What is BICSI, what does BICSI certification mean, and why is it essential to the design and management of IT infrastructure? From basic definitions to how to find authorized service providers, here’s everything you need to know about BICSI certification.
> Need BICSI-certified structured cabling expertise? Discover America’s leading solution here
What is BICSI Certification & Why Does it Matter?
We live in a digital world, with increasingly elaborate information and communications technology (ICT) systems powering the data and connectivity that power business and virtually every other aspect of modern life.
Given the importance of these systems, their design, installation, management, and maintenance need to be carried out with the highest level of expertise and professionalism. And the best way to meet that goal is by making sure every stage of the process is performed by BICSI-certified professionals.
If you’re not familiar with BICSI — or even if you think you are — read on for an overview of what it is, why it matters, and what you should know about it, from types of certifications to the benefits they bring to how to tell if a partner is truly dedicated to BICSI standards.
What Is BICSI?
Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) is a nonprofit organization that works to standardize ICT services and the companies that provide them, both within the United States and globally. Since its founding in 1977, BISCI has become the “gold standard” of IT design and installation, setting the standards that govern the infrastructure that powers today’s essential networks.
And those networks now encompass virtually every aspect of business operations, including not just internal IT systems and data centers but also digital voice systems, audio visual (AV) and security systems, in-building wireless networks, and much more — in short, everything that’s powered by structured cabling and the comprehensive industry standards that underlie it.
That makes BICSI’s mandate more impactful than ever. And one of the key ways it carries out that mission is with a comprehensive system for credentialing the professionals who carry out ICT work, a process known as BICSI certification.
Sidebar: ICT Explained
Commonly used among providers of IT infrastructure services, ICT — short for “information and communications technology” — may be less familiar those outside of that industry (for instance, those trying to assess the merits of a cabling installation provider or system designer).
Simply put, ICT encompasses all aspects of the design, integration, and management of telecommunications networks, from internal voice and data to more elaborate IT systems — in other words, everything that relies on the fiber- and copper-based wiring of structured cabling systems. And that, as we’ve learned, that’s pretty much every IT system that businesses and organizations use today.
> Deep dive: From components to standards to installation and more, get a complete guide to structured cabling here.
What is BICSI Certification?
BISCI certification is a series of credentials available to demonstrate ICT skills and competence. It shows that an installer, designer, technician, or any ICT professional is fully up to date on the latest safety codes, technologies, and best practices, and that the infrastructure they design and install will meet the very highest standards.
Beginning with enrollment in a special training program and concluding with a rigorous exam process that includes both practical and written testing, most types of BICSI certification also require extensive industry experience simply to qualify. Participants are educated not only in industry best practices but also national and international standards like ANSI/TIA, NEC, OSHA, and others. In addition, ongoing education is often necessary to maintain certification.
Types of BICSI Certifications
BICSI certifications are available in two main categories, with a particular focus on cable installation and network design.
BICSI Certifications for Cable Installer & Technician Credentials
BICSI’s ICT installer and technician certifications include:
- Installer 1 (INST1) certification covers entry-level knowledge, skills, and best practices
- Installer 2, Copper (INSTC) certification covers every aspect of copper installation
- Installer 2, Optical Fiber (INSTF) certification covers optical fiber installation
- Technician (TECH) certification includes project management and team leadership skills
BICSI Certifications for ICT Design Credentials
BICSI’s ICT Certification Institute includes:
- Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) certification for internal IT infrastructure
- Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC) certification for data centers and mission-critical facilities
- Registered Telecommunications Project Manager (RTPM) certification for leadership
- Outside Plant (OSP) Designer certification for external IT systems
Beyond Certification: How BICSI Supports Ongoing Professional Development
As important as BICSI certification is, it’s also just a first step for the true expert. The organization also offers a full lineup of resources, training programs, networking and community-building opportunities, technical manuals, and everything else needed to support ICT professionals throughout their career progression, including but not limited to:
- Additional opportunities for education and training like virtual learning classes and ethics training
- Exclusive guides to industry standards and best practices, including proprietary reference manuals for BICSI professionals
- Seasonal conferences and community-building events for professional engagement and information sharing
- Professional gatherings offering team-based hands-on training and regional competitions (e.g., the BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge)
Indeed, because BICSI certification requires ongoing continuing education to maintain, all those resources are more than helpful tools — they're career development essentials, and the best ICT service providers make a point of enabling their teams to access and engage with them.
> Did you know? IES Communications is a proud participant in BICSI’s seasonal conferences and the opportunities they provide to sharpen our team's skills in competitive environments. Read more.
8 Reasons Why BICSI Certification Matters for Every Project
For professionals, BICSI certification isn’t just a smart move but increasingly required for employment. For ICT service providers, it’s a signifier of quality, showing that the teams they employ are fully qualified to perform every aspect of the highly technical tasks associated with designing and building IT infrastructure.
For everyone else — for instance, the companies that rely on ICT service providers — the presence of BICSI certified professionals should be a nonnegotiable factor when it comes to building safe, reliable, and cost-effective structured cabling systems.
And that’s because BICSI certification ensures:
- High-performing systems for continuous operations and avoid downtime and outages
- Safety assurance to meet national and local standards as well as manufacturer specifications
- Vendor neutrality to include the best manufacturers to fit the job rather than a single brand
- Scalability to accommodate growth without extensive rebuilding or additions
- Future-readiness to meet changing standards or integrate new tech or brands as needed
- Efficiency so projects are completed as promised, on time and on budget
- ROI to ensure the maximum value from each installation
- Regulatory compliance to avoid fees, fines, lawsuits, shutdowns, or reputational damage
> Pro tip: Choose a company that truly engages with BICSI and supports its team with the full range of career opportunities by taking part in conferences — or even better, manages its own licensed in-house BICSI training centers.
Why the Best ICT Companies Have BICSI Authorized Training Facilities
Finally, it’s important to know that the best providers will do more than offer BICSI certified professionals. They also have their own BICSI-authorized facilities to ensure their ongoing training and development.
What is a BICSI Authorized Training Facility (ATF)? A BICSI ATF is a separate location that’s authorized and licensed to carry out BICSI-approved training for a specific organization. More than replications of BICSI classrooms, ATFs are full-service training centers that use the same vendor-agnostic curricula and high-quality equipment and materials, and are even led by BICSI-certified trainers.
Setting up an ATF gives companies a fast track to training their own BICSI-certified team of professionals without sacrificing quality. It also helps communities by bringing BICSI-quality training to new places, while making more career development opportunities available and extending the ability for motivated professionals to learn and improve skills while working.
> Did you know? IES Communications operates six in-house BICSI ATFs across the U.S.A. Read about our commitment to ongoing professional training here.
Trust Your Next IT Project to BICSI-Certified Experts
At IES Communications, we take pride in offering more than the industry’s best BICSI-certified professionals, but also a culture built on promoting the highest standards in every project to truly improve what’s possible. Contact us today to discover what we can do for your organization.
