Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification
A career-ready credential validating mastery of professional broadcast production workflows, project management, and media operations for South Carolina CTE students. Get Started Learn More
What is the primary career pathway intended for the proposed credential?
Career Cluster: Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications
Pathway: Journalism and Broadcasting (CIP Code: 10.0202)
Program Title: Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician
Are there any related pathways?
10.0211 – Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
Focuses on producing, editing, and distributing digital media content—aligns with video editing, online publishing, and streaming components of BPM.
10.0203 – Recording Arts Technology/Technician
Covers audio production, sound design, and broadcast-quality recording skills used in live and post-production settings.
09.0401 – Journalism
Emphasizes newsgathering, storytelling, media ethics, and editorial processes central to BPM's newsroom workflow and reporting structure.
Which course(s) will this certification be associated with? Please provide the SC course name and number.
Primary Associated Course(s):
Media Technology 1
Course Code: 554000CW
Media Technology 2
Course Code: 554100CW
Media Technology 3
Course Code: 554200CW
Media Technology 4
Course Code: 554300CW
Optional / Supporting Courses (if you'd like to show full alignment):
- Digital Multimedia — Course Code: 503100CW
- Fundamentals of Computing — Course Code: 502300CW
- Journalism 1–4 — Course Codes: 301500CW – 301800CW (for schools running newsroom or writing integration)
Associated Courses: Media Technology 1 (554000CW) Media Technology 2 (554100CW) Media Technology 3 (554200CW) Media Technology 4 (554300CW)
These courses align directly with the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification, which validates student mastery of broadcast production, newsroom operations, and project coordination across the Media Technology pathway.
Tier 3 Certification
Rationale for Tier 3 Recommendation
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification is a career-ready credential that validates mastery of professional broadcast production workflows, project management, and media operations. It demonstrates that students can plan, coordinate, and execute live and recorded productions aligned with industry standards used by professional media outlets.
Students earning BPM have:
- Completed a full sequence of Media Technology 1–4 coursework.
- Demonstrated competency in pre-production planning, script development, field production, editing, and live broadcast coordination.
- Shown readiness for entry-level positions or internships in broadcast, digital media, and communications industries.
The certification reflects real-world production management skills recognized by schools, media organizations, and CTE employers — aligning with Tier 3 (Career Ready) expectations.
Please provide a brief description of the certification, its purpose, and include evidence of alignment with the identified pathway courses.
Brief Description and Purpose
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification, issued by the National Public School Broadcast Network (NPSBN) in partnership with RundownHQ, validates student mastery of the complete broadcast production workflow—from story development and assignment management to scripting, coordination, and live operations.
The certification's purpose is to ensure students in Media Technology 1–4 (Course Codes 554000CW–554300CW) demonstrate technical proficiency, teamwork, and ethical media practices aligned with South Carolina's Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Career Cluster (Pathway 10.299 – Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician).
Pre-production
storyboarding, rundowns, and workflow organization
Production
camera operation, lighting, audio, and on-set collaboration
Post-production
editing, publishing, and project evaluation
Management
leadership, scheduling, and ethical newsroom practices
This alignment ensures the BPM Certification measures career-ready competencies consistent with CTE Media Technology standards and professional industry expectations.
Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification – Exam Blueprint
Issuing Organization: National Public School Broadcast Network (NPSBN)
Partner Platform: RundownHQ
Total Exam Time: 90 minutes
Format: 50 multiple-choice questions + 1 practical scenario assessment
Passing Score: 80%
Exam Domains and Weighting
Assessment Method
- Knowledge Exam (80%) – Objective questions based on CTE Media Technology standards
- Performance Task (20%) – Scenario-based evaluation within RundownHQ workspace
Alignment
The BPM Certification aligns with the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Career Cluster (Pathway 10.299) and Media Technology 1–4 (Course Codes 554000CW–554300CW), assessing students' readiness for professional broadcast and media production careers.
Does the certification agency require the exam be given in a proctored environment? Explain who may serve as a proctor and provide documentation of requirements.
Proctoring Requirements
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification exam must be administered in a proctored environment to ensure exam integrity and standardized evaluation across all participating schools.
Who May Serve as a Proctor:
- Certified CTE Media Technology Instructors trained in BPM procedures
- Approved School Testing Coordinators or Administrators
- Designated NPSBN or RundownHQ Program Evaluators (for remote proctoring)
Proctor Requirements:
- Must not be a relative of any examinee.
- Must supervise the testing environment from start to finish.
