Updates to CompTIA Certifications

1. CompTIA Education Update
Alan Rowland
Education Manager
CompTIA

2. Welcome to the CompTIA 2010 Update
Alan Rowland
Business Development Manager, Education
CompTIA
Today’s goal is to share information about
CompTIA’s education related products and
programs, inform you of upcoming changes
and answer your questions.

3. About CompTIA
CompTIA is the leading association representing
the international technology community. Our
goal is to provide a unified voice, global
advocacy and leadership, and to advance
industry growth through standards,
professional competence, education and
business solutions.

4. Education To Careers program
Launched in the late 1990’s, the Education to Careers program is
a collection of benefits and services designed to assist educators
promote the value of certification as an educational outcome.
The goal of the E2C program is to remove or reduce financial and
other barriers of obtaining certification
Educational institutions purchase an Association membership to
take advantage of CompTIA benefits and services
School members may develop partnership opportunities with
testing partners, computer recycling programs, etc

5. Education To Careers program
Three main barriers to certification are cost, fear of failure and
lack of access to a convenient test center.
Our market is about evenly split with half high schools and half
two year post secondary schools
Overall – 12-15% of students in courses attempt a CompTIA
certification test. Ratio is higher in post secondary education
Currently almost 750 member schools in the US
Only 14 JobCorps locations

6. Education to Careers -
Membership evolving to Partnership
What is happening?
CompTIA’s mission is to represent the technology industry. Over
time we have included related business as members.
In 2010, non-technology based members will be migrated to the…
CompTIA Authorized Partner Program
CAPP will be organized around business roles – Content Provider,
Training Partners, Education, etc. Partners will continue to be
supported by CompTIA program staff
Education Partner Program
Will launch in Q1 of 2011. Existing members will be migrated to
Partner status at their renewal date.
A new fee structure will be announced that will lower the annual
dues for most Education partners ($500 per member)

7. CompTIA A+ Exam Update
Exam status
• As of Sept 1, 2010, only the 2009 version of the A+ test is available .
• CERTIFIED FOR LIFE - any candidate who passes on or before Dec 31,
2010 will hold a certification that never expires
• The marketplace will continue to nudge IT professionals toward the
most current and relevant certifications.

8. CompTIA A+ Exam Update
A+ Certification Renewal
• After Jan 1, 2011, a certification will have to be renewed every three years or
the candidate’s certified status will lapse.
• Candidates may simply re-test on the most current exam, or may complete
tasks from the continuing education process to be announced.
• Designed to ensure that an individuals skills are current and relevant
• A variety of options for skill updating will be provided
• The Renewal program provides great opportunities for school members to offer
update prep courses to former students.

9. Certification Renewal Policy Summary
If certified on or before 12/31/10 – “Good for Life”
• certificate will not expire and will not have an expiration date
• must enroll in CE on or before 12/31/12 to participate
• choose to enroll in CE they have three years from the date of enrollment to
complete their CE activities and earn the appropriate level of units. Upon completion of
the CE program (i.e. earning the appropriate level of units and paying all program dues prior to
program expiration) they will receive a new ANSI accredited exam(s) certificate, but will also
retain their “Good for Life” certificate.
• if not enrolled in CE on or before 12/31/12 to participate in CE will require the
individual to retake and pass a CE exam in order to opt back into the CE program
If certified on or after 1/1/11 – Not “Good for Life”
• certificate will expire three years from the date certified
• three years from date certified to complete CE requirements
• candidates that allow their certification to expire must retake and pass the current
CE exam(s) in order to opt back into the CE program

10. CompTIA Continuing Education Program
•CE program launch targeted for Q4 2010, including online submission and
tracking system
• CE participants are subject to an audit at any time during CE program
enrollment – therefore submission records are important
• Qualifying CE activities must have been completed no earlier than 90 days
prior to starting a CE cycle
• Based on DOD feedback we will be implementing Max units per activities –
TBD based on current discussions
• Individuals will be enrolled into the CE program that is for the highest
CompTIA level certification held, therefore if they hold CompTIA A+,
Network+ and Security+ they will only need to participate in CE for Security+
to keep all three certifications current

11. Other Exam Updates
What about other CompTIA Exams?
• Currently, only A+, Network+ and Security+ are affected by the 3-year
certification expiration rule.
• Linux+ is changing from a one test to a two test certification this fall. We have
partnered with the Linux Professional Institute to combine the best parts of
our exam content to release Linux+, Powered by LPI
• Strata certificate exams have been released
• New exam programs are being explored
• A new exam roadmap will soon debut that will clearly articulate the vision for
CompTIA certification programs and products

