After reviewing CEDIA certification from their website I have to tell you I think that their process is far too complicated. The only way I would agree to get a CEDIA certification is if my employer required it and paid for it. But this would never be a cert I would explore or take the test on my own. I feel that CEDIA really needs to simplify their certification process. It seems to be extremely expensive and too many steps to achieve certification.

Some Other Residential Certs that seems more promising for self study are:

DHTI+ - http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/dhti.aspx

ETA RESI - http://www.eta-i.org/Comps/RESI%20Comps.pdf

These both seem much simpler in their process, and more attractive to the self study person. I think CEDIA needs to wake up and get their heads out of their rear ends because other testing companies are creating certifications that are just as good with less cost and less hoops to jump through.