Up to now, VMware certification names have aligned to major product releases (for example, VCP6.5-DCV is mapped to vSphere 6.5). This has introduced some challenges as VMware product versions have become more disparate. For example:
- Different product versions create inconsistencies across tracks.
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- Example: What do we name a certification that may be based on NSX-T 2.x?
- Varying release dates of certifications based on product versions makes it harder to plan when to certify.
- Example: When will the next version be available, and on what product version?
To help resolve these inconsistencies and make it easier to identify the most recent certification version, the VMware certification program is making some changes. Moving forward, we will identify new certifications by the year they are earned. This will make it easier for both certification holders and potential employers to immediately identify how current a certification is.
For example:
Instead of: VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility 7 (VCP7-DTM)
The new release is: VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility 2018 (VCP-DTM 2018)
This new naming will begin now, in August 2018, starting with the certifications listed below. This will not affect the naming of any existing certifications and is not retroactive.
With the new naming, we are also able to release certifications on a predictable, annual schedule:
- Jan 1: All VCP certifications
- Mar 1: All VCAP Design certifications
- May 1: All VCAP Deploy certifications
- VCDX certification updates will follow VCAP releases
The Year Makes It Clear. We are excited to release these new certifications below with the new naming, available for new candidates and those needing to recertify or upgrade:
- VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility 2018 (VCP-DTM 2018)
- VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Data Center Virtualization Deploy (VCAP-DCV 2018 Deploy)
- VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Cloud Management and Automation Deploy (VCAP-CMA 2018 Deploy)
Take a look at our FAQs to help answer other questions you may have. Share your comments with us here, or drop us a note at certification@vmware.com.
Thank you for supporting VMware Certification!
This sounds Interesting, one question done this mean that we have to pay every year?
The exams and recommended training have fees associated with them, but you are not required to upgrade every year. That’s an independent decision on how often you want to or need to upgrade, but there are no recertification requirements for every year.
We may not be required, but tying this to annual updates further exacerbates the certification machine. I enjoy training for new certifications, but still tying a year to this will pressure people to recert every year. I do think this creates a divisive approach. I prefer 2 year, so I can add other technologies/training/certs as they come up. As much as I love VMware, I am not looking forward to be solely focused on VMware to the exclusion of other training.
One of the improvements we’ll be making with this change is making upgrade paths easier. It’ll depend on the amount of change between versions, but it may not, for example, always require a full delta exam. If the new VCP-DCV 2019 is based on vSphere 6.7 (as an example), the difference is small and would not require an exam, but a short video? Hands-on Lab? etc to upgrade. The specifics will be determined as each new VCP is completed, but we’re looking at removing the inhibitors to help you stay current.
I assume this doesn’t change the exam name though, just the year. So a 3V0-624 is still going to use the same blueprint it did before hand. I just don’t want it to be harder to know what to study for. The version made that easier.
Hi Douglas, that’s a great question and one we wanted to make sure we covered with this change. There will be a change to the way we name exams so that you can see specifically which product versions the exam was built on. The same information will also show on the exam web page, as well as in the Exam Guide. So there will be at least three different areas that will show the product versions that the exam was developed on.
Thanks,
Karl
I have understanding that the changing in the naming oft he certifications makes sense.
I planned to take the exam VCP7-DTM some weeks ago. Now I see that there the VCP-DTM 2018 is available also.
Comparing this, is the content of these exams exactly the same, or is this a completely different content between VCP-DTM 2018 and VCP7-DTM?
Thanks Andre.
The new VCP-DTM 2018 has many similarities to the VCP7-DTM exam, since it is still based on the same Horizon 7.x product, but it has been updated with new questions to reflect Horizon 7.5 and removed questions related to Mirage and other retired products.
Thanks,
Karl
Hi Karl,
thanks for clarifying this.
Regards,
Andre
until now we had to renew the certifications every 2 years, how long will the new ones be valid?
Hi Antonio, the recertification policy is still two years. This change does not affect the current recertification policy, it stays the same as it has been.
Thanks,
Karl
This feels like a terrible idea. Tying certifications to release gave a very clear of the technical capabilities of the recipient. Now we are muddying the waters. With multiple tests/certs being offered at the same time we cannot be sure what specifically they know.
Hi Robert, there will still be information about the specific technologies in all the underlying information on the certification: badges, exams, transcripts, certification, and exam web pages. Yes, it isn’t listed specifically on the certification name, but we are able to actually get more specific now on the technology compared to just sharing the major product version (e.g. Horizon 7.5 vs DTM 7.x).
Thanks,
Karl
If you are a VCP-DCV 6.5 and is considering on taking the next level sometime next year, my VCP-DCV is just a few months old. Could I take the new VCAP 2019 after march next year or do I have to take VCP 2019 first ?
Great question Thore,
Some of the required prerequisites are still being determined. It makes sense to still accept prior versions because of the length of time it takes to prepare and take certifications, but the specifics will be communicated.
