Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Computer Service Technician (CST)

Credential: Computer Service Technician (CST)  GI Bill resource  ICAC resource CA Eligible
Credentialing Agency: Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I), Computer Service Technician (CST) credential is for professionals who service hardware and provide systems software skills for personal computers. CSTs demonstrate knowledge in areas including, computer assembly/disassembly, motherboards, processor characteristics, system resources, buses, ports, peripheral devices, physical and electronic memory characteristics, secondary storage devices, and power concepts and supplies. Candidates must pass a written exam.

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

Computer Service Technician (CST)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • 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: 4 years

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

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I)

5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN  46135

Phone: (800) 288-3824

Fax: (765) 653-4287
Email: eta@eta-i.org

Credential Pre-requisite REQUIREMENTS

ETA-I recommends that candidate hold the ETA-I Associate CET (CETa) or equivalent before earning the CST certification.

Written Exam

  • Safety Procedures, Handling, Environmental Awareness
  • Computer Assembly and Disassembly
  • Motherboards, Mainboard and Buses, System Resources
  • Processor Characteristics
  • Memory Characteristics
  • Secondary Storage Devices
  • Adapter Cards and Peripheral Devices
  • I/O Ports
  • Power Concepts and Power Supplies
  • Basic Networking Concepts
  • Portables
  • Troubleshooting, Preventive Maintenance, Security Measures
  • Operating Systems (Windows 7, 8 with XP and Linux)
  • File Management

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Computer Service Technician (CST) 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 Computer Service Technician (CST) credential where checked:

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

  • For more information on the Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA-I) testing process, visit the agency website.

  • Third-Party Test Vendor Information

    Testing for this credential is handled by the following vendor:

    ExamRoom.AI

    The test centers are located in the U.S.

    To find out more, use the following links on the ExamRoom.AI website:


RECERTIFICATION

Computer Service Technician (CST)

Renewal Period: 4 years

The Computer Service Technician (CST) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The Computer Service Technician (CST) is renewable every four years. Certification holders must earn ten continuing education credits per year for a total of 40 hrs over the term of the certification.

    Detailed information related to the recertification process, associated fees, and forms can be obtained from the Additional Certification Renewal/Maintenance Information on the certifying agency’s website.

Additional considerations for the Computer Service Technician (CST) include:

  • Any certification holder with a Standalone CST who later completes the Associate CET (CETa) and has at least two years of experience is eligible to upgrade to a Journeyman CET. See the ETA-I website for details.
  • Candidate who holds a valid CompTIA A+ certification may be eligible for a rollover to an ETA CST certification. See the ETA-I website for additional details.

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.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

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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.

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

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.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

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
Branch

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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.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Computer User Support Specialists
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Computer User Support Specialists

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 Computer User Support Specialists

This is an official U.S. Army website
Updated: September 30, 2020
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