Updated PSA: CompTIA Backs down on retroactive lifetime cert changes.

[SunnyD]

Edit: It looks like CompTIA buckled. Updated info says they won't be retroactively applying the changes. New certifications will fall under the rules however.

Link

Relevant parts quoted for you all.

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.

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.

CompTIA charges a $25 or $49 annual fee to remain certified.

Dig a little deeper, however, and you will find that holders of older certifications may in fact have to take a new exam after all. According to CompTIA's FAQ on the new program, it covers only those "who are certified in the latest version of the CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ exams, as well as those certified in the CompTIA A+ 700 and 600 series exams." If you passed a previous version of the test, you'll need to take "the most current applicable exam to be eligible to enroll in the continuing education program."

 

[nick1985]

ouch

 

[Wheezer]

well sumbitch.......

 

[ViviTheMage]

They want more money.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Meh. Those certs aren't worth much anyway. I was required to get an A+ certification for my job way back in 1996 or 1997, and it was worthless then too. No way I'd spend even 5 minutes considering taking another test to "renew" my A+ certification.

 

[Platypus]

lol A+

 

[IndyColtsFan]

lol A+

This.

 

[QueBert]

Meh. Those certs aren't worth much anyway. I was required to get an A+ certification for my job way back in 1996 or 1997, and it was worthless then too. No way I'd spend even 5 minutes considering taking another test to "renew" my A+ certification.

2 years go I got a job with Sony fixing laptops, not what I'd consider a super high level job. But at $16.50 an hour to start it was pretty decent pay. They wouldn't have interviewed me if I wasn't A+ certified, the interviewer told me this. For a lower level tech job A+ is still almost universally required. If you already have your foot in the door that doesn't matter for shit. But for those looking to get in the door, A+ is a great starter cert.

 

[dougp]

2 years go I got a job with Sony fixing laptops, not what I'd consider a super high level job. But at $16.50 an hour to start it was pretty decent pay. They wouldn't have interviewed me if I wasn't A+ certified, the interviewer told me this. For a lower level tech job A+ is still almost universally required. If you already have your foot in the door that doesn't matter for shit. But for those looking to get in the door, A+ is a great starter cert.

I don't see why they'd make it retroactive - just "upgrade" it and give it more recognition. All this will do is put a bad taste in some people's mouthes and they will perhaps look elsewhere for such certifications.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

2 years go I got a job with Sony fixing laptops, not what I'd consider a super high level job. But at $16.50 an hour to start it was pretty decent pay. They wouldn't have interviewed me if I wasn't A+ certified, the interviewer told me this. For a lower level tech job A+ is still almost universally required. If you already have your foot in the door that doesn't matter for shit. But for those looking to get in the door, A+ is a great starter cert.

Yeah, if my job required it I'd get one or renew it, but that is the only value of the actual cert -- getting your foot in the door of a place the requires it. Otherwise, the test is worthless and isn't indicative of a superior level of computer knowledge.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Most people who work in IT will either get more experience or higher certs, so re-certifying won't be an issue. I doubt I will ever re-certify as I hold higher certs.

The policy applies to A+, Network+, and Security+ are the ones that will be affected by this policy.

 

[ScottyB]

Class action law suit?

 

[rudder]

What the hell? Spent my whole life mastering VESA and ISA crap and learning which jumpers to set to avoid any IRQ conflicts...and these bastards are saying that knowledge is no longer relevant? Piss on them.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

well wtf. i actually went looking for my old A+ cert i took back in 2001 for a job i applied for. cant find it of course and its not listed on the CompTIA site. So i guess its worthless now and looking for it was a waste of time.
I was contemplating taking it again. No i guess i'll have to if anyone else requires it.

 

[vi edit]

Yeah, if my job required it I'd get one or renew it, but that is the only value of the actual cert -- getting your foot in the door of a place the requires it. Otherwise, the test is worthless and isn't indicative of a superior level of computer knowledge.

