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NetApp University Certification - FAQ

• I'm new to data management and storage networking. Where should I start?
• How much does it cost to take a NetApp certification exam?
• What are the steps to certification?
• How should I prepare for my exam?
• Are there practice tests I can take to prepare for my exam?
• Can I retake a certification exam?
• How can I access or change my NetApp University account information?
• When will I receive my certificate?
• How do I request a certification logo?
• Will my certification expire?
• What happened to the NetApp Certified Storage Architect (NCSA) certification program?
• What is the accreditation process for NetApp partners?
• How do I create a NOW™ account?

• I'm new to data management and storage networking. Where should I start?
  For a vendor-neutral overview of how to architect, implement, and support storage networking solutions, check out the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) Storage Networking Certification Program. The SNIA specializes in advancing IT technologies, standards, and education programs for all IT professionals. Its certification programs align with NetApp certification programs, and we recommend them to anyone seeking a basic foundation in storage and data management.

• How much does it cost to take a NetApp certification exam?
  All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Certification exams can vary in price from US$150 to over US$200, depending on the exam and the country in which you take the exam. For specific price information, visit http://www.prometric.com/NetApp.

• What are the steps to certification?
  
  • Prepare for your exam.
    • Take a practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Practice tests are available for both NCDA exams.
      See Are there practice tests I can take to prepare for my exam? for more information.
    • Take a NetApp University training course. Visit the NetApp University Certification Web site and select your certification program. Select your exam from the program page, and scroll down to find a list of recommended training courses for that exam. To enroll in a NetApp University training course, you will need a NOW™ account. Create a NOW account.
    • Visit the NetApp University Community to discuss training and certification preparation with NetApp experts and your peers.
    • Study up on NetApp product descriptions.
    • Visit the NetApp Library to review technical manuals, white papers, knowledge base articles, and other relevant information about our products.
    • See the NetApp University Learning Map for a complete list of NetApp University training courses.
  • Register for and take your exam. All NetApp certification exams are administered through a third-party testing company. Register now for a NetApp certification exam.
  • Track your certifications and manage your certification account information. From the NetApp University Certification Database you can:
    • Make changes to your address
    • Check on the status of your certificate
    • Check your certification progress
    • Request a certification logo

• How should I prepare for my exam?
  One of the best ways to prepare for a certification exam is to take a training course from an authorized NetApp University Learning Partner. For a list of recommended training courses for your exam, visit the NetApp University Certification Web site and select your certification program. Select your exam from the program page, and scroll down to find a list of recommended training courses for that exam.
  
  Visit the NetApp University Community to discuss training and certification preparation with NetApp experts and your peers.

• Are there practice tests I can take to prepare for my exam?
  Practice tests are available for NCDA certification exams:
  • Practice test: Storage Networking Professional
  • Practice test: Data Protection Solutions Professional

• Can I retake a certification exam?
  You can attempt each NetApp certification exam up to 4 times in a 12-month period, but you must wait at least 10 calendar days between attempts.

• How can I access or change my NetApp University account information?
  You can manage your certification account information using the NetApp University Certification Database. From the Certification Database, you can do the following:
  
  • Make changes to your address
  • Check on the status of your certificate
  • Check your certification progress
  • Request a certification logo

If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the Database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• When will I receive my certificate?
  You will be notified of your exam results immediately after you take your exam, but your certificate may take up to six weeks to process. To check on the status of your certificate, visit the NetApp University Certification Database.
  
  If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• How do I request a certification logo?
  You can request and use your certification logo as soon as you receive your certificate. Note that it may take up to six weeks for your certificate to process. You can access your NetApp certification logo(s) from your candidate account in the NetApp University Certification Database. From your candidate account, you will also be able to access guidelines for using your certification logo.
  
  If you do not have a Certification Database account, you can set up an account by clicking “Never logged in before” on the database login page. To create an account, you will need to provide your name, your e-mail address, and your exam registration number.

• Will my certification expire?
  NetApp University certifications are valid for two years from the date of your exam. To renew your certification, you must complete the recertification requirements or progress to the next level of certification before your certification expires. If you let your certification expire, you will have to repeat the entire certification exam process to regain your certifications.
  
  You can check your certification expiration dates and current recertification requirements through the NetApp University Certification Database.

• What happened to the NetApp Certified Storage Architect (NCSA) certification program?
  We have pulled the NCSA program and supporting exams from our professional certification offerings while we refocus and redesign the program. When the exams re-launch, they will be used to qualify for NetApp Specialist accreditation—not certification—and will be available to NetApp employees and partners only. Here’s how they’ll change:

• NetApp employees and partners can visit the Accreditation section of the Field Portal for accreditation program information. Details about former NCSA exams will be posted as they become available.

• What is the accreditation process for NetApp partners?
  If you are a NetApp partner interested in accreditation, please log in to the Field Portal for information about NetApp accreditation programs.

• How do I create a NOW™ account?
  To create a NOW account, go to: https://now.netapp.com/eservice/public/now.do. New accounts can take up to one full business day to process. If you are having problems with your NOW account, please contact nowadmin@netapp.com.
  
  If you have any additional questions that are not addressed here, ask us a question through the NetApp University Support Center.