4/13/2005 -- A new version of the Computing Technology Industry Association's (CompTIA's) Network+ exam will go live at Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers on May 1, according to the organization's Web site.

The organization originally announced the upgrade of its entry-level, vendor-neutral title last year. At the time, Kris Madura, certification program manager, commented that it was neither a major nor minor upgrade: "[Candidates] will see some relevant and valuable changes, [but] they can take some comfort that it's not a complete switch from old to new."

A document outlining the changes between the old and new versions is available for download from CompTIA's site in PDF format here.

The release of the new exam (N10-003) will not affect those already certified in the title, as CompTIA certifications do not need to be upgraded or renewed. According to CompTIA, more than 135,000 people worldwide have already earned the title.

The company did not say when the current version of the Network+ exam (N10-002) will be retired.

For more information on this announcement, go here. -Becky Nagel