IT’S TIME TO GET CERTIFIED

Admit it. You’ve been meaning to take that CSI certification exam for years. Next Spring there’s another opportunity to go for your CDT (Construction Documents Technologist) or to upgrade to CCS (Certified Construction Specifier), CCPR (Certified Construction Product Representative), or CCCA (Certified Construction Contract Administrator). The next nationwide certification exams will be held in 80+ cities on March 27, 2004.

Why get certified? Certification allows you to demonstrate a commitment to, and deepen your knowledge of, the construction industry. Of course you have to be good at what you do to stay employed in this competitive era, but certification gives you an extra edge that will set you apart from colleagues who don’t make the effort.

Save some money if you register this month. Although registration remains open until January 31, 2004, CSI members who register before December 1, 2003 can save $55 off the cost of the exam.

You’ll learn a lot from studying for the exam, even if you’ve been in the industry for years. We all learn from the school of hard knocks, but everyone working in this industry sees only a part of the construction industry. CSI’s Manual of Practice (MOP), on which the exams are based (and which you’ll have to study really hard), presents the big picture on organizing, preparing, interpreting, and administering construction documents. There are certainly publications out there that go into more detail on certain aspects of construction documents, but the MOP remains the best overall text.

The exams are tough, so you’ll have to be disciplined and study the material. The certification exams are hard, no doubt about it. A substantial proportion of applicants fail the exams. I speak from experience here because I didn’t prepare adequately for the CCCA exam the first time and failed it. Many of the concepts presented are difficult and the exam questions are certainly tricky and rigorous, not unlike the real-life business problems we all face every day. But you don’t have to prepare for the exams all by yourself. Our very own Greg Compton has put together a team of instructors that will guide you through the subject matter of the exams in evening classes starting in early 2004. Check out our chapter website www.csinorthernillinois.org or contact Greg Compton for details.

Check it out. To get more information and to register for one of the certification exams, go to CSI’s website www.csinet.org.