The HP Certified Professional Program is changing the way we manage existing and release new credentials. By adding versions to credentials we allow you, as an HP Certified Professional, to keep your current credential(s) while providing a timely Credential Upgrade Path to the latest credential(s). This new process categorizes credentials into four types: "Active," "Transitional," "Inactive" and "Expired."
This new method also changes the way credentials are named. All new (and some existing) credentials will include either a "year designator" or a "version designator," ensuring that the latest available credentials are easily recognizable.
2. Why has the Certified Professional Program changed the way it manages credentials?
Our HP Certified Professional community asked for greater flexibility in education and certification planning. In today's constantly changing technology environment, this new method provides you, the HP Certified Professional, with the ability to stay with your current credential or upgrade your level of knowledge and skills at a reasonable pace.
3. How does this benefit me as an HP Certified Professional?
Credential Upgrade Paths give you options. They enable you to remain an Active member of the HP Certified Professional Program - with benefits - without forcing you to immediately upgrade to a newer version of a credential. It extends the Active life of a credential, even if the technology has progressed and a new candidate can no longer earn the old credential.
Credential versions also eliminate the frustrating situation of achieving a credential only to learn soon after that you have a mandatory upgrade in the form of a Continuing Certification Requirement (CCR).
4. What do the terms "Active," "Transitional," "Inactive," and "Expired" mean?
Under the new program, credentials will exist in one of these four categories. Each has a specific implication:
Active - The most up-to-date credential in a specific technology. May be obtained by a candidate at any time.
Transitional - A credential that is still recognizable by the program but will no longer be attainable as of a specific date in the future. This credential may have a more up-to-date or "superseding" credential considered to be Active.
Inactive - Still recognized as part of the program, but no longer attainable by a new candidate. This credential is still valid toward benefits in the HP Certified Professional Program. Any HP Certified Professional holding a credential with this status is strongly encouraged to upgrade to an Active credential.
Expiring - A date has been set for this credential to expire, but this date has not yet been reached. You are encouraged to upgrade immediately.
Expired - A credential that is no longer recognized by the program. The technology has changed to the degree that the HP Certified Professional Program has determined it should no longer maintain the credential.
Please note that each status listed above relates solely to the credential, and not to your standing as an HP Certified Professional. An Expired credential will affect your status as an HP Certified Professional if you hold no other valid credentials. Your certified status may also be affected if you do not keep current with any continuing education requirements that may be implemented in the future. More information about continuing education will be available shortly. Your certified status may also be affected if you do not keep current with any Continuous Learning requirements that may be implemented in the future.
5. What determines the status of a credential?
As long as the technology is current, a credential will remain Active. Once the technology has changed significantly enough to warrant a change in the credential, it will be moved to Transitional status. Eventually, the credential will be moved to Inactive, and no longer be attainable by a new candidate. When/if the technology becomes out-of-date, it will be moved to Expired and no longer recognized by the program.
6. Can I still obtain a Transitional credential?
Yes. Up until the date that a Transitional credential is moved to Inactive status, it can still be obtained. When a Transitional credential is going to move to Inactive status, a date will be communicated for that change.
7. Does a Transitional credential always have a new Active credential that supersedes it?
Not necessarily. That depends on each specific credential and the plans HP has for the technology upon which the credential is based. In all cases, the details concerning a Transitional credential (e.g. the planned date to be moved to Inactive status, a superseding credential if available, and an upgrade path for current HP Certified Professionals who hold the Transitional credential) will be listed in CertPro.
8. If a Transitional credential has a new Active credential that supersedes it, will there be an upgrade path for those who hold the Transitional credential?
Yes.
9. Will I be forced to upgrade?
No. That is the reason we have introduced Credential Upgrade Paths. However, there will be a point in the future that the Transitional credential will move to Inactive status. After a period of time, it will then move to Expired status. Once the credential is Expired, (unless you hold another credential that is either Active, Transitional or Inactive) you will lose your title and benefits as an HP Certified Professional.
10. What happens if, while I am working towards an Active credential, its status changes to Transitional?
When it is appropriate to re-classify a credential to Transitional, a date may be announced when it will go to Inactive status. That date will usually be commensurate with the complexity of the credential. For example, a credential with a requirement of one web-based exam may only have a Transitional status of 30 days. A credential with a requirement of multiple high-stakes exams may have a Transitional status that is considerably longer. Once the announced date arrives, the Transitional credential will move to Inactive status and, at that point, it cannot be earned by a candidate. Prior to that date, you will have the opportunity to complete the requirements and submit an application for the Transitional credential.
11. If I hold a Transitional credential, will I be notified of the change?
Yes. Please check your Credential Dashboard (Credential Navigator) in CertPro regularly. When that credential goes from Active to Transitional status, you will find the details of all your options in CertPro. Note: We strongly encourage you to check your personal profile we have on file for you to ensure that we have your correct contact information. Please go the HP Student Portal to do so.
