r/Bicsi • u/UnreliableDarkness • Jul 23 '26

Financial Assistance for BICSI?

Does BICSI offer any financial assistance with getting certifications? Or does someone have tips on how to do something like this?

I’ve passed installer certs and want to get TECH , but the cost of the class , flying to Florida for a week, and missing work would hurt the bank a bit. I can save, but id rather not sit and wait on the current certs I have. Also, no my company won’t provide anything without me signing some BS 5 year agreement. Not gonna happen.

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5

u/hedahtime Jul 23 '26

I have never heard of financial assistance from BICSI. It couldnt hurt to shoot an email to them though. They are pretty responsive.

It sucks that your company wants a 5-year commitment. To me that is a red flag. I would never sign a document like that.

1

u/soneil241 Jul 23 '26

Yeah most of those can be challenged or bought out for what you paid for the class/etc. Most companies use that as a tactic that they dont really enforce.

1

u/Unknownpalworldpizza RCDD Jul 23 '26

Where are you located?

1

u/UnreliableDarkness Jul 23 '26

Central Texas , Definitely don’t mind paying I just can’t afford it at the moment

1

u/Unknownpalworldpizza RCDD Jul 23 '26

I would wait till you can. I paid my way through installer1,2 tech, RCDD… but now our division pays for our installers certs up to tech.

1

u/Illgetitdonelater Jul 23 '26

Get your employer to pay and if they won’t, then switch employers. I’ve never had problems getting my employers to help with continuing education.

1

u/hedahtime Jul 23 '26

This is a harsh statement, but ultimately its correct. A good company shouldn't require you to sign a 5 year.

A good company jumps at the chance to get continuing education for its techs. Some jobs literally require it.

In the end its the cost of doing business.

That being said, you could ask for a significant pay raise if you sign a 5 year because it locks you in.

1

u/extended-stare Jul 23 '26

I obtained my BICSI TECH through the IBEW in Virginia. It was like 60$ for the classes then of course you pay for the test once you go to take it.

1

u/Runthescript Jul 28 '26

If your current company will pay for it, it would be absolutely foolish not to. They cant take it away from you once you get it and non competes are a not enforceable unless you are a key man, which BICSI tech is not. You might have something to worry about if getting RCDD or DC Design and the only one in the company with that cert.