9/13/2006 -- Two of the exams in the Computing Technology Industry Association's new lineup of tests for its revamped A+ certification are scheduled to go live Sept. 30.

Registration for the A+ Essentials exam (220-601) and what CompTIA calls the 220-602 exam is now open at Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide. According to the organization, these two are "the exam option that maps most closely to the current A+ [certification]."

CompTIA said that registration will open later this month for its upcoming 220-603 and 220-604 exams. To earn the new A+, candidates must pass Essentials plus choose one of the other exams, each of which focuses on slightly different technician job roles.

According to information on Prometric's registration Web site, the price to register for the new A+ exams is $158 (U.S.) -- the same as the current exams.

CompTIA unveiled the plans for its new A+ certification structure in June.

The English-language versions of the current A+ exams are set to retire at the end of this year. Candidates cannot "mix-and-match" one older exam and one new exam.

The changes will not affect those holding an A+ title as the certification does not expire.

More information on the new exams can be found here. -Becky Nagel