ASTQB-CMT certification - ASTQB Certified Mobile Tester Updated: 2023

Obtaining a CPC, CCA, or CBCS certification implies that an individual has met competencies in the field of medical billing and coding. Certification is invaluable to the student's career goals. Students have an opportunity to make confident, informed decisions about the national certification they prefer.

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) test is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is the gold standard entry-level coding certification for physician, or professional fee, coders.

The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is an entry-level medical coding certification across all settings--physician practices and inpatient hospital.

The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is currently an entry-level medical billing certification for physician practices. In the summer of 2021, the test will transition to an entry-level billing and coding certification, with the inclusion of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II testing.

What is course certification?

The purpose of the USATF course certification program is to produce road race courses of accurately measured distances.

For any road running performance to be accepted as a record or be nationally ranked, it must be run on a USATF-certified course. In addition, the certification program is very important to the average road racer, as well as those of exceptional speed. Most runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate.

Course Measurement and Certification Procedures

Expiration/Renewal Policy

Because courses degrade over time, the USATF Road Running Technical Council decided in 1992 that all certifications would expire automatically 10 years after the year of issue. Initially, expired courses could be renewed upon testimony that the course was still in use and had not been altered. Then, in 2000, RRTC decided that such testimony is not adequate to overcome the uncertainty that inevitably creeps into every course; therefore, all courses must simply expire after 10 years, without any possibility of renewal.

The non-renewable policy adopted in 2000 was phased in over a 10-year period. That period ended at the end of 2011. All courses that were renewed at any time have expired. Expired courses are no longer renewable, but they must be re-measured in order to be recertified.

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.

With a five-year minimum education and experience requirement, earning this certification confirms that you possess vast knowledge of calibration, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.

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.

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, pass an exam, and commit to the ISA Code of Ethics. 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 test questions included from each domain, visit the CCST Body of Knowledge page.

How to Apply

Apply for CCST — Level 1    

Apply for CCST Specialist — Level 2    

Apply for CCST Master — Level 3

About the Exam

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 test at a Scantron test center. The CCST exams are multiple choice and have different time durations and questions.

Learn more about Certification Exams and Testing.

How to Prepare

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 test 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 test reflect the tasks performed in the range of practice settings throughout the United States. Familiarity with the following standards and codes is recommended. get 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 United States, so there may be questions on the test that reference US standards and codes.