Earn Your IPC CID+ Certification Without Travel or Stepping Away From Work

Every CID+ preparation track includes the official IPC CID+ exam, a free exam retake, the 240-page official IPC CID+ Study Guide, 200+ ElectroSpec-developed practice questions, 24/7 AI Tutor access, and instructor email support. Private Team Training includes live online or in-person instructor delivery using official IPC slide-based training materials.

No. IPC does not require formal training to sit for the CID+ exam. ElectroSpec's Core Preparation track is designed for self-paced study and gives you everything you need to successfully pass the CID+ exam. Private Team Training is available for those who prefer live instructor-led instruction.

ElectroSpec uses IPC's Remote Proctor System, allowing you to take your exam from home or work. All you need is a computer with a webcam, microphone, and internet access. You can test from anywhere in the world on your preferred date, time, and time zone — just give us at least one calendar day's notice to schedule. For Private Team Training, in-person proctoring is also available.

As soon as you're ready. ElectroSpec schedules your exam to whatever date, time, and time zone works best for you. You'll receive the maximum allowable testing window of 8 hours, though most students complete the exam in approximately 2 hours.

The CID+ exam is closed book and consists of approximately 100 multiple choice questions. A score of 73% or better is required to pass. Most students complete the exam in about 2 hours within the 8-hour testing window provided.

Every track includes one free exam retake. You can retake the exam as soon as 24 hours after your initial attempt, or up to 90 days after. If you need a third attempt, a $135 fee applies after a minimum one-week waiting period from your previous attempt.

The CID+ exam covers five core knowledge areas: Design Considerations, Printed Board Characteristics, Electrical Parameters, Component and Assembly Issues, and Manufacturing Documentation. All ElectroSpec CID+ preparation materials cover these exam domains to ensure you are fully prepared.

No. If you'd like the IPC-2221 and IPC-2222 standards for reference, they are available for purchase at an additional cost during checkout.

Both. ElectroSpec can deliver Private Team Training virtually or on-site at your facility or our training center. Contact us for availability and a custom quote.

You will have access to your preparation materials for 180 days from the date of purchase — enough time to study at your own pace and complete your certification without feeling rushed.

Yes. A receipt is provided at checkout and a formal invoice can be requested by contacting us directly. Many of our students receive employer reimbursement for IPC certifications.

The AI Tutor is a PCB design–focused chatbot built specifically to support PCB design education. It is available 24/7 to answer PCB-related questions, explain concepts in different ways, and reinforce your understanding as you study. The AI Tutor is not trained on IPC standards or IPC copyrighted materials. It is designed to support conceptual learning and exam readiness, not to reproduce official IPC content.

Yes. The IPC CID+ certification is globally recognized throughout the electronics industry and is valued by OEMs, EMS providers, and high-reliability sectors such as aerospace, defense, and medical technology.

It depends on your experience level and study pace. Most students using CID+ Core Preparation complete their prep and exam within 2 to 4 weeks. Since you already hold your CID certification and have an established PCB design foundation, the preparation focuses on advanced concepts rather than fundamentals — which means many students move through the material efficiently. Since everything is self-paced, you control the timeline entirely and can schedule your exam as soon as you're consistently performing at exam-ready levels on the practice questions.

Yes. Your ElectroSpec-developed practice questions and 24/7 AI Tutor are accessible through the Kajabi app on iOS and Android — study on your phone or tablet whenever and wherever works for you, whether that's during a commute, between meetings, or from your couch. Your progress syncs across all your devices so you can pick up right where you left off. The official IPC CID+ Study Guide is delivered separately as a digital or physical copy and can be accessed on your preferred device subject to IPC's digital rights management terms.

You're never studying alone. Every preparation track includes direct email access to your ElectroSpec instructor with responses typically within one business day, plus 24/7 access to the AI Tutor for immediate answers anytime day or night. If you hit a concept that isn't clicking, help is always available.

Yes. The IPC CID certification is a mandatory prerequisite for the CID+ exam. You must hold a current, valid CID certification before you can sit for the CID+ exam. If you haven't yet earned your CID, visit our CID Certification page to get started.

The CID certification establishes your foundational PCB design credentials — covering layout principles, materials, documentation, and manufacturability. CID+ builds on that foundation with advanced topics including printed board characteristics, electrical parameters, signal integrity concepts, and complex manufacturing documentation. CID is required before pursuing CID+, making them a natural progression for PCB designers looking to reach the highest level of IPC certification available.