- Must verify student identity before beginning the exam.
- Must ensure all external devices, phones, and notes are removed or restricted during testing.
- Must sign and submit the BPM Exam Integrity & Proctor Verification Form upon completion.
What are the requirements to serve as a test site? If a school cannot be the test site, where will the students be required to take the exam?
Test Site Requirements
Approved test sites must provide a secure, supervised, and technically capable environment that supports the BPM Certification's digital testing format through the RundownHQ platform.
Minimum Requirements to Serve as a Test Site:
- Must be an accredited educational institution (middle, high school, or career center) participating in a CTE program under the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications cluster.
- Must have a certified BPM instructor or approved proctor present during testing.
- Must provide stable internet access and at least one device per student with a modern browser (Chrome or Edge).
- Must maintain a quiet, distraction-free testing space with sufficient seating and lighting.
- Must securely store any login credentials or testing materials.
- Must complete and submit the BPM Test Site Verification Form prior to testing approval.
If a School Cannot Serve as a Test Site:
Students may test at an approved partner location designated by NPSBN, such as:
- A district-level career or technology center,
- A regional testing hub (e.g., media production training facility), or
- A virtual proctored testing session administered by NPSBN's certified evaluators through RundownHQ's secure environment.
All off-site and virtual test sessions follow the same integrity and proctor verification procedures as school-based exams.
Are there other testing environment requirements such as cameras, IDs, special equipment/software, etc.? Please specify.
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification requires a controlled testing environment that ensures both technical reliability and exam integrity.
Required Environment and Equipment:
Student Identification
All students must present a school-issued or government-issued photo ID before testing begins.
Device Requirements
Each student must use a computer or laptop (no phones or tablets) with a reliable internet connection and updated Chrome or Edge browser.
Camera Access
For remote or hybrid testing, the testing device must have an active webcam so the proctor can visually monitor students during the exam.
Software Requirements
Access to the RundownHQ BPM Certification Portal (browser-based; no installation needed).
Audio Capability
Functional headphones or speakers for multimedia exam components.
Secure Testing Space
Quiet room free of unauthorized materials (notes, phones, external storage devices, etc.).
Proctor Dashboard
Proctor must have a separate device logged into the RundownHQ monitoring interface to observe student progress and verify compliance.
All testing environments—on-site or virtual—must follow NPSBN's Exam Integrity Guidelines, ensuring consistent administration, identity verification, and data security across all test locations.
Is a candidate permitted to retake the exam? (Y/N) If yes, what are the requirements?
Retake Policy
Yes. Candidates are permitted to retake the BPM Certification exam if they do not achieve the minimum passing score of 80% on their initial attempt.
Retake Requirements:
Waiting Period
Candidates must wait a minimum of 14 calendar days before retesting to allow time for review and additional preparation.
Request Form
A Retake Request Form must be submitted by the instructor or school testing coordinator through the NPSBN Certification Portal.
Attempt Limit
Candidates may retake the exam up to two (2) times within the same academic year.
Retesting Fee
A retesting fee may apply if administered outside of the school's scheduled testing window.
Remediation
Instructors are encouraged to provide remediation or review prior to retesting to ensure improved competency.
Each retake follows the same proctored and secure testing requirements as the initial exam.
How many questions are on the examination?
Number of Questions on the Examination
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification Exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and one (1) practical scenario-based task delivered through the RundownHQ platform.
Knowledge Section
questions covering pre-production, production, post-production, and project management domains.
Performance Section
applied task requiring candidates to analyze and build a simplified production rundown or workflow scenario.
Total Time
minutes
What is the threshold for a passing score?
80%
Passing Score Threshold
The passing score for the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification Exam is 80%.
To earn certification, candidates must achieve:
- A minimum of 80% accuracy on the 50-question multiple-choice knowledge section, and
- Satisfactory completion of the practical scenario task demonstrating competency in broadcast workflow planning and project execution.
This threshold reflects mastery-level performance consistent with Tier 3 (Career-Ready) certification expectations and ensures candidates demonstrate both technical knowledge and applied production skills.
If the certification includes a written or scored assessment, please provide a brief description of the psychometric principles applied in its design and scoring.
Note: If the certification is earned through a practical, performance-based assessment, you may briefly explain how scoring is standardized (e.g., rubric use, evaluator training, calibration methods).
Psychometric and Scoring Principles
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification Exam integrates both a written knowledge assessment and a performance-based task, designed to ensure fairness, reliability, and standardization across all testing environments.
