Certification Watch Volume 8 #6

Certification news regarding a new Cisco Qualified Specialist title, the CCIE storage networking written exam, Linux+ and Network+ updates, Novell CLE9 certification, ISACA, PostgreSQL, and QuarkXPress certifications.

Published April 1, 2005
By Anne Martinez

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New Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist Certification

Cisco has just announced a new specialist-level certification for individuals who plan, install, configure, troubleshoot, and work with Cisco IP Contact Center Express Edition. To earn the Cisco IP Contact Center Express Specialist (CPCC) designation, candidates must first hold Cisco's CCNA title. Then they must pass the IP Contact Center Express Implementation Exam (IPCCX). The exam contains 55-65 questions and has a 75 minute time limit. A full exam description can be found on Cisco's website.

CCIE Storage Networking Written Exam Available

The written exam for Cisco's CCIE Storage Networking certification was released worldwide on March 17. The exam (#350-040) contains 100 multiple choice questions and has a two hour time limit. For the full exam blueprint, see Cisco's CCIE exam information.

New Linux+ Now Live, New Network+ Coming Soon

CompTIA's updated Linux+ exam became available in its final format on March 21, 2005. The revised CompTIA Linux+ exam covers approximately 90 percent of the problems that technicians, help desk staff, and system administrators routinely encounter today with commercial Linux applications from Novell's SUSE Linux, Red Hat, Mandrake, and TurboLinux. This updated version certifies an equivalent experience of six to 12 months with Linux, up from the original exam's experience level of six months. The revised exam gives greater weight to security, installation, configuration, and documentation, while decreasing emphasis on hardware. The older version of the exam, which tests against the 2001 Exam Objectives, will remain available as an alternative through the end of July 2005.

In other CompTIA news, a revised version of the Network+ exam is slated for a May 1, 2005 release.

Novell Announces Certified Linux Engineer 9 Certification

Novell has announced plans for a new Linux certification, which demonstrates mastery of advanced SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server administration skills. The new Certified Linux Engineer 9 (Novell CLE9) title is actually a revision of the original Novell CLE certification. Although Novell's original CLE title did not have the Certified Linux Professional (CLP) as a prerequisite, CLE9 candidates must first earn CLP9 certification, including passing the CLP9 hands-on practicum. To advance to the CLE9 title, another practicum is required. The CLE9 practicum is slated for a September 2005 release. For the latest on this certification, see Novell's website.

ISACA Exam Registration Extended

Due to very heavy demand causing a few delays, the ISACA has extended the 2005 CISA/CISM exam registration deadline to 4pm on April 4. The actual exam date is June 11, 2005. See ISACA's website to register.

New PostgreSQL Certification Program Launched

PostgreSQL CE (PostgreSQL Certified Engineer) is for individuals who are involved in PostgreSQL system development or management. The certifications are version specific, and available at two levels, silver and gold. The PostgreSQL CE 7.4 Silver certification is the first to go live, requiring one exam that covers Basic knowledge (10%), Administration (40%), and Development/SQL (50%). The exam costs $110 and testing is through Pearson Vue test centers. To learn more about the program, visit the PostgreSQL CE page.

New QuarkXPress Certification Available

Freelancers and businesses who want to demonstrate their technical expertise with QuarkXPress should take a look at the new QuarkXPress Certified Expert designation. The exams are administered online by Against the Clock, and are available with a choice of focus - either print media ($169) or print media and Web publishing ($179). Individuals who earn this title will receive a certificate and be included in the official online directory of QuarkXPress Certified Experts. See Quark's website for full details.

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

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