3/19/2008 -- This week, Cisco Systems revealed new and updated exams for its mid-level Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) certification as part of a revamp that now allows candidates to choose between two CCVP tracks: Cisco Unified CallManager and Cisco Unified Communications Manager.

Each track requires candidates to pass five exams, three of which are shared by the tracks. Both require passing Cisco's CVOICE exam, a new version of which was just released (642-436). Those going after the Unified CallManager track -- the previously non-tracked CCVP -- can choose take the older version of the CVOICE exam (642-432) through July. The other two shared exams are Cisco's Quality of Service 2.2 exam (642-642) and Cisco's Troubleshooting exam (642-426).

Now unique to the Unified CallManager track are Cisco's Gateway (642-453) exam and the new or previous version of Cisco's IP Telephony exam (642-444 or 642-445).

The Unified Communications Manager track requires the three shared exams plus two new exams: IP Telephony 6.0 1 (642-446) and 2 (642-456).

Optional, lab-based training is now available through Cisco for all the new exams.

"With more than 50,000 Cisco Unified Communications customers worldwide and more than 70 percent of all Fortune 500 companies using Cisco Unified Communications products, the demand for highly skilled IP Telephony professionals continue to grow," commented LeJeanne Beliveau-Dunn, Cisco general manager, in a statement announcing the revamp. "CCVP provides individuals the opportunity to differentiate skills to potential employers and advance their careers in the IP Telephony field."

For more information on Cisco's CCVP title, go here. Becky Nagel