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Added by Rick Trader November 14, 2006

CompTIA has recently update their A+ competencies for the exam.  The current 220-301 and 302 exams are being retired on 31 December and candidates will only be able to take the new exams.  According to the CompTIA's A+ certification website there still be 2 exams required.  With the following major difference:  There is no longer an Operating Systems Exam and a Core Hardware Exam.  Each exam you take will require competencies in each area.  Here are your options for getting the A+ Certification.

The core exam is being called A+ Essentials. The following is an excerpt from CompTIA's A+ certification website:

"CompTIA A+ Essentials validates knowledge of basic computer hardware and operating systems, covering skills such as installation, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance, with additional elements of security and soft skills. The Essentials Exam validates the basic skills needed by any entry-level service technician regardless of job environment."

You then have to take one of 3 elective exams that best fits your employment goals, or employee needs to be certified. Each of the CompTIA A+ exams will focus on how to apply technology skills in specific job environments.  The following is an excerpt from CompTIA's A+ certification website:

"The CompTIA A+ 220-602 exam is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a mobile or corporate technical environment with a high level of face-to-face client interaction. Examples job roles include: Enterprise Technician, IT Administrator, Field Service Technician, PC Technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-602 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass both CompTIA A+ Essentials and exam 220-602 will be CompTIA A+ certified with the IT Technician designation. "

"Individuals in careers that require IT knowledge outside of the formal IT job role, such as SMB office manager, technical sales roles or other non-technical roles that require understanding of computer repair issues may also find the validation of skills associated with the CompTIA A+ credential to be valuable."

"The CompTIA A+ 220-603 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a remote-based work environment where client interaction, client training, operating system and connectivity issues are emphasized. Example job roles include: Remote Support Technician, Help Desk Technician, Call Center Technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-603 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass both CompTIA A+ Essentials and exam 220-603 exams will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Remote Support Technician designation."

"The CompTIA A+ 220-604 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in settings with where hardware related activities are emphasized. Example job roles include: Depot  Technician, Bench Technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-604 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass both CompTIA A+ Essentials and exam 220-604 exams will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Depot Technician designation. "

Hopes this helps clear up some of the confusion about the new certification.  Over the next few weeks I will reviewing each of the exams in my blog.

So until next time…. Ride safe.