This is a pretty horrible idea, and further dilutes the value of VMware certifications. I truly hope that the education team reconsiders this mistake.
Thanks for your feedback, Scott. We certainly understand that not everyone will agree with the periodic changes that are made to help the certification program evolve. So far the broader feedback that we have received regarding this change, particularly from talking to people this week at VMworld, has been positive. As it continues to roll out, you’ll begin to recognize the benefits of a predictable schedule and being able to more clearly communicate the relevancy of your certification in the market. As we release all the new versions next year, starting on Jan 1, let me know if you see any difference, good or bad, in how they’re viewed. Thanks!”
In my opinion, it only adds confusion to remove the version and add the year. If someone deployed 6.0 this year because their hardware didn’t support 6.5 or 6.7, will a VCP 2019 know how to work with this product? Or only the newest release? And then I have to hit google to find out what year 6.0 was released?
In our hiring process, we are easily able to see competencies based on the existing certs. Probably too late to reconsider, but it feels more like a certification drive than a real need.
Hi Paul, thanks for the note.
When we write certification exams, we write them to test the core competencies of a defined skill set. In other words, we write the exams to validate skills that may be used across several product versions. For example, the exam may ask a question about modifying permissions in vCenter, on what the results of specific settings might be. The knowledge and skill associated with that core competency are relevant across multiple versions. Even though the interface or steps might change in a new product version, someone who knows how permissions work and how to set them and what they mean will be able to quickly learn it in a new version. We’re really validating if someone has that core competency (i.e. we don’t test on GUI unless it maps to a core competency).
So instead of showing that a candidate has validated their skills only a specific version, the certifications will show that they are up-to-date (or as current as the last certification earned) across the technology. For example, instead of saying “you can work on vSphere 6.5 because that’s what the certification says”, we can say “you know how to work on all vSphere and its related technologies available in this year”. It makes you more relevant.
And of course, the specific product information that was tested on is available quickly and easily through the certification badge and transcripts.
Thanks,
Karl
Except for all the exam content on cofig maximums and licensing, which are prone to change between versions and aren’t a core competency, they’re something you reference as needed.
Exactly right…we’ll be sure to communicate the specific product versions in all those areas I mentioned so you’ll know what’ll be tested on. We also continue to improve the exams so they really do focus on core competencies. We shouldn’t be testing on the reference only items, unless those referenced items are required to come up with an answer related to a core competency…but in that case, we should provide the reference. I know there have been questions in the past that didn’t exactly fit that model, but it’s been improved over time, and you’ll continue to see that get better and better.
when is releasing VCP6.7-DCV certification voucher
Hi Mahesh, per the announced schedule, the next VCP will be released on Jan 1. It looks like that will be on vSphere 6.7, but TBD in case there are any product updates or releases before then.
Just cleared the VCAP7-DTM Design exam.. does this mean I’ll have to wait 8 months to get an active VCAP7-DTM Deploy.. even the VCAP6-DTM Deploy is taken down..
Hi Sujay, congratulations!
The VCAP6-DTM Deploy exam will be up again next week – there were some product changes that affected the exam questions, so it had to be updated (still based on the same blueprint). Yes, the new version is scheduled as the blog outlines above.
However, if you earn the VCAP6-DTM Deploy, since you earned the VCAP7-DTM Design, you will still earn the VCIX-DTM 2019 (the newest VCIX), since you earned the most recent version – see this blog as to how that works: https://blogs.vmware.com/education/2017/11/10/changes-vcix-badge-simplifying-ways-earn/
Hi Karl,
I’m VCP6-DCV Certified and it is going to be expired on 12th December 2018. In order to renew I’m planning to prepare VCAP 6.5- Design. 3V0-624 exam but before I start I would like to know the following.
1 – Am I eligible to appear VCAP 6.5 – Design Exam ?
2 – In real exam what type of questions we’ll get
3 – In real exam do we get any LABS or Practical or Simulations Questions ?
Thank you …
Hi Amjad,
To earn the VCAP6.5-DCV Design, you will need one of its prerequisites (either the VCP6.5-DCV or a previous VCAP in DCV). The prerequisite VCP needs to be in the same version as the VCAP you are earning. If you have earned a VCAP in the same track prior to this, you can then upgrade directly from VCAP to VCAP.
The VCAP6.5-DCV Design questions are a combination of multiple choice, scenario-based questions, and a few matching and hot spot. The newer exams do not include any simulation type of questions.
Thanks,
Karl
Thank you so much.
If I currently have a VCP-DCV6 and I take the VCP-DCV6.5 Delta exam in April of 2019 will I receive both a VCP-DCV6.5 and a VCP-DCV-2019 ?
They will be separate. One exam wouldn’t award two certifications, so if you take the delta for VCP6.5-DCV, that is the certification you will earn. The 2019 exam will be different, based on vSphere 6.7.