4/3/2001 -- Intel will announce as early as Friday that it is discontinuing its certification program.

When asked about the closure, a press representative for Intel told CertCities that "the program is not closing, it's changing." However, Intel's Web site, which has posted details about the "change," states that "The Intel Certification program will be closing on December 31, 2001" and that logo use and benefits will not be honored past that date. The exams themselves will be retired on May 31, 2001.

Intel declined to commment as to why the program is being discontinued. However, the representative did say, "[Intel is just] trying to make sure we meet the needs of current industry standards for certification."

Intel sent letters to its program participants in March explaining the closure and offering to transfer candidates to Prosoft's Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) program and/or one of two CompTIA certifications, depending on the certification held or being pursued.

The transfers offered are as follows:

Details on the closure have been published on the company's Web site. The Web site also states that Intel's training program will remain intact.

For more on CompTIA's certifications, click here. For more on Prosoft's CIW program, click here. -B.N.