Registration Opens for Updated CompTIA A+ Certification; New exams will reflect changes in technologies, job skills for computer service and support professionals.

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the world's largest provider of vendor neutral certifications for professionals in the information technology (IT) industry, announced today that registration is now open for the updated CompTIA A+(R) certification exams.

CompTIA A+, recognized throughout the IT industry as the foundation credential for a career in technology, is being updated to reflect the evolution of skills for computer service and support personnel. The updated exams, scheduled for worldwide availability this month, will cover both technology essentials and the specialized skills required in different computer service and support environments. CompTIA A+ certification will continue to include two "high stakes" exams delivered as computer-based tests in a proctored environment.

Registration is now underway for testing dates beginning September 30 for the CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ 220-602 exams.

The CompTIA A+ Essentials exam will cover core competencies in the latest hardware and software technologies, including a greater emphasis on information security skills, safety and environmental issues, and soft skills. Enhancement of the security component reflects the fact that IT workers encounter a host of security issues related to applications, operating systems, communications, procedures, and physical environments. The addition of soft skills is in line with the need for IT workers to be able to interact and communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and professional manner with co-workers, customers, partners, and others.

The CompTIA A+ 220-602 exam will focus on how to apply technology skills in specific job environments, such as IT technician, IT administrator, service technician, field PC technician, or computer technician.

The combination of CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ 220-602 is the exam option that maps most closely to the current CompTIA A+ offering. This combination is also an appropriate certification choice for:

--students interested in careers in technology;

--sales professionals who require foundation-level knowledge of technology in dealing with customers; and

--office managers in small and medium-sized businesses who have IT responsibilities.

Registration will open later this month for other CompTIA A+ exams, including 220-603 for remote support technicians, service desk technicians, support center technicians, help desk technicians, and call center technicians; and 220-604 for depot and bench technicians.

The current version of CompTIA A+ remains available worldwide. Approximately 700,000 individuals in some 190 countries around the world hold CompTIA A+ certification.

To register for the exams, or for additional information on objectives, courseware and other details on CompTIA A+ certification, please visit: http://certification.comptia.org/a/default.aspx.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) represents the business interests of the information technology (IT) industry. For 24 years CompTIA has provided research, networking and partnering opportunities to its 20,000 member organizations in more than 100 countries worldwide. CompTIA initiatives extend to areas such as convergence technologies, electronic commerce, information security, IT services, public policy, skills development, and software. CompTIA helps organization maximize the benefits they receive from their investments in technology; and assists IT workers to obtain the skills they need for productive careers in technology. For more information, please visit: www.comptia.org.