Most companies have their own certification framework that cover their own products. Cisco certifications are for Cisco products. Microsoft certifications are for Microsoft products. It makes logical sense.

However, how many companies use technologies from just one vendor? Very few. That’s why it’s important to have some vendor-independent IT certifications on your resume, to demonstrate that you have a broad understanding of IT solutions, not just those provided by a single company.

CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, is one of the most well-recognized and prestigious of the vendor-neutral certification authorities. CompTIA certifications are often requirements for technology professionals at certain companies and it’s not uncommon to see it included in the tracks of other certifications.

The CompTIA framework is setup into technology areas, with only one level per area:

• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Server+
• CompTIA Linux+
• CompTIA PDI+
• CompTIA RFID+
• CompTIA Convergence+
• CompTIA CTT+
• CompTIA CDIA+
• CompTIA Project+

Each certification requires passing an exam or two. For example, the CompTIA A+, the most common one CompTIA offers, you need to pass two 100-question, 90 minute exams. The first exam is the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and you need a 675 out of a potential 900 to pass. The second is the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam and you need a 700 out of a potential 900 to pass.

When you are certified, you will be required to refresh your certification when a new version comes out. At the moment the CompTIA A+ is on the 2009 version, with the prior version being the 2006 version. To be recertified, you need to either complete the 2009 requirements or take a bridge exam if you qualify.

This same framework applies to the other certifications but the A+ is the exam that changes most frequently.

In future weeks we will take a much closer look at these certifications.