The BCE program was developed in 1984. At that time, the FCC asked the Society to develop a program to replace the First Class Radiotelephone license, used by the cable industry to document technical competence. The first BCE test was available in 1985, with the others completed and available by 1987. SCTE established the BCE program to raise the professional status of technicians and engineers, to recognize those individuals who meet those standards of professional competence, to encourage broadband communications technicians and engineers to continue their professional development, to assist management in documenting technical competency and to replace the FCC radiotelephone licensing procedure for the cable industry. Professionalism, experience and education are documented on the application form.
Technical knowledge is demonstrated through the exam.
Certification is valid for a period of three years after which the candidate must make application for recertification. Recertification is accomplished through documented activity and education within the broadband industry or by completing the exam process again.