ETA Workforce Readiness Certifications

Certified Service Manager (CSM)

This is a valuable examination for those who serve as managers, owners or department heads of service businesses such as electronics, computer, communications and appliance repair facilities. Several of the topics covered in this examination include: manager responsibilities and objectives, personnel profiles and job descriptions, team building, training, hiring and employment laws, employee compensation systems, customer relations policies and skills, service policies, service/production area development, test equipment needs and procurement, financial and parts department management, warranties and risk of liability, contract negotiation, vehicle procurement and maintenance, association memberships/involvement, quality systems, security, safety/osha, and project management.


Additional Information

  • FREE retake! ETA allows one free retake with all ETA certification exams after a 30-day waiting period.*

*Does not apply to FCC exams. Retakes must be completed within one year of the first exam session.

CSM Exam Info

Price: $155
Type of Certification:
Maintenance Required: No
Certification Term: Lifetime
Hands-On Required: No
Questions on Exam: 100
Passing Score: 75%
Time Allowed to Test: 2 hours

Customer Service Specialist (CSS)

The Customer Service Specialist (CSS) is a soft skills certification that validates one’s work skills through employability concepts. Though developed to meet the role of an evolving service oriented electronics technician, CSS is relevant to every industry, employer and employee. Topics included are safety, ethics, respect, teamwork, communication, telephone and email techniques, problem solving, interpersonal relationships, and sales and marketing.


Featured Study Material

- Additional study materials are listed at the end of each ETA competency.

ETA's Customer Service Specialist study guide The CSS Study Guide contains all of the information in the 4th edition plus much more. The best way to prepare for the popular Customer Service Specialist exam also prepares you for working with other technicians and service personnel at your place of employment and at the other firms your company may deal with. In addition there are chapter quizzes and an overall practice exam quiz similar to the actual CSS exam. The information contained in this guide is applicable to anyone who works with the public, co-workers, help desk, or as a customer representative.


Additional Information

*Does not apply to FCC exams. Retakes must be completed within one year of the first exam session.


eITprep LogoETA is proud to partner with eITprep to offer an online study resource for this ETA certification - only $59.95! This particular course is the online version of the popular ETA Customer Service Specialist Study Guide. You will have 6 months to complete the content. These courses are for self-study or certification maintenance purposes only, and do not lead to certification. You will need to sit for the appropriate exam by contacting an ETA Certification Administrator and/or ETA-Approved School.

CSS Exam Info

Price: $80
Type of Certification:
Maintenance Required: No
Certification Term: Lifetime
Hands-On Required: No
Questions on Exam: 100
Passing Score: 75%
Time Allowed to Test: 2 hours


Taking an ETA Certification Exam

Why Choose ETA® International?

Founded in 1978, ETA represents many different technical areas, from the technician and educator to the corporate institution.

Widely known for our vendor-neutral programs, and accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC), ETA helps you validate your knowledge and excel in your field.

ETA has issued over 200,000 technical certifications covering more than 90 certification programs in a variety of technology fields. You can find ETA-certified professionals working for many well-known companies such as Motorola, Google, ESPN, and the United States Armed Forces.

ACCREDITED.

Don't get your certification from a business that is run out of a basement. ETA technical certifications are accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC).

International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC)

Prepare For An Exam

Certification competencies are a well-ordered categorized structural listing of knowledge, standards reference, industry best practices, testing, and troubleshooting subject items necessary to be proficient in a given technology. You can find the corresponding competency to each ETA certification in their respective information box, located to the right of the certification description. Certification examination questions are derived from their respective competencies. ETA subject matter experts (SMEs) are vital proponents developing and improving each competency.

ETA offers many of the suggested study materials (listed at the end of each of our competencies) in the ETA online store. If you don't see the specific book you are looking for, then please check online or at your local bookstore.

ETA understands each individual is different in regards to their experiences, education, and skill sets. That's why ETA does not require examinees to purchase study materials. By knowing the topics listed on the corresponding competency, an examinee can feel confident that they will succeed on the exam.

ETA publishes two books in-house for the popular Associate CET (CETa) basic electronics and Customer Service Specialist (CSS) workforce readiness certifications. Each of these study guides are written by industry professionals, and feature chapter quizzes and practice exams (actual certification examination questions are derived from their respective competencies). ETA members receive a discount on the ETA study guides. Bulk discounts are also available.

Take An Exam

Once you have decided which ETA certification exam(s) you need to take, you will need to find an ETA test site near you to take the exam by using the ETA CA Locator.

Decide whether to take the exam online with Trapeza, ETA's online testing site, or on paper. A Certification Administrator must be present no matter which method of testing you select. You will then need to schedule a time to take the exam with your chosen Certification Administrator.

As provided for under the ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act), if you require special accommodations in order to complete the certification process, then please notify your Certification Administrator when scheduling your exam.

Maintaining Your Certification

Rapid changes in technology and products have also changed the methods used in servicing them. ETA supports certification maintenance and aligns to the ISO 17024 standard. Certification maintenance is also required by ETA's accrediting body, the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC).

By maintaining your ETA certification, you provide verification that as a certified technician, you are keeping up with current technology and enhancing your abilities and knowledge.