobs to require an internal employee of your company who is working on projects to have a Registered Communications Distribution Designer. But how do you get through the certification process, you ask? Here’s how:
Established in 1984, the RCDD is the most renowned of all Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI) accreditations. The BICSI is a professional information and communications technology (ICT) association that offers resources, training and certifications to people in the information technology industry. Once you master data communication and telecommunication technology systems, and integrating systems into industry-specific infrastructures, you can prepare for your RCDD certification exam.
Basic Requirements
To qualify for your RCDD certification, you must have:
- A minimum of two years of ICT design experience and three years of combined education
- Experience and approved ICT Licenses
- Design experience of projects specifications, site surveys
Keeping the RCDD relevant involves continuously updating the RCDD program, constantly refining the educational opportunities available to our credentialed stakeholders and managing the continuing education credits offered to them.”
– Jerry L. Bowman RCDD, RTPM(i), NTS, CISSP, CPP, CSI, BICSI President
Is RCDD Worth It: Certification Period
A RCDD certification is valid for three years. Within these three years, certification holders must complete 45 continuing education credits (CECs) through BICSI and attend one BICSI conference. To meet the requirements for certification, you must have a minimum of two years of ICT design experience plus three years of combined education, experience? Design experience can include site surveys of first-hand experience working with architects or other professionals in the industry and project specifications.
All Registered Communications Distribution Designers have access to a reliable source of professional, technical and industry information including an exclusive network of professionals to share ideas and exchange new information including accurate knowledge about emerging technologies. For all cabling and infrastructure to be properly designed and implemented, an RCDD will ensure the best in long-term cabling solutions, large or small.
There’s a lot to invest into yourself and your career, and although a RCDD is a rather difficult credential to acquire and maintain, most of them would recommend the credential to others in the industry with a background in design and implementation of IT systems.