Design and Validity
- Exam questions are developed in alignment with South Carolina CTE Media Technology 1–4 standards and reviewed by certified broadcast educators and industry professionals to ensure content validity (the test measures what it claims to measure).
- Question banks undergo pilot testing and item analysis to confirm clarity, difficulty balance, and discrimination between mastery levels.
Reliability and Fairness
- All multiple-choice items use objective scoring through the RundownHQ platform, eliminating grader bias.
- Accessibility accommodations are provided per ADA and school testing guidelines.
Performance-Based Scoring
- The practical scenario is scored using a standardized rubric assessing planning, technical accuracy, teamwork, and ethical decision-making.
- Evaluator calibration sessions ensure scoring consistency across instructors and proctors.
- Rubrics and scoring criteria are published in the BPM Proctor and Evaluator Handbook to maintain transparency and fairness.
Together, these psychometric and procedural measures uphold test validity, reliability, and standardization, ensuring that every certified candidate demonstrates genuine, career-ready competency.
Provide any documentation related to the scoring and standardization described above.
Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification Scoring & Standardization Policy Summary
Issuing Organization: National Public School Broadcast Network (NPSBN)
Certification Platform: RundownHQ
Document Version 1.2 – Revised October 2025
1. Purpose and Scope
This document outlines the scoring, evaluation, and standardization processes applied to the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification. It ensures consistency, fairness, and reliability across all testing environments and evaluators participating in the NPSBN certification program. This policy aligns with recognized standards from the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) and the National Career Clusters Framework for CTE credentialing.
2. Assessment Design and Scoring Structure
The BPM Certification includes both a written knowledge exam and a performance-based practical assessment. The dual format validates both theoretical understanding and applied broadcast project management skills.
Passing Score Threshold: 80% combined weighted score.
3. Reliability, Validity, and Fairness Measures
All BPM exam questions are developed in alignment with South Carolina's Media Technology 1–4 standards under the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications career cluster. Each item undergoes peer review by CTE instructors and broadcast professionals to ensure content validity, relevance, and clarity. Pilot testing and item analysis are conducted annually to evaluate difficulty balance, question discrimination, and time allocation. Reliability is maintained through a controlled digital testing environment, ensuring identical delivery across all sites. Accommodations are available per ADA and school district guidelines to promote equitable testing access.
4. Evaluator Training and Calibration
Evaluators responsible for the performance-based section are required to complete annual calibration sessions using archived benchmark submissions. Calibration ensures that scoring aligns within a 5% tolerance across evaluators. All evaluators must complete the BPM Evaluator Handbook module and sign an Integrity and Non-Disclosure Agreement prior to scoring student work.
5. Continuous Improvement and Oversight
The NPSBN Certification Committee reviews exam outcomes annually to identify trends, inconsistencies, and emerging training needs. Question banks and rubrics are updated to reflect evolving broadcast technologies, ethical standards, and industry practices. Version control of exam materials ensures all updates are logged, reviewed, and archived. This policy supports the continued credibility and recognition of the BPM Certification as a Tier 3 Career-Ready credential. Through rigorous scoring procedures and standardized evaluation, NPSBN affirms its commitment to integrity, transparency, and educational excellence.
Approved by: ____________________________
Director of Certification, NPSBN
Please provide details on what artifact(s) can be used to validate the earned certification.
For example, some students will earn cards, some will be on a registry, and some will receive a printable or electronic certificate.
Certification Validation Artifacts
Students who successfully complete the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification will receive multiple verifiable artifacts confirming their achievement. These artifacts are designed to ensure authenticity, portability, and digital traceability for both students and employers.
1. Digital Certificate (Primary Artifact)
- Automatically issued through the NPSBN Certification Portal upon verification of passing scores.
- Displays student name, certification title, completion date, credential ID, and digital signature of the NPSBN Director of Certification.
- Includes a QR code and verification link directing to NPSBN's public credential registry for validation.
- Can be downloaded or printed by the school or student.
2. Digital Badge (Secondary Artifact)
- A secure, blockchain-verified badge issued via RundownHQ and compatible with Credly/Open Badges standards.
- Can be displayed on résumés, LinkedIn profiles, or digital portfolios.
- Badge metadata lists competencies achieved and certification tier (Tier 3 – Career Ready).
3. Certification Registry Entry
- All earners are added to the NPSBN National Certification Registry, searchable by credential ID, name, or institution.
- Schools and employers may verify credentials by visiting https://npsbn.org/verify (URL placeholder) and entering the certificate number.
