Certification Watch: Avaya, TIA Give Credit for Other's Exam

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In a move is intended to reduce redundancy in training and certification requirements in the telecommunications industry, Avaya Inc. and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) will recognize each other’s entry-level exams as equivalent.

Starting immediately, Avaya will recognize the vendor-neutral TIA Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) certification exam as equivalent to Avaya’s Communications Networking exam — the core requirement of the Avaya Certified Associate (ACA) certification — and TIA will recognize Avaya’s Communications Networking exam as equivalent to its CTP exam.

To learn more about the CTP certification see GoCertify’s CTP page.

For the Avaya certification program, see the Avaya page.

CCIE Lab Exams to Move to IOS 12.2, Add 3700 Series Router

From July 7 to Aug. 31, the CCIE program will be migrating to IOS 12.2 from IOS 12.1. During this time frame the exams will still be based on IOS 12.1 content and objectives. The features and commands specific to 12.2 will begin being tested on Sept. 1. On July 7, Cisco will also be adding the 3700 series router to all CCIE lab locations.

Dates for Retiring Cisco Exams Posted

Cisco has posted the dates by which candidates must register if they wish to take several exams that are slated for imminent retirement. Sept. 7 is the last date to register for the following exams: 640-901 BSCI (to be replaced by 643-801 BSCI); 640-604 Switching (to be replaced by 643-811 BCMSN); 640-905 MCAST + QoS (replaced by 642-641 QoS); 640-605 Remote Access (replaced by 643-821 BCRAN); and 640-606 Support (replaced by 643-831 CIT).

Candidates who wish to take the 640-025 CID exam must register by July 25, after which 643-871 ARCH will take its place. Once you register, you have up to 45 days to take the exam.

CompTIA A+ Certification Hits 10th Anniversary

CompTIA’s successful A+ certification program, used by many as an entry-point into computer certification or as springboard to a computer technician position, reaches its ten year anniversary this month. The program, first launched in 1993, is on track to have certified nearly half a million individuals by the end of this year.

The A+ certification program, which consists of hardware and operating system exams, has been updated several times to keep pace with changing technology. The next exam update, which will incorporate coverage of the latest developments in personal computer memory, bus, peripherals, wireless, and the Me and XP operating systems, is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2003.
Information on the A+ program can be found on GoCertify.com at:
http://www.gocertify.com/certification/Aplus.shtml

New WebSphere Certification from IBM

The new IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere MQ V5.3 is an intermediate-level certification for individuals who design WebSphere MQ applications based upon high level architectural designs; develop WebSphere MQ applications and exits; and test and debug WebSphere applications and exits. It requires passing one exam (Test 297) and will replace Test 097, MQSeries Application Design. Test 097 will be retired Aug. 25. IBM exams are available through Prometric and VUE test centers.

MCP Welcome Kits No Longer Automatic

Starting late in May 2003, Microsoft Corp. changed its process for distributing welcome kits to newly certified individuals. Instead of receiving a welcome kit (with logo, certificate, id card) automatically upon passing a certification exam, candidates will receive an email with instructions for ordering the kit from the MCP Secured Web site.

That’s all for this edition of Certification Watch. Please keep your
certification news and tips coming to news@gocertify.com.

Anne Martinez is the author of Cheap Web Tricks: Build and Promote a Successful Web Site Without Spending A Dime and Get Certified and Get Ahead. She also is the founder of GoCertify.com.