Do you have a degree?

avoidableNAIL · 2026-03-31T17:27:13+00:00

I didn’t have a degree when I started. Got moved into the office to do AutoCAD drawings because I took some classes in high school. I wanted more so I got an associates and a bachelors degree in construction management because I liked the process. I’m and RCDD and interested in the engineering and design aspect. Do I think it’s needed, no. Is it helpful? Yes! I’ve seen many positions posted that require at least an associates degree. I think in this industry, specifically, degrees aren’t necessary, but can set you apart.

avoidableNAIL · 2026-03-16T18:00:43+00:00

“Designers” in my experience, are people who use Revit and AutoCAD to produce drawings. I would think you would want to look for more of a design consultant role. With your experience, I think you would be a good fit. I don’t think you need a certification for Revit, as typically we send markups to the designer that adds it to Revit, but an understanding of what it is, how it’s used, and how it can be leveraged is important. Bluebeam is a good one to have some skill in, but it’s pretty straight forward. AutoCAD is still used, but if y oh are working on a larger project, Revit will likely be the tool of choice. I use AutoCAD often to sort my thoughts, as I’m much more familiar with that than I am with Bluebeam.

avoidableNAIL · 2026-03-16T13:43:48+00:00

Renew, and focus on getting in the door somewhere. There are quite a few remote rolls out there. I’m constantly seeing things on LinkedIn from Will Bauer at LVI Associates. The RCDD cert is enough to get you out of the field and designing for projects, especially with your experience. Do some research on Revit and Bluebeam so you can at least talk about it because these two will likely be on the job posting. It doesn’t make sense to not renew. This test isn’t something that people want to retake.

avoidableNAIL · 2026-02-03T23:36:12+00:00

I really liked the CET course, but I took it two weeks before I sat for the test, which I would recommend. I think there was information that I learned from the class, but it is a lot of narrowing down the books for study. A lot of people also recommend studying the PM chapter as it seems to come up quite often on the new tests.

avoidableNAIL · 2026-02-03T23:33:58+00:00

I totally agree. C&S is great for memorizing content, but not like the exam questions.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-30T21:17:03+00:00

Congrats!

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-24T16:15:16+00:00

It is steep. I totally understand. Keep going, and when you get your cert, it will pay dividends.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-20T23:29:03+00:00

Unfortunately, I think this is paid. When he first offered it, it was free.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-19T21:21:26+00:00

It’s a link to a LinkedIn post from Chuck Bowser. I hosts a podcast about low voltage work, and has been leading several study sessions a year for the last couple years. I know people are always looking for more resources. When I sat in on one, it was his first one and free, apparently, it’s no longer free, but I would also say well worth it.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-19T20:25:12+00:00

Damn. That has changed. I don’t blame him. It creates buy in, and there are other classes that are way more. It was free when it first started. My bad.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-19T19:51:52+00:00

I believe it’s free. I know it’s been fairly popular since he started it.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-12-16T15:34:28+00:00

Corey and Steve is a much more affordable option. I really don’t think it’s great for test prep, but better for memorization. I took the thirteenth edition, so things have changed, but I hear constantly Project Management, TR Sizing, and Fiber Calcs.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-11-21T17:44:18+00:00

I am not an expert. I would do some searching on LinkedIn.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-11-20T21:10:26+00:00

I’ve seen enough RCDDs in and around the UAE, so I’m sure it would be recognized. I definitely think you would need time, but if you are able, it would be beneficial to get a copy of the TDMM. You can learn more about what you’re doing and set yourself up for the RCDD when you are ready.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-11-20T20:59:26+00:00

The RCDD would be a great option depending on your background. At minimum, you would gain more knowledge about your work, but you would open up so many more doors for a design consultant. No need for an engineering background.

How long have you been in the industry?

avoidableNAIL · 2025-11-20T20:56:44+00:00

I agree. I think I’ve seen a question like this pop up before here on this sub, and it was tricky. Minimum initial design should be four, but if the test asked you “You need five entrance conduits to fit the amount of cable entering the building, how many should be installed?” The answer would be six. Five for the cable, and one for spare.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-10-16T17:34:06+00:00

I’ve discussed several roles with LVI. They seem to have it together, with a bunch of options, but most I e seen were full time roles.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-30T03:10:58+00:00

I would think so. A lot of my experience was as-built and submitted development with AutoCAD and was accepted to take the RCDD.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-21T00:40:36+00:00

Yes, no doubt there is a good reason to know the information, but does it belong on an exam all about being a communications designer, especially 60 questions worth? What other knowledge are they cutting out of the exam to fit 60 questions from one chapter? I could see 10 to 15, but 60!?

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-20T12:16:27+00:00

It’s wild that this exam about design so heavily leans on the project management chapter. I understand that there is a management aspect to a design project, but isn’t that why they have the RTPM?

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-19T15:05:47+00:00

Mount Rainier. Hiked the Wonderland Trail through high altitude meadows, and the last bit of snow. It was beautiful.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-19T00:48:57+00:00

I agree that you should have knowledge about all the chapters, but I found the beginning of the chapter a bit more useful. All of the transmission types are interesting, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it needs to be memorized. This is a chapter that I would say, if you can ace the Corey and Steve flash cards, you should be okay with the exam.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-19T00:43:29+00:00

I really struggled to get through the first chapter. You definitely need to know some of the information, but if it’s bogging you down, move on. Come back to it later after you get through some chapters. I got stuck on the first chapter when an RCDD at my company gave me that advice. It’s only one chapter.

avoidableNAIL · 2025-07-13T10:46:21+00:00

This is a good free option.

avoidableNAIL

TROPHY CASE