Thought That A+ Cert Was Good for Life? Think Again.

[Dr. Zhivago]

I'm speechless.

Original story: CompTIA is the computer industry group that oversees common certifications such as A+, Network+, and Server+, and its certifications have always been good indefinitely.

Not anymore. In a policy change announced this month, CompTIA dropped a bombshell on the hundreds of thousands of people who hold its certifications: those credentials are now good for only three years—and the change in policy is retroactive.
Damage control

CompTIA announced the change earlier this month. Over the last several years, CompTIA has had its certs accredited by the US-focused ANSI and then the internationally oriented ISO (yes, both groups actually "certify the certifiers"). Such accreditation means that CompTIA certs are more valuable to holders, but ANSI and ISO want to make sure that cert holders stay up to date. That meant changing CompTIA's longstanding policy that certs were good forever—and the move has enraged many who spent several hundred dollars on what they believed was a lifetime qualification.

The policy applies only to the A+, Network+, and Security+ exams; others are not affected "at this time." Exam certifications now carry a "valid through" date that is good for three years from the exam date.

Source: Ars Technica


Update: Aaaaaaaaaand they recapitulate.


CompTIA backs down; past certs remain valid for life

Chalk up a victory for nerd rage.

Less than a month after retroactively declaring that its A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications would expire three years after the testing date, industry group CompTIA has reversed its position. All current holders of A+, Network+, and Security+ certs will remain certified for life, as they were promised when they took the exams.

In addition, anyone who takes those exams during 2010 will remain certified for life. Starting in 2011, however, new certs will expire after three years. Holders who wish to maintain their certification will then have to pay an annual fee to CompTIA of $25 or $49 and will need to rack up sufficient continuing education credits to renew their certs.

The initial decision to retroactively invalidate certifications generated considerable anger among cert holders, which we described in today's story on the fiasco. An hour after our original report went live, CompTIA contacted us with news about the change.

CompTIA president Todd Thibodeaux, announcing the policy change, said, "We do not wish to disenfranchise any of the individuals who have supported our certification program. The right thing to do is honor our past commitment to those certified under our original 'certified for life' policy."

Under the new plan, CompTIA can still maintain its own ANSI/ISO accreditation (both groups require that industry certifications have some mechanisms for ongoing training). "Our ISO accreditation is extremely important to us because of the global credibility it carries," added Thibideaux.

The news does not yet appear on CompTIA's website, but we're told that all the details of the revamped program will soon be available online.

Source: Ars Technica

[VW_Factor]

Crap I tell ya.

[Uber_Tiny]

Crap I tell ya.

Couldn't agree more. It's time to get meh certs. Arrggh!

[Rayder]

You know, this actually makes sense to me. Technology progresses on a daily basis. Just because you were certified 3 years ago doesn't necessarily mean you know all about today's tech.

I'm sure the people who made the decision to limit it to 3 years have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes, but it DOES make sense to expect certified people to keep up with, and prove they are keeping up with, current technology. If you really have been keeping up, then being re-certified shouldn't be a problem. It's the peeps who haven't kept up that I would expect to be angered by this.

[@md_Guy]

You know, this actually makes sense to me. Technology progresses on a daily basis. Just because you were certified 3 years ago doesn't necessarily mean you know all about today's tech.

I'm sure the people who made the decision to limit it to 3 years have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes, but it DOES make sense to expect certified people to keep up with, and prove they are keeping up with, current technology. If you really have been keeping up, then being re-certified shouldn't be a problem. It's the peeps who haven't kept up that I would expect to be angered by this.

Yeah thats the way I feel too, even before getting certified I ran into MANY MANY A+ people who didn't know jack**** because they were "Certified" X many years ago (seems like 6+ is the cut off for complete morons). Technology progresses so should certification.. CPAs have to get re-certified (ok not really re-certified but they must renew their license) through continued education. So too should ANY of the + certification A+, Network+, System+ etc. I don't want some fool who hasn't re-upped since Windows for Workgroups (3.11) near me or anyone of my family/friends PCs.

