Car Audio Installation Certification and Career Facts
As a car audio installer, you'd be part of a wider group of professionals known as auto installation technicians. These professionals install different types of electronic accessories into automobiles. Employment in this field typically requires a mobile electronics professional certification. Keep reading to learn how you can train to enter this field and how you can get certified to be a car audio installer.
What You Need to Know
As a car audio installation technician, your job would involve initially installing or maintaining audio systems in vehicles. There are several specializations in this career, but they all require you to complete a certification exam. You can prepare for these exams through courses offered by some community colleges or through training you find online.
<table border="1"><tr><td>•<b>Responsibilities</b>•</td><td>•Installation and repair of electronic systems in motorized vehicles</td></tr>
<tr><td>•<b>Certification</b>•</td><td>•You can receive certification as a basic installation technician, advanced installation technician, master installation technician, or mobile product specialist</td></tr>
<tr><td>•<b>Training</b>•</td><td>•Certification training programs are offered by community colleges and online</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatDoCarAudioInstallationTechniciansDo">What Do Car Audio Installation Technicians Do?</h3><p>While some electronic equipment comes with relatively simple instructions, others require a system of amplifiers, fuses, and sub-woofers, and are much more complicated to install. As a mobile electronic installation and repair technician, you'll work to install and repair the communication, security, sound, and navigation systems in automotive vehicles. You may be required to build fiberglass mounting board to hold speakers, custom build wood cases to fit an automobile's interior, or wire a complete sound system into a car or truck.
</p><p>Many car audio installation technicians work for automobile dealerships which provide installation services as part of new car packages. Others find work with mobile electronics retailers, such as big-box electronics stores or specialized automotive electronics shops. Still others may specialize in installing audio systems on watercraft, motorcycles, or municipal and commercial vehicles.
</p><h3 id="section---CanIBeCertified">Can I Be Certified?</h3><p>As a car audio installer, there are three levels of certification you can pursue: basic installation technician, advanced installation technician, and master installation technician. In addition, there is a Mobile Product Specialist certification available if you're interested in working as a sales professional.
</p><p>To become certified, you must pass a certification examination, such as the Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) certification exams. This is a national certification program designed to bring a professional level of service quality to the mobile electronics technician trade. It was first developed by industry leaders in 1991. Since then, it has become part of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), an organization whose mission is to grow the consumer electronics industry.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillIStudy">What Will I Study?</h3><p>In an installation technician program, you'll study basic electronics. You'll also take classes that cover techniques used by installation technicians, including audio-sound and wireless communications. Some other topics you might be covered are listed as follows:
</p><ul><li>Ohm's law
</li><li>Series
</li><li>Parallel circuits
</li><li>Shop safety
</li><li>Navigation
</li><li>Security
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatAdditionalCoursesMightITake">What Additional Courses Might I Take?</h3><p>As you progress through a program, advanced courses will go into greater depth with electronics and vehicle electrical systems. You'll also learn about the following areas of interest:
</p><ul><li>Mobile integrated audio-video systems
</li><li>Remote starter systems
</li><li>Troubleshooting electrical systems
</li><li>Electronic installation
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhereCanIGoForTraining">Where Can I Go for Training?</h3><p>You can find preparation courses for certification exams at community colleges and technical schools. These schools typically feature laboratories equipped with modern tools and computer diagnostic equipment. In most programs, experienced faculty members are available to provide instruction in order to help you learn hands-on techniques.
</p><p>However, besides on-campus courses, you may also find certification training programs available using independent study guides or through online study. These programs include courses with lectures and videos which cover the fundamentals and techniques of the trade.</p>