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Becoming an ISA Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) is a mark of career excellence that affirms your commitment to quality and demonstrates your expertise and knowledge of automation and control systems. It provides a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of your skills as a control systems technician.
Who Are CCSTs?
Working in process automation and manufacturing automation industries around the globe, CCSTs are an elite group of automation and control technicians who have proven they possess an extensive knowledge of automation and control systems. CCSTs calibrate, document, troubleshoot and repair/replace instrumentation for systems that measure and control level, temperature, pressure, flow and other process variables. They are skilled in pneumatic, mechanical and electronic instrumentation. They understand process control loops and process control systems, including computer-based systems.
What is the difference between the CCST program and the NICET Certification?
NICET, the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, offers a four-level certification program for instrumentation engineering technologists. The CCST program is designed specifically for the control systems technician, and is more application focused.
CCST Levels
There are three levels of certification offered for control systems technicians. All certification levels provide a non-biased, third-party, objective assessment and confirmation of an automation technician’s knowledge of and experience with project start-up, commissioning, loop-check, project organization, planning and documentation.
Certified Control Systems Technician — Level 1
With a five-year minimum education and experience requirement, earning this certification confirms that you possess vast knowledge of calibration, maintenance, repair and troubleshooting.
Certified Control Systems Technician Specialist — Level 2
With a seven-year minimum education and experience requirement, this certification demonstrates Level one knowledge, as well as some knowledge of administration, supervision or management.
Certified Control Systems Technician Master — Level 3
This certification demonstrates level one and two knowledge, including an extensive knowledge of administration, supervision, or management, and has a 13-year minimum education, training and/or experience requirement.
CCST Certification Requirements
To become an ISA CCST, you must meet certain education and work experience requirements and pass an exam. Learn more about CCST requirements.
CCST Body of Knowledge (BOK)
The CCST BOK defines automation project domains, the tasks within the domains, and the knowledge and skills required to complete the tasks. CCST exams cover four major domains that have been organized based on the findings in a recent CCST job task analysis study. To see a complete explanation of the domains and the percentage of exam questions included from each domain, visit the CCST Body of Knowledge page.
How to Apply
There is no application form to fill out for CCST certification. Simply complete the following steps:
Acknowledge that you are subject to a random application verification audit.
Agree to provide the supporting documents proving your qualifications if you are audited.
Pay the exam fee.
Upon paying the exam fee, the application process is complete, and you have acknowledged that you meet the requirements listed above in numbers 1–3.
Next Steps
Watch for an email from coming from our testing provider, Meazure Learning (candidatesupport@meazurelearning.com). Expect to receive it 15 days before your exam window. The email will include information about how to schedule your exam online or at a test center. NOTE: If you have attended a CCST review course and wish to apply for CCST certification, you must also meet the requirements listed above in numbers 1–3. Since the application fee is included in the cost of all CCST review courses, you will receive an exam invitation within three business days after completing the review course.
Schedule and take your exam. You will be notified whether you pass or not immediately upon completing the exam.
Watch for an email summarizing your exam results. If you pass your exam, you will also receive your digital badge and you will be listed in the ISA Credential Directory.
Watch for an email from certification@isa.org regarding an audit. You will only receive this email if you have been randomly selected to be audited. If you do not receive this email, you do not need to do anything. Audits are conducted three times per year, so it may take several months after completing your exam to receive an email if you have been selected for an audit.
Click the appropriate button below to add the exam fee to your cart.
You can take any of the CCST exams online from your office or home if the testing area meets the requirements and your computer meets specifications. You can also take the exam at a Meazure Learning test center. The CCST exams are multiple choice and have different time durations and questions.
Exam
Questions
Duration
Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) — Level 1
150
4 hours
Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) Specialist — Level 2
125
3 hours
Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) Master — Level 3
Want help preparing for a CCST exam? We recommend taking the review course for the certification which you are applying. When you enroll in a CCST review course, the application fee is included in the course price. You will automatically receive an exam invitation after you start the course. By paying for the review course, you are confirming that you are aware of, have met and can document the requirements for the certification level for which you are applying. Visit the Prepare for the CCST Exam page to view and select the course format that best suits your needs.
ISA has developed an extensive library of training courses, study guides and reference publications that are built around the technologies and topics covered on the CCST exams. These resources have been developed and reviewed by subject matter experts. Learn how to prepare for a CCST exam.
Reference to Standards and Codes
The aspects of automation covered on the CCST exam reflect the tasks performed in the range of practice settings throughout the United States. Familiarity with the following standards and codes is recommended. Download the Reference to Standards and Codes (PDF).
ISA standards
IEEE standards
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards
National Electrical Code (NEC)
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) standards
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) codes and federal regulations
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards
US Food and Drug Administration regulations
American Petroleum Institute (API) standards
For international applicants, note that the validation study for the exams was done in the US, so there may be questions on the exam that reference US standards and codes.
Have Questions?
For assistance with certification or certificate programs, contact us at certifications@isa.org.
For frequently asked questions, visit the following pages:
