After reading Jonathan Carters blog about becoming an Ubuntu Certified Professional, I thought to myself "this is something that I need".
January 10th, 2007, I was approved for Ubuntu Membership. Since then, my contributions to Ubuntu have increased ten-fold, with the work of US Teams and the Utah Team. Things are looking up for Ubuntu, and I love being a part of it.
Anyway, one year from that date, that is, January 10, 2008, I will follow in Jonathan's footsteps, and become an Ubuntu Certified Professional. My wife isn't exactly supportive of this, but I think she'll come around, and we'll see eye-to-eye. 🙂
So, what are the steps necessary to becoming certified? Well, that's the question that I asked myself, and found that answer, after a bit of searching and digging around. Basically, in a nutshell, Canonical, Ubuntu's parent company, has setup the certification through The Linux Professional Institute. You need to take 3 Level 1 exams, which can be taken in any order. The three exams that need to be passed, are LPI 101, LPI 102 and LPI 199 (the Ubuntu exam).
Taking the exams can be done through Thomson Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers around the world. For me, going through Pearson VUE, the LPI 101 and 102 exams are $150 each with LPI 199 at $100, thus bringing the total to $450 for complete certification. There are testing centers located in my city of residence, which means I don't need to travel to take the paper exams. No, the exams cannot be taken online. Paper only.
So, with news of setting this goal to become an Ubuntu Certified Professional, what do I need to study? How should I prepare for the exam? Well, luckily, we have the resources available to help you prepare. On the Ubuntu Wiki, there is a page outlining what could be covered on the exams (specifically, see the bottom of that page). These resources are no substitutes, however, for experience and know-how. It's one thing to just study for an exam and pass. It's another to practice daily and study. I do not know how long the certification is good for, but I would imagine that it would not be too long.
At any rate, there you go. Less than one year from now, and I will be an Ubuntu Certified Professional. Following Jonathan Carter's lead, congratulations by the way, I wonder how many will be certified, and if it is something that Ubuntu professionals are striving for. Going along with a college degree and solid work experience, this is one feather in the cap that I cannot pass up.
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