MEF launches MEF-CECP 2.0 certification exam

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) says it has updated the MEF Carrier Ethernet Certified Professional (MEF-CECP) certification exam to include additional Carrier Ethernet concepts and topics encompassing all aspects of the MEF's Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0).

Developed by a team of recognized Carrier Ethernet industry leaders and subject matter experts, MEF-CECP 2.0 is vendor-neutral certification that affirms that the professionals have acquired the key competency and skills to design, market, deploy, and support Carrier Ethernet equipment, networks, and services. The certification is targeted at telecommunications and networking professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise, skills, and knowledge of Carrier Ethernet technologies, standards, services, and applications.

Effective December 2, 2013, the new MEF-CECP 2.0 exam will cover key components of CE 2.0, including the E-Access service, detailed Service OAM functionality, standardized classes of service, and resiliency performance metrics. The revised exam is a superset of the original exam and will test candidates’ understanding of Carrier Ethernet as well as their mastery of the new CE 2.0 material.

New candidates, along with the over 1400 existing MEF-CECPs, may now register to take the exam in order to obtain the MEF-CECP 2.0 certification. Existing MEF-CECPs will retain their MEF-CECP certification, which does not expire. The new MEF-CECP exam will be administered to anyone taking the exam after December 1, 2013. For a limited time the MEF is offering its existing MEF-CECPs who have recently obtained their certification a discounted exam fee.

“The MEF-CECP program is preparing a knowledgeable workforce capable of supporting the continued growth of Carrier Ethernet,” said Eric Puetz, co-chair of the MEF’s Certification Committee. “Periodic updates to the professional certification program will ensure that it remains current with the MEF technical work. It also ensures that the MEF-CECPs who pass the exam are recognized as experts in their field, and that they are up-to-date on the latest Carrier Ethernet technologies and MEF concepts.”

The change comes as the number of MEF certified professionals reaches an all-time high, the organization says.

“The last 6 months has seen the most significant growth in the MEF CECP certified professionals since its launch in 2011,” said Craig Easley, one of the founders of the MEF Professional Certification Program. “We now have MEF CECP professionals in 204 organizations across 54 countries. The program has rapidly become a global phenomenon, with telecom service providers and equipment vendors already making a real impact on the growth of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.”

For more information on Carrier Ethernet equipment and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.