Global Electronics Association Launches Third-Party PCB Design Certifications with Altium

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Global Electronics Association has partnered with Altium LLC to launch two new industry-recognized certification programs for printed circuit board (PCB) design: Altium Designer Associate Certification and Altium Designer Expert Certification. The collaboration marks a milestone for the Association, representing its first certification developed for a third-party software platform.

Developed jointly, the certifications allow PCB designers to validate computer-aided design (CAD) skills, demonstrate proficiency with Altium Designer®, and support career advancement in an increasingly complex electronics design landscape.

“For more than five decades, the Global Electronics Association has been a leader in education and workforce advancement across the electronics industry,” said John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. “Each year, more than 140,000 credentials are earned through our programs — more than any other organization in the field. This partnership with Altium strengthens that legacy by equipping designers with meaningful credentials that reflect real-world expertise, keep pace with rapid innovation, and support the next generation of electronics.”

“Partnering with the Global Electronics Association brings industry recognition and structure to PCB design education,” said Rea Callender, vice president of education at Altium. “These certifications give designers a clear way to demonstrate their skills with Altium Designer and help employers identify talent ready to innovate and deliver in today’s fast-paced electronics industry. Together, we’re building an even stronger bridge between education, professional certification, and industry need.”

The Altium Designer Associate and Expert Certifications establish a progression path for designers working with one of the industry’s widely used PCB design platforms. Altium Designer integrates schematic capture, PCB layout, simulation, documentation, and 3D design within a single environment. Certifications are issued on a two-year cycle, with each credential earned by passing a 75-question written examination based on the Altium Designer Knowledge Base and industry best practices.

The addition of these certifications represents the Global Electronics Association’s fourth major category of workforce development programs, expanding its education portfolio. The Association’s offerings now include: 

• Registered apprenticeships that create pathways into electronics careers.
• IPC standards-based certifications that set the global benchmark for quality and consistency.
• Role-based training programs that validate and confirm a worker’s ability to perform critical industry job functions.
• Third-party software certifications, beginning with Altium Designer®, that confirm proficiency with the tools most widely used by electronics designers.

Together, these initiatives provide a comprehensive framework to develop, validate, and advance electronics industry talent. Additional information on education and workforce development programs is available from the Global Electronics Association.

Click here to learn more about the Global Electronics Association.