No exam is indicative of superior knowledge, but they certainly help narrow down applicant pools. If you have two people with similar degrees and interview experience, the guy who has the extra couple initials gets the bump. It just shows that you actually took the extra step and put your money where your mouth is.

In many jobs I've been on both sides of the interview table, the certification isn't about the material, it's about the initiative.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

No exam is indicative of superior knowledge, but they certainly help narrow down applicant pools. If you have two people with similar degrees and interview experience, the guy who has the extra couple initials gets the bump. It just shows that you actually took the extra step and put your money where your mouth is.

In many jobs I've been on both sides of the interview table, the certification isn't about the material, it's about the initiative.

Very true. We all know "paper" systems engineers, I suppose.

 

[spidey07]

Good. I have to renew/retest my cisco certs every 3 years or I lose them. And accredited certification in any industry requires constant education, mandatory training and retesting to keep them relevant - it's not just a money grab.

 

[QueBert]

Yeah, if my job required it I'd get one or renew it, but that is the only value of the actual cert -- getting your foot in the door of a place the requires it. Otherwise, the test is worthless and isn't indicative of a superior level of computer knowledge.

That's true for any certification. A+ might be one of the easier certs to get, but I know plenty of MS certified people who took a crapload of tests and still are pretty stupid. Actually, I'd say the smartest computer people I know have the least about of certs, a few have none. A+ is a lower level MCP/MSCE. Good for helping you get your foot in the door, but not a real indication of anything except you can memorize shit and pass an exam on it.
I had an MSCE tell me to try and update the cd rom drivers on my windows XP to get XP to recognize it (when it was broke) MCSE people are worthless when it comes to superior levels of computer knowledge

Good. I have to renew/retest my cisco certs every 3 years or I lose them. And accredited certification in any industry requires constant education, mandatory training and retesting to keep them relevant - it's not just a money grab.

this is fine and all, I even agree. But, when I got my A+ it was "lifetime" according to CompTIA. If they had said "needs updating every 3 years" I'd be okay with this announcement. This is horseshit though. They should have made this new policy effect new people, I've had A+ for like a decade and a half now. Now all of a sudden they're taking it away from me.

 

[JD50]

If you're still relying on your A+ after three years then you fail at IT and should probably consider a career change.

 

[gorcorps]

Class action law suit?

Did they do anything illegal?

 

[Gibson486]

I know it is a pretty useless test, but why would you not retest? After all, everything is almost constantly changing now.

 

[SunnyD]

FYI: I don't care because I don't have any certs aside from the two my colleges gave me. I believe they're called "Degrees".

Just putting this info out there for those that still rely on their certs especially in this job market.

 

[QueBert]

Did they do anything illegal?

How can they just up and chance a policy? I understand if they said people who get A+ after today will have to retest every 3 years. But when I took the tests it was lifetime. To me lifetime has only one meaning. But I suppose if Verizon can get away with saying "unlimited data" and only letting you use 5 gigs a month. Then CompTIA might not be doing anything illegal here. I think it's pretty shitty of them though.

 

[Gibson486]

just read more...

so you have to pay $50 a year and take a stupid test? What is the big deal? If you are in that field and you cannot afford to pony up the $50, then do not go in that field.

If you have your PE, you pay much more and in some states, you have to jump through hoops to renew the thing.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

How can they just up and chance a policy? I understand if they said people who get A+ after today will have to retest every 3 years. But when I took the tests it was lifetime. To me lifetime has only one meaning. But I suppose if Verizon can get away with saying "unlimited data" and only letting you use 5 gigs a month. Then CompTIA might not be doing anything illegal here. I think it's pretty shitty of them though.

Yeah, if you recall, Microsoft used to expire MCSEs as well. There was such an uproar that Microsoft changed the policy and started naming the different tracks. For example, if you got an MCSE: Windows 2000, you were an MCSE in Windows 2000 and that would not expire. That is probably the best approach but I am not sure how they would do that with an A+.

At any rate, the certs are just good to get you in the door. Experience is the factor that trumps any cert you can get. I've known plenty of paper MCSEs, etc. in my career. The guys with actual experience are the ones you go to.