[SteadVéx]

I did an A+ thingy a while ago, maybe 3-4 years ago? and i thought it was highly out of date then, the newest tech references reffered to the early P4 and windows 2000, i remember one of the teachers insisting netburt was the fastest architecture.

I have since had no use for its qualification either sinec no one seems to recongise it as something thats real, which i don't blame them as...

[Hippo]

I do agree, it should be every 3 years or so. But damn i still want the lifetime certs just in case...guess ill be getting those this year.

[Qb2k5]

I studied for my a+ from taking a nine month course. Thank god I passed in late 2007. There was no way in hell I would be taking it again as I plan to go for my network + later this year.

[wures7]

I know that in the IT industry, if you don't keep up to date with technology, you start to become stale. I took my A+ in September 2005 and my Network+ in December 2008. I've been in enough job interviews to know that employers usually ask technical questions to verify your knowledge. A college degree and some fancy certs just tells your potential employers off the bat that you're not a retard. In this economy, employers rather see proven abilities with recent work experience than fresh test passers.

[Nascar24]

You know, this actually makes sense to me. Technology progresses on a daily basis. Just because you were certified 3 years ago doesn't necessarily mean you know all about today's tech.

I'm sure the people who made the decision to limit it to 3 years have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes, but it DOES make sense to expect certified people to keep up with, and prove they are keeping up with, current technology. If you really have been keeping up, then being re-certified shouldn't be a problem. It's the peeps who haven't kept up that I would expect to be angered by this.

If that's the case then every one that worked to get their BS better get going and do it all over again. The same thing can be said about all education. This every 3 year thing is a joke. I am happy they resended it for a year as I take my second of my 2 A+ exams this Friday. I dont know I cant see having to take this over and over again every 3 years. You passed it once proving your knowledge and hopefully if your working your knowledge of new tech is ongoing.

[SteadVéx]

is the A+ different in america or something? as mine was just a multiple choice test, felt kidna ripped off when i actually did the test, and most of it is stuff you know just from using computers anyway. saying that I do remember a few people failing...

i even did an I+ by mistake as my tutor booked the wrong test for me and i still managed to pass it without knowing anything prior to it or even what it was about

after that experiance I just dismissed the comptia qualifications as a joke, still list them on my cv mind in hope i wasn't just throwing money away...

[Nascar24]

is the A+ different in america or something? as mine was just a multiple choice test, felt kidna ripped off when i actually did the test, and most of it is stuff you know just from using computers anyway. saying that I do remember a few people failing...

i even did an I+ by mistake as my tutor booked the wrong test for me and i still managed to pass it without knowing anything prior to it or even what it was about

after that experiance I just dismissed the comptia qualifications as a joke, still list them on my cv mind in hope i wasn't just throwing money away...

After passing the first test last week, I dont see just an avg. user just up and taking it and passing it. I have worked in IT for 8 years and know most of what they had on the test because of that but I really dont think just any computer user is going to walk in and pass it.

[wures7]

After passing the first test last week, I dont see just an avg. user just up and taking it and passing it. I have worked in IT for 8 years and know most of what they had on the test because of that but I really dont think just any computer user is going to walk in and pass it.

I agree. The certifications are easy if you know the answers. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be able to pass my A+ or Network+ without skimming through a cert book to memorize all the trivial details that an average repair or network tech probably wouldn't even know.

Questions like these:
What IRQ for such and such?
How many pins on a DIMM, VGA cable, serial port, IDE cable?
How big should your page file be?
Differences between a Northbridge and Southbridge.
All the different topologies with advantages and disadvantages.
Combinations of questions about the OSI layers.


I'd like to add that I still do see some employers list A+ on their requirements when they have tech positions open but rarely do I see Network+ or Security+. I only see combinations of A+, MCP, MCSE, or CCNA from employers.

