Just as you check the expiry on a carton of milk, employers will now have to be keen on checking the expiry of the VMware Certified Profession (VCP) holders they are seeking to employ. Effective March 10, VMware will begin expiring all of their current and any new VMware Certified Professionals, granting them a period of two years to re-certify in order to maintain their VCP status.
VCP recertification can be achieved in a few different ways; the first being simply take the newest VCP certification in your current track. Alternatively by achieving VCP status in another solution track can also re-certify your current VCP. Lastly, achieving the next level VCAP certification will in turn recertify your VCP status. So, what does all this mean. Let’s take a look an example of each recertification option
- A VCP4-DCV certification is set to expire in 2015. By passing the requirements for the VCP5-DCV, the VCP-DCV status will be extended 2 years from the the completion date of the VCP5-DCV
- A VCP4-DCV certification is set to expire in 2015. By passing the requirements for the VCP5-Cloud, both the VCP-DCV and the VCP-Cloud certification status will be extended 2 years from the completion date of the VCP5-Cloud.
- A VCP4-DCV certification is set to expire in 2014. By completing the VCAP5-DCA, the VCP-DCV certification status will be extended 2 years from the completion of the VCAP5-DCA.
Hey, it's not as bad as I initially thought…
Honestly I feel that this is a good change from VMware’s part. Past practice has shown that VMware will release a new version of their flagship hypervisor every year around VMworld. Recertification allows the certification to maintain credibility, ensuring that any VCP holder is at least certified under one of the latest two releases. In the past, VMware has given a grace period to VCP holders, allowing them a period of time where they can upgrade to the most current VCP status, without having to partake in any required training classes. This grace period was most certainly not 2 years, so recertifying on new versions of the VCP, in my opinion, just got a bit easier.
Just don't forget to get new milk…
Failing to recertify within the two years however will essentially result in all access being stripped from the VCP portal, and the rights to market yourself as a VCP and usage the VCP logos will be be revoked. At this point, anyone looking to recertify will need to start from square one. Meaning you will not only need to pass the most current exam again, but you will have to obtain a credit in one of the mandatory classes as well – not a very cost effective solution.
Any change to certifications is always a touchy subject through tech communities so it will be entertaining none the less to see how this one plays out. That said, by setting a two year/no training grace period, it appears as if VMware has just made it easier for those VCP’s who wish to recertify on a more current version to do so. Also, the change will help to ensure that those that are VCP’s, are at the very least certified within the last two years adding credibility and proficiency to anyone who calls them self a VCP. This, along with the recent addition of the VCA certification, seems like another response to the community uproar over the mandatory training requirements inside of the VCP certification.
VCP expiry dates are now live within the mylearn portal. Just note that the dates displayed do not reflect those that have essentially already met the recertification requirements by complaining a VCAP level exam. This functionality is expected to roll into the portal in the near future.
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