CAD Designer Certifications

If you’ve been looking into becoming a CAD Designer, you might have stumbled across CAD Designer certifications and wanted to know more about them. These important credentials allow you to prove to hiring managers that you’re proficient in specific technical skills (such as Revit or CAM). They’re commonly mistaken for certificates (these have more in common with class credits you receive in high school), but aren’t the same. In contrast, a certification is only awarded when you pass a standardized exam. Continue reading to learn more about CAD design certifications.

What is a CAD Designer?

Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, CAD Designers produce technical drawings for advanced projects. In addition to two-dimensional surface drawings, CAD Designers also create three-dimensional models. Ultimately, CAD drawings and models make it easier for people in many industries to transform conceptual designs into functional objects, products, and spaces.

To help fulfill this end, CAD models may be used in many different ways, from visualization and analysis to manufacturing. The projects their models forward also involve various disciplines, including civil engineering and architecture, medical equipment, electronics, vehicles, fashion, and games. From among these subjects, CAD Designers typically select one area to specialize in for the duration of their careers. 

To ensure their models provide functional results, CAD Designers generally work alongside Architects, Engineers, Scientists, and other Designers. Outside of this, you’ll find CAD Designers working in relatively unique work environments. While most CAD Designers maintain a standard full-time work schedule, they’re often at liberty to choose between working in-person, remotely, or as independent freelancers. 

The businesses that commonly employ CAD Designers include:

• Architecture firms.
• Civil engineering companies.
• Construction companies.
• Energy and utility companies.
• Fashion houses.
• Manufacturing facilities (especially those emphasizing mechanical, electronic, medical, and aviation manufacturing).
• Tech companies.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a CAD Designer?

The first step toward becoming a CAD Designer is your education, which can begin while you’re still young. First and foremost, you’ll need a high school diploma (or equivalent credential) with coursework in math, computer science, physics, and art. 

Most beginner CAD Design jobs require applicants to hold an associate’s degree, and jobs beyond the entry-level commonly require a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as architecture, industrial design, or mechanical engineering. In some cases, however, this requirement may be superseded by an impressive portfolio or equivalent experience. Though you can build a CAD design career without one, a bachelor’s degree will ultimately remove the biggest barriers to securing long-term employment and climbing the career ladder. In addition, statistics show that education results in higher paychecks, with college graduates in all industries earning an extra $500 per week (in 2020). A degree program can also teach you important industry skills, including CAD software and design principles.

If you don’t have the time or funds to attend college, however, there are still alternative ways to go about building your CAD design career. For instance, you can obtain accelerated career training for a fraction of the cost by attending a vocational training school such as Noble Desktop. You may also wish to become a certified CAD Designer by taking a proctored exam from The American Design Drafting Association (ADDA) or Autodesk. Like a college degree, CAD certifications can help you earn higher paychecks and prevent unemployment. 

Do Certifications Matter for CAD Designers?

For some CAD professionals, certifications can make a big difference, but others choose to build their careers without them. A strong portfolio and relevant experience will tell your employers more about whether you’re a match for their job than a certification can. 

However, that doesn’t mean certifications have no place in your arsenal. These highly respected awards are a great way to add further credibility to your job application (particularly when you’re new to CAD design). In short, earning a CAD certification can help you qualify for more jobs, see less unemployment, and earn an additional $400 every week. Some positions also require specific certifications for you to apply. 

The important thing to remember is that on its own, a certification may not be a strong enough foundation for building a new career. Rather, CAD certifications are most helpful when combined with other career development strategies. When strategizing how to use your certification to further your career, keep in mind that they can only substantiate your technical skills (software proficiency or 3D printing, for example). As a result, be sure to dedicate other areas of your job application to demonstrating other relevant skills. These might include:

• Technical drawing.
• Design theory.
• Communication.
• Math.
• Surveying.
• BIM. 
• Civil engineering.
• Architecture design.
• Drafting assembly line.
• Project management.
• Attention to detail.
• Communication.
• Problem-solving.
• Time management.
• Organization.
• Adaptability.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

You probably don’t like the sound of draining thousands of dollars and dozens of hours on the wrong class or test—true? If so, be sure not to mistake the word “certificate” for “certification” (and vice versa). While these two words sound alike, they mean very different things (no matter what industry your CAD designs focus on). 

Certificates are akin to class credits obtained when you complete a high school or college course. They represent course participation and are given to you when you graduate from your class. When listing a certificate on your job application, keep in mind that these completion-based credits don’t say anything about your performance, only that you took part in a specific training program. Instead of aiming for a certificate as your end goal, consider aiming at the goal they embody: gaining professional CAD design experience and skills. 

Like SAT or GRE scores, certifications provide a qualitative measure of your CAD design skills, allowing you to prove your expertise with concision. However, certifications are generally harder to obtain than certificates. Certificates are widely available and only require class completion to obtain, while certifications require a passing score on a proctored exam. These exams are only available from select organizations (such as Autodesk and ADDA) and need to be renewed regularly. 

