Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)

Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS)

Credential: Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) is an intermediate-level credential for technicians in the cable telecommunications industry for a cable provider, contractor or vendor. Candidates should be able to perform coaxial network troubleshooting, coaxial network preventive maintenance, and coaxial system design calculations. BDS candidates must have a minimum of five years of work experience in cable television network operations. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 5 years recommended
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE)

140 Philips Rd.
Exton, PA  19341-1316

Phone: (800) 542-5040

Fax: (610) 363-5898
Email: jwelch@scte.org

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Candidates must have five years of focused experience in cable television network operations.

The Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) credential has the following other requirements:

Written Exam

  • Systems Architectures
    • Basic principles used to design and map the coaxial portion of the HFC network.
    • Network acrchitectures related to RF signal distribution.
  • Distribution Components
    • Active devices used in the coaxial portion of the HFC network.
    • RF and optical nodes
    • Passive devices used in the coaxial portion of the HFC network.
    • Coaxial cable used in the HFC network
  • Signal Types
    • Characteristics of analog signals: NTSC, pilot carriers and PAL
    • Characteristics of digital signals: digital fundamentals, components of the digital signal, digital multiplexing, Out of Band (OOB) signaling and channel mapping.
    • Upstream signal types
    • Modulation schemes: analog and digital.
    • Analog forward/reverse and digital forward/reverse
    • Cable network impairments: noise, distortions, interfering signals, and reflections.
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance
    • Test equipment used during cable network maintenance and troubleshooting.
    • Divide and conquer (also called the isolation or half-split) method of troubleshooting.
    • Analog and digital signal impairments.
    • Basic cable plant sweeping techniques.
    • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and how rules apply to Performance Requirements and Proof of Performance (POP) Tests.
    • Considerations when maintaining and troubleshooting the forward and return plant.
    • Status monitoring and its purpose as a tool for maintenance.
    • Cable network preventive maintenance considerations.
  • Construction
    • Cable and equipment used in cable telecommunications construction, and its proper handling and testing.
    • Aerial cable placement considerations, including inspection, clearances, and installation.
    • Cable placement considerations, including open trench, boring, and plowing installations.
    • Underground enclosures used in cable plant construction.
    • Cable plant bonding and grounding practices.
    • Coaxial cable preparation and connectorization.
    • Process of coaxial cable activation and testing for new construction.
  • Field Safety
    • Industry standard safe work practices, for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other job-related tools and equipment.
    • Industry standard safe work practices with respect to vehicle use.
    • Industry standard safe work practices with respect to work zone safety.
    • Industry standard safe work practices with respect to the work environment.

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Broadband Distribution Specialist (BDS) credential has the following recertification information:

  • BDS certification is renewable every three years. BDS certification holders must earn 12 Recertification Units (RUs) to maintain certification without having to re-take the exam.

    Additional information about recertification is available on the SCTE Certification Maintenance page.

  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current billing cycle. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

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Updated: August 31, 2020
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