How to Become an Apple Certified Technician
April 8th, 2008 by admin
With the Apple Mac’s breaking 8% of the market share at the end of 2007, it has become something us PC technicians can no longer ignore. With Windows Vista being such a poor product, more and more users are switching to Apple Macs. Many of us with pre-established computer repair businesses should expect to see many more Macs on our work bench.
As for techies just entering the IT field, having a Apple certification is a great way to make you stand out from the rest. If you look at any business that does some sort of design work, you can bet they have at least one Apple computer, or even all of them as Macs. So what certifications are out there and how do we get them? Read on.
ACMT - Apple Certified Macintosh Technician Certification
The Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) certification verifies the ability to perform basic troubleshooting and repair of both desktop and portable Macintosh systems, such as iMac MacBook Pro. ACMT certification exams emphasize identifying and resolving common OS X problems, and using Apple Service and Support products and practices to effectively repair Apple hardware.
Required Exams for this Certification:
Apple Macintosh Service Exam (9L0-006)
Mac OS X v10.5 Troubleshooting Exam (9L0-061)
Available Training:
AppleCare Technician Training - Self-paced online program including training materials and diagnostic tools
Apple Authorized Training Center - 2 to 5 day courses containing lectures, demonstrations and hands-on lab exercises
Global Service Exchange - Self-paced training materials (only available to technicians employed by AASP’s and SSP’s)
ACSP - Apple Certified Support Professional
Formerly named Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS), ACSP certification is new for Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard. ACSP verifies an understanding of Mac OS X core functionality and an ability to configure key services, perform basic troubleshooting, and assist end users with essential Mac OS X capabilities. This certification addresses the technical skills needed by a Mac OS X specialist who works as a support professional or otherwise assists Mac OS X users with technical issues.
Required Exams for this Certification:
Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-402)
Available Training:
Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Course (Mac OS 101)
Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
Skills Assessment Guide
Sample Test
ACTC - Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) certification verifies a foundation in Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server core functionality and an ability to configure key services and perform basic troubleshooting of the essential Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server capabilities. The currently required exams are based on Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server v10.5.
Required Exams for this Certification:
Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-402)
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-509)
Available Training:
Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 Course
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Course
Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
Skills Assessment Guide
Sample Test
ACSA - Apple Certified System Administrator
Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) 10.5 certification verifies an in-depth knowledge of Apple technical architecture and an ability to install and configure machines; architect and maintain networks; enable, customize, tune, and troubleshoot a wide range of services; and integrate Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, and other Apple technologies within a multi-platform networked environment. ACSA certification is intended for full-time professional system administrators and engineers who manage medium-to-large networks of systems in complex multiplatform deployments.
Required Exams for Apple Certification:
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Exam (9L0-509)
Directory Services v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
Advanced Administration v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
Deployment v10.5 Exam (available mid-2008)
Available Training:
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 Course
Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
Skills Assessment Guide
Sample Test
Pro Applications Certification
Apple certification programs create a benchmark for assessing users’ proficiency in Apple’s professional applications.
By passing certification exams, you become an Apple Certified Pro for a chosen application (eg. Final Cut Pro). You can then follow the path to Master Pro Certification by passing additional required exams. Or become certified to deliver Apple curriculum as an Apple Certified Trainer or Master Trainer.
Required Exams for Apple Certification:
Depends on the application you specialize in. Here is the list of the applications.
Available Training:
Apple Pro Training Courses
Self-Paced Apple Learning Books
How To Take Apple Certification Exams:
1. Sign up for a Apple Tech ID if you dont already have one.
2. Find an Apple Authorized Training Center or a Prometric Testing Center
3. Register for your exams based on the certification you would like to attain.
Does anyone here already have one or more of these certifications? Drop us a comment.
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