7/28/2004 -- Candidates for Oracle's upcoming two-exam Oracle Certified Professional, Database Administrator (OCP DBA) 10g track can now sign up for a beta version for one of two new exams needed to earn the title.

Passing this first exam -- #1Z1-042: Oracle Database 10g Administration I -- earns candidates the title of Oracle Certified Database Associate on 10g. The beta version, consisting of hundreds of questions and with a time limit of three hours, will open Friday for a discounted price of $50 U.S. Those who pass do receive credit toward certification.

Objectives for the new exam can be found here. A live date has not yet been released.

Oracle announced its new two-exam OCP DBA 10g track in June. A beta for the second exam required to earn this title is expected shortly.

While training will be required to become an Oracle 10g DBA, candidates do not have to participate in training to earn the Associate title.

More information on participating in this beta can be found here. -Becky Nagel