On March 22, 2023, Avid re-branded its’ software Certification programs related to Pro Tools, Media Composer, and others. You may have seen industry professionals recently posting photos across social media of their new Digital Credentials and badges. Avid has been in the process of re-delivering these badges to everyone who currently holds a valid Avid Certification from prior years with a new look, title and image.

These Digital Badge changes are in “title” only; the structure of the program and training curriculum has not been modified. For example, “Pro Tools User” is now titled “Pro Tools Specialist” and "Pro tools Operator" is now "Pro Tools Professional," etc. These changes were implemented to automate the management of the certification tracking by outsourcing this to Credly.com

Now thousands of audio engineers and video editors, producers, artists, educators, students, tech staff and developers can display this distinction. Over the past 20 years, hundreds of educational organizations and colleges worldwide have participated in the Avid Training program, with more being added every year; and as the software increases in complexities, so does the curriculum.

All certified users and professionals are also included in an online database connected to popular job search engines to match qualified talent with new opportunities. This will add to the exposure of the program as a whole and bring more attention to re-certification updates.

2023 Pro Tools Certification Levels

(Changes apply to other Avid Software Applications as well)

• Avid Certified | Specialist – (was Pro Tools User) brings core competencies in music production, composition, gaming audio, live Sound and TV news creation
  
  
• Avid Certified | Professional – (was Pro Tools Operator) ready for demanding audio and video production environments including immersive audio and audio for post
  
  
• Avid Certified | Tools Dolby Atmos Professional – (PT205D and PT210D Combined) skills required to create immersive music and sound in the Dolby Atmos format using Pro Tools and the Dolby Atmos production toolset. This certification program is designed to qualify professionals to develop Dolby Atmos projects for the music industry or for cinema
  
  
• Avid Certified | Expert​ – (was Pro Tools Expert) brings deep product expertise, creativity, and operational efficiency across Avid’s tools and solutions used in music production and audio post
  
  
• Avid Certified | System Administrator –​ maximizes the performance of Avid storage and asset management systems in TV newsrooms and other collaborative environments
  
  
• Avid Certified | Support Representative (ACSR) – installs, manages, troubleshoots, and supports on-premises, cloud and hybrid technical environments built around the widest range of Avid solutions
  
  
• Avid Certified | Instructor​ – (Level I,II,III) instructs with full operational expertise and readiness to deliver Avid courses in the classroom

How to Get a Pro Tools Certification?

How do I get Pro Tools Certified? Many of the audio engineering educational programs offer Pro Tools Specialist curriculum, or at least access to learn the material. However, the Avid Learning Partner Professionals (ALP) are the authorized Avid Training Centers that focus consistently on advanced and elite level training to professionals already working in the media industry. However, many also offer Pro tools lessons for beginners and Intermediate Users. These Authorized Learning Partners can be found on the Avid Website Calendar of upcoming classes or at protoolstraining.com.

The most diverse Avid Pro Tools course offerings in preparing for the Professional, Expert and Dolby Atmos Certifications are at ProMedia Training,, which was the 1st Digidesign/Avid Pro Tools Training Center to open worldwide in 2002. All Lead instructors are Expert Certified and include the instructors who authored and developed the actual Avid course curriculum for over 15 years. Promedia Training does offer rapid-paced bootcamps for the industry professionals, as well as 1, 2, 3, or 4 week training options for those less experienced. They also have both in-person and live-online instructor-led utilizing a custom configured broadcast technology that does not have the visual limitations of a shared screen over Zoom, etc. Private and Corporate Training On-site and Remote is also available.

How to Update My Pro Tools Certification?

Your existing Pro Tools or other Avid Certification is never lost. However, the year and version of your Certification is reflected in the public documentation available to those accessing the Avid Database of Certified Users. Since Avid Software does indeed change and progress over the years, updating a certification can be reflective of a more current level of knowledge. Even Avid Instructors must be tested each year to maintain an authorized status. Attending an Avid Learning Partner Professional like ProMedia Training, gives you access to update your knowledge to the latest software version and prepares you to successfully pass the current exams to reflect an additional, more current certification. These “bootcamp style” review courses can often be taken in 4-8 days, depending on the material being covered and are reasonably priced.

How Long Does it Take To Learn Pro Tools?

Mastering software like Pro Tools or Media Composer takes time and effort. The Pro Tools Immersion programs at ProMedia Training have addressed that challenge by allowing students to participate in refreshing their Pro Tools techniques in music and post for free with an Avid Instructor in class for up to 12 months in their current offerings. Students who are more advanced need less help than those who are newer to the software. But repetition, memorization, and practice are key factors in learning any music or media software. Highly advanced users can get through the curriculum for Certification and pass exams faster than newer users, who need longer-term practice and studying, even at the User Specialist Level. The average time is 1-3 months for those with experience, and 3-6 months for newer users at the Specialist level. For more advanced training, this time is extended. The monthly refresher classes are just as important as the initial training which is why the Immersion Programs at ProMedia Training help fill that gap for users who need more time to learn and a lot more help along the way. Core learning is often done the first month, but the future months is where the “elbow grease” pays off, and ProMedia Training’s students are encouraged to show up to their practice classes as much as possible until a student truly masters the software techniques.

Can I Attend Avid Pro Tools Certification with Private Lessons?

Yes, it’s done all the time by Avid Professional Learning Partners. ProMedia Training has an entire division dedicated to private, individual, and corporate private training events.

Questions about Pro Tools Certification?

Is there someone I can talk to about Pro Tools Certification and Re-Certification classes who really understands the preparation process and the curriculum? Yes, indeed there is from 9 am – 7 pm PST. This includes questions about all levels of Avid Pro Tools Training.

888-277-0457.

Author: Mihai Boloni
Avid Expert Certified Pro Tools Instructor
ProMedia Training, LLC
www.protoolstraining.com

888-277-0457

Mihai BoloniCreative Director & Avid Expert Pro Tools instructor

Mihai has made it his life's work to help others in the audio industry. Mihai gained experience as an audio engineering Full Sail Instructor in early 2000's and joined ProMedia in 2002. He is now regarded as one of Avid's leading and most experienced, in-demand Instructors and Pro Tools technical consultants for complex studio configurations. Corporate clients include MTV, PBS, NBC, Telemundo, The Voice's Chief Engineer Mike Bernard, Atlanta Public School System, countless professors from leading Universities, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the top producers, artists, and engineers in leading studios and record labels. For over 20 years, Mihai has continued to work as an Audio Engineer, Record Producer, Songwriter (ASCAP), Dog Lover, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.