Recertification Policy and Process

Figure 1. Certification Status Timeline

Active

Active status is achieved immediately after passing a certification or recertification exam. The length of time in which active status is in effect varies by certification type: Associate Developer - 2 years, Developer - 3 years, Architect - 4 years and Specialty (CLED) - 5 years.

Suspended (Expired)

Suspended status results if a certified individual does not pass either:

• The recertification exam OR
• The exam for the next level of certification OR
• Does not recertify by points prior to the expiration date of the certification.  

In the suspended state, the following changes occur:

• The individual will not be allowed to take the exam for the next level of certification without first recertifying at the current level.
• Recertification points cannot be earned in the suspended state. 
  

Suspended status is cleared and changed to Active upon passing the recertification exam within a year of the date of suspension.  

Inactive

Inactive status occurs after one year of Suspended status. Architects and Developers who fail to recertify before the end of their suspended period become inactive. To become active, they restart their recertification process with the Developer practical exam. 

All NI Certified Professionals can recertify by exam. Certified Professionals at the Developer level or above have the option to recertify by achieving and logging activity points. Each of those methods are outlined below. 

The Recertification by Points program is open to Certified Developers and Architects immediately upon certification or recertification and is available while their certification status is Active. By participating and completing approved activities, Certified Professionals can earn and accumulate Points redeemable towards recertification.

Participants will be issued an automatic recertification upon accumulation of 50 points. Upon recertification, participants will receive a confirmation email. Participation in the Recertification by Points program does not guarantee recertification.

Recertification by Points program participants may not carry over Points from one recertification period to another.

Recertification activities will only apply towards the recertification in the product area needing recertification, for example, TestStand activities will only count towards TestStand recertification. The requestor must indicate which certification they would like to claim Points for.

Activities to Earn Points Towards Recertification

Submit proof of activities towards recertification by points

Recertification exams can be taken up to four months prior to your expiration date.  Exams taken within this window do not alter your current certification status, nor do they lessen the recertification interval.  

• Current certification status:  If, for example, you are an active Certified LabVIEW Developer whose certification expires March 1, 2021, and you fail the recertification exam on February 1, 2021, your certification is still valid until March 1, 2021.  However, you will need to retake and pass the recertification exam to extend your certification status beyond March 1, 2021.
• Recertification interval: For example, if your certification has a 2-year expiration cycle and expires March 1, 2021, and you take and pass a recertification exam on February 1, 2021, your certification will remain active for 2 years from the original expiration date - through March 1, 2023.

Scheduling and preparing for your exam

To find preparation materials and schedule your recertification exam, visit the exam pages in the table below. You may also attend free virtual preparation sessions. Most exams are taken online, but in some cases they may be scheduled at an NI location.

Learn more about online exams