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Question 1: How is the certification program structured?
Answer 1: There are four new certification focus areas built on HP technology with Information Technology (IT), Information Systems (IS) and Solution levels. They are:
- Sales
- Presales Consultant
- Integration
- Operating System
Within each focus area there are certification levels. There are certification tracks within each level.
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Question 2: What certifications are available in the HP Certified Professional program
Answer 2: The architecture for the program is based on four specific certification focus areas. Within the focus areas there are certification levels…and within each level there are tracks. There are levels of certification for information technology, information systems and information solutions in each focus area. The certification focus areas and levels are:
Sales certifications
- Accredited Sales Consultant
- Accredited Sales Professional
Presales consultant certifications
- Accredited Presales Consultant
- Accredited Presales Professional
Integration certifications
- Master Accredited Systems Engineer
- Accredited Systems Engineer
- Accredited Integration Specialist
- Accredited Platform Specialist
Operating system certifications
- Certified Systems Engineer
- Certified System Administrator
For more information on certification levels and individual track requirements go to the worldwide website: www.hp.com/go/certification, then link on the Americas country location for track availability.
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Question 3: What is the location of the worldwide HP Certified Professional website?
Answer 3: Given the HP Certified Professional program is a worldwide program with regional program offices in specific HP locations, individuals may access the worldwide website at: www.hp.com/go/certification.
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Question 4: Where is the location of the Americas HP Certified Professional website?
Answer 4: From the worldwide website at: www.hp.com/go/certification, individuals should select the Americas country on the map and link to the Americas HP Certified Professional program website. It's recommended that individuals visit the regional websites for local certification information and announcements.
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Question 5: As someone who is certified in an existing pre-merger HP or Compaq certification program, will I need to take additional exams in order to migrate to the new HP Certified Professional program?
Answer 5: There may be additional requirements that existing certified individuals are required to complete in order to migrate their certification to the new HP Certified Professional program. The HP Certification team analyzed each track in the pre-merger programs and has identified what changes are required as a result of the product line changes from the merger. Beginning in February 2003 individuals in the pre-merger HP and Compaq certification programs will receive a communication from their regional Program Office with information on how the merger has affected their existing certification title. HP will individually notify each certified person of the migration requirements associated with the certifications they hold (if any). HP has committed to providing each member of its certified community with a way to move forward in the new program. We recognize and value the investments of our certified professionals and will do everything possible to maintain those investments through this transition.
In some cases individuals may experience only a change in their certification title (branding change). Others may be affected with a title change and a continuing certification requirement. In some instances where there were product line changes, and previous pre-merger certification tracks no longer exist, individuals will be provided with a list of recommended tracks to pursue.
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Question 6: As an HP Certified Professional, will I be required to complete continuing certification requirements?
Answer 6: Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs) were a part of each of the pre-merger programs and they will be part of the HP Certified Professional program as well. HP believes it is important for Certified Professionals to maintain their skill levels as technology advances. As a result, we have implemented a flexible strategy for continuing requirements that allows individuals to continue to develop and prove their skills at a reasonable on-going investment level.
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Question 7: Will I lose my certification if I do not complete the continuing certification requirement?
Answer 7: Yes. HP Certified Professionals who do not complete the Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs) will have their certification status revoked. If an HP Certified Professional does not complete the CCR by the established deadline, his or her certification will be revoked and all certification privileges/benefits will be discontinued.
An HP Certified Professional employed by an HP reseller may put his or her organization in jeopardy of losing valuable marketing development funds provided by HP. HP is committed to maintaining a certification program based on sales and technical skills and competencies that are essential to ensure proficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of HP solutions and services.
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Question 8: If my certification is revoked (terminated) for any reason, how do I regain my HP Certified Professional status?
Answer 8: There are generally two ways your certification is revoked that dictate your options.
- If you violated program policies in terms of entitlements (name, rights, logo usage, relationship to hp) or usage (security, privacy, etc.), HP may terminate your certification at its sole discretion and permanently bar re-instatement.
