VCAP-DCA and VCAP-DCD Exam Retirement

[lilesj]

VMware Certification is announcing the retirement of two exams:

• Exam VDCA510 which qualified candidates for the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Administration (VCAP5-DCA) certification and was based on vSphere V5.0
• Exam VDCD510 which qualified candidates for the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 5 – Data Center Design (VCAP5-DCD) certification and was based on vSphere V5.0

Both exams will be retired on January 31, 2015, and you will not be able to schedule them after this date. You can still earn your VCAP5-DCA or VCAP5-DCD certification by passing the exams based on vSphere V5.5 – VDCA550 and VDCD550, respectively.

If you have prepared for the retiring exams but will not be able to test before January 31, 2015, we suggest the following courses to help you prepare for the vSphere V5.5 exams.

• Free What’s New Fundamentals Online eLearning course
• vSphere: What’s New [V4.x to V5.5] 2-Day instructor-led course

[khaliqamar]

I have paid my fees and my exam (vcap-dca 510) scheduled on 9th jan 2015, so that's mean i will be officially certified only for 20 days ( if I pass )... ?

[Scott Vessey]

That's not how I interpreted Jill's message - here's how I see it:

VCAP5-DCA: at the moment you could pass either the VDCA510 exam or the VDCA550 exam to achieve VCAP5-DCA certification, from February 1st only the VDCA550 exam will be available.

VCAP5-DCD: at the moment you could pass either the VDCD510 exam or the VDCD550 exam to achieve VCAP5-DCD certification, from February 1st only the VDCD550 exam will be available.

But if you already hold the VCAP5-DCA or VCAP-DCD certifications on February 1st, then you hold those certifications...

[lilesj]

Scott is exactly right. You will not be able to take the VDCA510 exam after January 31, but you would still hold that certification if you pass before that date. The certification is not retiring, only that particular exam. 

[khaliqamar]

Thanks, its clear now..

[Sateesh_vCloud]

Thanks for sharing the information ... I'm preparing for my DCD exam and will make note of these dates :smileywink:

[ShanVMLand]

Hi,

I am going to take VCAP-DCA 510 on next week, Can I take VCAP-DCD 550 after Jan 31,2015 or have to finish VCAP-DCD 510 before retirement?

Thanks,

Shan

[Scott Vessey]

The 2 certifications are independent so passing one with a 510 exam and the other with a 550 exam is fine - even if you intend to push on to VCDX.

[ShanVMLand]

Thanks Scott, appreciating your help.

Shan