[hayden]

RIM today announced a new BlackBerry Certification Program that will extend a reliable, comprehensive certification testing service in support of the BlackBerry wireless platform. The new BlackBerry Certification Program is intended to provide an empirical means of measuring and validating the real world skills and knowledge used in planning, administering and supporting BlackBerry product deployments. The program, which is designed for IT professionals and consultants as well as wireless carriers and other BlackBerry partners, will be available in 135 countries.

"BlackBerry products and services are available from over 300 carriers in 135 countries around the world and there is substantial demand for qualified IT professionals that are certified to support BlackBerry solutions," said Peter Broughall, VP of Customer Support Operations at Research In Motion. "Staff certified under the new BlackBerry Certification Program can use their skills in planning and managing deployments to help organizations maximize their investment in the BlackBerry platform."

The BlackBerry Certification Program is intended to provide a broad range of certification options that align with specific roles. Certifications in the program will be offered in three areas: technical certifications for IT professionals and consultants seeking to establish their credentials for the effective implementation, administration and support of BlackBerry solutions; certifications for professionals in the IT industry seeking to prove their advanced knowledge in the use of BlackBerry solutions; and certifications for corporate developers to validate their skills in the development of mobile applications for the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution.

Certifications planned for availability in 2008 include:

- BlackBerry(R) Certified System Administrator - for technical professionals who install, configure and manage the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution - available May 13

- BlackBerry(R) Certified Server Support Specialist - for technical specialists supporting BlackBerry Enterprise Server and its associated components - available Fall 2008

- BlackBerry Certified Support Specialist - for specialists who support BlackBerry smartphone users in a BlackBerry Internet Service or BlackBerry Enterprise Server environment - available Fall 2008

- BlackBerry Certified Solution Designer - for technical professionals who provide pre- and post-sales technical consulting services to organizations that have deployed the BlackBerry Enterprise Solution - available Fall 2008

Additional certifications for individuals planned to be available in 2009 include BlackBerry Certified Enterprise Application Developer, BlackBerry Certified Trainer, BlackBerry Sales Expert and BlackBerry Expert User. Organizational certifications planned for 2009 include BlackBerry Certified Reseller and BlackBerry Certified Training Center.

RIM is working in collaboration with two recognized leaders in certification testing. Alpine Testing Solutions, which provides innovative, superior-quality testing solutions with an emphasis on customer needs, service and satisfaction, is developing and designing the certification exams. Prometric, a recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, is providing a comprehensive suite of services, including test development, test delivery and data management capabilities to enable the BlackBerry Certification Program to be offered as a highly controlled, proctored testing service at over 4700 test centers in 135 countries.

IT professionals interested in BlackBerry certification programs will be able to schedule exams as they become available, choosing a testing center location and time that is convenient for them, by visiting: www.prometric.com/blackberry. Exams are computer-based, providing prompt results upon submission.

BlackBerry Certified System Administrator will be the first certification designation available. Testing for this designation will premiere on May 13 at the Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES) 2008 in Orlando, FL, where a limited number of conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the first rounds of testing. Certification testing at WES 2008 is now open for registration at www.attendwes.com/certification.

For updates on certification testing availability or more information about the BlackBerry Certification Program, visit www.blackberry.com/certification.

[pda.teck]

Super Sweet, every one tells me I am Certifiable!

[j llama]

I in the Beta from RIM.
Take my test in two weeks!!
(Soon to be: Support Specialist)

[jrockett]

Originally Posted by j llama

I in the Beta from RIM.
Take my test in two weeks!!
(Soon to be: Support Specialist)

WTG man! I can't wait to do these too.

[jonnyxedge]

Yeah I can't wait. Let us know what its like. I'm assuming there is a cost. Do you know how much. ~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[jrockett]

Probably ~$130. The test isn't the expensive part. It is the classes and course materials that get ya.

[jonnyxedge]

Well yeah 130$ isn't bad at all. How do you get the courses. Do you have to go to WES? I want to get this under my belt. I'm interested in changing departments in my company or possible getting aboard with RIM. ~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[KeNNethX]

I had checked before and it's $150.

[jrockett]

I'm sure RIM will offer training classes at your local training centers, but I'm not sure when they will role it out. If someone doesn't know now we'll be sure to find out at WES and report back.

Edit: From their certification page:

And there are several flexible ways to prepare, including instructor-led, online and self-study courses that map directly to exam topics.

[Amigotek]

Originally Posted by KeNNethX

I had checked before and it's $150.

That is what it said for device specialist. That didn't include taxes, etc..... Gonna have to talk to my RIM Rep and my boss.

Zo

[volscian]

I may not know all I need to know to do this, but I spend my life on my BB and with a little studying I'm willing to give it a shot.
~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~

[thbassman]

Yeah 150 isn't a bad investment to forward your career!

[codedft]

I would like to know if anyone is writing the BCX-210 certification(supporting blackberry internet service)exam.
I need to know what to study and if anyone has written the exams,can I kindly know what type of questions were asked?thank you

[jonnyxedge]

Well they tell you in the pdf what to study for. Well they should give you a good idea. ~via BB (wap.pinstack.com)~