CompTIA Reneges, Reconsiders on Lifetime Certifications

garg0yle writes "Recently, it was reported that IT certification house CompTIA had changed their A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications — rather than being 'for life,' there would now be a recertification requirement through continuing-education credits (and an accompanying fee). Needless to say, this made a lot of people very unhappy, and today it was announced that CompTIA has reversed their decision. Basically, any certification obtained before 2011 will still be 'for life.'" Ars notes the coincidence that CompTIA contacted them about the change of heart an hour after Ars's story about CompTIA's initial switcheroo went live.

Comments

Where's your Evidence?

[spun]

What company do you recommend? Personally, I've found CompTIA certs a useful part of my portfolio of credentials. Not the only part, of course, but worth the money. I've heard people complain that all certifications are worthless, or some are, but I've never seen any evidence. Where's your evidence? Or is this less about evidence and more about polishing your knob?

Re:Where's your Evidence?

[bdmorgan]

Thanks to braindumps people can just memorize the questions so you'll have MCSEs wondering why DHCP isn't working and they forgot to authorize the server.

Thanks, man. I've been fighting with this DHCP issue for, like, three weeks now.

Warning!

[Anonymous Coward]

The new terms on the "for life" certifications give them the right to kill you as termination of contract.

that would be so much bullshit

[jollyreaper]

Certs already have a natural shelf life. Stuff like A+ and Security+ get you in the industry's door. Microsoft certs naturally expire as new products come out. You don't have to say MCSE NT is expired, employers will ask you for your MCSE 2008. And of course you'll try to explain to them that there's no MCSE anymore, it's an MCITP and they'll say "Yeah, well you go and get your MCSE 2008 and get back to us."

My 1337 386 skillz are still valid!

[Tmack]

W00! this means my A+ from 1995 is still good! Im gona make mad $$ since I know how to boot DOS and unplug keyboards and monitors... I even know how to install a 386sx and 30pin simms!

(not really, Im lame cause I never got my A+, just a job as a sysadmin)

Re:CompTIA

[hduff]

And what good is an MBA?

You avoid standing with the Liberal Arts undegrads in the unemployment line, i.e. you get your own special Hell.

The new meaning of "Lifetime Certification"

[idontgno]

It used to be that CompTIA's cert never needed renewal.

Then someone realized that a "lifetime" technology certification is as valuable as 25-year-old bread, CompTIA changed to say you'd need re-certification periodically.

But, of course, that didn't fly with the armies of A+ drones who paid good money for their "lifetime" certification.

CompTIA's new position is, once again, the A+ is good for "lifetime". However, they're sticking to the position that technology moves too fast for an old cert to be still good.

The compromise position? Once enough time and progress has elapsed since your cert was issued, CompTIA's elite certification ninja team assassinates you. Your cert was, therefore, good for your "lifetime".

Re:CompTIA

[oldhack]

And getting laid. Oh, sorry, wrong room.

Re:CompTIA

[Anonymous Coward]

As for being able to think intelligently, you either are able to or you're not

And for those who can't, there is always the option of going MBA.