Why has the MEF changed the MEF-CECP expiration policy?

 

Since the launch of the MEF Certified Professionals program in 2011, the certification exam has been regularly updated to reflect changes and additions to the standardization work of the MEF. These updates resulted in the name change to 'MEF-CECP 2.0' in 2013. However, the accelerated pace and breadth of standardization work in the MEF means that the name change model is now a less suitable approach to recognize those MEF-CECPs who have kept their certifications up to date by passing the current version of the exam.

After considerable discussion within the MEF Certification Committee, an updated expiration policy - aligned with broad certification practice in many industries - has been approved. The MEF strongly believes that this will be of benefit to both the MEF Certified Professionals and the organizations in which they use their Carrier Ethernet expertise, as it establishes a standard of knowledge among all MEF-CECPs without regard to when the MEF-CECP certification was issued.

 

What is the new MEF-CECP expiration policy?

 

From January 2016 onwards, any MEF-CECP certification that is older than 3 years will be considered expired and will show in the Ethernet Academy for that individual as 'inactive'. In order to renew a certification, a MEF Certified Professional will need to retake the latest version of the MEF-CECP exam. A $100 discount is available for those scheduling their renewal prior to the expiration of their current MEF-CECP certification.

 

 

What is the benefit for a company to renew the MEF-CECP certification of its employees?

 

The work of the MEF continuously evolves, and with it the MEF-CECP exam. As new MEF specifications are released, and some MEF specifications superseded, questions and answers in the exam have to be updated to reflect the most current MEF definitions. MEF Certified Professionals employees in any case need to keep up to date with the latest MEF definitions and specifications in order to ensure they are effective in their everyday Carrier Ethernet-related responsibilities. Not keeping up to date means that employees may be using obsolete and/or incorrect terms and methods based on old knowledge for their Carrier Ethernet services work, with the potentially negative impact on the company's Carrier Ethernet service products and the company's customers.

For example, over the last 3 years, the following new work has been developed in the MEF:-

  • MEF 6.2 Metro Ethernet Services Definitions Phase 3
  • MEF 10.3 Ethernet Services Attributes Phase 3 
  • MEF 12.2 Carrier Ethernet Network Architecture Framework Part 2: Ethernet Services Layer
  • MEF 22.1 Mobile Backhaul Phase 2 Implementation Agreement
  • MEF 22.1.1 Amendment to MEF 22.1 - Small Cell Backhaul
  • MEF 23.1 Class of Service Phase 2 Implementation Agreement
  • MEF 26.1 ENNI Phase 2
  • MEF 30.1 Service OAM Fault Management Implementation Agreement Phase 2
  • MEF 35.1 Service OAM Performance Monitoring Implementation Agreement Phase 2
  • MEF 32 Service Protection Across External Interfaces
  • MEF 33 E-Access
  • MEF 35.1 Service OAM Performance Monitoring Implementation Agreement
  • MEF 41 Generic Token Bucket Algorithm
  • MEF 43 vNID Functionality for E-Access Services
  • MEF 45 Multi-CEN L2CP
  • MEF 46 Latching Loopback Protocol and Functionality
  • MEF 47 Carrier Ethernet Services for Cloud Implementation Agreement

 

Does renewal of MEF-CECP certification require a full training course for employees?

This is entirely up to the employer company or the individual MEF-CECP.  There is no requirement to do so, and many MEF-CECPs renew their certification without full training. Candidates that would prefer some form of training are encouraged to contact their MEF-ATP to discuss what other options are available to them, other than a full training.

How much does the renewal process cost?

 

If the exam is scheduled prior to the 3 year expiry date, the exam costs US$250 for the first attempt, and US$50 for a second attempt.

If training is required, this is a separate cost that the MEF cannot estimate for MEF-CECP employers.

 

 

  • No labels