What is Altium Designer?

Altium Designer is an integrated software platform that enables engineers to design complex PCBs, from schematic capture to board layout, manufacturing outputs, and project management. It includes features like:

• Schematic capture
• PCB layout
• 3D modeling
• MCAD integration
• ECAD libraries
• Version control
• Manufacturing output generation
• Project management tools

Altium Designer is used across many industries, including consumer electronics, aerospace, medical devices, automotive, and telecommunications. It has a reputation for being feature-rich yet easy to use.

Benefits of Altium Designer Certification

Getting certified in Altium Designer comes with several key benefits:

1. Demonstrating proficiency: Earning certification proves you have an expert-level grasp of Altium Designer’s tools and workflows. It sets you apart from uncertified users.

2. Career advancement: Certification can lead to promotions, higher salaries, and better job opportunities, as it’s a credential valued by many employers who use Altium.

3. Networking: Becoming part of Altium’s certified community connects you with other skilled designers for knowledge sharing and potential collaborations.

4. Continued learning: Preparing for certification exams helps expand your Altium Designer knowledge. Altium also provides exclusive resources to keep your skills current after getting certified.

Altium Designer Certification Paths

Altium offers two primary certification paths:

1. Altium Designer Core

This foundational certification covers core skills in using Altium Designer for schematic capture, PCB layout, and manufacturing output generation. It’s intended for:

• Engineers who design PCBs using Altium Designer
• Managers who oversee Altium Designer users and projects
• Educators who teach PCB design with Altium Designer
• Anyone looking to demonstrate fundamental Altium Designer competency

2. Altium Designer Advanced

Building on the core certification, the advanced path covers specialized Altium Designer features and design techniques. It’s aimed at professionals looking to showcase expert-level skills, such as:

• Senior PCB designers and engineers
• Altium Designer power users
• Anyone pursuing advanced roles that heavily use Altium Designer

Here’s a comparison of the two paths:

Certification	Topics Covered	Intended For	Exam Format
Core	Schematics, PCB layout, manufacturing outputs	Fundamental proficiency	50 multiple choice questions
Advanced	MCAD integration, ECAD libraries, PCB project management	Expert-level mastery	25 multiple choice + 5 hands-on lab exercises

Both exams are administered online through Altium’s learning management system. Certification is valid for two years, after which recertification is required to maintain active status.

Preparing for Altium Designer Certification Exams

To prepare for Altium Designer certification exams, consider the following tips:

1. Training courses: Altium offers online and in-person training courses that cover certification topics in-depth. These are a great starting point.

2. Practice projects: Work on a variety of PCB projects in Altium Designer to apply your skills to real-world scenarios. Focus on the objectives listed for each certification.

3. Study resources: Review Altium Designer documentation, user guides, tutorials, and knowledge base articles related to certification topics.

4. Community forums: Engage with the Altium Designer user community through forums and social media groups. Ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from experienced designers.

5. Hands-on experience: The more you use Altium Designer, the more comfortable you’ll become with its tools and workflows. Aim to accrue significant hands-on experience before attempting certification.

Registering for Altium Designer Certification Exams

To register for an Altium Designer certification exam:

1. Create an account on Altium’s learning management system (if you don’t already have one).

2. Navigate to the Certifications section and select the desired certification path (Core or Advanced).

3. Read through the certification details, objectives, and FAQs.

4. Purchase the certification exam. Pricing varies by region and certification level.

5. Schedule your exam session. Exams are typically available on-demand, but some sessions may require advance scheduling.

6. Complete any necessary system checks and exam preparations as directed by Altium.

7. Take the exam during your scheduled session, adhering to Altium’s exam policies and procedures.

Results are provided immediately upon exam completion for multiple choice exams. Hands-on lab exams may require additional grading time. If you don’t pass an exam on the first attempt, you can usually retake it after a waiting period (typically 30 days).

Maintaining Altium Designer Certification

Altium Designer certifications are valid for two years from the date of issue. To maintain active certification status, you must recertify every two years by:

1. Reviewing updated certification objectives and exam details.

2. Registering and paying for the recertification exam.

3. Passing the recertification exam.

Recertification ensures designers stay current with the latest Altium Designer features and best practices. Altium sends reminder notifications when certifications are nearing expiration.

If a certification expires, you’ll need to start fresh with the full certification process rather than the streamlined recertification process. It’s important to be proactive about maintaining active status to avoid interruptions.

Altium Designer Certification FAQs

How much does Altium Designer certification cost?

Altium Designer certification exam pricing varies by region and certification level. As of 2023, the Core exam typically costs around $150 USD, while the Advanced exam is around $300 USD. Check Altium’s website for current pricing details.

How long does Altium Designer certification take?

The time required to become Altium Designer certified depends on your existing knowledge and experience level. If you’re already proficient with the software, you may be able to prepare for and pass the Core exam within a few weeks. The Advanced exam generally requires more extensive preparation, potentially several months. Allot ample study time to ensure you’re well-prepared.

What happens if I fail an Altium Designer certification exam?

If you don’t pass an Altium Designer certification exam on your first attempt, you can retake it. However, there is typically a waiting period (often 30 days) before you’re eligible to retry. Use this time to study and practice further. You’ll need to pay the exam fee again for each additional attempt.

Do I need to be certified to use Altium Designer?

No, Altium Designer certification is not a requirement for using the software. You can design PCBs with Altium Designer without being certified. However, certification demonstrates a verified skill level to employers and clients. It can enhance your professional credibility and marketability, even if it’s not mandatory.

How do I add Altium Designer certification to my resume?

Once you pass an Altium Designer certification exam, you’ll receive a digital badge or certificate. You can add this to your resume by:

1. Listing the certification in a “Certifications” or “Skills” section of your resume. For example: “Altium Designer Core Certification, March 2023”

2. Embedding or hyperlinking the digital badge image in your resume PDF.

3. Adding the certification to your email signature and social media profiles for added visibility.

Be sure to include the month and year you earned the certification, as this indicates how recently your skills were validated.

Conclusion

Becoming Altium Designer certified is a valuable way to showcase your PCB design skills and advance your career. By passing Altium’s certification exams, you demonstrate mastery of this powerful EDA tool used across many industries.

To earn certification, familiarize yourself with the available certification paths, prepare diligently using Altium’s training resources and hands-on practice, register for the appropriate exam, and maintain your certification through recertification every two years.

With Altium Designer certification on your resume, you’ll be well-positioned for exciting PCB design roles and projects. Start your certification journey today to take your Altium Designer skills to the next level!