February 15, 2008 - VETERANS ADMINISTRATION TO REIMBURSE ETCP EXAM FEES

Under new arrangements with the Veterans Administration, it is now possible for veterans to receive reimbursement for ETCP application fees. All three ETCP exams have been approved under the G.I. Bill. Veterans may seek reimbursement for up to one year after sitting for the exam and can receive up to $2000, but not more than the actual cost of the test. The benefits are paid whether or not a passing score is achieved, and an applicant can receive benefits to retake an exam that has not been passed. 

January 21, 2008 - LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTER IS FIRST MAJOR WEST COAST FACILITY TO REQUIRE ETCP CERTIFICATION FOR ALL RIGGING SUPERVISORS

Los Angeles, CA - January 18^th, 2008 - The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) is the first major west coast convention center to take the lead on requiring all its rigging supervisor hires to be certified under Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP).  In an effort to enhance client and patron safety while meeting the challenges of ever increasing technical demands, LACC has revised its criteria that companies must meet in order to qualify for placement on their list of approved rigging contractors. One of the qualifications is that all rigging supervisors and managers must be ETCP Certified.  New vendors must meet these qualifications immediately to be considered for placement, while previously approved vendors have until the end of 2008 to certify their lead riggers.

January 15, 2008 - FEBRUARY 15TH REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ETCP EXAMS AT USITT 2008

Know your stuff?  Prove it! Take the ETCP exam to show off your skills! Employers are searching for ETCP Certified Technicians to fill lead positions. The ETCP Council is pleased to announce another opportunity for technicians to take the electrical, arena rigging, and theatre rigging examinations in a paper and pencil administration.

September 27, 2007 - ETCP LDI EXAM APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 15TH

ETCP is extending the application deadline to October 15, 2007 for all three exams being offered at LDI in Orlando, FL. Submit your application today to sit for the Entertainment Electrician, Arena Rigging and/or Theatre Rigging exams.

September 21, 2007 - LDI 2007 Courses Offered by ETCP Recognized Trainers

Continued training and professional development activities are essential in the changing entertainment technology environment. The LDInstitute presents a great opportunity for ETCP Certificants to take courses that offer twice as many renewal credits towards their recertification. These courses are offered in November at LDI 2007, which is held this year in Orlando, FL. To register for these courses, please go to http://www.ldishow.com.

August 27, 2007 - CIRQUE DU SOLEIL/MGM GRAND JOIN ETCP CERTIFICATION COUNCIL

Cirque du Soleil and their Las Vegas partner MGM / Mirage have accepted a seat on the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council. The Council is the governing body which manages the development and implementation of ETCP, the industry-wide certification program for entertainment technicians. The MGM / Mirage currently employs over 1500 technicians to support Cirque du Soleil operations.

June 14, 2007 - TWENTY-EIGHT ETCP RIGGING CERTIFICATIONS AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF IATSE LOCAL 873 - TORONTO

The Entertainment Technician Certification Program Council is proud to announce that twenty-eight certifications were awarded today to members of IATSE Local 873. On May 12, 2007, both the Arena and Theatre Rigging exams were administered at the union hall in Toronto. Of the twenty-eight certifications granted, eleven individuals hold both certifications.

May 31, 2007 - Major Industry Employers Begin Mandating ETCP Certification

Two major industry employers, Live Nation and Global Spectrum, have announced the signing of collective bargaining agreements with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) which phase in a requirement for ETCP Certified Technicians in a variety of venues operated by the two companies.

May 24, 2007 - ETCP ANNOUNCES TRAINER RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The ETCP Council is pleased to announce a new program which recognizes individual instructors who have met specific criteria to become ETCP Recognized Trainers. The Certification Council has worked closely with leading trainers in the industry to craft a program that recognizes experienced trainers while allowing them the flexibility to adjust each class to the needs and skills of their attendees. Trainers are awarded qualification points based on a number of criteria including prior teaching experience, attendance at teacher training courses, ETCP Certification, standards writing, and subject matter expertise. 

May 17, 2007 - PAPER AND PENCIL EXAMS OFFERED AT LDI 2007 IN ORLANDO, FL
If you're a rigger or an electrician, get ready to show the industry what you know! All three ETCP examinations will be given at the November 2007 LDI show in Orlando, FL.The entertainment electrician exam is scheduled for Friday, November 16^th; the arena rigging exam is to be given the morning of Saturday, November 17^th and the theatre rigging exam is scheduled for that afternoon.  Candidates who wish to take multiple exams will receive a discount for the second exam. Interested applicants must submit their application, along with supporting materials and fee, postmarked no later than October 1, 2007. Space is limited, so submit your application today! Those who pass these rigorous tests will become ETCP Certified - and will be recognized as the industry's best.