Individuals who benefit from this course and certification are those who:
Are involved in technical communication and informational projects or products
Require a working knowledge of the key principles of technical communication
Need to know the terminology and theory behind the practice
Some candidates currently work as full-time technical communicators and pursue certification to elevate and validate their knowledge and skills. Others take the course and certification exam because their jobs involve writing (programmers, instructional designers, etc.), and certification is a path to obtain credentials as a technical communicator, even if that’s not their title. The credentials often distinguish an individual from one’s peers, and can create a new career path with higher pay or more responsibilities.
How likely am I to pass the exam after this course?
Success at passing the exam depends on one’s investment in preparing for the exam. Preparation is more than reading the assignments and listening to the lectures. Successful candidates should be able to recall, recognize, and demonstrate comprehension of the theories, concepts, models, genres, and approaches covered in the nine core areas.
What topics are covered in the course?
The course focuses on nine core areas of technical communication that a technical communicator should be able to demonstrate, as identified by the Society for Technical Communication:
Project Planning
Project Analysis
Content Development
Organizational Design
Written Communication
Review and Editing
Visual Communication
Content Management
Production and Delivery
In addition to these topics, participants learn about the certification test format, tips for taking the exam, and sample questions.
How is the course structured?
This is an asynchronous course structured as a series of twelve modules: three informational modules provide useful information about the course and exam; nine learning modules provide reading materials, videos, quizzes, and exercises.
What do you mean by “asynchronous”?
The modules are online and self-paced, which means you can complete the course at a time and place convenient for you.
You are required to purchase the textbook and register for your exam separately from this course. While you can register for the exam at any time, we recommend you register for the exam when you register for the course, so you have that goal to work towards.
How long does it take to complete the course?
Each module takes 1-3 hours to complete, depending on topic and content (there are variables such as how quickly one reads, takes notes, completes exercises, etc.). Overall, you can expect to spend 25-30 hours working through the modules and reviewing the materials as you prepare for the exam.
How much does the course cost?
This course costs $700, and you have access to the course materials for three months. If you need more time with the materials, you may request a one-month extension at no charge. Subsequent access is charged at a rate of $65 per month for maximum of six months.
There is a separate fee for the CPTC Foundation exam. The fee can be paid when you register for the exam at https://apmg-international.com/product/cptc. The exam is $245 for STC member and $495 for nonmembers.