[DarkSyde]

I agree. The certifications are easy if you know the answers. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be able to pass my A+ or Network+ without skimming through a cert book to memorize all the trivial details that an average repair or network tech probably wouldn't even know.

Questions like these:
What IRQ for such and such?
How many pins on a DIMM, VGA cable, serial port, IDE cable?
How big should your page file be?
Differences between a Northbridge and Southbridge.
All the different topologies with advantages and disadvantages.
Combinations of questions about the OSI layers.


I'd like to add that I still do see some employers list A+ on their requirements when they have tech positions open but rarely do I see Network+ or Security+. I only see combinations of A+, MCP, MCSE, or CCNA from employers.

A+ is pretty much the 'standard' entry level cert required by most employers. Even Best Buy requires it (which astounds me considering just how god awful their techs are).

An off-tangent true story... When I was in vocational college one of my classmates was having trouble with their computer after having a hard drive installed at Best Buy so our instructor had him bring it in. It was running really slow and windows was doing all kinds of crazy ****. After trying several possible solutions through software, we opened up the case. Lo and behold, the problem smacked us in the face and uncontrollable laughter ensued.

Some genius thought it would be a good idea to 'install' the drive with duct tape onto the power supply with the drives circuit board against the PSU...

[jlpktnst]

You know, this actually makes sense to me. Technology progresses on a daily basis. Just because you were certified 3 years ago doesn't necessarily mean you know all about today's tech.

I'm sure the people who made the decision to limit it to 3 years have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes, but it DOES make sense to expect certified people to keep up with, and prove they are keeping up with, current technology. If you really have been keeping up, then being re-certified shouldn't be a problem. It's the peeps who haven't kept up that I would expect to be angered by this.

It makes sense, BUT when you actually read you see certs will still be valid >3 years if you pay annually. Interesting concept. If people are willing to go with that...

[Dr. Zhivago]

It's a money-grab, nothing more. IMHO

[Nascar24]

It's a money-grab, nothing more. IMHO

But they claim it isn't, They are non-profit.

[Dr. Zhivago]

As long as they don't show a profit, it's true, right?

[Lupine]

Sounds like they're going to be busy in 2010.

[Nascar24]

Woohoo. A+ certified for LIFE. And there is no way just a regular user is going to pass these tests, I really didn't feel I did that great on the 2nd test with some of the questions they were asking but it turned out I did alright.

[dark_preacher]

Woohoo. A+ certified for LIFE. And there is no way just a regular user is going to pass these tests, I really didn't feel I did that great on the 2nd test with some of the questions they were asking but it turned out I did alright.

did my a+ certification in late 2006 early 2007 and i thought it was very easy. they must've changed the test up some.

guess i'll get network+ security+ this year just to have them forever.

[Nascar24]

Tests were updated sometime early 2007. As they have once again been updated for 2009.

I was very suprised when a UNIX question came up. And it wasn't one I had seen before studying for the test. That was just the tip of it. Many questions to some offbeat stuff. Not the simple stuff.

[SteadVéx]

did my a+ certification in late 2006 early 2007 and i thought it was very easy. they must've changed the test up some.

guess i'll get network+ security+ this year just to have them forever.

Tests were updated sometime early 2007. As they have once again been updated for 2009.

I was very suprised when a UNIX question came up. And it wasn't one I had seen before studying for the test. That was just the tip of it. Many questions to some offbeat stuff. Not the simple stuff.

I think I did mine in 2006, there were a lot of questions on IRQ's and memory addresses, but I started with computers in dos and just remembered a lot of it from back then, i'm glad to hear its gotten harder tho, Doesn't feel like I achieved anything when I passed mine

[Nascar24]

I think I did mine in 2006, there were a lot of questions on IRQ's and memory addresses, but I started with computers in dos and just remembered a lot of it from back then, i'm glad to hear its gotten harder tho, Doesn't feel like I achieved anything when I passed mine

Just on a side note a guy in the class I was in didn't pass the second test. he was more of the avg. user type, That was no surprise to me after taking it myself.

