What is The Best SIP Certification?

SIP Certification: The Basics

If you’re looking for a SIP Certification, you probably know that the acronym SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol. This signaling protocol starts, manages or ends a session between two or more IP-based networks. A session, for instance, could be a two-way call or a collaborative video conference with dozens of people.

SIP sets up and controls the sessions. If we take a simple mobile-to-mobile call as a session example, SIP plays its role at the beginning, when it initiates the communication, and when the session is over at the end. The SIP doesn’t control the audio or video data exchanged during the actual call.

This protocol relies on voice-over connectivity. There are SIP services that will cover voice, video and messaging applications all at the same time. These are called SIP trunks.

Do You Need a SIP Certification for your Business?

You don’t need to be SIP-certified to enjoy the benefits of this technology in your business. However, you might be interested in the benefits that a SIP certification can have for your career, especially if you are an IT professional. 

With a 10.7% projected annual rate growth from 2020 to 2027, the SIP trunking business is blooming. Qualified technicians will be highly valuable in companies in the U.S. and worldwide for years to come.

Certifications result in greater credibility among co-workers, higher salaries, promotions and job flexibility. Specifically, in VoIP, industry-recognized SIP certifications mean fast progression through the ranks. They predict higher-quality work and transferable knowledge. 

Choosing the proper certifications could help you fulfill corporate digital communication demands with accumulated knowledge from many areas. Valued IT professionals need a hefty dose of network protocol and hardware experience, IP private branch exchanges, digital fax and instant messaging knowledge. You can toss in mobile communication and videoconference skills, too.

Related: How does a SIP trunk work?

SIP Certifications to Consider

A single network often supports video, voice and data communication services. The demand for quality engineering or technical staff made salaries more competitive. Just as an example, the average network technician’s hourly pay can surpass $21/hour. Credentials, such as a SIP Certification, confirm relevant knowledge and experience in this highly-regarded field.

Let’s take a look at some of the certifications available now.

SIP School Certified Associate (SSCA)

As mentioned above, SIP is part of a modern telephony setup in companies nowadays. The SIP School Certified Associate (SSCA) proves an understanding of the concepts behind VoIP. The holders comprehend the implementation of SIP solutions. These certifications are a building block towards BICSI Certification.

BICSI Certification

BICSI is the Building Industry Consulting Service International Certification. It is one of the most recognized U.S. telecommunications certificates. Technicians earn credits for their installation and cabling knowledge, while engineers will earn credits for their project management or telecommunications planning skills.

SIP School Sales Professional Certification (SSSP)

This certificate helps anyone that is selling or marketing UC, Hosted PBX or SIP. The principles of this course apply to markets around the world and provide examples regarding other countries. If you pass this test, it will be valid for two years, and you can enroll in other training after you complete this SIP Certification.

School VVoIP Professional (SSVVP)

This certification will prove that you have excellent knowledge of everything networking-related and how voice and video work across these networks. If you pass this test, you earn credits toward your BICSI, and it is valid for two years. This exam is a good stepping stone to get your SSCA.

Convergence Technologies Professional 

The CTP, issued by the Certification Partners and TIA (Telecommunication Industry Association), recognizes the best practices for convergence technologies. The certification exam is a written test.

The 65 questions cover:

• Data and IP networks.
• Telephony and voice services.
• Techniques, concepts and methodologies.

There is no practical exam for this certification, and it does not expire. All of these certifications are vendor-neutral and are recognized industry-wide. 

Related: Do I need a SIP trunk?

Vendor-Specific VoIP Certifications

A few vendors and products offer brand-specific training. However, SIP trunking with top providers is vendor-neutral. 

Since some PBX and other services depend on vendor choice, here is a list of popular certifications:

• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert or MCSE: Productivity: Since 2016, this certificate allows candidates to specialize in Skype for Business solutions. This course focuses on enterprise-grade hybrid and cloud solutions for Microsoft Office. 

To get an MCSE: Productivity credential, candidates must hold other accreditations first such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) for Office 365 and Windows Server (2012 and beyond). After that, you would need to pass an additional exam.

Microsoft recommends that people have at least three years of experience before testing. This certification does not expire.

• dCAP: Digium Certified Asterisk Professional: Asterisk is one of the most popular frameworks for communication and conference servers, VoIP gateways and IP PBX systems. More than 2 million servers in 170 countries worldwide use Asterisk.

The dCAP recognizes Asterisk professional experience. Candidates need a minimum of three months experience, an understanding of VoIP protocols, deep knowledge of Linux and Asterisk installation, dial plan format and syntax, basic CLI commands and registration of VoIP devices.  

Other desired skills include basic programming and Perl, Bash, C and/or C++ scripting languages. The certification requires a written exam and a practical test. Its validity depends on the product cycle, which means it needs renewal upon every new version release. 

• Avaya Certified Implementation Specialist (ACIS): Avaya is one of the leading business communications and collaboration systems. The ACIS recognizes proven ability to install, deploy, test and troubleshoot Avaya products and product families. The certification indicates a basic to intermediate level of knowledge.

Avaya’s product families are Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Communications, Unified Communications (UC), Contact Center (CC) and Data. Individual products such as Avaya Aura fall into these families.

Candidates should have two years of experience in relevant technologies.  You would also need one more year to implement the core product. The ACIS certification is valid for two years.

• Cisco Certified Network Professional- Collaboration (CCNP): Cisco powers most of the business world’s voice and video. Cisco Collaboration solutions are for professionals. Network engineers and teleconferencing professionals benefit from this skills certification process.

Tested abilities include Cisco Collaboration solutions configuration and implementation. It also evaluates the planning and design of video network collaborations and solution maintenance. 

The prerequisites for this certification are a valid CCNA Collaboration certification or any Cisco CCIE or CCDE certification. 

Candidates must pass four exams to earn the CCNP Collaboration credential and you must go through recertification every three years upon presentation of a valid certification. 

Not Quite Ready to Pursue a SIP certification yet?

If you are considering SIP for your business, whether you have an IT background or not, rest assured that choosing the right provider will make the implementation process seamless. In the meantime, you can do some more research and consider obtaining the best certification for you.SIP.us offers on-demand cloud SIP trunking at a low cost, with a self-service approach and the flexibility and reliability your company needs. Contact us today and try it for free.