Which VMware certification is right for me?

2URGSE

I've spent the past 1.5 years working in Hyperconverged Storage / VMware environment and been told I need to up my game with certifications. 

I looked at VMware's website but found it to be very poorly put together, I searched in Google as well.

From what I gathered, the structure is similar to Cisco's certification where you have associate, professional and expert.

I also understand some of these exams require a mandatory class in order for the certification to be recognized.

My questions are:

1. Can I start with the Professional exam rather than the Associate?

2. How much is the class and can anyone take it ?

3. How long is the certification good for?

nevermore

Found this online regarding the VMware recertification policy:

https://campaign.vmware.com/imgs/edu/VMware_Recertification_Rollback_FAQ.pdf?mid=24574&eid=CVMW2000040970082

Q. What is changing about the VMware recertification policy?
A. VMware is removing the requirement to recertify their VCP certifications within a two year period. Industry research confirms the importance of keeping your skills and certifications current, but VMware will no longer mandate when to recertify. We will leave that decision up to each individual candidate.

Q. Why is VMware removing the two-year recertification requirement?
A. The most compelling reason is that we want VMware certifications to match the needs of each candidate. Many candidates recertify every two years and upgrade their environments to the latest versions. Others maintain older products and do not yet need experience with the new versions. While holding the most current certification is the best way to keep your skills relevant, the recertification policy will no longer mandate when an individual must update their certification(s). We want to allow each person the flexibility to do what best supports their individual and organizational needs.

Q. Are there changes to any other certifications other than the VMware Certified Professional (VCP)?
A. VCP certifications were the only VMware certifications that had a mandatory two-year recertification requirement. This change does not affect the other certification levels.



Hopefully someone more up on the VMware certifications can speak more on the topic

cs8400

1. Yes, you'll need a foundation exam if you have no previous VMware cert.
2. Official training is pricey. Stanley CC and Wayne CC offer ICM classes will allow you to take the VCP exam and offer a good discount of 70%. Believe they were about $150 or so. I've taken all 3 in various forms over the years and all were good.
3. They removed the 2 year recert requirement.

scott28tt

1. Yes, and is what the vast majority of people do - VCP is the starting point (but has a training requirement)

2. There are 2 types of training providers - commercial training companies (VMware Authorised Training Centers) and academic institutions (VMware IT Academies). If you’re paying for your own training, VITAs are an option, otherwise use a VATC. Costs vary regardless of the type of provider. VITAs are cheaper, but the training will run over a couple of months. VATCs offer classes over a 5-day period, the requirements for their instructors are higher and more robust.

3. Since recertification was dropped, a certification is theoretically good forever - realistically the value diminishes over time (my VCP on vSphere 4 is much less relevant now than when I got it)

nevermore

Found this online regarding the VMware recertification policy:

https://campaign.vmware.com/imgs/edu/VMware_Recertification_Rollback_FAQ.pdf?mid=24574&eid=CVMW2000040970082

Q. What is changing about the VMware recertification policy?
A. VMware is removing the requirement to recertify their VCP certifications within a two year period. Industry research confirms the importance of keeping your skills and certifications current, but VMware will no longer mandate when to recertify. We will leave that decision up to each individual candidate.

Q. Why is VMware removing the two-year recertification requirement?
A. The most compelling reason is that we want VMware certifications to match the needs of each candidate. Many candidates recertify every two years and upgrade their environments to the latest versions. Others maintain older products and do not yet need experience with the new versions. While holding the most current certification is the best way to keep your skills relevant, the recertification policy will no longer mandate when an individual must update their certification(s). We want to allow each person the flexibility to do what best supports their individual and organizational needs.

Q. Are there changes to any other certifications other than the VMware Certified Professional (VCP)?
A. VCP certifications were the only VMware certifications that had a mandatory two-year recertification requirement. This change does not affect the other certification levels.



Hopefully someone who is more familiar with VMware certifications can provide feedback on your other questions.  

nevermore

Found this online regarding the VMware recertification policy:

https://campaign.vmware.com/imgs/edu/VMware_Recertification_Rollback_FAQ.pdf?mid=24574&eid=CVMW2000040970082

Q. What is changing about the VMware recertification policy?
A. VMware is removing the requirement to recertify their VCP certifications within a two year period. Industry research confirms the importance of keeping your skills and certifications current, but VMware will no longer mandate when to recertify. We will leave that decision up to each individual candidate.

Q. Why is VMware removing the two-year recertification requirement?
A. The most compelling reason is that we want VMware certifications to match the needs of each candidate. Many candidates recertify every two years and upgrade their environments to the latest versions. Others maintain older products and do not yet need experience with the new versions. While holding the most current certification is the best way to keep your skills relevant, the recertification policy will no longer mandate when an individual must update their certification(s). We want to allow each person the flexibility to do what best supports their individual and organizational needs.

Q. Are there changes to any other certifications other than the VMware Certified Professional (VCP)?
A. VCP certifications were the only VMware certifications that had a mandatory two-year recertification requirement. This change does not affect the other certification levels.



Hopefully someone who is more familiar with VMware certifications can provide feedback on your other questions.  

ClickClack

Your hold a CCENT so are you going to earn a CCNA soon?  If you hold a current CCNA, you can sit for the VCP-NV 2019 without taking the formal course.

2URGSE

ClickClack said:

Your hold a CCENT so are you going to earn a CCNA soon?  If you hold a current CCNA, you can sit for the VCP-NV 2019 without taking the formal course.

Held a CCNA R/S back in 2015.  Was busy moving cross country into a different job market.  My NA expired.  Haven't dealt with Cisco hardware directly since 2014, my last job involved RTLS (Real Time Locating Systems) and my current job involves Hyper-converged Storage, virtualization and Linux.

Since my CCENT is active, it would be a waste to let it expire therefore....

Since I have an interest in Security, I am investing time in the CCNA Security before 02/2020.