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CompTIA Certifications Get a Retroactive Expiration Date
If you hold a CompTIA certification and are a little bit pleased that it will never expire, sorry to burst your bubble, but it may be getting close to doing just that.
Published January 13, 2009
By Anne Martinez
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A Change in Plans
Shortly after this article was published, CompTIA backed off its retroactive recertification plan and offered up a kinder, gentler alternative.
Read the update in the GoCertify blog. |
CompTIA recently quietly posted information on their website that, effective January 1, 2010, CompTIA A+, Security+, and Network+ certifications must be renewed every three years. This includes everyone who already holds one of these certifications as well as individuals who earn them going forward. Other CompTIA certifications, such as Linux+, are not affected - yet. Previously, there was no particular expiration date or recertification requirement, although updated certifications with new exams were made available from time to time.
According to CompTIA, the change was made for several reasons: First, to bring the CompTIA program procedures in line with those of other major certification vendors such as Cisco, Microsoft, and Oracle. Second, recertification is required for CompTIA's certifications to maintain the accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which these three designations received in 2008.
On the bright side, if you hold more than one of these certifications, you only have to renew the one at the highest level. For example, if you hold A+, Network+ and Security+, you only have to meet the Security+ renewal requirements.
It may also help to soften the blow for those with existing A+, Security+, or Network+ credentials to learn that this does not automatically mean that they have to purchase and pass additional exams. Although the renewal program has not been completed or rolled out yet it is not scheduled to open for enrollment until mid 2010 CompTIA has made quite a few details available on its website, a good move to try to avert panic among the certified masses, which include more than 700,000 on the A+ certification alone.
Achieving recertification is primarily accomplished through earning continuing education credits (CEUs), the number of which varies depending upon the certification. CompTIA A+ recertification requires 20 CEUs over the 3 year period, Network+ 30 CEUs, and Security+ 50 CEUs. Passing the latest exam(s) for your certification instantly meets the requirement. Passing a bridge (or upgrade) exam will also do the trick. CompTIA warns, however, that bridge exams are a temporary option and will be phased out beginning with Security+ in 2011.
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