In Short

Certificates:

• Measure class completion only.
• Obtained as a byproduct of education.
• Represent your goal to learn. 

Certifications:

• Measure skill and performance.
• Obtained through proctored testing. 
• Qualify you for better jobs and salaries. 

How to Get Certified as a CAD Designer

There’s more than one way to get ready for CAD certification, and they’re all correct. In general, however, every journey includes several key steps. 

Choose a Certification

There are many different certifications that can forward your CAD design career, from CAD software certifications to tests covering skills like project management, engineering, and architecture. Use the list provided later on in this article (or conduct your own research) to compare certifications and decide which can best help you achieve your goals. You can also pursue multiple certifications to give yourself more legitimacy in the eyes of hiring managers. 

Prepare for Your Exam

You can give yourself better odds of passing your exam by studying the included topics in advance. Through Certiport and other certification exam proctors, you can obtain practice tests that will allow you to gauge your readiness. If you don’t feel competent preparing for certification by yourself, attending a certificate-granting bootcamp can offer extra support as you learn. Many bootcamps even include practice tests as part of their training, but ideally, you should check that your course curriculum also aligns well with your chosen certification. 

Take Your Test

When you feel confident that you’re prepared for your exam, use the appropriate proctor platform to sign up and pay your test fee. The cost of your exam helps to pay workers who arrange exam services, but if it’s a financial burden, you may be eligible for a discount. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll typically have a 50-minute period in which to take your exam (at a location or online). When you’re through, you’ll then have immediate access to your score. 

Top Certifications & Certificates for CAD Designer

Adding certifications to your resume is a great way to highlight your expertise in the topics you know best. Today, you can earn CAD design certifications from several different organizations, but the two largest providers are ADDA and Autodesk. 

Certifications from The American Design Drafting Association 

ADDA professional certifications cover a broad span of topics and last for three full years before they need to be renewed. Their certifications come in several levels to offer CAD professionals at different stages in their careers unique benefits. In their catalog, you’ll find vocational certifications for professionals as well as preparatory certifications for high school students who want to become CAD Designers. 

Through their website, you can access applications for certifications like:

• Certified Mechanical Drafter (professional).
• Certified Architectural Drafter (professional).
• Certified Digital Designer (professional).
• Apprentice Mechanical Drafter (high school or entry-level).
• Apprentice Architectural Drafter (high school or entry-level).

Certifications from Autodesk

Rather than providing testing on broad-spectrum topics like mechanical drafting, Autodesk offers certification covering specific software tools. No matter the topic, however, Autodesk provides four certification levels. To qualify for an Autodesk certification exam, you must first acquire 150 hours of relevant experience. 

The tools covered by their certifications include:

• AutoCAD.
• CAM.
• Inventor.
• Autodesk Fusion.
• Revit.
• Civil 3D.
• 3DS Max.

CAD Design Certification and Training from Noble Desktop

If you’re looking for a way to knock out training and certification in one go, consider letting Noble Desktop’s experts guide you through every step of mastering AutoCAD. Noble Desktop’s hands-on AutoCAD courses are offered in a traditional NYC classroom as well as in a flexible live online format. They come in multiple levels (beginner to advanced) to provide maximum customization and always rely on task-oriented projects to teach skills. Additionally, all courses feature a small class size to ensure you receive plenty of one-on-one attention from your instructor. 

Want to master AutoCAD software comprehensively? The AutoCAD Masterclass includes skills from AutoCAD Levels I-III, allowing you to advance from beginner to pro in one course. After exploring beginner skills in the first unit of the course, you’ll start tackling intermediate skills in tandem with productivity strategies. In the last unit of the class, you’ll navigate a variety of advanced subjects, including user interface customization, dynamic blocks, text objects and tables, dynamic attributes, and publication. With these skills, you’ll be prepared to take on a variety of entry-level professional CAD projects. 

To receive the same comprehensive training and earn an official AutoCAD certification, sign up for the AutoCAD Certification Program. In addition to skills training, this course includes private tutoring and proctorship for The Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam.

Noble Desktop also offers several shorter AutoCAD courses that make it possible to split your training into bite-sized chunks. In addition to the AutoCAD Level I, which covers foundational skills for beginners, you can enjoy an AutoCAD Bootcamp that explores both beginner and intermediate skills. To create more complex images, you’ll learn how to utilize tracking points, construction lines, and external references. You’ll also learn how to integrate data tables into your drawings and customize layouts for specific projects. 

Certifications from Other Providers

Although Autodesk and ADDA are the most substantial certification providers for CAD Designers, numerous venues offer testing. Experts recommend looking for additional certifications related to the industry or niche you plan to work in, whether that’s engineering, architecture, or something else. To get you started, here are some certifications commonly held by other CAD Designers today:

• AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
• Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certification
• Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE)
• Engineer in Training (EIT)
• LEED AP Building Design and Construction (LEED)
• PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma)