ETA Expands Non-Exam 'Rollover' Program for CompTIA Certs
3/22/2006 -- Last week the Electronic Technician Association (ETA), an organization that offers a number of vendor-neutral technology and computer-related certifications, announced that it has revised its rollover program that allows holders of CompTIA's A+ and Network+ titles to bypass the exam needed to earn the ETA's comparable certifications.
In the rollover program, if ETA candidates already hold the A+, for example, they do not need to take the organization's Computer Service Technician (CST) exam to earn that title. Instead, candidates simply need to show proof of holding A+ and pay a $49 (U.S.) fee. The standard price of the exam is $75 (U.S.).
Similarly, those who hold Network+ can show proof and pay $69 (U.S.) to earn the organization's Certified Network Systems Technician (CNST) designation. The exam typically costs $100 (U.S.).
While the grandfathering process itself hasn't changed, the organization has partnered with StudyExam4Less.com to handle all CompTIA rollovers marketing and administration. Although the fee has increased slightly, candidates now receive a number of additional benefits, including a free, one-year membership with the ETA and 20 CompTIA, Microsoft and other exam study guides. "We wanted to make it a real value -- a no brainer," commented M. Siddique, president of StudyExam4Less.
The non-profit ETA was established in 1978 and currently offers more than 30 certifications.
For more information on the ETA's certification program, go here.  -Becky Nagel
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There are 15  user Comments for “ETA Expands Non-Exam 'Rollover' Program for CompTIA Certs”
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| 3/22/06: Becky Nagel from Editor, CertCities.com says: |
CORRECTED: In the original version of this story, the standard price of the CNST was incorrect, as was the spelling of StudyExam4Less. Both are now correct above. CertCities.com apologies for these errors. |
| 3/22/06: IT Pro says: |
This is old news, plus as mentioned in the article they raised there prices. Does that sound like another vendor neutral organization we all know? Eventually there prices will be high also. Plus, ETA will never have the name recognition that CompTIA has. And they forgot to mention that you can roll over your i-Net+ to CWS. |
| 3/22/06: Tcat Houser from Digital Nomad says: |
Yes indeed, prices are up slightly for the developed countries. The ETA is lowering prices in less developed countries. The statement that eventually the prices will be as high as some lobbying group is false and groundless. As an active volunteer in the ETA I know they are committed to being the most cost effective option going. Certcities readers will be quite susprised at the IT and electronic groups showing up. Never say never. ;-) Watch. |
| 3/22/06: IT Pro says: |
I never said they would be as high as "some lobbying group" just that they would continue to go up as time goes on, also considering the fact that you have to renew them every 4 years. I guess I should not say they will never have the name recognition, It would be good to see employers asking for CST, CNST, CWS, etc.... I just hope you like the taste of Toad. |
| 3/22/06: Tcat says: |
Well thank thee for the positive thoughts! If we can take this off line with a promise of non-disclosure I can tell who whom I was having lunch and dinner with in Las Vegas. Or better yet, come see me and help launch Mexico! You can blame the price increase squarely on ME, Tcat. I am pushing through that test costs about 2 days pay @ the minimum wage or at least lowest legal wage in a particular country. So, for Mexico, about $10 a test. The issue is how do I (forgive me for you as an example) keep you from taking a vacation for a week and knocking out 14 tests for $140? I am not a big fan of Toad. If I have to, you will find me at Lion's Supermarket in Fremont CA, high noon 2 November ordering the gutted and skinned @ $6.00 a pound (half lb average) spicy and deep fried. And given the meetings I have been having since Sept 2005 @ moscone center, don't take bets on seeing me at Lions at lunch. You will lose, promise. I didn't say 100,000 people in the USA. There are other very large markets not being served. Suggested reading: The world is flat ..... As long as there is a breath in my body the ETA will be priced @ about 2 day pay for the lowest legal worker. So if we in the US-UK-Canada have to pony $3 to offset postage costs in South Korea or Mexico, so what? .... Yes ISO rules require some sort of upgrade, somehow... one test. The past couple exams I did in beta are 1. free and 2. I passed so I'm golden on CST CNST CWS through 2010. And got the letters on those beta's I won't talk about here. I'd be delighted to call you and give you out of channel data. Becky can generally find out what country I am in .... Thanks again. |
