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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It was great to see several SHRUGGers at Esri’s SERUG conference in Jacksonville this week. I think SERUG went really well this year. Attendance was up from last year I believe. Presentations were great. It is always amazing to see what folks are doing with GIS and Esri Technology. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One of the hot button topics at this year’s SERUG conference was Esri’s new technical certifications. Renee Schreibman, Esri’s Southeast Training Consultant, had the job of trying to explain the new certifications and what it takes to earn one of the certifications. Renee did a great job explaining the program and answering questions. Here are a couple of highlights:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>If I earn a certification will I have to recertify with each new release of Esri? <span style='color:#4F6228'>Looks like Esri is following the Microsoft model here. According to Renee, once you are certified you will <b>not</b> need to recertify with each new release. Only with major releases will you possibly need to recertify. In this case there will most likely be an abbreviated “Update your certification” type exam that would focus on the changes found in the new major release. Also you would still be certified on the past versions. This keeps with IT industry standard practices such as the Microsoft and Cisco certification Models.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Do I have to take the associate exam before I take the professional exam? <span style='color:#4F6228'>If you are looking to get certified on ArcGIS Desktop, you can skip straight to the professional exam if you feel you are at that level. Other exams currently under development for Developer and Enterprise may have a requirement for you to get associate first and then professional later. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>How many times can I take the exam and do I have to pay the $255 each time? <span style='color:#4F6228'>The last part is easy to answer. Yes you have to pay each time you take the exam. I should point out Esri does not make any money from those taking the exams. Most if not all of that fee goes to the Pearson testing folks. So now to the first part of the question, how many times can I take an exam. Basically you can take the exam 3 times. After the third time you have to talk with Esri and get permission to take it a fourth time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>How hard are the exams? <span style='color:#4F6228'>Based on my experience and what Renee said, these exams are not easy. They are designed to make sure you have a thorough knowledge of ArcGIS at the level you are being tested for. Esri wants these exams and certifications to mean something. When you earn one you have accomplished something to be proud of.</span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>What is the pass rate on the exams? <span style='color:#4F6228'>Still too early to tell. These exams have only been out for a few months and Esri is still gathering data, however see question 4. I have heard some number passed around on the beta exams but nothing concrete enough to say for certain. I will say it was not a super high pass rate on the beta exams if the numbers I have heard via the rumor mill are even close to correct. As stated with question 4, Esri wants these certifications to have meaning so they are not giving them away. You do have to earn them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>6.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Do I get told which questions I got wrong? <span style='color:#4F6228'>No you only get told if you passed or failed</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>7.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Where can I take an exam<span style='color:#4F6228'>? At pretty much any Pearson Vue authorized testing center. These are located all over the place. Go to <a href="http://www.pearsonvue.com/esri/"><span style='color:#4F6228'>http://www.pearsonvue.com/esri/</span></a> to locate a testing center near you and to register to take an exam</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>8.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Do I have to complete all the recommended training classes before I take a Certification Exam? <span style='color:#4F6228'>No, you don’t. The list of recommended classes contain topics which might be included on the exams. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>9.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>If I have not upgraded to ArcGIS 10 yet can I still take the exams? <span style='color:#4F6228'>Yes you can but you will have a hard time passing. The exams are all built around ArcGIS 10. If you are not familiar with the new functionality such as Feature Templates, Dynamic Test and Data Driven Pages you will be at a severe disadvantage taking the exam. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='color:#4F6228'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>10.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Does this compete with the GISP especially since they are considering an exam? <span style='color:#4F6228'>No, the two are complementary. The Esri Technical Certifications only test on knowledge about using Esri products. A GISP exam, if implemented, would test on a more rounded and theoretical knowledge most likely based on the Dept. of Labor Geospatial Core Competency Model (GTCM).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So there you go, my brief summary of Renee’s presentation and some of the questions that were asked/answered during the presentation. Renee’s presentation will be posted to the SERUG website at some point soon. In the meantime you might want to go to <a href="http://training.esri.com/certification/">http://training.esri.com/certification/</a> if you have any questions or are looking for more information. Of course I am always happy to answer questions or help to find answers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks Renee for helping to clear up some things for us all. If I happened to miss something or got something wrong please chime in. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP | Vice President, GIS/IT<br></span><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Footlight MT Light","serif"'><a href="http://www.keckwood.com/"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:blue'>K</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:blue'>ECK</span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:blue'> & W</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:blue'>OOD,</span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:blue'> I</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:blue'>NC</span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:blue'>.</span></a></span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>2</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>750 Premiere Parkway, Suite 900, Duluth, GA 30019<br>Direct (678) 417-4013 | Main (678) 417-4000 | Fax (678) 417-4055<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>