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Courses  /  AVIXA  /  AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)
Exam CTSCertified Technology Specialist AVIXA

AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)

Five days to become a working AV technologist and pass the CTS: audio, video, networked AV, control and the full AV project process.

Five days, instructor-led In class or live online Class Hub + 90 days Military funding accepted

Course overview

115 questions150 minutes100 scored, 15 unscored pilot
350 / 500Passing scoreScaled score
AV mathEvery dayDrills on every calculation type

thinQtank® Learning is offering a unique five-day training camp comprised of five days of instructor-led learning that gives students the knowledge and skills needed to work as a professional audiovisual (AV) technologist — from the science of sound, light and electricity through audio, video, networked AV and control systems, to the full AV project process: needs analysis, site survey, scope, design, integration, verification, support and service.

The camp follows the four duties AVIXA tests, and every day includes AV math drills and real-room scenarios, so students leave able to size a display, set gain structure, plan a Dante network and run a site survey — not just recognize the terms.

This course prepares students to take the AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS®) exam.

Your certification path

Where this course sits: what to have first, and where it leads.

Before Some hands-on AV exposure
This courseAVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)Exam CTS

Course objectives

What you will be able to do by the end of the class.

AV mathSolve Ohm's law, decibels, inverse square, impedance, image size, throw distance, bandwidth and heat load.
Audio systemsSet up mics, mixers, DSP, amps and loudspeakers with clean gain structure.
Video and displaysSize and set up displays and projectors, and handle EDID and HDCP.
Networked AVPlan IP, VLANs, QoS, multicast, PoE and Dante or AV-over-IP.
AV projectsRun needs analysis, site survey, scope, integration and verification.
Operate and serviceSupport users and events, and troubleshoot and repair systems methodically.

Who it is for

Who gets the most from this class, and what to know before you start.

Who should attend

  • AV technicians, installers and field engineers
  • AV sales, project coordinators and project managers
  • IT and facilities staff who support conference rooms, classrooms and event spaces
  • Live event, house of worship and campus AV staff
  • Service members, veterans and military spouses using AF COOL, Army Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0

Prerequisites

  • No formal prerequisites — AVIXA does not require any course or experience before the CTS exam
  • Recommended: some hands-on exposure to AV systems, and comfort with basic algebra for the AV math
  • Basic familiarity with IT networking is helpful

Course outline

8 modules. Open any one to see what it covers.

01The AV industry
  • Roles and project types
  • ANSI/AVIXA standards
  • Safety
02Science of AV
  • Sound, light and electricity
  • AV math drills
  • Signal flow
03Audio
  • Microphones, mixers and DSP
  • Amplifiers and loudspeakers
  • Gain structure and feedback
04Video and displays
  • Image size and viewing distance
  • Brightness, contrast and resolution
  • EDID and HDCP
05Networked AV and control
  • IP, VLANs, QoS and multicast
  • Dante and AV-over-IP
  • Control systems and conferencing
06Creating AV solutions
  • Needs analysis and site survey
  • Scope and drawings
  • Rack elevations
07Implementing AV solutions
  • Integration and trades coordination
  • Racks and cabling
  • Verification to ANSI/AVIXA 10:2013
08Supporting and servicing
  • Operating systems and events
  • Maintenance
  • Structured troubleshooting and repair

The full lesson-by-lesson outline is in the course datasheet (PDF).

Course features

How the class is taught, and why it works.

Live, instructor-ledEvery session is taught live by a certified instructor, in the classroom and online at the same time.
Hands-on labsLabs are built into the modules so you practise what you learn.
Exam preparation built inPractice questions and focused review aligned to exam CTS.
Class Hub for 90 daysRecordings, materials and practice stay open for the class plus 90 days after it ends.
Attend your waySterling, VA, Atlanta, GA, Burbank, CA, or live online from anywhere.
Funding friendlyMilitary flat rate, thinQflex monthly payments, or a formal quote for your employer.

What you get

Everything below is included in the course price.

Class Hub access for the length of the class plus 90 days
thinQtank® Learning Accelerated Custom Exam Study Guide for the CTS exam
thinQmaster CTS — our adaptive practice engine with 500 questions mapped to the CTS exam outline, free with your tuition
AV math workbook and drills covering every calculation type on the exam
Custom and focused exam preparation software and materials
Course specific thinQtank® Learning publications to promote a fun and exciting learning
Membership to the thinQtank® Learning University Online
WE DO NOT "TEACH THE TEST" - Students will receive valuable examples and discussion
All courses taught by certified instructors
Additional hours of remote lab access
Custom video recordings with even more in-depth learning of course topics
Customized practice exam software
Digital courseware
Retake any or all portions of the course as many times as you like in person or live on-line for 24 months
Six months mentoring access to our engineers after completing the course

Format: Five days, Monday to Friday, instructor-led · About 65% lecture and 35% hands-on exercises, AV math drills and practice exams · Instructor-Led Training, Immersive Live-Online Training, On-Site and Custom Delivery

Study plan

How the five days run, plus what to do before and after class.

