CompTIA Certification Renewal Policy

steve13ad

RouteThisWay wrote: »

Anything about Sec+ renewing A+/N+ as well? Or no?

The way I read press release, if you renew the highest level cert that you hold and the lower ones will renew as well. The hierarchy goes Sec+, N+, and then A+.

I understand Comptia trying to stay fresh, but not on the backs of all of us that have the Lifetime Certs. It BS plain and simple!

RouteThisWay

veritas_libertas wrote: »

I talked to them, and indeed the Security+ updates everything under it.

You the man.

wd40

What about Server+ and all the others?

Norbie

Well I just filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau regarding CompTIA. Probably won't help but at least I feel better.

Norbie

wd40 wrote: »

What about Server+ and all the others?

Safe...for the moment. We didn't think the other 3 would ever expire but now they do. It's only a matter of time before they all do IMO.

GAngel

I'm shocked they didn't expect a bigger backlash. Re-certifying entry level certs

dynamik

Somehow I missed the post about the annual $49 maintenance fee. I think I'm just going to let these lapse. I'll pay the $225 or whatever if I ever need it again for any reason; that'll save me in the long run.

The plan for CECs is ridiculous. You need 50 to renew the Security+, and they only give you 20 for writing a book. Somehow taking another relevant certification is worth twice that, which is still only 40. It's good to know that if I do the CISSP this year, it will cover 80% of what I need to validate my knowledge of Security+ material

Darril

Originally Posted by wd40
What about Server+ and all the others?

Norbie wrote: »

Safe...for the moment. We didn't think the other 3 would ever expire but now they do. It's only a matter of time before they all do IMO.

I think the link with A+, Network+, and Security+ was directly related to the US Department of Defense Directive (DoD) 8570.1M that requires IT professionals to be certified at different levels with different certs.

The only three CompTIA certs mentioned and required in DoD 8570 are A+, Network+, and Security+. This is probably why they have been targeted for change and the others haven't.

Other certs cited in this document like CISSP and the GIAC certs are ISO/IEC 17024 certified. Likewise, only A+, Network+, and Security+ certs are ISO certified.

Darril Gibson
Author: CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead
ISBN-10: 1439236364
SY0-201 Blog

veritas_libertas

dynamik wrote: »

Somehow I missed the post about the annual $49 maintenance fee. I think I'm just going to let these lapse.

It's only every 3 years.

dynamik

It says annual. That's how (ISC)2 does it as well (except I could justify that for a CISSP).

veritas_libertas

dynamik wrote: »

It says annual. That's how (ISC)2 does it as well (except I could justify that for a CISSP).

If so than that is a new change. I just talked to them yesterday, then again I guess they could change it in 24hrs.

dynamik

He quoted the faq: http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/49994-comptia-certification-renewal-policy.html#post373257

It's clearly stated as an annual fee.

steve13ad

I think their just starting with the 3 certs, but when they see how much money it could bring in, it'll be changed on all of their certs! I don't have a problem with that but all of us with certs should be grandfathered in.

A class action lawsuit will come from this. **** I'm thinking about taking them to small claims court here in NC for breach of contract.

steve13ad

dynamik wrote: »

He quoted the faq: http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/49994-comptia-certification-renewal-policy.html#post373257

It's clearly stated as an annual fee.

It's just for the CEU, if you just take the newest test (beta) then you don't have to bother with it. But why is N+, and Sec+ twice as much as A+?

Is there a cost associated with the certification renewal program?

Participants will pay an annual maintenance fee of $25 if they are CompTIA A+ certified, or $49 if they are CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certified. Payment of this annual fee will be required the first time each year you access the continuing education system. Only electronic payments will be accepted.

Norbie

Ok dumb questions.

1. If I get another CompTIA certification besides these 3 does that count as credit towards CEU's? For example if I get Convergence+ would that work towards credits for Network+ since Convergence+ material touchs upon a lot of Network+ material? Would Server+ or Project+ or Linux+ also help (I had considered taking all of them eventually).

2. The weekly maintenance fee. It's what $29 dollars for A+ and $49 dollars for Security+. If I have all 3 do I have to $29 dollars for A+ plus $49 dollars for Network+ and $49 for Security+ or do I only have to pay the $49 dollars and it will recertify for all 3. And is the maintenance fee every year or every 3 years.

3. If I just re-take the ridiculously over priced tests I don't have to also pay the maintenance fee right? The Maintenance Fee is just if you are earning CEU's and don't want to retake the test right?

4. What qualifies as "an industry certification relevant to the highest level CompTIA certification achieved"

veritas_libertas

dynamik wrote: »

He quoted the faq: http://www.techexams.net/forums/general-certification/49994-comptia-certification-renewal-policy.html#post373257

It's clearly stated as an annual fee.

