Certification Program Policies
Review this section for current information on program policies for Symantec Certification exams. All candidates are bound by these Program Policies. Refer to the Symantec (legacy Veritas) Certification Program Agreement and Symantec Corporation Confidentiality Agreement to review requirements for program participation and the Logo/Trademark License Agreement with instructions on how to obtain and use logos associated with it.
Confidentiality
All content, specifically questions, answers and diagrams of the certification exams are the exclusive and confidential property of Symantec Corporation and are protected by Symantec Corporation's intellectual property rights. They may not be copied, reproduced, modified, published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, or distributed in anyway without the express authorization of Symantec Corporation. Candidates who sit for Symantec certification exams must agree they have read and will abide by the terms and conditions of the Symantec Corporation Confidentiality Agreement before beginning the certification exam. The agreement applies to all exams. Signing and adhering to this agreement is required to be officially certified and to maintain valid certification. Penalties for violating the policy can include up to and including a lifetime ban on all future exams and the nullification of all previous certifications. Conduct
Candidates must take no action to compromise the integrity or confidentiality of any Symantec (or legacy Veritas) certification exam or certification program. Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to any of the following:
- Selling, licensing, distributing, giving away or obtaining from any source other than Symantec Corporation the Exam Materials, questions or answers.
- Distributing actual exam content via Web postings, discussion groups, chat rooms, study guides, etc.
- Use of falsified or altered Certificates, Score Reports, or other documents or electronic media used to misrepresent the Certification status of a candidate
- Giving or receiving assistance of any kind from anyone for any examination
- Using any aids, notes, equipment or other materials not authorized by the Testing Delivery Partners or Symantec during the exam
- Providing falsified documentation as a means of a false identity, false address or solicitation of someone to take a test on another’s behalf
- Use of Symantec Support Services to resolve test questions to extract examination questions and answers
- Failure to protect Certification content through carelessness or in an attempt to shield facts regarding a violation
- Causing a disturbance of any kind in a testing facility; removing or attempting to remove questions and/or responses (in any format) or notes, note board, or scratch paper from the testing room
Please report suspicious activity to the Testing Center and the
Symantec Certification Team. If Symantec determines that any misconduct has occurred, Symantec reserves the right to determine if an award will be granted. Penalties for violating any policy can include up to and including a lifetime ban on all future exams and the nullification of all previous certifications.
Other Symantec Certification Policies
Appropriate security of exam content is an essential aspect for upholding a reputable certification program. There are standard best practices for maintaining a high-stakes certification exam, including the protection of all exam content. The Symantec customer certification program does not provide exam questions in any format other than in a proctored test environment through approved Prometric testing centers or through sample exams located on Symantec's website.
- If a candidate fails an exam s/he must wait 72 hours prior to taking the same exam again.
- Symantec strongly recommends attending training courses and having at least 6 to 12 months on-the-job experience with Symantec [or Veritas] product(s), review of product documentation and study prior to taking exam(s). Be cautioned that, attendance in a training course does not guarantee passage of a certification exam.
- Symantec will not approve reshipment of certificates/awards if the certification designation was achieved prior to 24 months.
- To obtain Certification in any of the applicable Symantec Certification Program Designations, you must successfully comply with the initial Certification requirements for that designation.
- Symantec may change the Certification requirements (both initial and continuing), the Symantec Certification Program Designations, and the Symantec Certification Program at any time.
- Candidate exam response time is subject to being measured and recorded. Symantec reserves the right to validate certification exam results and timing to complete an exam.
- Candidates must adhere to Symantec [and legacy Veritas] Certification Program's logo usage guidelines.
- Upon your successful completion of the Initial Certification requirements, Symantec authorizes you to use the Symantec Certification Program Designations for which you have obtained certification.
- Upon your successful completion of the initial Certification requirements, Symantec authorizes you to display the Symantec Certification Program Certificate(s) provided to you. You shall not copy, modify or alter the certificates provided to you.
- Upon your successful completion of the initial Certification requirements, Symantec authorizes you to use any Symantec logos and trademarks applicable to the Symantec Certification Program Designation(s) for which you have achieved certification. This license is non-exclusive and non-transferable. The logos may not be used as any portion of your tradename or trademark for your business, services or other products. You are also bound to the policies in the “Symantec Certification Program Logo and Trademarks” letter that you receive upon certification.
- You shall not market your own services in any way that implies that such services are associated with or provided in any way by or on the behalf of Symantec, or that you are employed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Symantec, except to state that you have completed the requirements for your particular certification(s).
- Symantec retains all right, title and interest in the Symantec Certification Program, the Symantec Certification Program Designation(s) and related exams and results.
- Symantec shall have no liability to you or to any of your clients or customers for your use of the Symantec Certification Program, the Symantec Certification Program Designations and the Symantec Logos, or the performance, promotion, sale or distribution of your services as a Symantec Certification Program Individual.
- Any exam results shall be owned exclusively by Symantec Corporation and Symantec Corporation shall have the right to freely use any such information or data.
If Symantec determines that any misconduct has occurred, Symantec reserves the right to determine if an award will be granted. Penalties for violating any policy can include up to and including a lifetime ban on all future exams and the nullification of all previous certifications.
When will certification exams retire?
Many of the Symantec Certification exams will be replaced by a newer product version of the exam as technology and trends continue to evolve. Legacy exams may be phased out from our website after a newer version of the exam is released. Legacy exams will still be available on Prometric’s website, as Symantec recognizes that legacy product versions will continue to hold their value in the marketplace as long as there is a demand from the industry.How long is a Symantec certification designation valid? When do certifications expire?
New Symantec Certified Specialist certifications have no expiration date. The no-expiration policy means that the value of Symantec Certifications will be based on how relevant the certification’s competencies are to the IT marketplace. This means that Symantec Certifications, regardless of the associated product versions, will continue to hold their value in the marketplace as long as there is a demand from the industry. When certification verification is required, Symantec will identify the product version, thus distinguishing between those who have upgraded certifications and those who haven’t. Symantec highly recommends recertification to remain current with Symantec technology and trends. Click
here to view the listing of current Symantec Certified Specialist exams and legacy exams.
Legacy certified candidates should be aware that Symantec is not withdrawing certification expirations 1) either already expired, 2) where candidates have already received an expiration notice for legacy Symantec Security certifications, 3) for any legacy Symantec Security certification older than 24 months from the date awarded, or 4) where candidates had already received an expiration notice for the following certification designations stating the below certifications will expire on 12/31/08 (per the legacy Veritas expiration policy).
Data Protection Administrator for Windows using NetBackup 4.5 DP-003W
Data Protection Administrator for UNIX using NetBackup 4.5 DP-003X
Data Protection Administrator for Windows using NetBackup 5.0 DP-023W
Data Protection Administrator for UNIX using NetBackup 5.0 DP-023X
Data Protection Professional for Windows using NetBackup 4.5 DP-001W
Data Protection Professional for UNIX using NetBackup 4.5 DP-001X
High Availability Implementation for UNIX using VCS 4.0 HA-022X
High Availability Professional for Windows using VCS 2.0 HA-001W
High Availability Professional for UNIX using VCS 3.5 HA-001X
High Availability Professional for UNIX using VCS 4.0 HA-021X
What was the strategy to communicate legacy exam expiration when candidates held different certification award dates and work for the same company?
The expiration policy has been consistent and applied equally to all candidates. The "completion date" does not have any impact on the expiration.Who is responsible for keeping certified candidates valid?
Candidates are responsible for keeping their certification valid. Symantec will make reasonable efforts to personally update candidates via e-mail about new exams and exams that are being retired.
