ETCP
ETCP is a non-profit certification program, operated by ESTA, that credentials entertainment industry riggers, electricians, and power distribution technicians via NCCA-accredited exams delivered through 190+ PSI testing centers across the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ETCP does
ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) is a non-profit professional certification program administered by ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association) that credentials entertainment industry technicians across four disciplines: Rigger-Arena, Rigger-Theatre, Entertainment Electrician, and Portable Power Distribution Technician (PPDT). Founded in 2003 and delivering its first exams in November 2005, ETCP provides NCCA-accredited assessments validated through PSI's network of 190+ testing centers across the United States and Canada, with French-language exam administration available for Canadian technicians.
The program is governed by a coalition of major entertainment industry organizations including IATSE, USITT, IAVM, TEA, CITT, AMPTP, AVIXA, and the Broadway League, lending it broad institutional legitimacy. ETCP certification is recognized as a hiring or contractual requirement by major employers and productions such as Live Nation, Cirque du Soleil, Disney, NBC Universal, and PRG, and is integrated into collective bargaining agreements including the Live Nation/IATSE Area Standards Agreement. Certifications must be renewed every five years, creating a recurring revenue cycle.
ETCP's revenue model is based on per-exam fees of $650 for non-members and $550 for ESTA members or IATSE members, with additional revenue from recertification cycles. Pricing is fixed and uniform across candidate categories; the program does not offer tiered enterprise pricing or subscription contracts. Distribution is anchored by PSI's physical testing infrastructure, eliminating the need for ETCP to operate its own assessment facilities. As a non-profit initiative within ESTA, ETCP does not pursue equity funding or external capital raises, and its economics are reinvested into program operations and stakeholder support.
ETCP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ETCP
- Legal name
- Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP)
- Website
- https://etcp.esta.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ETCP is a non-profit certification program, operated by ESTA, that credentials entertainment industry riggers, electricians, and power distribution technicians via NCCA-accredited exams delivered through 190+ PSI testing centers across the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ETCP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Certification Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Psychometric Standards, Test Development & Validation Authorities (EDADAFAG), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)
Keywords
Where ETCP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ETCP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Certification Examination Fees: Primary revenue stream from examination fees. Initial exams cost $650 for non-members; $550 for constituents of Council member organizations. Retake fees are $175-225 depending on membership status.
- Recertification Fees: Technicians must recertify every five years through a point system (40 points), with 10-20 points required from continuing education. Maintains ongoing revenue from certified professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Initial Certification Exam - Non-member |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Initial Certification Exam - Council Member Constituent |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Second Exam Within 1 Year |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Retake Exam - Non-member |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Retake Exam - Member Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Practice Exam |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
ETCP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ETCP offers four professional certification programs for entertainment industry technicians — Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician, and Portable Power Distribution Technician — validated through rigorous psychometric examinations built to NCCA standards. Candidates take computer-based exams at 190+ PSI testing centers across the U.S. and Canada or on-site paper-and-pencil sessions, and must recertify every five years through a 40-point continuing-education system.
Product overview
ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program) is a certification organization offering four distinct professional certifications for entertainment industry technicians. The portfolio includes two rigging certifications (Arena and Theatre), the Entertainment Electrician Certification, and the Portable Power Distribution Technician (PPDT) Certification. These certifications are designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals working in disciplines that directly affect the health and safety of crews, performers, and audiences. ETCP also provides practice exams as preparation tools for candidates. The certifications are evaluated through rigorous computer-based or paper-based examinations at PSI testing centers, with certification requiring renewal every five years through a point system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rigger – Arena Certification Certification for riggers who employ chain hoists and truss systems to temporarily suspend objects from overhead structures in arenas, theatrical venues, and convention/trade show spaces.
- Rigger – Theatre Certification Certification for riggers who work with counterweighted systems, mechanical systems, and hydraulic systems typically permanently installed in theatre facilities.
- Entertainment Electrician Certification Certification for electricians evaluating competency in the upper third of the entertainment industry, covering installation, interconnection, safe use, and repair of portable distribution and entertainment electrical equipment.
- Portable Power Distribution Technician (PPDT) Certification Certification targeting the top two-thirds of people working with portable power technology at corporate, trade show, outdoor event, theatrical, and motion picture/television segments.
- Practice Exams 50-question web-based practice exams available for all four certifications at $40 each; no application required, taken at candidate's convenience with score reports indicating areas for further study.
Quantifiable outcome
- Certificants receive certificate, wallet ID card, embroidered patch, pin, stickers, and website listing.
Companies that use ETCP
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ETCP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
ETCP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association)coreESTA runs ETCP as an industry-wide personnel certification program. ESTA's Board of Directors envisioned the program in March 2003.
- IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)coreIATSE joined development in 2003 and is integral to ETCP Council. IATSE International Training Trust offers full reimbursement for initial certification and recertification fees.
- USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology)coreJoined development in 2003 and maintains seat on ETCP Council representing theatre technology professionals.
- IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers)coreJoined in 2003 and maintains seat on ETCP Council representing venue managers and owners.
- TEA (Themed Entertainment Association)coreJoined in 2003 and maintains seat on ETCP Council representing themed entertainment industry.