12. What is CompTIA Strata?
• Strata is CompTIA’s certificate program that offers
credentials for entry-level to advanced IT professionals
• Strata certificates validate knowledge in several IT
subjects, including Green IT, Technical Sales and entry-
level PC concepts
• Strata certificate holders can work in a wide variety of
industries, such as: healthcare, biotechnology, graphic
design, music and digital video production, Green IT,
finance and more

13. Who should take the Strata exam?
• Individuals seeking a new career in IT
• Students new to the job market
• Professionals in technology or
technology sales careers
• Individuals considering CompTIA A+ or
other IT industry certifications
• Certified IT career professionals who
want to enhance their credentials (e.g.
Green IT)

14. CompTIA Strata – Specialized Exams
Certificate holders can implement
environmentally sound techniques in:
• Disposal
• Preservation of power
• Reduction of an organization’s carbon
footprint
• Virtualization on IT systems
• Calculations of ROI involved in Green IT
initiatives
Green IT

15. • Cost-effective exams
– Strata exams from $99
– Academic price - $59
• Condensed Training Time
– Comprehensive study in as little as 2 days
– Flexible options for instructor-led or self-paced training
CompTIA Strata:
A Small Investment for a Large Return

16. Exam Target
Candidates
Hands-On
Experience
Required
Exam
Purpose
Next Steps or
Potential Career
Outcomes
Credential
Earned
Number of
Exams
 High School
Students
 Community
College Students
 Job Changers
None Demonstrates
basic knowledge
of computer
terminology and
functionality
 Train for A+ and
other
professional IT
certifications.
 Internship to
gain hands-on
experience
Certificate of
Achievement
1 exam
70 questions
 High School
Students
 Community
College Students
 University
Students
 IT Professionals
Minimum
500 hours
lab or field
experience
Validates
technical skills
in installation,
preventative
maintenance,
networking and
troubleshooting
 Train for
Network+, and
other
professional IT
certifications
 Become a
candidate for
entry-level job
roles such as
Help Desk
Technician,
Depot/Bench
Technician
Professional
Certification
2 exams
100 questions
each exam
A+ and Strata IT Fundamentals Comparison

17. Strata IT Fundamentals A+ Essentials A+ Practical Application
Hardware
Identify, and explain PC vocabulary and
functions
Categorize, explain, compare, install PC's and
laptops
Install, configure & maintain and repair/replace
PC's, laptops and printers.
Troubleshooting, Repair and Maintenance
Recognize common operational problems
Explain: troubleshooting theory, common
PC/laptop hardware, OS and printer sypmtoms
Troubleshoot connectivity issues
Integrate common preventative maintenance
techniques
Differentiate between Window OS directory
structures
Evaluate and resolve common issues
O.S and Software
Demonstrate ability to set up a basic PC
workstation
Compare and contrast Windows O.S Select commands, utilities and evaluate results
Install basic software Demonstrate proper OS usage Evaluate, resolve OS issues
Networking
Identify wireless networking terms Categorize network types and cables Install and configure a small home office
Troubleshoot client-side connectivity issues
Security
Recognize security risks and ways to prevent
them
Explain basic principles of security. Prevent, torubleshoot and remove viruses
Summarize security features
Implement security measures and troubleshoot
common issues
Operational Procedure
Identify basic hardware compatibility issues and
operational problems caused by hardware
Apply appropriate safety and environmental
features
Identify Green techniques, equipment and
procedures
Demonstrate appropriate communication and
professionalism
Strata IT Fundamentals and A+ Objective Comparison

18. Other CompTIA news
Breakaway
– A unique track of sessions specifically designed for
educators by educators will be held at this annual
conference in Washington, D.C
– SAVE THE DATE - August 1-4, 2011
Testing Centers
– We constantly encourage schools to open an on
campus test site
– Both Prometric and Pearson VUE will work with you to
start a site at your campus

19. Q & A
What questions do you have about….??
• A+ certification renewal
• Strata - a certificate, not a certification
• Misc – testing center, Breakaway Conference
• Other..

20. THANK YOU!
For More Information!
• Alan Rowland
Business Development Manager-Education
CompTIA
317- 456-2526
arowland@comptia.org
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