Although Sesame Street’s Kermit the Frog says it’s not easy being green, it’s certainly getting easier. Now IT professionals can demonstrate that they know all about being green from an IT perspective by earning the newest credential from CompTIA, named CompTIA Strata – Green IT. This is intended to demonstrate knowledge of techniques such as disposal, preservation of power, and reduction of an organization’s carbon footprint. A timely credential, especially useful as a blueprint for learning about such things from an IT perspective.

Although earning this designation does require passing a proctored exam, as do other CompTIA certifications, I can’t help but note that this is designated a certificate rather than a certification. This of course brings up the old question – certificate vs. certification, where is the line drawn? We at GoCertify have generally placed it around whether someone must attend a seminar or training of some kind sponsored by the vendor of the credential (with or without an exam at the end) or if they can challenge the exam(s) based on their own experience and training. Since the new Strata certificates from CompTIA don’t follow this model, I asked CompTIA what the difference is, from their perspective. Essentially, it boils down to that the credentials that are deemed certificates are significantly less in-depth than the certifications are, even though both require proctored exams; that, and the certificates can either be very entry-level or closely focused on new and emerging technologies. So the Strata IT Fundamentals certificate might be ideal for someone not ready to take on the full-blown A+ certification, while the Green IT certificate could make a good add-on for an already accomplished IT professional.

Still a little cloudy on the difference? Well, me too, but terminology aside, the CompTIA Strata – Green IT certificate is definitely worth a look.