The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Arlington, Va., and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), Oakbrook  Terrace, Ill., partnered to bring the digital home industry a new certification, which validates that an individual has the basic skills and knowledge to configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems.

The target candidate could work in a variety of industries and positions related to home technology, including technology integrators, security system technicians, cable, satellite, telecommunications, and A/V installers, electricians and network administrators. CompTIA recommends individuals have 18 to 24 months experience in some area of home integration technology.

Certification identifies the skill set necessary to perform the job functions required of a home network integrator. Those who earn the CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification can prove a level of professional achievement and knowledge.

Since November 2006, individuals have been able to register for the CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ beta exam on a first-come, first-served basis for free. A beta exam is a trial of exam items developed to measure the objectives validated by the certification. It is used to gauge the quality of exam items on the certification exam.

CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ exams will be available by March 2007. Candidates who pass the beta exam will earn CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification. However, because the beta exam is used to validate the quality of the exam items, a passing score is not immediately available. Beta candidates will be informed of their results at a later date. For more information, visit www.comptia.org.