4. Optional Physical Artifact
- Schools participating in on-site programs may request printed certificates or wallet cards for ceremonial presentation, issued in partnership with NPSBN's credential services division.
Will access to certification data be made available to districts and/or schools?
Access to Certification Data
Certification data for the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification will be made available to both districts and schools through secure, role-based access managed by the NPSBN Certification Portal and RundownHQ platform.
Data Access Features:
- Authorized Access: Only verified school or district administrators, CTE coordinators, and certified BPM instructors will have access to student credential data.
- Real-Time Reporting: Schools can view student progress, pass/fail results, certification dates, and credential IDs directly within the instructor dashboard.
- District-Level Reporting: District CTE directors and testing coordinators can download aggregate performance summaries and certification counts for accountability reporting.
- Data Security: All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, compliant with FERPA and state data privacy regulations.
- Verification Portal: External verification (for employers or postsecondary partners) is available via a read-only credential lookup tool that displays only credential status and date of issue.
At any point, will student-level certification data be shared with or made accessible to third parties outside the issuing organization, district, or school?
No.
Sharing of Student-Level Certification Data
No. Student-level certification data will not be shared with or made accessible to any third parties outside of the issuing organization (NPSBN), the participating district, or the school administering the certification.
All certification records are stored securely within the NPSBN Certification Portal and RundownHQ platform under strict FERPA and state data privacy compliance.
Data Access Controls:
- Only authorized school and district personnel (e.g., instructors, CTE coordinators, testing administrators) have access to identifiable student data.
- The public credential verification tool only displays non-identifiable information (credential ID, certification title, and date of issue) when a valid credential number is entered.
- No student names, contact information, or personal identifiers are ever shared, sold, or distributed to external vendors or third-party organizations.
What is the cost of an exam voucher/license/seat for this certification?
Student Cost
No direct cost to students
Coverage
Covered by participating schools or districts
Exam Voucher / License / Seat Cost
There is no direct cost to students for taking the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification exam.
All certification access, testing, and credentialing costs are covered by participating schools or districts under institutional implementation agreements with the National Public School Broadcast Network (NPSBN).
Cost Structure:
- Student Cost: $0
- District/School Licensing: Included in institutional implementation and training packages
- Covers: Exam access, scoring, credential issuance (certificate + digital badge), and reporting support
This approach ensures equitable access to certification for all CTE students and eliminates financial barriers while maintaining program sustainability through district-level participation.
Is there a cost to train the instructor to deliver content or administer this exam?
There is a one-time institutional cost for instructor training and certification, but no individual teacher fees are charged outside of the school or district's implementation agreement.
Details:
- Instructor Training Fee: Covered under the district or school's CTE Implementation Package.
- Included Training Components:
- BPM Instructor Certification Course (40 hours, asynchronous with live support)
- Access to the Instructor Resource Portal (lesson plans, rubrics, assessments)
- Proctor authorization training for secure exam administration
- 90-day onboarding and technical support for classroom integration
Cost to Instructor
(district-paid)
Cost to District
Included in institutional setup package (with discounts applied)
Are there any additional costs associated with the exam (i.e. annual site license, membership, etc.)?
There are no additional costs associated with the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification exam beyond what is included in the district or school's initial implementation package.
Clarifications:
No annual site license fees are charged for ongoing access to the BPM Certification Portal.
No student membership or subscription fees are required.
No renewal fees are imposed for maintaining certification records or access to reporting tools.
All administrative support, credential issuance, and district reporting tools are included in the one-time onboarding and training package provided to participating schools.
This structure ensures that schools and districts have complete and sustainable access to the BPM certification environment without recurring or hidden costs, while maintaining equitable, no-cost certification opportunities for students.
Are discounts available for volume purchases (site licensing, etc.)?
Discounts and Volume Licensing Options
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification offers volume-based discounts for districts or multi-school implementations to encourage broad CTE participation and reduce per-site costs.
Available Options:
District / Multi-School Licensing
Districts purchasing certification access for three (3) or more schools receive a 10% discount on total implementation and training costs.
Regional CTE Center Partnerships
Regional or consortium implementations serving multiple feeder schools qualify for up to a 15% discount on the combined instructor training and onboarding package.
Statewide or Pilot Agreements
Statewide or agency-level adoption agreements may be custom-priced to reflect the number of participating sites, instructor training needs, and projected student volume.
Student Costs: $0 (all discounts apply to district or site-level contracts only).