- If you fail to maintain your certification requirements, you will be required to meet the new requirements in effect at that time
To regain your HP Certified Professional status, you'll need to retake all required exams and complete a new application for the designation you're pursuing. You'll receive a letter from the certification program office informing you that your membership has been revoked.
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Question 9: Where do I go to find the requirements for each certification level?
Answer 9: Certification requirements are provided on the worldwide website at: www.hp.com/go/certification. It's recommended that individuals use the links provided at the worldwide website and then go to the Americas website to determine the availability of specific tracks within a region.
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Question 10: Where do I go to find requirements at a regional level?
Answer 10: Go to www.hp.com/go/certification and locate your country on the map provided. The map will link you to a regional website. Each regional website provides certification track requirements.
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Question 11: How do I find out more about training courses and required certification exams?
Answer 11: Go to www.hp.com/go/certification to obtain track and certification exam information. To obtain training information, go to the worldwide website: www.hp.com/go/certification, then link on the Americas country location for training availability.
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Question 12: Are the certification requirements the same for everyone?
Answer 12: From an audience perspective, yes. The requirements are established using teams comprised of practitioners representing all audiences for which the certification is intended. This means continuing requirements are the same regardless of audience i.e. employees, partners and customers.
From a track perspective, no. Continuing requirements are implemented by certification track as new technologies are introduced into the market place. Since each technology area advances at its own rate, these continuing requirements also are introduced asynchronously.
For instance, as iSCSI standards are solidified and introduced into HP products, it will become a requirement within HP storage certifications. This may occur on a different schedule than High Availability advances for a ProLiant or HP Server. Therefore, each track's continuing certification requirements are implemented individually.
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Question 13: How do I register for a course?
Answer 13: HP regional training websites provide access to local course schedules and registration instructions by country or region. First determine which certification you wish to pursue by looking at the world wide HP Certified Professional website at www.hp.com/go/certification. From there, you may link to the Americas country website to find local training information.
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Question 14: How do I register and pay for an exam?
Answer 14: HP utilizes several exam delivery vendors based upon regional availability. Refer to your regional program website for specific exam registration instructions for your area.
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Question 15: Does the new program allow individuals to hold multiple certifications?
Answer 15: Yes. Employers are using certification more and more to gauge employee's knowledge and understanding of technologies so having more than one certification is often critical. The HP Certified Professional program provides a comprehensive professional framework where certifications are available in the following areas:
- Sales
- Presales Consultant
- Integration
- Operating System
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Question 16: Is training required for the HP Certified Professional program?
Answer 16: No. HP certifications are granted based upon passing the exams necessary to prove knowledge and skill levels. Attendance in training courses is not required. However, the hands-on skills that are tested in the exams are best developed in the courses that are provided as part of the program framework. HP highly recommends that candidates take the courses associated with each exam or have equivalent hands-on, on-the-job experience.
Certification exams test proficiency in skills normally developed through hands-on practice. Training is available to help develop these skills. Due to individual learning styles, classroom training is recommended but not required.
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Question 17: How do I maintain my certification?
Answer 17: Keeping your technical skills current with the ever-changing IT industry is a necessity. The HP Certified Professional program recognizes these challenges and continues to ensure all members of HP certification programs are up-to date with HP sales and technical skills through continuing certification requirements. In addition to continuing certification requirements, individuals are required to keep their personal certification information up-to-date. It's important that our certification database has the most accurate information.
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Question 18: What happens if I fail an exam?
Answer 18: Given our certification program is based on successfully passing exam requirements, individuals are required to pass exams. You make take an exam up to 3 times in a 6 month period. After your 3rd attempt, you must wait 6 months to take the exam again.
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Question 19: What is the length of time accepted between attending a class and taking an exam?
Answer 19: There are no enforced time limitations between taking a course and passing an associated exam. However, industry studies show that taking an exam within 2-3 weeks of attending the course provides the best results. HP certifications are granted based upon passing the exams necessary to prove knowledge and skill levels. Attendance in training courses is not required. However, the hands-on skills that are tested in the exams are best developed in the courses that are provided as part of the program framework. HP highly recommends that candidates take the courses associated with each exam or have equivalent hands-on or on-the-job experience. Candidates should take care to pass all of the exams necessary to obtain a certification within a reasonably short time period so that an exam doesn't retire before the remaining exams are completed.
