Thought that A+ cert was good for life? Think again

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 01:42 PM

From Ars Technica:

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.

As someone who was planning on getting A+ certified either this year or next ... I am shocked. Better make the most of this and have my employer pay for it now since future employers may not be willing to pay for my renewal!

**GroundZero3** · January 26th, 2010, 02:04 PM

I never understood why they were good for life. Technology has changed so much since I took the A+ (it had information about the ISA bus

), I wont feel sad to to take it off my resume

However I think an annual renewal cheapens the certification.

*Oh I just remembered I have the network+ too!

**butch81385** · January 26th, 2010, 02:24 PM

I would be a fan of CE credits. Requiring a certain amount of relate Continuing Education every so often would ensure that people at least attempt to keep up.

Pretty much every certification in my field (building engineering) is like this (PE, LEED, Code Certification, etc.). Can be a pain, but if you want to stay in the business it is necessary and eventually helpful.

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

I never understood why they were good for life. Technology has changed so much since I took the A+ (it had information about the ISA bus

), I wont feel sad to to take it off my resume

However I think an annual renewal cheapens the certification.

*Oh I just remembered I have the network+ too!

If memory serves ... they still may put in ISA bus questions as there is more then one computer still in production SOMEWHERE that uses it.

**GroundZero3** · January 26th, 2010, 02:38 PM

I think if those were the only certs I had I would be a little annoyed, and yeah I can see people saying "WELL YOU SAID FOREVER" and getting angry. But come on all other IT certs require a re-certification. Grow up and move into how the rest of the IT world operates.

To be honest im surprised the COMPTIA certs have lasted this long.

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

I think if those were the only certs I had I would be a little annoyed, and yeah I can see people saying "WELL YOU SAID FOREVER" and getting angry. But come on all other IT certs require a re-certification. Grow up and move into how the rest of the IT world operates.

To be honest im surprised the COMPTIA certs have lasted this long.

I will agree on part but offer this as a rebuttle ...

One of the things that CompTia knew and understood about their certifications is that it was not a well respected in terms or ranking vs other certs. This is an entry level cert that builds the foundation for further certifications. You woldnt expect to get a MS System Architect cert without first getting some Server certs.

The idea that i have to polish up on the most rudimentary of knowledge when i have advanced MS certs is rather demeaning. They also didn't give specific details on how the CE program works so i would want to know more about that before i completely judge.

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 05:59 PM

CompTIA backs down; past certs remain valid for life

Update ... Looks like you have this year to get a cert and keep it for life!

**GroundZero3** · January 26th, 2010, 06:11 PM

lulz

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

lulz

Amazing how a wee bit of public outrage and such will change your mind

**GroundZero3** · January 26th, 2010, 06:36 PM

Meh like I said I could careless about my COMPTIA certs. I sent my resume off to my old boss today, and it was funny he was like "Why do you put your COMPTIA certs in your resume still?" I just laughed and said dunno.

I can understand the outrage for those who hold those certs for dear life but its all silly. A cert should expire forcing the person to keep up with it.

**nemowolf** · January 26th, 2010, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by GroundZero3

Meh like I said I could careless about my COMPTIA certs. I sent my resume off to my old boss today, and it was funny he was like "Why do you put your COMPTIA certs in your resume still?" I just laughed and said dunno.

I can understand the outrage for those who hold those certs for dear life but its all silly. A cert should expire forcing the person to keep up with it.

The problem is that you have to pay an ANNUAL fee AND do work to keep it for the three years then renew. Otherwise you have to retake the test all over again for another three years.

**Aaron_8015** · January 26th, 2010, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by nemowolf

CompTIA backs down; past certs remain valid for life

Update ... Looks like you have this year to get a cert and keep it for life!

This is good, was hoping to take this in the next couple of months......

**SeanC** · January 27th, 2010, 03:10 PM

Yeah it never did make sense for the certs to last for life. Now they're introducing new technology all the time and different ways to use existing tech.

Saying you're A+ certified from 2003 (like I am) is pointless since there's been a lot of new tech and OS's that has come since then.

Thanks for reminding me, I need to take A+ and Net+ off my resume. 10 years of experience doing Unix admin and transaction processing system means those don't apply for me anymore.

**maface** · January 28th, 2010, 08:39 PM

I got my A+ and Server+ ages ago but I'm keeping it on the resume. I guess it doesn't hurt to have it on. I have been in the IT field for awhile so it probably doesn't help much but what the heck I earned it.

**nemowolf** · February 4th, 2010, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by SeanC

Yeah it never did make sense for the certs to last for life. Now they're introducing new technology all the time and different ways to use existing tech.

Saying you're A+ certified from 2003 (like I am) is pointless since there's been a lot of new tech and OS's that has come since then.

Thanks for reminding me, I need to take A+ and Net+ off my resume. 10 years of experience doing Unix admin and transaction processing system means those don't apply for me anymore.

Originally Posted by maface

I got my A+ and Server+ ages ago but I'm keeping it on the resume. I guess it doesn't hurt to have it on. I have been in the IT field for awhile so it probably doesn't help much but what the heck I earned it.

Contrasting opinions ... who is right though? Honestly, i think both of you are.

**Nude_Lewd_Man** · February 4th, 2010, 06:32 PM

I've got A+ certs, but I don't even bother to put them on.....not since I've got multiple M$ ones anyway...

I've got A+ Hardware, and

I've got A+ Software

They don't really mean anything that much to me...

**SeanC** · February 4th, 2010, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by nemowolf

Contrasting opinions ... who is right though? Honestly, i think both of you are.

I think both of us are right. It's your resume, so its up to you if you want to put it on. If you think it will still help you keep it on.

For the types of jobs I'd be looking for neither of those certs would help me.

**nemowolf** · February 10th, 2010, 01:47 PM

So i finally got around to opening the A+ certification book i bought two years ago ... I know, time flies. So i took the assesment test to see if there was an area that i specifically needed help in, i got 26/40 or 65% right. Wow ... So not good.