| 3/22/06: Supertech from Sweetwater, TX says: |
IT Pro just don't know. I am a Master Certified Electronics Technician with the ETA and a Lifetime member. Let me explain to you how this works. The CST and CNST certs are considered "stand alone" certs. As such, they are lifetime certs. The only requirement for recertification is if a technician achieves the Certified Electronics Technician (CET) by passing the Associates exam AND passes a Journeyman level cert (CST & CNST are considered Journeyman level), he is then required to recertify every four years. The ETA is a REAL organization with REAL people. The ETA is focused on serving the technician (not the vendor like CompTIA). CompTIA is about to implode while the ETA is a thriving, growing organization. ETA has a very strong group of student chapters at many vo-tech schools. ETA publishes a monthly journal. I have been an SME for both CompTIA and ETA exams. My money and my support go to the ETA. ETA was established over 25 years ago. They have their own network of exam administrators. My local librarian has proctored exams for me. There is no comparison between the two groups. I don't think you should start spouting off a bunch of negatives until you figure out what is going on. |
| 3/23/06: Patel from India says: |
I work at call center in India for major US company as computer technician. I am A+ and Network+ certified. I saw this and showed to my boss who is wiling to pay for CST and CNST rollover. Surprisingly he already knew about ETA International. |
| 3/24/06: Teresa Maher says: |
The information posted here from several ETA certified professionals is correct, but we also should go a little further in clarifying it. Supertech’s ETA certifications are lifetime, as he has reached the pinnacle of ETA certification, and sits in a spot held by fewer than 200 people internationally-Master Certified Electronics Technician. For the tech that holds other levels of CST or CNST it has benefited the ETA certification holder to utilize the ETA recertification program. This program gives an individual with an ETA credential a way to demonstrate that he/she has kept current with the changes in technology that now occur at super speed. The policy was implemented in the mid 90’s and now keeps the ETA certifications in alignment with the ISO standard 17024. This international standard tasks certifying bodies with keeping in contact with the people they have certified in order to validate work/experience and additional education. This is required to verify the certificants credentials as well as to keep their certifications current. ETA looks for a credentialed tech to provide ten hours per year of CEU information (see ETA website) and then the CST or CNST is renewed every four years. This ensures that a tech who became ETA certified in 1995 and then worked in a completely different field with never a look at current technology doesn’t compete equally with an ETA 2006 certified tech who studied and tested for today’s’ knowledge requirements. This type policy can be evidenced in the medical, financial or almost any other career field where credentialing exists. |
| 3/24/06: John from FL says: |
Oh! I never heard of ETA before . After checking ETA website and StudyExam4Less, looks like it is great deal. I am considering CNST and bunch of practice tests as bonus. I also found CST, CNST provide college credits too. That is really nice which I will use it in near future. I like ETA re-certification policy as compare to CompTIA certification. How you can compare some one knowledge Aplus certified 5 years ago verses some one who is certified this year. There is so much change every year in computer industury. Dont get me wrong. I like CompTIA's certifications except they are expensive to start with. |
| 3/24/06: Bruce Moran from TotalRecall Publications, Inc. says: |
I think the ETA rollover from CompTIA is a good move for the industry and greatly benefits technicians. I agree with Tcat that ETA will work hard to keep exam prices low here in the US and in developing countries. And I also agree that CNT and CNST are real exams for real people and that ETA's tougher re-cert requirements will make it easier to differentiate those with current competency. Also a new generation of students will be more familiar with ETA's certs because of ETA's strong vo-tech school and college credit programs. All these factors should mean that ETA's certs will become more widely recognized and respected--and valued more than CompTIA's. |
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