WoW they told me on the phone it would only be every three years

I wasn't as annoyed about every three years but every year is outrageous!

Renewal Policy FAQs

janmike

$$ch ching$ch ching$$!

ilcram19-2

im really worry about my CompTIA cert being expire (or not) come on what is compTIA doing they are entry level after that most of us go for MCSE/CCNP i sont think is wort to come back and re-take compTIA it seems stupid to me

steve13ad

I think if you sit for your highest cert, you don't have to pay the annual fee.

Cherper

This is from their FAQ..

Is there a cost associated with the certification renewal program?

Participants will pay an annual maintenance fee of $25 if they are CompTIA A+ certified, or $49 if they are CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certified. Payment of this annual fee will be required the first time each year you access the continuing education system. Only electronic payments will be accepted.

steve13ad

Cherper wrote: »

This is from their FAQ..

Is there a cost associated with the certification renewal program?

Participants will pay an annual maintenance fee of $25 if they are CompTIA A+ certified, or $49 if they are CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certified. Payment of this annual fee will be required the first time each year you access the continuing education system. Only electronic payments will be accepted.

If you take the newest test, you don't use the continuing education system, which is when you have to pay. It's two different things, there's the renewal program, and then the CEU compent.

Can I keep my certification current without taking a new exam?

Yes. Our certification renewal program includes a continuing education component that allows eligible individuals to renew their certifications by earning continuing education credits.

Cherper

steve13ad wrote: »

If you take the newest test, you don't use the continuing education system, which is when you have to pay. It's two different things, there's the renewal program, and then the CEU compent.

Can I keep my certification current without taking a new exam?

Yes. Our certification renewal program includes a continuing education component that allows eligible individuals to renew their certifications by earning continuing education credits.

But are you planning on taking the new test every three years?

steve13ad

Cherper wrote: »

But are you planning on taking the new test every three years?

Yeah, no not really. They can rot in hell!

I've past the point in my career where their certs are any use, but my company doesn't provide reimbursement to get certified. So I stuck with Comptia's b/c of their lifetime policy.

SephStorm

crazy. Glad I saw this topic.

stephens316

If Comptia is non for profit but is located in Chicago!! I am sure that they want more money and the cost of living and trying to find a way to pay for health care is part of their plan. I would be interested in the class action lawsuit for the changes.

Personally I think members in this forum should start something like Comptia for A + Net+ and Sec+ then grant life certifications and under cut Comptia to put them out of business. People not taking their test = failure on their part once they see it they may change.


I was the first to state this was a money maker for them because of DoD stuff.

Norbie

steve13ad wrote: »

Yeah, no not really. They can rot in hell!

I've past the point in my career where their certs are any use, but my company doesn't provide reimbursement to get certified. So I stuck with Comptia's b/c of their lifetime policy.

That's the situation I was in. My company wouldn't pay for certs so I tried to start off with certs that wouldn't expire...now the 3 certs I have expire...I'm bitter.

steve13ad

stephens316 wrote: »

If Comptia is non for profit but is located in Chicago!! I am sure that they want more money and the cost of living and trying to find a way to pay for health care is part of their plan. I would be interested in the class action lawsuit for the changes.

Personally I think members in this forum should start something like Comptia for A + Net+ and Sec+ then grant life certifications and under cut Comptia to put them out of business. People not taking their test = failure on their part once they see it they may change.


I was the first to state this was a money maker for them because of DoD stuff.

Yeah but they've chopped off three of their cash cow's legs. All that's let is the DoD, But when people stop getting their entry level certs, then the government will eventually question Comptia's value.

Nothing like working yourself right out of a job!

stephens316

steve13ad wrote: »

Yeah but they've chopped off three of their cash cow's legs. All that's let is the DoD, But when people stop getting their entry level certs, then the government will eventually question Comptia's value.

Nothing like working yourself right out of a job!

Funny is that in order to have certain clearances in DoD require CISSP level meaning there is no need to reupdate Sec+

Comptia #fail

This is why I never took A+ I can really care less if the power supply is get 5 volts or whatever if the damn thing won't turn on you try another power supply tada it works logical process to problem solving. Something I learned in college which they don't teach any more.

steve13ad

Comptia has stopped allowing new posts on it's blogs! Nothing like trying to limit the appearance of outrage! What a pack of douche bags!

dynamik

Well, you have to figure that no one was going to renew their certs when they were good for life, so they'll definitely have more income now then they would have before

While I do think the way they're going about this is a bit absurd, I really don't get the outrage. They're entry-level certs, so you'll (hopefully) be beyond that point by the time they expire. I'm kind of confused as to why people are talking about class-action lawsuits and filing complaints with the BBB.