We are IT company and want to make move to AV/Home automation installation. So I was wondering what licenses and certifications we would need to proceed and make the business look more reliable. Also where suggesting looking for the installers and what are is the best way to interview them (what questions to ask…)

Thank you,

Victor Savturev
VCS IT Solutions
http://WWW.vcsitsolutions.com

Victor,
These are very common questions that come up more and more as IT professionals take an increased interest in residential technologies.  The line is clearly blurring between the network and the various disciplines of communication, entertainment, energy management, etc.

Regarding the licensing question, CEDIA publishes a licensing guide each year which outlines the requirements in each state.  This is a member benefit and CEDIA would love to have your company as a new member, along with hundreds of other companies who are taking the step into residential technologies.
http://www.espa.org for more info.

As for training and certification, a good path into the fundamentals of low voltage infrastructure is the ESPA training and certification.  It is recognized by CEA, CEDIA and NSCA as the entry-level credential on which higher training is based.  If there is no school in your area with an EST program, new technicians can take the training onlilne and then take the exam at a proctored location (similar to A+/Net+). Then the real learning begins in various areas of residential audio, video and automation.  CEDIA has hundreds of courses available at EXPO and elsewhere, including some intense Boot Camps offered at our headquarters in Indianapolis.  http://www.cedia.org

You should consider CEDIA membership, as that will give you access to a wide variety of benefits including the licensing guide, discounts on all CEDIA education, and listing on the Finders Service.  You can find info on all of this on the website.

Welcome to the industry!  Feel free to contact me if you need any more info.

Jeff Gardner
Director of Technical Training
CEDIA

Just make sure you have a Contractor’s License in whatever state you’re working in.

Do yourself a favor and don’t waste your time or money on any Cedia certifications. The public after 20 years still does not know who Cedia is, and the true professionals no longer belong.

Your best bet to become educated at this stage in the game is to either visit a manufacturer that you’re interested in selling/representing, or attend any on-line courses they might offer for training.

Bottom LIne: If you have a check book, they will come to you as long as you have a heartbeat.

Good Luck, and don’t be sucked in by any organization that’s wants, “Dues,” out of you.