Tampa, Fla., USA, October 8, 2008— Edward J. Donelan, RCDD, NTS, TLT, BICSI President, announced the BICSI NxtGEN Program timeline beginning with the unveiling of the ITS Design Fundamentals Program at the 2009 BICSI Winter Conference in Orlando, Fla.

“This is the beginning of a new era for BICSI and our credential holders as we look to be more inclusive of ITS and related industry professionals,” said Donelan. The BICSI NxtGEN Program fulfills two of the four main goals of the BICSI strategic plan. The credential goal calls for BICSI’s credentials to be regarded as the most coveted and premiere designations in the ITS industry. The knowledge transfer goal means BICSI will be a globally valued resource of information, insight and learning opportunities essential to achieving BICSI and other industry designations.

Key dates are as follows:

• January 2009 – The ITS Design Fundamentals Program will be unveiled. This program will allow the student to take convenient electronic exams based upon self-study in preparation for the proctored specialty exam.
• May 2009 – The Specialty Exams (Wireless, Outside Plant, and Network Transport Systems) will be offered to individuals without the Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) as a prerequisite credential.
• September 2009 – The Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual, 12th edition, will be released.
• January 2010 – The first RCDD exam based on the new NxtGEN prerequisite qualifications will be administered.

About BICSI NxtGEN Program:

In 2006, the BICSI Board of Directors asked a number of BICSI members and volunteers to take a look at the many changes that have occurred in the ITS industry since the inception of the RCDD program; and make recommendations for enhancements. In June 2007, this committee of members recommended that BICSI take a serious look at what the organization can do to maintain its leadership role in ITS, which resulted in an effort called the BICSI NxtGEN Program.

The BICSI NxtGEN Program will elevate the importance and recognition of existing RCDDs, make the RCDD and Specialty programs more inclusive of IT, engineering and other professionals; and modernize the BICSI credentialing programs to make them more consistent with how professionals are credentialed today.

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BICSI is a professional association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry. ITS covers the spectrum of voice, data and video technologies. It encompasses the design, integration and installation of pathways, spaces, fiber- and copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among communications and information gathering devices.

BICSI provides information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies in the ITS industry. We serve more than 25,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems. Through courses, conferences, publications and professional registration programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ITS professionals in delivering critical products and services, and offer opportunities for continual improvement and enhanced professional stature.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, BICSI membership spans nearly 140 countries. For more information, visit www.bicsi.org.