7/21/2004 -- Avaya recently announced that it will soon make it a little easier for its certified professionals to recertify.

Previously, candidates were required to recertify every two years, whether or not the certification itself had changed. Beginning later this month, Avaya will automatically renew its Avaya Certified Associate (ACA) and Avaya Certified Specialist (ACS) credentials for another two years if the requirements have not changed.

The company will also extend its ACA and ACS titles by one year for those who participate in a beta exam or pass a higher-level Avaya certification exam.

The change comes as part of a larger revamp of several aspects of the company's programs, including plans to release program guides and exam study guides on the Avaya University Web site. The program guides are expected to debut soon after these changes are implemented on July 26, with most of the study guides available by the end of 2004.

Avaya also said it will now be "identifying" its ACA and ACS titles by the electives chosen (e.g., ACA - Design: IP Telephony). According to the company, two new ACA and ACS specialties are in the works: Interactive Response and IP Office. A free beta for the ACS - Implement: IP Office credential is currently underway.

For more information about these changes and the beta opportunity, go here. -- Becky Nagel