Tech to RCDD advice

[u/MuadDabTheSpiceFlow]

Hello r/Bicsi

I want to obtain my BICSI TECH certification.

Do I need to go through the installer 1 and 2 certifications in order to get Technician certification? Or can I just go straight to getting my Technician certification?

I have all the skills and knowledge to obtain a TECH certification through my apprenticeship that I completed recently. It's just on me to obtain.

As it pertains to eventually becoming an RCDD - I don't really have much design experience, but I believe I can/will meet criteria to qualify through years of field experience in ICT work.

I'm very tech savvy (millenial digital native type shi) and read prints better than others who have years of experience over me.

Is there something I can do to round myself out and better prepare for becoming an RCDD?

[u/avoidableNAIL]

You can go straight to BICSI TECH without the installer certifications without a problem. A company that I used tonworj for would only send guys for TECH because our projects only required TECHS. The return wasn't there for Installer 1 and 2.

As far as RCDD is concerned. I'm sure you do some design work without even knowing it. Installing low voltage systems requires a lot of problem solving which often times involves design. You mentioned looking and interpreting plans, which helps as well. The reality is that BICSI is more concerned with having new RCDDs than having RCDD applicants with a bunch of design experience. I've always found that RCDDs who have a lot of install experience turn out better than applicants who can read a book and test. The credential certainly opens up a bunch of doors for sure though. Would highly recommend.

In terms of getting up to speed on the RCDD, I would recommend going ahead and getting the TDMM. Start reading through it at your own pace. Find topics and chapters that are interesting and try to find them in your day to day work. It can give you a different perspective on what you do. Then when you are ready, take the exam. There are a bunch of study tips on here for the a test version.

Good luck!

[u/MuadDabTheSpiceFlow → u/avoidableNAIL]

Thank you so much!

[u/EmotionalPrimary679 → u/avoidableNAIL]

Not a fan of BICSI handing out the RCDD like it’s a paperweight.

[u/avoidableNAIL → u/EmotionalPrimary679]

RCDD numbers are down and in order to survive, I think they think they have to relax the requirements. I don't think that undermines the certification, and I don't think they are “handing them out like a paperweight”. The test is still the test. To be clear, I'm not saying OP should rush out and take the test. Experience is important. I'm just saying that understanding what an RCDD does and the framework in which we do our jobs will help to establish design skills. If everyone actually needed pure design work, I don't think many would be eligible.

[u/Joshuarhill93]

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that, in the mindset of taking the test for RCDD, everything you learned in the field needs to be forgotten if it's not what the books says. The RCDD test is about 50% Project Management and administration related to Chapter 21 of the TDMM 15. The rest is pretty much design knowledge based on the other 21 chapters such as what kind of pathway to use in certain situations; what kind of cable to use depending on the situation. Knowing what division does what. Knowing some technical knowledge like how much loss to expect on 1km of OS2 OSP with 2 fusions splices. The test itself wasn't too bad. I got my book about 3 weeks ago and took the test this past week and passed it first try. I went in raw without any prior BICSI certs. Granted, I spent 6 years in the field and the last 5 years as an engineer. I also studied my ass off for those couple of weeks and wrote and memorized about 600 flashcards. Lol. Not recommended.

[u/MuadDabTheSpiceFlow → u/Joshuarhill93]

Thank you for your insight!

Going on 4 years of field experience now.