A Guide to Technical Writing Certification and Top Certificate Programs

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What is a Technical Writing Certification?

A technical writing certification is an industry-recognized credential that signals to employers that the holder has the skills and knowledge to produce documents in a specific field.

Benefits of a Technical Writing Certification

There are many benefits to obtaining a technical writing certification. The most obvious benefit is that it will give you an edge in the job market. Employers are always looking for people who have these certifications, which means that you will have more job opportunities available to you.

Another benefit of getting certified is that you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in your chosen field of technical writing without even having to say anything. This can be especially helpful when applying for jobs or when trying to impress potential clients.

The downside of a Technical Writing Certification

These programs are not cheap and they take time, from a few months to years, depending on the kind of program. UNiversity degree programs take longer and cost more. So, even though it’s overall a good thing to get a certification, it depends on your budget and time available to devote to such study.

The best situation is when your employer pays for your certification training but it’s not easy to find an employer that would be willing to do so. Whatever you lack in your technical communication education, most employers prefer for you to pickup as you go along through on-the-job training opportunities.

What You Need to Know About Technical Writing Certification

Technical writing is a field that has been around for a while. There are many different types of technical writers, but they all have one thing in common: they know how to communicate with the intended audience.

In order to be a technical writer, you need to know how to write clear and concise instructions for other people. In order to do this, you need to have a good understanding of how software and technology work, and what the audience that you are writing for needs. You also need to be able to put yourself in their shoes and think about what it would be like if you were reading your own instructions.

There are many different types of technical writing certification requirements. Some employers may require specific certifications from an accredited institution or company before hiring someone as a technical writer. Other employers may require that their employees take courses such as “Effective Presentations” and “Effective Business Writing” to help them improve as a team.

What is a Technical Writer?

Technical writers are responsible for the creation and publication of technical documentation and training materials.

Technical writing is not just about writing manuals anymore, though: Technical writers now use a variety of multimedia tools to create interactive tutorials, webinars, and other types of educational content. That’s why it’s much better to regard yourself as a “technical communicator” than a “technical writer” per se.

A technical writer can be either an in-house payroll employee or a freelance independent contractor.

The average salary for a freelance technical writer is $50-$65 per hour, but rates vary depending on the type of work being done and the experience level of the writer.

What are the Benefits of Receiving a Technical Writing Certification?

Technical writing is a profession that is in demand and offers many benefits. The first benefit of receiving certification is that it can increase the chances of getting a job.

It has been found that employers are more likely to hire those who have received certification as opposed to those who do not have one. This could be due to the fact that employers believe those with certifications are more qualified than those without them, whether in practice it is true or not.

The second benefit of receiving a technical writing certification is the skills it provides. The skills required for this profession are varied, which means you will learn about many different topics during your training. You will also be taught how to use specific tools for this job, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe RoboHelp, Madcap Flare, or Adobe Acrobat Pro DC software.

Who Should Consider Being Certified as a Technical Writer?

Technical writers are in high demand and they can get a higher salary than other writing professionals. The demand for technical writing is expected to grow by 16% in the next decade.

In order to become a certified technical writer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or communications,

Important Reminder

Even though a degree or certification helps, you may still find a job as a technical communicator even when you don’t have such a degree — depending on your writing skills and technical aptitude.

I, for example, did not have a tech comm certificate or degree when I started my technical writing career back in 1998. I had undergraduate and graduate degrees in sociology and previously worked as a journalist but I was enough interested in both writing and technology to make a good career in technical communications, working for such Fortune 100 companies as ADP, Fannie Mae, and Honeywell.

How Do I Become Certified?

The first thing that you should do is to find out more about the certification process. See the list below. Visit each website and study their requirements.

The certification process for technical writers is not that complicated. All you need to do is take the courses in the curriculum and pass the required exams.