In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular maintenance certifications that professionals can earn. But first, we’ll cover the maintenance certification process.
While experience and know-how certainly matter when it comes to doing a job and doing it well, maintenance certifications add credibility to one’s credentials and professionalism. A maintenance certificate isn’t just something to put on your résumé. It’s also evidence that you are evolving professionally in your career. Think of these certifications as examples of continuous education, improvement, and technical competency.
The Most Popular Maintenance Certifications
To be clear, the right certifications can help you land a better job or earn more money at your current job. And from the employer’s side, having a maintenance technician certified in specific skill sets can help the company streamline troubleshooting and equipment repair to avoid lost productivity and unplanned downtime. In other words, employers should see the importance of investing in qualified maintenance workers.
“Getting a certification indicates to potential employers that you’re accountable and that you can maintain high standards in maintenance work.”
CareerBuilder
How to Get Certified
It’s a pretty simple, straightforward process that largely involves first finding a certification you want to pursue, applying or registering for any education requirements needed, and then enrolling in and taking the courses. In most cases, there’s a nominal application fee for the courses. Depending on the certification, the cost can be up to several hundred dollars. Typically, though, no educational prerequisites are required to enroll or register in such programs. However, there may be maintenance experience requirements.
Depending on the certification, the coursework can take from hours to days to weeks to even months. Required courses can be hosted in person and/or virtually. Following successful completion of the required coursework, you may need to pass an exam or an assessment. After you’ve passed the exam, you can officially add the certification to your professional credentials.
Think strategically about earning certifications. Only seek those that will help bolster your career and earnings potential. Also, don’t seek certifications that aren’t widely recognized or accepted. That said, several recognized associations and organizations offer industrial maintenance credentials. Credible organizations include:
- Building Owners and Managers Institute International (BOMI)
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP)
- ETA International
- International Maintenance Institute (IMI)
- Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE)
Common Maintenance Certifications (Tech Level)
Here’s a look at popular technician-level certifications:
CMRT
The Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician, or CMRT, certification is among the most popular of all credentials that maintenance professionals seek. This certification ensures professionals are knowledgeable about preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance. CMRT also covers troubleshooting. Offered by the SMRP, the cost is about $300 to take the CMRT certification exam. There are no classes or educational requirements. And SMRP provides study resources upon registration. Maintenance professionals can take the exam only once every six months.
CET
The Master Certified Electronics Technician, or CET, is a certification demonstrating proficiency in electrical work. Authorized by ETA International, professionals with at least six years of experience working with electronics are eligible for the CET Senior Certification. There’s also an Associate CET certification and a Master CET certification.
CBET
The Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician, or CBET, is earned through the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and is specifically targeted at healthcare technicians seeking to grow in their careers. Professionals who tend to seek this certification usually work for medical device manufacturers, software manufacturers, or device repair companies.
IMI
The International Maintenance Institute (IMI) offers several certifications to technicians in the industry. These include the levels of Certified Maintenance Technician, Certified Maintenance Professional, and Certified Maintenance Manager, among others.
CAMT
The CAMT program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI is a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. To obtain the CAMT credential, candidates must have a year of apartment or rental housing maintenance experience, complete all CAMT coursework, and pass the examination. Through the training program, you will learn about electrical, HVAC, construction, and mechanical services and repairs, in addition to general maintenance work.
Maintenance Certifications (Supervisory Level)
Now let’s take a look at popular maintenance supervisor certifications sought by maintenance professionals:
CPMM
The Certified Professional Maintenance Manager, or CPMM, is offered by the Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE). To earn CPMM status, maintenance professionals must have at least two years of supervisory experience before they can take the exam. Professionals who don’t have at least two years of supervisory experience can take and pass training modules online to qualify.
CMM
The Certified Manager of Maintenance, or CMM, is offered by the National Center for Housing Management and is targeted at property maintenance managers and supervisors.
PMP
The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers a designation for Project Management Professional, or PMP. The PMP designation provides a competitive advantage over other maintenance and project management professionals. You can earn PMP certification by taking an online exam that measures technicians’ skills in predictive analysis and project leadership skills. Independent media outlets rank PMP certification among the top designations to earn in the maintenance and management field.
MaintainX and Your Maintenance Certification
To summarize, the popular certifications listed above provide maintenance training in predictive maintenance, preventive maintenance, work order management, equipment reliability, asset management, and building systems.
Are you intrigued but still not sure? Check out MaintainX to see just how easy it is to apply your maintenance certifications by using a real-time, state-of-the-art computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). And, if your team uses MaintainX, you can use our training courses to provide in-house CMMS certification. And remember, our goal is to help you and your team work smarter, not harder.
Try MaintainX. It’s free.
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Caroline Eisner
Caroline Eisner is a writer and editor with experience across the profit and nonprofit sectors, government, education, and financial organizations. She has held leadership positions in K16 institutions and has led large-scale digital projects, interactive websites, and a business writing consultancy.