[mabran]

It's a money-grab, nothing more. IMHO

The ISO groups are the ones grabbing the money. ISO9001 etc,etc,etc...... The money they charge to standardize the companies is a crime but sadly many companies need them and figure if they shell out a ton of money they will follow what is established.

I've been Microsoft, Cisco and Citrix certified for years and I even was Oracle certified (let it lapse) and have dealt with updating for years so this is nothing new. Would you let a person certified in WinNT who has not updated in years touch your network? I know I wouldn't. Part of IT is staying current and certifications are one way to do it.

I know many A+ certified people but in many circles the cert is the butt of many jokes. Sure A+ is a good stepping stone but don't expect the top shelf IT job for having it. I know when I need to hire a consultant for my business when I need to meet some deadlines I am very picky and an A+ just won't cut it.

I really don't see why people are getting their panties in a bunch over it as any certification SHOULD be updated to prove one is current or as current as the certification program allows.

Anyone with experience in IT can walk into a small business and get a bottom of the barrel IT job but large companies want certs and experience and rightfully so. The proof is in the pudding and I'm not taking someones word that they know something, and while certs are not everything it is a good start and must be current.

There are a lot of people that feel just because they know it they should get the job but sadly even if one knows more than the other guy, if they have certs odds are they will get the job before the one without. All I can say is don't just claim to know it, prove to know it as well.

[cbsboyer]

Locally, A+ is pretty much ignored here as it is so out of date it is pretty much useless.

The issue with new certifications having to be updated and old certs being lifetime is that now there will effectively be two different A+ certifications, with the older being useless. Sure they may keep up with the times, but there are no guarantees, which means that there is no reason to take that certification seriously.

If I were hiring someone for a tech position I would most likely ignore the A+ issue entirely and have a practical second-round interview with some common and some obscure problems that I've had to deal with myself.

[gamefoo21]

Meh, Certifications Smertifications... I've met tards with an alphabet soup behind their name, and if the problem isn't identical to what they read in the book, they are screwed.

It's amazing, I find myself with nothing but a few Comptia certs, having to help guys who have spent a lot more fix what I think should be common sense.

[mabran]

Meh, Certifications Smertifications... I've met tards with an alphabet soup behind their name, and if the problem isn't identical to what they read in the book, they are screwed.

It's amazing, I find myself with nothing but a few Comptia certs, having to help guys who have spent a lot more fix what I think should be common sense.

That does happen and can't be denied however the same things can be said with college degrees. Some people are book smart but lack sense in how to apply what they read in the book.

Certifications are important and businesses value them accordingly. We live in a world filled with a lot of dishonest jerks. Can one find a job without certs? yes Can one find an excellent paying IT job without certs? not in my experience.

Also certs are not everything but it does say something to the character of the person as they took the initiative to better themselves rather then sit around even if they knew it. Companies love that stuff and they also value experience in the field as well. take one person with certs and experience and take another with just experience and the one with certs will normally have a higher salary.

It all depends what one wants to achieve. I spent a lot of time and money for my certifications and it has paid off well for me personally and professionally. Some companies won't even deal with people unless they have certifications in what they are looking for. It's a choice between no certs and less money potential or get the certs and a larger paycheck.

Either way this is about the A+ cert and it isn't like a high salary should be expected with that alone anyway.

[g-a-m-e]

You know, this actually makes sense to me. Technology progresses on a daily basis. Just because you were certified 3 years ago doesn't necessarily mean you know all about today's tech.

I'm sure the people who made the decision to limit it to 3 years have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes, but it DOES make sense to expect certified people to keep up with, and prove they are keeping up with, current technology. If you really have been keeping up, then being re-certified shouldn't be a problem. It's the peeps who haven't kept up that I would expect to be angered by this.

Of course it makes sense. (yes i'm serious)