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Best sound engineer certifications

Sound engineer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an sound engineer to employers. However, not all sound engineer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a sound engineer are Certified Audio Engineer (CEA), Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma), and Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC).

Below is a list of the best sound engineer certifications. Obtaining an sound engineer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

4 best certifications for sound engineers

4 best sound engineer certifications

1. Certified Audio Engineer (CEA)

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified Audio Engineer
Certifying organization
Society of Broadcast Engineers,...

2. Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)

A technician with six or more years combined work and electronics training may be eligible for the ETA Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma) certification. The Master certification was created to showcase those technicians who are able to demonstrate proficiency in the many fields of electronics. In addition to the Associate level certification, one must successfully obtain six other certifications, with no more than two originating from the same specialized category, in order to qualify.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
Certifying organization
ETA International

3. Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC)

The credential Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) is granted by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) to identify music therapists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to practice music therapy at the current level of the profession. The purpose of board certification in music therapy is to provide an objective national standard that can be used as a measure of professionalism by interested agencies, groups, and individuals.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
Certification Board for Music...

4. Avid Certified Operator for Pro Tools | Post

In the competitive world of audio post production, knowing the tools of the trade (and how to use them efficiently) is a key to success. The pathway to the gaining the certification of Avid Certified Operator for Pro Tools (Post) will empower you with the skills you need to make the most of your Pro Tools system in a Post Production environment. When successfully completed, your Avid Certified Operator certification will be a valuable, industry-recognized credential.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying organization
Avid Technology, Inc.

What is the best certification for a sound engineer?

The best sound engineer certification is Certified Audio Engineer (CEA). The Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) is awarded by the Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc. the advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this sound engineer certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Audio Engineer (CEA), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 5 year.

What certifications can impact a sound engineer career and salary?

The Certified Audio Engineer certification will help you to secure a audio engineer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A audio engineer's average salary is $51,019 whereas sound engineers make an average salary of $52,197.

Best certifications

The most common combination of sound engineer certifications include: Certified Audio Engineer (CEA), Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma), and Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC).

Online courses for sound engineers to earn certifications

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1. Fundamentals of Audio and Music Engineering: Part 1 Musical Sound & Electronics

coursera

In this course students learn the basic concepts of acoustics and electronics and how they can applied to understand musical sound and make music with electronic instruments. Topics include: sound waves, musical sound, basic electronics, and applications of these basic principles in amplifiers and speaker design...

2. The Sound Kitchen - Great sound made easy

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Sound Engineering course for musicians, volunteers, professionals. For both beginners and people with some knowledge...

3. Operating the Audio Mixer, A Beginning Sound Engineer Course

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Learn to Mix Live Sound...

4. Ultimate Live Sound School (1st Edition)

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Top of the line training for the Live Sound from a veteran who has worked with Michael Jackson & Whitney Houston...

5. Ableton Live 11 Masterclass: Complete Music Production Guide

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Complete Guide To: Music Production, Music Mixing, Electronic Music, Sound Design, Audio Engineering / Production...

6. Ultimate Sound Design: Mastering Sound Design

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Master sound design for music production, game audio development, film scoring, composition, and more!...

7. Xfer Serum Synthesizer - Sound Design + Music Production

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Learn about Creating your own Sounds, Sound Design, Synthesis + Music Production in Serum Synthesizer by Xfer...

8. Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Accredited Practitioner Course

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Learn How Sound can Balance & Heal, How to Run Your Own Sound Healing Sessions & Play 10 instruments. Accredited Course...

9. Sound Design 102: Using Synthesis for Music Production

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Using Ableton Live and Reason, we will learn how to craft sounds using any synthesizer to make our tracks amazing...

10. Sound Design 101: Using Sampling for Music Production

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Using Ableton Live and Reason, we will learn how to craft sounds using any synthesizer to make amazing beats and tracks...

11. Audio Engineering Fundamentals

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Understand how sound systems work, their connections and components...

12. Sound Therapy Full Certification Course

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Become a holistic professional who knows both Western and Eastern approaches to Sound Therapy!...

13. Electronic Music Production with Ableton Live

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The Complete Course - Create Full Tracks in No Time!...

14. Ableton Live 11 - Music Production in Ableton Live

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Learn Music Production, Recording, Editing, Music Mixing, Songwriting + Music Theory in this Ableton Live 11 Course...

15. Certification in Sound Therapy & Sound Healing - Accredited

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Become professional therapist / healer Fully Accredited Professional Sound Healing / Sound Therapy Certificate...

16. Music Production in Ableton Live 9 - The Complete Course!

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Join Successful students in this Music Production course for Creating, Recording + Performing Music with Ableton Live 9...

17. Tibetan Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training

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Learn How To Become A Sound Healing Therapist Using Tibetan Bowls. Learn How To Work One-On-One With Clients...

18. Crystal Singing Bowls Sound Therapy & Sound Healing Training

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Learn To Play The Frosted Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls And Start Leading Your Own Group Sound Baths...

19. Music Production in Ableton Live 10 - The Complete Course!

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Learn Music Production in Ableton Live 10 Today and Understand how to Create, Record and Edit Your Own Music + Live Sets...

20. Game Audio 101: How to Create Sounds for Games

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Learn game audio, sound design, and sfx creation along with artistic and technical audio skills for beginners...

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