Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Prompts Changes to the Red Hat Certification Program

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6's release brought with it changes to Red Hat's certification program. Among the changes are:

• The Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT) has been replaced by the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification
• The Red Hat Certified Engineer certification has been updated and a new exam required
• For Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 related certifications, the RHCSA is a prerequisite to the RHCE
• Certifications related to v6 and above are subject to a new recertification policy

RHCSA Replaces the RHCT Credential
The Red Hat Certified Technician certification has been replaced by the new Red Hat Certified System Administrator certification. Not only does the name sound more credible, it is designed to give hiring managers a better understanding of the certificate holder's skills.

The new certification involves more than a simple name change. While many of the new exam's objectives are similar to those of the old exam, additional skills have been added to the program and are measured through the half-day, hands-on certification exam, EX200.

During the transition, recent Red Hat Certified Technicians will be granted RHCSA credentials. However, should they continue on to pursue the RHCE certification, they will need to take the new RHCSA exam as well as the RHCE exam despite their newly acquired RHCSA status.

RHCE Updated
The Red Hat Certified Engineer certification has also been updated to include additional skills. In order to pursue this senior level certification, candidates must first obtain the RHCSA certification which is now a prerequisite.

New Recertification Rules for v6 Certifications
Beginning with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6, Red Hat's "currency window" takes effect. This means that a certification is considered current for three years. The currency window allows candidates to earn higher certifications during this period. When this happens, the currency period starts over. If a higher certification is not earned during this period, then the certificate holder must recertify.

Because certifications related to earlier versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux are subject to the old recertification policy, those certifications will be considered non-current based on the release of subsequent versions as described in the recertification policy in force when the certification was originally earned.

About CBT Planet:

CBT Planet offers a variety of Red Hat training courses covering existing and recently changed Red Hat certifications. If you've been affected by the recent changes to the Red Hat certification program, you may need to evaluate your current certification training path. Whether you're preparing for the new Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam or pursuing your Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential, CBT Planet provides IT certification training programs to match. Choose from flexible, convenient formats including online training videos, instructor-led computer IT training DVDs, distance learning, boot camps, and study guides.