Computer Hardware Engineering Certification

Computer hardware engineers need certification to advance their careers.

Computer hardware engineering is a sub specialty of electrical engineering that has grown to be its own area of academic and business study. Computer hardware engineers design computers and related items such as cell phones, PDAs and tablets. They also keep business hardware systems running.

Education

Computer hardware engineers need to earn a four-year degree from an institution approved by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Choosing an ABET certified college assures that the computer training meets industry standards and prepares engineers for certification exams.

Advanced Certification

Immediately after graduation, an engineer may sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, or NEECS. After four years of work, an engineer may take the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. After passing the exam, an engineer has a "PE" license, meaning he is a fully licensed engineer.

Computer Hardware Specific Certifications

Licensed engineers can earn advanced certification specific to computer hardware. The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals, or ICCP, has two levels of certification for hardware engineers. The first is the associate computing professional, or ACP, designation. After 48 months of work as a computer hardware professional, the employee can attempt to earn the certified computing professional, or CCP, designation. These certifications are considered industry standards and help in salary negotiations.

References

• Page Rank Studio: Info on Computer Hardware Engineering
• State University: Hardware Engineer Description
• Degree Directory: What is a Computer Hardware Engineer