- CITT/ICTS (Canadian Institute for Theatre Technology)coreJoined in 2003 and maintains seat on ETCP Council. Working to ensure Francophone riggers have regular access to French-language exams.
- AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers)coreJoined development in 2004 and maintains seat on ETCP Council representing film and television production.
- AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)coreMaintains seat on ETCP Council representing audiovisual industry professionals.
- The Broadway LeaguecoreMaintains seat on ETCP Council representing Broadway and commercial theatre producers.
- Cirque du SoleilcoreBusiness member on ETCP Certification Council bringing entertainment business leadership perspective.
- Disney Theatrical ProductionscoreBusiness member on ETCP Certification Council representing major theatrical producer.
- Live NationcoreBusiness member on ETCP Certification Council. Signed collective bargaining agreements with IATSE requiring ETCP certified technicians.
- NBC UniversalcoreBusiness member on ETCP Certification Council representing major media company.
- PRG (Production Resource Group)coreBusiness member on ETCP Certification Council. Executive Producer-level sponsor providing financial support.
- PSI (Applied Measurement Professionals)coreProfessional testing company contracted to administer ETCP examinations, including computer-based testing at 190+ centers across North America and on-site paper/pencil administrations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ETCP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CompTIA: CompTIA is a large-scale, multi-discipline technical certification body (A+, Network+, Security+) administering exams globally through Pearson VUE. Comparable as an established ANSI/ISO 17024-accredited credentialing entity operating at scale, although in IT rather than live entertainment.
- PMI (Project Management Institute): PMI is the largest global professional certification body (PMP, CAPM) and serves as a benchmark for what a mature, scaled credentialing organization looks like. Not a direct competitor but a structural benchmark for ETCP on revenue model, recertification, and exam delivery.
Direct peers
- NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators): NCCCO is an NCCA-accredited personnel certification body that certifies crane operators and related rigging personnel. It is the closest structural analog to ETCP: industry-developed, NCCA-accredited exams administered via a third-party testing network, with both an initial certification and a recertification cycle.
- NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies): NICET is the dominant ANSI/ISO 17024-accredited certification body for engineering technicians across electrical, mechanical, and civil disciplines. Highly comparable to ETCP in model: NCCA-level psychometric testing, computer-based delivery, multi-level credentials, and recurring recertification.
- AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association): AVIXA runs the Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) and related AV credentials, and is itself a member of the ETCP Certification Council. It is directly comparable as an industry association-administered, ANSI-accredited technical certification program for audiovisual professionals.
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Certifications & CEU Programs: NFPA administers Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) and other electrical/life-safety credentials. Directly comparable to ETCP's entanglement with OSHA and NEC compliance for entertainment technicians, and as a safety-anchored technical certification program.
- AWS (American Welding Society) Certification: AWS offers NCCA-accredited welding inspector and welder certifications administered through a network of testing centers. Comparable to ETCP as a long-standing, safety-critical skilled trades certification with recurring recertification and recognized employer/union partnership structure.
- IATSE Entertainment Training Trust / IATSE Training Programs: The IATSE International Training Trust funds ETCP certifications for its members and runs complementary crew training. It is a peer in the sense that it certifies and trains the same technician population, though through labor-side structured training rather than NCCA-accredited assessment.
Emerging players
- SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry that supports technical and skilled-trade credentialing pathways for the entertainment and production industries. Comparable as a US-based technical certification pathway feeding into the same entertainment technician pipeline that ETCP certifies.
Others
- ANSI (American National Standards Institute) National Accreditation Board: ANAB accredits personnel certification bodies to ISO 17024 and is the umbrella authority under which ETCP's NCCA-accredited exams are positioned. Relevant as the enabling/standards infrastructure on which ETCP's credibility is built.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ETCP social profiles
Digital presenceETCP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ETCP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
ETCP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ETCP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ETCP
What does ETCP do?
ETCP offers four professional certification programs for entertainment industry technicians — Rigger – Arena, Rigger – Theatre, Entertainment Electrician, and Portable Power Distribution Technician — validated through rigorous psychometric examinations built to NCCA standards. Candidates take computer-based exams at 190+ PSI testing centers across the U.S. and Canada or on-site paper-and-pencil sessions, and must recertify every five years through a 40-point continuing-education system.
Is ETCP a public or private company?
ETCP is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ETCP founded?
ETCP was founded in 2003. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ETCP based?
ETCP is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does ETCP make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Certification Examination Fees are the primary driver. The others are recertification Fees.
Who are ETCP's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CompTIA and PMI (Project Management Institute). Direct peers are NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators), NICET (National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies), AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association), NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Certifications & CEU Programs, AWS (American Welding Society) Certification and IATSE Entertainment Training Trust / IATSE Training Programs. SkillsUSA is listed as an emerging player. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) National Accreditation Board is listed as an others.
Does ETCP have an API?
No public API is recorded for ETCP.
What industry is ETCP in?
ETCP's product category is Professional Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFADAG, Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms, with a secondary code of EDADAFAG, Psychometric Standards, Test Development & Validation Authorities. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.