The CTS® certification exams go through periodic analysis for testing validity and content changes based on ANAB/ISO requirements.
Every five years, as part of our accreditation, all three CTS exams go through a review process by volunteer CTS holders, analyzing the exam content and relevance to job tasks. This results in modified exam content outlines for each exam so they remain valid and relevant to the industry.
These content changes will go into effect in November 2023.
CTS-D Exam
Overview
Tasks relating to identifying decision makers, user skill levels, and client education were removed from the new version of the CTS-D exam. CTS-D holders in the focus group agreed that most CTS-D holders do not perform these tasks or do not do them frequently
enough to warrant inclusion in the exam. The tasks dedicated to reviewing A/E drawings and confirming site conditions were removed, but these abilities are now included as part of a new task focusing on design revision for compatibility with site
conditions or A/E drawings. Plumbing and site-specific professionals were added as ones requiring coordination during the design process. The survey sent to CTS-D holders validated these changes. For CTS-D holders whose jobs do include removed tasks,
they can show their commitment and further their skills by taking training in those areas.
In addition to the content changes mentioned above, the requirement of 2 years of audiovisual design experience with sign-off will be removed with the launch of the new outline. Instead, focus groups recommend candidates have 3-4 years
of design experience. This recommendation will not require sign off.
The exam length will be reduced from 125 questions to 100 questions.
| Changes | Removal |
|---|---|
|
|
| Duties and Tasks | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| Duty A: Conducting a Needs Assessment | 16.8% |
| Task 1: Identify Decision-makers and Stakeholders | 1.6% |
| Task 2: Identify Skill Level of End Users | 2.4% |
| Task 3: Educate AV Clients | 1.6% |
| Task 4: Review Client Technology Master Plan | 3.2% |
| Task 5: Identify Client Expectations | 4% |
| Task 6: Identify Scope of Work | 4% |
| Duty B: Coordinating with Other Professionals to Develop Project Documentation | 23.2% |
| Task 1: Review A/E Architectural and Engineering) Drawings | 4% |
| Task 2: Coordinate with Architectural/Interior Design Professionals | 4% |
| Task 3: Coordinate with Mechanical Professionals | 1.6% |
| Task 4: Coordinate with Structural Professionals | 1.6% |
| Task 5: Coordinate with Electrical Professionals | 3.2% |
| Task 6: Coordinate with Lighting Professionals | 2.4% |
| Task 7: Coordinate with IT and Network Security Professionals | 4% |
| Task 8: Coordinate with Acoustical Professionals | 1.6% |
| Task 9: Coordinate with Life Safety and Security Professionals | 0.8% |
| Duty C: Developing AV Designs | 48% |
| Task 1: Create Draft AV Design | 10.4% |
| Task 2: Confirm Site Conditions | 8% |
| Task 3: Produce AV Infrastructure Drawings | 12% |
| Task 4: Produce AV System Drawings | 12% |
| Task 5: Finalize Project Documentation | 5.6% |
| Duty D: Conducting Project Implementation Activities | 12% |
| Task 1: Participate in Project Implementation Communication | 3.2% |
| Task 2: Conduct System Performance Verifications | 5.6% |
| Task 3: Conduct Project Closeout Activities | 3.2% |
| Total | 100% |
| Duties and Tasks | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| Duty A: Conducting a Needs Assessment | 20% |
| Task 1: Identify Functional Requirements (e.g., user stories, user experience, benchmarking, client expectations) | 7% |
| Task 2: Review or Formulate Client Technology Master Plan | 7% |
| Task 3: Generate and/or Review the Program Report | 6% |
| Duty B: Coordinating with Other Professionals | 28% |
| Task 1: Coordinate with Architectural/Interior Design Professionals | 6% |
| Task 2: Coordinate with Structural Professionals | 4% |
| Task 3: Coordinate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Professionals | 6% |
| Task 4: Coordinate with IT and Network Security Professionals | 4% |
| Task 5: Coordinate with Acoustical Professionals | 4% |
| Task 6: Coordinate with Life Safety and Security Professionals | 2% |
| Task 7: Coordinate with Site or Project Specific Professionals (e.g., content creators, theatrical, exhibit designer) | 2% |
| Duty C: Develop and Document AV Designs | 38% |
| Task 1: Create Conceptual AV Design | 11% |
| Task 2: Revise Conceptual Design to be Compatible with Site Conditions and/or A&E Drawing Package | 7% |
| Task 3: Produce Final Design and Drawing Package | 10% |
| Task 4: Finalize Project Documentation (e.g., bill of materials, bid spec, drawings, scope of work) | 10% |
| Duty D: Deploy AV Designs | 14% |
| Task 1: Support Project Execution Activities | 5% |
| Task 2: Verify System Performance | 5% |
| Task 3: Conduct Project Close Out Activities (e.g., as-builts, system manuals, training, programming information) | 4% |
| Total | 100% |
CTS-I Exam
Overview
One topic related to AV project documentation was added to the exam outline. Topics relating to obtaining client signoff and maintenance of tools and equipment were removed as the focus group did not feel they were important enough for inclusion on the
exam. Some topics were combined or renamed to better reflect actual work performed, and several topics received descriptors to provide even more guidance. The survey sent to CTS-I holders validated these changes.