These volume options ensure equitable statewide access and help districts integrate BPM Certification efficiently within South Carolina's Media Technology 1–4 program sequence.
Is the credential attainable by a high school student prior to or within 6 months after graduation?
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification is specifically designed to be attainable by high school students enrolled in Media Technology 1–4 courses and can also be earned within six months after graduation.
Details:
- Students typically complete the certification exam during their final year (Media Tech 3 or 4) once all broadcast production competencies have been demonstrated.
- The credential remains accessible for six months post-graduation, allowing students to finalize testing if interrupted by scheduling or school calendar constraints.
- This structure ensures flexibility for districts while maintaining alignment with South Carolina's College and Career Readiness (CCR) benchmarks and CTE program completion standards.
What are the requirements to sit for the credential exam? (Age, ID, grade level, etc.)
To maintain consistency, fairness, and readiness standards, candidates must meet the following requirements before sitting for the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification Exam:
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrollment Status
Must be currently enrolled in, or have completed, Media Technology 3 or 4 within a South Carolina CTE program under the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications cluster.
Grade Level
Generally open to 11th–12th grade students, or recent graduates (within six months of program completion).
Age Requirement
Minimum age 16 years at the time of testing.
Identification
Students must present a valid school-issued or government-issued photo ID to verify identity prior to testing.
Instructor Verification
A certified BPM Instructor or Proctor must confirm completion of prerequisite coursework and readiness to test via the Exam Authorization Form.
Academic Standing
Students must have demonstrated competency in core CTE Media Technology standards, including pre-production, production, and post-production workflows.
Are multiple exams required to obtain the credential? If yes, please record those here.
Multiple Exam Requirement
Only one comprehensive examination is required to earn the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification.
The certification process consists of a single, two-part exam administered within the same testing session:
1. Knowledge Assessment
50 multiple-choice questions covering pre-production, production, post-production, and project management competencies.
2. Performance Scenario
A practical task requiring candidates to plan or evaluate a production workflow within the RundownHQ environment.
Both components are scored together as one credential outcome; no additional or separate exams are required.
Approximately how many hours of content instruction and/or lab hours are necessary for a high school student to be successful?
Recommended Instructional and Lab Hours
Students typically require 60–70 hours of combined classroom instruction and hands-on production lab experience to be adequately prepared for success on the Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification exam.
Breakdown of Recommended Hours:
Classroom Instruction
25–30 hours
Core concepts in media ethics, newsroom roles, production planning, rundowns, and broadcast management principles.
Lab / Production Practice
35–40 hours
Applied learning in pre-production organization, camera operations, editing workflows, team coordination, and live broadcast execution.
Summary: A total of 60–70 structured instructional hours provides sufficient time for students to develop the technical, organizational, and ethical proficiency needed to achieve certification readiness and meet Tier 3 (Career Ready) expectations.
Does the credential require work experience (work experience may not exceed 1500 hours and must be obtained throughout the student's high school career)?
Work Experience Requirement
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification does not require external work experience for eligibility or completion.
However, students often gain applied production experience through their school's Media Technology lab, student news program, or campus broadcast projects, which simulate real-world newsroom and production environments.
Clarification:
- All required competencies are taught and assessed within the classroom and lab setting under instructor supervision.
- Optional internships, school broadcast programs, or live event coverage may enhance readiness but are not mandatory for credential attainment.
- The certification remains fully attainable within the standard instructional hours of the Media Technology 1–4 sequence.
Is this credential relevant to a SC Priority Occupation? (Access the priority occupation list here.)
the credential is relevant to a priority occupation in South Carolina. The state's list of priority occupations identifies key roles within the Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications cluster, which includes occupations such as Photographers and other media-production roles.
Please provide an occupation title and SOC code (up to three) associated with this credential.
Associated Occupations and SOC Codes
The Broadcast Project Management (BPM) Certification aligns with several occupations within the Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications career cluster, reflecting technical, creative, and production management skills developed through South Carolina's Media Technology 1–4 pathway.
Associated Occupations:
🎥 Broadcast Technician
SOC 27-4012.00
Operates and maintains equipment used to record, edit, and transmit radio or television programs.
🎧 Audio and Video Technician
SOC 27-4011.00
Sets up and operates audio and video equipment for live or recorded productions, events, or broadcasts.
📰 Film and Video Editor / Camera Operator
SOC 27-4031.00
Edits and assembles recorded video into finished products for news, features, or entertainment; operates cameras during live or field production.
Career Pathway