RCDDs are known for their prestigious perceptive knowledge and skillset. By the time RCDDs are well into their first certification year, they are an essential part of every stage of the building project- from start to finish. Their certification guarantees that your systematic cabling design will be completed by the best in the industry.  Cabling distribution systems are complicated and require knowledge, skills, and experience to successfully install large cabling distribution systems. This is where Registered Communication Distribution Designers step in. 

Registered Communication Distribution Designers (RCDD) specialize in the design, integration, and implementation of ICT, related designs and designing cabling systems for new buildings or changes to existing infrastructure.

What You Should Know About RCDDs

RCDDs help provides scalable, flexible, impending transport systems. These credentials provide your business with an avenue to get a leg up on the competition. Regardless of the business type, having an RCDD on your staff offers you professional advantages. Cabling systems are complex and it’s becoming more common for larger, private and government jobs to require someone with an RCDD designation as part of the bidding criteria before being accepted. RCDDs are independently tested, proving their absolute knowledge of codes, standards and best practices in the ICT industry. They have the knowledge of both design and project management – so you get a two-for-one savvy employee. Uncertified designers usually do not possess this expertise.

• RCDDs continue their education program to accommodate new and emerging technologies.
• RCDDs have access to networks that with private information from ITS professionals, global resources, and subject matter experts (SMEs).
• RCDDs adjust to building disciplines (i.e., mechanical and electrical) to determine the present and future needs of appropriate telecommunications specialties and services.
• RCDDs are categorized separately from the competition because of their globally-recognized credential.

What Does It Cost to Maintain an RCDD?

Making the decision to pursue an 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 make for staying on top of your credentials.

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.

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

It is mandatory to attend at least one conference to fulfill the requirements to renew your RCDD 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 trainings.

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 percent of RCDDs have held their accreditation for more than 4 years, and 35 percent have maintained their credential for more than 10 years. Several RCDDs 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.

RCDDs are meticulously trained to follow industry standards and best practices, which puts them in high demand for indispensable cabling projects around the globe. The RCDD label is recognized industry-wide signifying superior cabling design expertise. Professional RCDDs are held by electrical engineers, architects, interior designers, telecommunications consultants, data network designers, and several other industry specialists. Get your RCDD for your next large cabling project!