Before class
  • Check the prerequisites above and fill any gaps
  • We send joining details and course materials before day one
Day 1
  • The AV industry
  • Science of AV
Day 2
  • Audio
  • Video and displays
Day 3
  • Networked AV and control
  • Creating AV solutions
Day 4
  • Implementing AV solutions
  • Supporting and servicing
Day 5
  • Final review and exam strategy
After class
  • Class Hub stays open 90 days: recordings, labs and practice
  • Book your exam while the material is fresh

The order of topics can shift with the class; your instructor confirms the schedule on day one.

The certification exam

AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) · exam CTS

Exam codeCTS
Questions115 (100 scored)
Time150 minutes
Passing score350 / 500 (scaled)
Format
Multiple choice
Voucher
Exam voucher available — ask us to add it to your registration
Validity
Valid for three years; renew with 30 AVIXA renewal units

DoD 8140 and college credit

What this certification counts for with the Department of Defense, and toward a degree.

DoD 8140 / 8570 This certification is not on the DoD 8570 baseline list. Under DoD 8140, a degree or qualifying training can also meet the requirement. See which certifications qualify in the DoD Workforce Navigator.
College credit None of the 9 universities in our College Credit Navigator publishes credit for this certification yet. Ask us for a free credit review and we will check your options.

Where it can take you

Roles this certification is commonly asked for.

AV TechnicianInstall, set up and support AV systems.
AV Field EngineerCommission and troubleshoot systems on site.
AV Project CoordinatorKeep AV projects on scope and schedule.
AV Sales / Solutions SpecialistScope AV solutions to customer needs.
IT / Facilities AV SupportRun conference rooms, classrooms and event spaces.

Upcoming dates

Every class runs in the classroom and live online at the same time. Pick the dates; choose how you attend when you register.

DatesLocationFormat
Nov 16 – 20, 2026 Atlanta, GA Classroom + live online Reserve
Nov 30 – Dec 4, 2026 Burbank, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jan 4 – 8, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jan 11 – 15, 2027 Atlanta, GA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jan 25 – 29, 2027 Burbank, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Feb 22 – 26, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Mar 8 – 12, 2027 Atlanta, GA Classroom + live online Reserve
Mar 22 – 26, 2027 Burbank, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Apr 12 – 16, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
May 3 – 7, 2027 Atlanta, GA Classroom + live online Reserve
May 17 – 21, 2027 Burbank, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jun 7 – 11, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve

10 more dates through December 2027. Ask about a later date.

Paying for it

The price above is our standard rate. These options can bring it down or spread it out.

Military & veterans
$1,500

Flat rate per class when you use Air Force COOL, Army Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0. Your program confirms eligibility.

Funding details
thinQflex™
Name your price

Paying yourself? Tell us what you can pay and over how many months, up to twelve. We say yes, or come back with terms.

Make an offer
Employer or agency
Formal quote

A formal quote with the course and exam voucher as separate lines, valid 30 days. Group and government pricing available.

Request a quote

How to enroll

Four steps from here to certified.

  1. Pick your datesChoose a class from the dates above, in a classroom or live online.
  2. Reserve or get a quoteReserve your seat, ask for a quote for your employer, or make a thinQflex offer.
  3. Get readyWe confirm your seat and send joining details and materials before day one.
  4. Attend and certifyTake the class, then sit exam CTS, with Class Hub open for 90 days after.

Frequently asked questions

Are there prerequisites for the CTS?
No. AVIXA has no formal prerequisite and recommends about six months of AV experience. Comfort with basic algebra helps with the AV math.
Can I take the CTS online?
No. AVIXA delivers its exams only at in-person Pearson VUE test centers. We help you schedule your attempt.
What comes after CTS?
A valid CTS is required before AVIXA's specialist CTS-D (design) and CTS-I (installation) exams.
What does it cost?
The standard price is $2,150; exam voucher available — ask us to add it to your registration. Military students using AF COOL, Army CA, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0 pay $1,500, and thinQflex lets you name your own price and monthly payment.
How long is the class?
Five days of live, instructor-led training.
Can I attend live online?
Yes. Every class runs live online at the same time as the classroom, with the same instructor and labs.
How long do I keep access to the materials?
Your Class Hub stays open for the length of the class plus 90 days.
Is the exam included?
The exam voucher is priced separately; we can add it to your registration or quote.
Can I use military funding?
Yes. With Air Force COOL, Army CA, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0 you pay a flat $1,500 per class.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. Request a quote and we will send a formal one, valid for 30 days.
What if I cannot pay all at once?
Use thinQflex to name your price and spread payments over up to twelve months.
Where are the classrooms?
Sterling, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Burbank, California. Every class also runs live online, so you can join from anywhere.
What do I need to attend online?
A computer with a reliable internet connection, a headset or speakers, and a microphone. A webcam is recommended.
Will I get a certificate of completion?
Yes. You receive a thinQtank Learning certificate of completion when you finish the class.
Which course should I take next?
Most students go on to CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA - Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions, CompTIA A+. Tell us your goal and we will map the path with you.
Do you run private classes for teams?
Yes. We deliver private classes on-site or online for teams and agencies, on your dates. Ask for a quote.
Can you help me choose the right course?
Yes. Call 855-868-4467 or email sasmith@thinqtanklearning.com and we will recommend the right starting point.

Ready to earn your AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS)?

Next class Aug 23 – 27, 2027 · Atlanta, GA and live online.