In addition to the content changes mentioned above, the requirement of 2 years of audiovisual install experience with sign-off will be removed with the launch of the new outline. Instead, focus groups recommend candidates have 3-4 years
of install experience. This recommendation will not require sign off.
| Changes | Removal |
|---|---|
|
|
| Duties and Tasks | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| Duty A: Conducting Pre-Installation Activities | 20% |
| Task 1: Review Audiovisual Project Documentation | 4% |
| Task 2: Conduct Technical Site Survey | 4% |
| Task 3: Plan for Audiovisual Installation | 4% |
| Task 4: Evaluate Overall Facility Readiness | 4% |
| Task 5: Conduct On-Site Preparations for Installation | 4% |
| Duty B: Coordinating Site Rough-in/First-Fix | 10% |
| Task 1: Deinstallation of Existing Equipment and Cabling | 2% |
| Task 2: Mount Substructure | 4% |
| Task 3: Pull Cable | 4% |
| Duty C: Installing Audiovisual Systems | 38% |
| Task 1: Assemble Audiovisual Rack | 4% |
| Task 2: Wire the Audiovisual Equipment Rack | 5% |
| Task 3: Distribute Audiovisual Equipment | 4% |
| Task 4: Mount Audiovisual Equipment | 4% |
| Task 5: Terminate Cables | 5% |
| Task 6: Configure Network Properties of Equipment | 4% |
| Task 7: Load Configuration and Control Programs | 4% |
| Task 8: Test the Audiovisual System | 4% |
| Task 9: Calibrate the Audiovisual System | 4% |
| Duty D: Perform Systems Closeout | 11% |
| Task 1: Demonstrate to Client or Client's Representative that System Performs to Specifications | 4% |
| Task 2: Provide Training on System Operation | 4% |
| Task 3: Obtain Project Completion Sign Off From Client or Client's Representative | 3% |
| Duty E: Conducting Ongoing Project Responsibilities | 21% |
| Task 1: Complete Progress Reports | 3% |
| Task 2: Coordinate with Other Contractors | 4% |
| Task 3: Address Needed Field Modifications | 4% |
| Task 4: Repair Audiovisual Systems | 3% |
| Task 5: Maintain Audiovisual Systems | 3% |
| Task 6: Maintain Tools and Equipment | 4% |
| Total | 100% |
| Duties and Tasks | % of Exam |
|---|---|
| Duty A: Implement Pre-Installation Activities | 17% |
| Task 1: Review AV Project Documentation | 6% |
| Task 2: Conduct Site Survey | 4% |
| Task 3: Evaluate Overall Facility Readiness | 3% |
| Task 4: Prepare for Installation | 4% |
| Duty B: Practice Ongoing Project Responsibilities | 12% |
| Task 1: Complete Field Reports (e.g., daily, issues, progress, risk, injury) | 4% |
| Task 2: Coordinate with Allied Trades | 4% |
| Address Needed Field Modifications | 4% |
| Duty C: Conduct Site Rough-In/First-Fix | 12% |
| Task 1: Deinstallation of Existing Equipment and Cabling | 2% |
| Task 2: Mount Substructure and Rigging | 5% |
| Task 3: Pull Cable | 5% |
| Duty D: Install AV Stystems | 39% |
| Task 1: Assemble AV Rack | 2% |
| Task 2: Wire the AV Equipment Rack | 6% |
| Task 3: Distribute AV Equipment (e.g., placement of loose equipment, peripherals) | 2% |
| Task 4: Mount AV Equipment (e.g., projectors, loudspeakers, monitors) | 5% |
| Task 5: Terminate Cables | 5% |
| Task 6: Configure Network Properties of Equipment | 5% |
| Task 7: Configure Control and Device Settings | 5% |
| Task 8: Test the AV System | 5% |
| Task 9: Calibrate the AV System | 4% |
| Duty E: Perform AV Systems Closeout | 12% |
| Task 1: Demonstrate to Client or Client's Representative that System Performs to Specifications | 4% |
| Task 2: Provide Training on AV System Operation | 2% |
| Task 3: Finalize AV Project Documentation (e.g., punch list, programming files, manuals, completion documentation, as-builts) | 6% |
| Duty F: Conduct Post Project Activities (e.g., support, warranties, maintenance) | 8% |
| Task 1: Maintain AV Systems (e.g., equipment, software, tools) | 3% |
| Task 2: Repair AV Systems (e.g., failed equipment, warranty, troubleshooting) | 5% |
| Total | 100% |