VMware VCPs Need to Recertify

VMware has announced that VMware Certified Professionals (VCPs) need to recertify every two years. Many in the VMware community read about this on Christian Mohn’s vNinja blog where a lively debate has ensued in the comments.

The Skinny

Effective March 10, 2014 all new holders of a VCP designation will need to recertify every two years. This currently means holders of VCP-DCV, VCP-Cloud or VCP-Desktop. All existing holders of a VCP designation need to recertify by March 10, 2015. Recertification means passing a VCP or higher exam, such as a VCAP exam. There are no course requirements, no difference on the exam when sat for recertification and the cost is the same.

If you do not recertify then your official VMware transcript will update and your VCP designation shown as no longer valid. Should your employer contact VMware to confirm your status, the VCP will still display, but again will show as invalid.

What About Me?

If you were VCP certified before March 10, 2014 then you’ve got to sit an exam before March 10, 2015. You can take the same VCP exam again or choose to use this as an opportunity to achieve that VCAP designation you’ve had your eye on. From the date of achievement of that next certification you’ll then have two years within which to recertify.

Whether this is “fair” or valuable for the VMware community is the subject of much debate. Over on the ESX Virtualization blog Vladan Seget suggests that the period to recertify should be extended. Due to the investment required to get the VCP Vladan recommends five years. Others, myself included, feel that three years may be more practical and in line with other certifications.

A Brave New World

I’m sure many will feel that this change has huge impact to VMware’s certification program. While the short term is certain to be full of debate about the merits of this change, I believe that it’s largely for the better of the program. I feel that there needs to be some change to the terms of the recertify program. Based on VMware’s past actions they’ve shown that they listen to their customers and community. I’m confident we’ll see some updates ahead of the March 10, 2015 date.

Remember that you need coursework to achieve the certification, but how much coursework you continue to take is up to you. Personally I’ll be using this announcement as motivation to pursue some VCAPs and to keep on top of my technical education. There will likely be a further flurry of discussion this time next year as the first deadline looms. Two years from now? Water under the bridge.