Working in video editing can allow you to tell meaningful stories through visual demonstrations. To obtain a sought-after video editing role, you may need to meet the necessary educational requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree in digital media or a related field, as well as obtain video editing certification. Video editing certifications can help you set your application apart from the competition by showing you can operate popular video editing software.
Learn more about four popular video editing certifications, how to earn them, and which jobs you may qualify for by completing a video editing certification.
4 Popular video editing certifications
1. Adobe Certified Professional in Digital Video
Requirements: 150 hours of Adobe experience
To become an Adobe Certified Professional, you must first spend many hours learning the software. The website for the certificate recommends 150 hours of experience before attempting the comprehensive exam. Adobe’s video editing software helps you better understand how to work in the video industry, create visual effects in a digital space, and organize your editing projects.
You may want to explore the Adobe Certified Professional in Digital Video certification if you want to develop a deeper understanding of video editing software and stand out to future employers. An Adobe Certified Professional certification on your resume can indicate to potential employers that you passed the exam and have expertise working with Adobe products.
2. Final Cut Pro (FCP) X Certified Professional
Requirements: Background knowledge of video editing and post-production tools; Mac OS user skills
Cost: $149 (Exam costs for FCP Post-ProductionPro or FCP VideoPro) [2]
Earning a credential in Apple’s Final Cut Pro could help you gain video editing skills, such as importing videos, editing them, and exporting your finished product.
This certification might be for you if you want to learn more about the film and post-production industry. The FCP PostProductionPro and VideoPro exam ensures you have the knowledge and expertise you need to prove your mastery of Final Cut Pro.
3. Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer
Requirements: Users must first complete the following courses: Media Composer Fundamentals I and Media Composer Fundamentals II. You’ll register to take an exam based on those courses upon completion.
Cost: The two courses are free, though the program requires the purchase of a course book, which includes the exam cost and an exam retake if needed [3].
The Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer certification is for users who want to enhance their video editing, sound design, and artistic skills using Avid digital software.
This certification can help you market yourself to potential employers, especially those looking for professionals with Avid software experience. Once completed, you can link to the Avid Certified Professional: Media Composer certification on your resume, LinkedIn, and website.
4. DaVinci Resolve 19–Training
Requirements: Must have a computer to access training videos on DaVinci’s website and the ability to practice using the free DaVinci Resolve software or purchase the training books.
Cost: Training videos are free; however, a DaVinci Resolve 19 Studio subscription, which includes more tools for editors, is $295. The training books include access to an online exam to gain your certification [4].
DaVinci Resolve 19 training allows users to explore all facets of the digital editing software and watch training videos to enhance their creativity and build their video editing skills. DaVinci offers training videos and project files for aspiring sound designers, colorists, and visual effects editors. With it, you can learn a new skill and immediately use it.
If you’re a film editor looking to specialize in coloring, sound editing, or video editing, you may want to pursue certification with DaVinci Resolve.
What jobs can you get with a video editing certification?
With a video editing certification (or several), you may qualify for specific video editing jobs. Typically, candidates can stand out by meeting the job’s educational requirements in addition to holding one or more certifications in their area of interest.
Explore potential jobs you could get after completing your video editing certification:
Film/video editor
Average annual US salary: $72,275 [5]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 3 percent [6]
Requirements: You typically need a bachelor’s degree in a subject related to film, broadcasting, communications, or digital media. Your employer may require you to learn specific software or gain a video editing certification.
As a film/video editor, you take captured footage and arrange it sequentially to tell a story to an audience. This typically equates to making short films or feature-length movies in the film industry. However, film/video editors can also work on commercials, TV shows, music videos, or other types of video content.
Freelance video editor
Average annual US salary: $60,145 [7]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 3 percent [6]
Requirements: To become a freelance video editor, you must understand video editing and filming. You should also have extensive experience working with video equipment, video editing software, and a portfolio of projects to show prospective clients.
Freelance video editors have similar roles and responsibilities to film and video editors; however, they typically find their own clients and may operate on a job-to-job basis. For example, as a freelance video editor, you may specialize in working on commercial and advertising projects, or you may specialize in creating wedding videos from event footage.
Broadcast technician
Average annual US salary: $61,320 [8]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 3 percent [9]
Requirements: Employers typically prefer you to have an associate degree, at minimum. A bachelor’s degree in a subject related to film or the performing arts may help boost your resume. You must also know how to operate and troubleshoot broadcast equipment and follow safety protocols.
As a broadcast technician, you are responsible for setting up and operating camera and audio equipment for an upcoming broadcast. You work alongside other production team members, such as audio engineers, to capture a performance, sporting event, or other live event and broadcast it
After capturing the broadcast, you may also use software to edit the footage and audio recording.
Animator
Average annual US salary: $72,052 [10]
Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 4 percent [11]
Requirements: Employers typically look for candidates with bachelor’s degrees in animation, computer graphics, or other art-related subjects. To stand out amongst other applicants, consider creating a portfolio showing your technical proficiency in animation software.
Animators use editing software to create movies, television shows, or video games. You will often work in teams, each professional completing a part of the whole. As an animator, you use your artistic creativity and technical skills to create captivating moving images and work alongside other team members to deliver a finalized project.
Employers of animators expect you to have a background in graphic design and know how to use video editing and animation software.
How to choose a video editing certification
Choosing a video editing certification may depend on your ultimate career goals. For example, if you aim to become a film editor, you may want to consider a certification with Adobe Premiere Pro, as it consistently ranks among the most popular film editing software. For an aspiring film colorist, you may find success in pursuing the DaVinci Resolve certification, which includes courses such as “Introduction to Color” and “Color Management.”
Consider the jobs you’re interested in. If they frequently name specific video editing software they expect candidates to have expertise in, you may want to gain a certification in that software to stand out from other applicants.
Continue building video editing skills on Coursera.
A video editing certification can make starting a video editing career easier by helping you learn additional skills and possibly catch potential employers’ attention.
Explore Professional Certificates and courses that may help your video editing career, such as Getting Started with TikTok offered by Aptly. This beginner-level course introduces you to the video-centric social media platform. Additionally, consider Northwestern University’s Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing course on Coursera.
