Last Chance on A+, Network+, Security+ Certifications

[singlepic id=883 w=320 h=240 float=right]As of January 1, 2011, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications are valid for three years from the date the candidate becomes certified. A “valid through” date will appear on all certificates and certificate holder CompTIA ID cards.

Does this change affect individuals who were certified prior to 2011?

No, those individuals certified on or before December 31, 2010 in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ will retain their “certified for life” status. No valid through date will appear on certificates and certificate holder CompTIA ID cards.

My certificate has a CE notation. Why is that?

To comply with the new certification renewal policy beginning January 1, 2011, CompTIA will launch new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited versions of our CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+ certification programs. The new programs will have a notation on the certificates: CompTIA A+ CE, CompTIA Network+ CE and CompTIA Security+ CE. The content of the respective certification exam(s) will not change, nor will the associated objectives, but the name change will denote the new continuing education requirement associated with these programs. This new CE designation signifies these certifications will expire three years from the date certified.

CompTIA has always said its certifications are good for life. Why have you changed your policy?

The certifications affected by this change – CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ – are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an international body which approves the procedures used by personnel certification bodies. ISO requires that individuals have a way to renew the currency of their certification on a regular basis. In CompTIA’s case, that renewal will occur every three years.

This change in policy is in line with the practice of other major providers of certifications for IT professionals, such as Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle. In today’s IT environment it’s important for IT professionals to demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are current. CompTIA’s new renewal program is a way to assist those individuals who would like to take advantage of it. Our certification renewal program includes a continuing education component that gives eligible certification holders a range of ways to keep their CompTIA certifications current without necessarily having to take a new exam.

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal.aspx

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