ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) — Level 1

Advanced Manufacturing

International Society of Automation

Practical uses

01
Work on wiring, controls, or power systems under the right supervision and code.
02
Troubleshoot electrical and control faults on equipment and buildings.
03
Enter apprenticeships or technician roles in electrical, solar, or automation work.

1.
Review ISA's eligibility requirements. Level 1 needs a combination of education and field experience in instrumentation or control systems work.
2.
Submit your application through ISA's certification portal with documented work history and any required references.
3.
Schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or via remote proctoring once your application is approved.
4.
Take the 150-question, multiple-choice exam covering calibration, loop checking, control theory, safety, and troubleshooting.
5.
Pass the exam and maintain your certification through ISA's recertification requirements, which include continuing education or re-examination.

Study tips

Loop diagrams and PID control behavior appear repeatedly — practice reading P&IDs and interpreting transmitter signals under normal and fault conditions.
Safety instrumented systems and intrinsic safety are high-weight topics; know when and why a device must be rated for hazardous locations.