Pro Tools Certification: Is it Worth the Money?

The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Certified Digidesign Audio Engineer

Jul 6, 2009

Pro Tools Certification alone will not secure a job in the recording industry yet many aspiring audio engineers spend thousands to become certified. Is it worthwhile?

Digidesign's Pro Tools is the industry standard for digital audio workstation software. It is a given that any audio engineer seeking employment in a commercial recording studio will have to be proficient in the Pro Tools DAW environment.

Digidesign Pro Tools Certification

Pro Tools Certification is arguably the most comprehensive method of learning Digidesign’s Pro Tools software. Prospective students enroll in a series of courses with the end goal in mind of becoming a Certified Pro Tools Operator, Expert or Icon Mixer for the latest version of the Pro Tools software.

Taken on its own, the Certification curriculum can be completed quite quickly but most students opt to include Pro Tools Certification as part of a well-rounded audio engineering or music production program at a Digidesign-approved recording school.

Students can expect to spend at least $3000 for lower level Pro Tools Certification and more than double that amount for a Post Production Expert Certificate.

Benefits of Digidesign Pro Tools Certification for Audio Engineers

Besides a “frame-worthy certificate”, students that complete Pro Tools Certification will acquire a top-notch skill set via a comprehensive curriculum compiled by the designers of the very software at the focus of said curriculum.

Pro Tools Certified engineers put themselves in a great position when applying for audio engineering work at commercial recording studios. And as an added bonus, students who successfully complete the training and exams will be listed in Digidesign’s online Certification Directory.

Downsides to Digidesign Pro Tools Certification

Pro Tools Certification costs thousands of dollars and does not guarantee a job at the completion of the program. It is possible to gain much, if not all, of the knowledge taught in the various Certification programs by other means.

For example, hands-on experience with Pro Tools combined with online research, tutorial DVDs and interaction with audio engineering professionals can lead to a high level of skill with the software while saving the student a fair amount of money.

Is Pro Tools Certification Worthwhile for Aspiring Audio Engineers?

The answer to the question of whether or not to pursue Pro Tools Certification is highly subjective. Depending on the individual student’s personality and work habits, Pro Tools Certification could be a wise investment or a big waste of time and money.

Students who desire a traditional educational experience, such as a curriculum and certificate of completion, may benefit greatly from the Pro Tools Certification. However, students who excel in networking and prefer a less rigid curriculum may find Pro Tools Certification to be superfluous.

Other Considerations For Audio Engineering Students

Successful networking is often key to securing a job as an audio engineer, but the skill set of the engineer must be at a professional level. Becoming a Pro Tools Certified Operator or Expert will ensure a top-notch skill set but will cost the student a substantial amount of money and will not guarantee an audio engineering job upon completion of the training.

That being said, some students may find that there are better ways to become adept at Pro Tools and to successfully find a job as an audio engineer than enrolling in Pro Tools Certification.