CTP Certification & CCNT Certification

TIA offers two vendor-neutral convergence technologies credential programs: CTP and CCNT. Each certification program is designed to meet the needs of a different segment of the telecommunications industry.

Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) certification was developed for convergence equipment manufacturers, their channel partners and their end customers.

Certified in Convergent Network Technologies (CCNT) certificate program was developed for telcos and other network service providers providing convergence services.

TIA Convergence Credential Program Comparison

Select a Curriculum Click Here to view CTP Curriculum   Click Here to view CCNT Curriculum   Credential TIA Technical Certification TIA Credential Certificate Exam High-stakes proctored exam Low-stakes online exam Program Description Validates that an individual has the core knowledge and skills required by equipment manufacturers, their channel partners, and end-users to sell and service convergence technologies. Validates that an individual has the core knowledge required to sell and support convergence services. Competencies Industry Standards and Protocols Infrastructure IP Protocols Telephony Concepts and Fundamentals Voice-Over Convergence Topology Convergence Troubleshooting Basic Telecommunications Basic Data Communications Computer-Telephone Integration (CTI) Essentials Local Area Networks (LANs) Broadband Technologies Voice over IP (VoIP) Essentials Test Length 65 questions (one exam) 450+ questions (six exams) Recommended Training Methods Official CTP preparatory materials focus on instructor-led environments to facilitate the hands-on skills development required as part of the certification. Web-based assessments and other Web resources are available to supplement and reinforce the learning experience. Official CCNT preparatory materials focus on self-paced Web-based learning to facilitate the broad distribution of CCNT knowledge across large organizations. Where appropriate, Instructor-led materials are available to support a facilitated environment. Job Roles Channel Partner Sales Professionals and Technical Reps Enterprise IT Professionals in Voice and Data Support Applications Implementation and Application Sales Professionals and Engineers Telco/Service Provider Technical Sales Professionals and Support Engineers Network Administrators and Engineers Product Managers and Engineers   CTP Certification CCNT Certification

THE NEED FOR CONVERGENCE CERTIFICATION

The convergence of three technologies -- voice, video and data -- into a single network is a major development in computer and communications technology. Companies need complete solutions and there is a shortage of personnel qualified to sell and support convergence products.

Manufacturers and their channel partners all need a way to educate their employees and customers about convergence technologies. Industry-common skills and applications of convergence technologies are vital to the success of sales professionals and support technicians. They need to know vendor-specific equipment and applications, as well as how these applications work with other software and equipment available in the marketplace. That is why vendor-neutral training and certification such as CTP is an essential foundation for vendor-specific training.

Supporting the enterprise customer is one of the goals to achieving success in the communications industry. An educated industry -- from the manufacturer to the network service provider to the channel partner -- furthers the goal. In an effort to help the industry attain the goal, TIA offers several vendor-neutral convergence technologies credentialing programs for all segments of the telecommunications industry to validate the industry-common terms and skills needed to apply and implement convergence solutions. CTP and CCNT (Certified in Convergent Network Technologies) fill the industry's need to conserve valuable training resources by offering industry-standards credentialing programs to reduce redundant training.

CTP AUDIENCE

The target audience for CTP certification is anyone interested in pursuing or advancing an information or communications technology career. CTP provides the skills and knowledge to prepare individuals for specific job roles within the convergence technologies industry. CTP prepares individuals for the following job roles:

• Technical Sales and Technical Representatives,
• Enterprise IT professionals that support voice and data applications,
• Implementation and Application Sales Professionals, and
• Sales Engineers.

VALUE OF CTP CERTIFICATION

Obtaining an industry-recognized certification validates an individual's competence in a set of skills or a job role. Certification enhances an individual's career by demonstrating to employers and customers one's readiness to perform required job skills.

TIA's CTP certification is a unique credential that helps to address the current shortage of professionals skilled in convergence technologies, by ensuring that individuals are proficient in the industry-established skills necessary for meeting industry needs. Individuals can pursue important new job opportunities and companies can differentiate themselves to customers by using only certified personnel to sell, install and support convergence technologies solutions.

CCNT TARGET AUDIENCE

The CCNT certificate program was developed for sales, installation and support personnel of telcos and other network service providers providing convergence services.

VALUE OF CCNT

With the CCNT certificate, individuals demonstrate knowledge of data and telecommunications technologies, thus enhancing career potential and building confidence. It also provides an industry-valued, knowledge-based credential that is sponsored by the TIA.

CCNT PROGRAM MODULES

The CCNT certificate program is a broad, knowledge-based introduction to core terms, concepts and skills in convergence technologies. To obtain this industry-valued credential, an individual must pass six competency tests in the following disciplines:

• Basic Telecommunications explores analog and digital concepts, and introduces telecommunications fundamentals such as networks, business communications systems, signaling, Internet telephony and switching.
   
• Basic Data Communications builds a student's knowledge of related software and hardware. This module introduces the technology of network architecture, packet switching, fiber optics, data communication channels and data communication devices.
   
• Computer Telephone Integration (CTI) Essentials introduces the dynamics of connecting a computer to a telephone system for routing calls through switches. This program also teaches the technology of applications, architecture and system development.
   
• Local Area Networks (LANs) develops critical understanding of the concepts and technology of LAN topologies, information transfer, transmission techniques, media standards and network management.
   
• Broadband Technologies discusses the need for transmitting multiple signal types simultaneously by way of divided channels, and then explores the technology of voice and data integration, frame relay, SONET, ATM/cell relay, SMDS, BISDN, DSL and VPN.
   
• Voice over IP (VoIP) Essentials teaches the principles of transmitting voice calls and fax over the Internet, and explores VoIP networks, bandwidth compression, the Gateway, packet prioritization, RSVP, H.320 and H.323, and WAN engineering issues.

CCNT JOB ROLES

The CCNT certificate program provides the basic skills required by the following job roles:

• Telco/Service Provider Technical Sales Professionals and Support Engineers
• Network Administrators and Engineers
• Product Managers and Engineers