12. If I hold an Inactive credential, what are my options?
Even though the credential is Inactive, there may still be an available upgrade path to the Active credential that supersedes it. If you choose, you may also research other certifications HP offers in your field. Or, you may opt to branch out and gain a credential in another focus area within the program. Please go to CertPro and check the Credential Dashboard (Credential Navigator).
13. If an Active credential has a predecessor in Transitional or Inactive status, will I have the capability to gain the Active credential without ever holding one of its predecessors?
Yes. There is a grid posted on your regional HP Certified Professional Program website with requirements to gain any Active credential from the beginning.
14. How long do I have to complete an optional upgrade to an Active credential?
Timing depends on the life cycle of the technology upon which the Active credential is based.
15. So I can only obtain a certification if it is classified as Active or Transitional?
Correct. You can gain an Active credential at any time. You can gain a Transitional credential any time before it's moved to Inactive status.
16. If my credential is Expired, am I still considered an HP Certified Professional?
To be considered an HP Certified Professional, you must hold at least one certification in one of the following three classifications: Active, Transitional or Inactive. So if your credential is Expired, and you hold no other credentials, then you are no longer considered an HP Certified Professional.
17. Will I ever lose a specific credential that I hold?
When the HP Certified Professional Program Office has determined that the program should no longer maintain a credential, it will be moved to Expired status. If that is the only credential you hold in the HP Certified Professional Program, you will lose your Certified Professional designation. Before that happens, you will receive communications regarding the program change with options and suggestions on what credentials to achieve to remain certified.
18. If I hold an Inactive certification, do I receive diminished benefits from the HP Certified Professional Program?
Absolutely not. Your benefits remain the same, commensurate with the highest level you currently hold in the HP Certified Professional Program.
19. How will versioning change the way HP names its certifications?
Some old credentials will be renamed, while all new credentials will be named with either a "year designator" signifying when it was created, or a "version designator" signifying what version the credential refers to. Version designators will be used most often with credentials that are based on specific versions of software.
Here are two examples:
ASE - HP OpenView Network Services Management v7.x
ASC - HP Superdome Server Solutions [2005]
20. When will the HP Certified Professional Program launch these changes?
The program has already begun to assign versions to new credentials. For more information, contact your regional HP Certified Professional Program Office or visit www.hp.com/go/certification/emea.
21. How do credential versions affect the Continuous Learning initiative from the HP Certified Professional Program?
Credential versions do not directly affect the Continuous Learning initiative.
22. Do credential versions and upgrade paths stop all Continuing Certification Requirements (CCRs)?
The intent of introducing credential upgrade paths is to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate future CCRs. For the status of CCRs in your region, please visit www.hp.com/certification/emea and select "Retired Certifications" from the left hand side navigation bar.
23. What if I have already accomplished my CCR?
If you have already completed the CCR, you will be granted the new Active credential.
24. What if I didn't complete my CCR?
You will no longer have a forced requirement to do anything. You will still hold the Transitional credential and will be given an optional upgrade path to the Active credential.
25. How are Credential Upgrade Paths different from the old CCRs?
Since Upgrade Paths are optional, you have the option to maintain your Transitional credential without being forced to upgrade to the Active version or have your credential revoked. Our HP Certified Professional community requested that capability and, last year, the HP Certified Professional Program promised a solution. These program changes deliver on that promise.
26. When the CCR was announced I was "grandfathered" or "migrated." If I didn't complete the CCR, do I get my old credential title back?
If you were given a new title along with a CCR, you retain the title we grandfathered or migrated you into. Your credential is re-classified as a Transitional credential. The Active credential has a new title, and you will be given an optional upgrade path to complete.
27. What do I have to do if I choose to upgrade to the new Active credential?
Requirements vary by credential. An upgrade requirements grid that details your optional upgrade path is posted on your regional website.
28. Do credential versions affect my employer's authorization to sell HP Solutions?
These changes do not alter how the Partner program manages authorization. Upgrade paths offer options to the HP Certified Professional. It does not directly affect the authorization of a partner.
29. So, if I work for a partner and I don't upgrade to the Active credential, it won't cause my employer to lose their authorization?
That depends. To be authorized to sell specific products, your employer may be required by HP to employ a certain number of HP Certified Professionals who hold specific credentials. YOU are not required to upgrade. As long as there are sufficient HP Certified Professionals on staff to meet the authorization requirements, there is no obligation for a specific HP Certified Professional to upgrade.
30. Will country partner programs accept only Active credentials toward their partner benefits?
Requirements vary by region/country. Please check with your local partner program office.
31. How will my employer and I know how many HP Certified Professionals we have on staff and whether or not our business is at risk of losing our authorization?
Several ways:
Your employer will always receive communications from HP regarding new authorization requirements and deadlines. These requirements may or may not have anything to do with a new version of a credential.
You will receive communication if you are affected by the versioning of a credential. That communication tells you if the specific credential in question has anything to do with authorization.
You or your employer can use the Certified Professional Lookup Tool on the Partner Portal at http://www.hp.com/eur/smartportal to view all HP Certified Professionals at a specific partner location.
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