Which AV certifications should your project require?
Match credentials to roles, not companies. Sample requirement language for RFPs and specs, and the mistakes that make certification requirements useless.
Published November 5, 2026. 2 minute read.
"Integrator must be Crestron certified" is one of the most common lines in AV specs, and one of the least useful. Certifications belong to people. A firm can hold a dealer agreement and still send an uncertified technician to program your rooms. Here's how to write requirements that change who actually shows up.
Require credentials by role
| Role on your project | Reasonable requirement | Stronger requirement for complex work |
|---|---|---|
| Project manager | AVIXA CTS | CTS plus PMP or equivalent |
| System designer | AVIXA CTS-D | CTS-D plus manufacturer design training on the specified platforms |
| Lead installer | AVIXA CTS-I or CTS | CTS-I plus BICSI Installer 2 where they terminate cabling |
| Control programmer | Manufacturer programmer certification for the specified control platform | Advanced tier (for example Crestron Masters, Q-SYS Control 201, Extron Control Professional) |
| DSP programmer and commissioning | Q-SYS Level One, Biamp Tesira or the specified DSP's certification | Q-SYS Level Two; Dante Level 2 or 3 for large networks |
| Network engineer on AV-over-IP | Dante certification; CompTIA Network+ or CCNA | Manufacturer AV-over-IP certification for the specified system |
| Cabling designer | BICSI RCDD | RCDD with data center or outside plant credentials where relevant |
Sample language
The Contractor shall assign named individuals to the following roles for the duration of the project: project manager, lead installer, control programmer and DSP programmer. Each shall hold the current certification listed for the role in Table X at bid time and through project closeout. Submit names, certificate or badge IDs and expiry dates with the bid. Substitution of a named individual requires the Owner's written approval and an equally certified replacement.
Mistakes to avoid
- Requiring a company to be "certified." Most AV certifications are individual. Ask for named people and IDs.
- Requiring a certification that doesn't exist. Programs get renamed. Check the manufacturer's current tracks before you publish.
- Not checking expiry. CTS credentials renew every three years. A credential that lapses mid-project should trigger a substitution.
- Over-specifying. Requiring the top tier for every role can shrink your bidder pool to one or two firms and raise prices. Match the requirement to the system's complexity.
- Forgetting the network. AV-over-IP and Dante systems fail on network configuration more than on AV equipment. Require someone qualified on the network side. See network readiness for AV over IP.
Checking what bidders submit
Look up each ID with the issuer, confirm the name matches the person on the roster, and note expiry dates in your project file. On AVCleared, firms list their people with each certification checked against the issuer where a lookup exists, and companies on a paid plan can search for firms with, for example, at least two CTS-D holders. Read AV certifications explained for what each credential requires.