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As the continuous debate over the value of certification rages, those who are responsible for making changes have debated ways of maintaining the credibility of their certs. Oracle has responded with a new training requirement for the Oracle9i DBA certification. Effective September 1, 2002, you will have to take an Oracle certified training course to receive your certification.

In addition to this, Oracle has added scenario-based testing on all of the exams and a new (as of October 2002) hands-on Masters Practicum Exam for the Oracle Certified Master.

What you need to know:

• Candidates who have already taken at least one exam in the 9i DBA track prior to September 1st will not be required to meet the new instructor-led course requirement.

• 	OCP Oracle9i DBA Certification

  If you are already certified in the DBA track at version 7.3, 8.0 or 8i, you are not required to meet the instructor-led course requirement to upgrade your credential to 9i.
• All new Oracle9i DBA Certified Professional candidates who begin taking exams after September 1st will not be certified until completing both the exam requirements and attending one instructor-led course.

Does this spell the end of the traditional multiple-choice exam? Will the dissenters who claim that certification is only a piece of paper that can be held by any dolt who can read a book finally be silenced? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, submit your opinion in this week's poll.