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Question 20: Is there a different certification program for reseller partners?
Answer 20: No. HP Certified Professional certifications are the same for employees, partners and customers. Unlike most other systems vendors, HP makes available the same certifications for its customers and partners that it provides for its employees. HP highly values its customer and partner sales and technical communities and has decided to provide them with the same access to skill credentials, knowledge, tools and resources that its employees have. This translates to a significant advantage to doing business with HP over other vendors. Resellers, service providers, customers and employees may be authorized by different business programs, but the certification of sales and technical skills required is consistent across audiences.
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Question 21: What are the benefits of being an HP Certified Professional?
Answer 21: The HP Certified Professional Program offers you a strong professional development framework that builds and validates industry-valued competencies. These competencies range from product-specific to solution-focused, from warranty-level support to solution design and consulting.
- The HP Certified Professional Program is a unified global certification program serving all of our business partners, customers, and employees.
- With a worldwide program, HP is able to effectively set and manage consistent high standards of excellence in the worldwide sales, support and service of HP products and solutions.
- HP partners and customers are ensured high levels of customer confidence and satisfaction knowing your competencies and skills have been validated by HP.
- With a large number of HP Certified Professional practicing experts in the marketplace, customers can count on a consistent delivery of services worldwide.
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Question 22: Will I get a new identification card and certificate?
Answer 22: Yes, the existing certification community will be notified of any certification title changes and information will be provided, as soon as possible, as to when new certificate and ID cards will be available.
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Question 23: When HP retires a designation within a certification level, does that mean I lose my certification membership?
Answer 23: No. When HP removes a particular track from the website, it means that HP is accepting no new candidates for that certification. However, individuals who have already completed the requirements and have received their certificates remain in good standing until HP issues a continuing certification requirement or a requirement to migrate to another certification track.
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Question 24: How do I stay informed of what is "happening" in the program?
Answer 24: Each region provides a website where certification-specific information is posted. In addition to the website many regions communicate information through a newsletter. The regional Program Office delivers all communication to individuals. Candidates in the Americas HP Certified Professional program will receive communications from the Americas HP CP Program Office. It's important for HP Certified Professionals to communicate with their regional Program Office when have they changes in employment, mailing address, email address, and phone numbers etc.
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Question 25: My current certification is for products that have now been discontinued by HP. What is my position?
Answer 25: Where discontinued products have been replaced by a similar class of product (for example Netserver replaced by ProLiant) there is a transition process to migrate to the new program that will likely require additional exams to be completed. Where the discontinued product has no equivalent, we would like to see you maintain your certification relationship with HP and will assist you in selecting a certification track that will help you in your job and assist you in your career growth. Please contact your local HPCP representative
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Question 26: Does HP expect me to stay current with operating system certifications from other vendors?
Answer 26: Yes. As part of the integration and operating system certifications provided by HP, some 3rd party certifications are required as prerequisites. These certifications must be kept current as per the associated vendor's requirements in order to maintain the HP certification that is based on it. HP will require proof of an HP certified professional's completion of 3rd party continuing certification requirements.
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Question 27: What are the steps to become certified?
Answer 27:
Please access our Steps to Become Certified web page
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Question 28: How will I be notified of my certification status
Answer 28: After you have completed the online application process, and faxed over your copies of passing exam scores, the regional HP
Certified Professional
program office will notify you, via email, to acknowledge the completion of your certification track. You will receive a certificate in the mail, within 4-6 weeks.
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Question 29: To meet HP PartnerONE product access and certification requirements, must a Business Development Partner's technical and sales personnel reside in the United States?
Answer 29: Yes, both technical and sales personnel must reside in the U.S. For more information, on technical and sales certification requirements see the HP Certified Professional Program website at http://www.hp.com/certification/americas/partnerone/.
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