CIW Certification and Curriculum FAQ

General questions about the program

1. What skills are taught in the CIW training program?

CIW consists of multiple training and certification tracks that map to industry job roles. No matter which pathway(s) you pursue, you learn the latest technologies and job skills that make you an innovator in Web and Internet technologies. Earning CIW certification proves you are ready to put these skills to work for your employer. Following are some of the skills you learn while pursuing certifications under the current CIW program:

CIW Web Foundations Associate — basic knowledge of Internet technologies, Web authoring with XHTML, network infrastructure and troubleshooting, and business skills such as project management.

CIW Web Design Professional— specialized knowledge of Web site design methodologies and technologies, e-commerce site design strategies and practices, and various site development tools.

CIW Web Development Professional — specialized knowledge of Web development languages such as JavaScript, Perl and PHP, as well as relational database design skills.

CIW Web Security Associate, Specialist and Professional — strategies and tools for protecting an organization's assets and operations. CIW offers three certified levels of expertise in conjunction with security certifications from CompTIA, ISC2 and others. Get more details about these pathways and access links to the individual certifications.

2. How often is the CIW courseware revised?

We respond directly to technology advances and market demand for updated skills. Although we do not follow a set schedule for revisions, our courseware revision cycle is typically one to two years. The CIW Advisory Council — a team of influential educators, corporations, policymakers and nonprofit organizations — meets regularly to identify the skills and knowledge that students and employees need to know in the current job market. The Advisory Council then helps to define new skills and exam objectives for CIW. .

3. Why should I certify with CIW?

Take a look at our Why CIW page.

4.What sets CIW apart from vendor-specific certifications?

A vendor-specific certification validates an individual's skills and knowledge in using one particular product. Such a certification limits skills validation to that product and/or vendor. The CIW program is vendor-neutral, meaning that the program focuses on the essential skills needed to perform job roles rather than simply use specific products. However, CIW does not ignore essential tools and applications. CIW verifies your ability to use a broad range of cutting-edge technologies and tools. You learn about multiple vendor tools, their underlying technologies and how they're used in business situations — essential because many companies' technology infrastructures are hybrids of multiple vendors.

5. Does the vendor-neutral CIW certification work well with vendor-specific certifications?

With CIW, you learn the underlying technologies common to many vendors' products. This provides a solid foundation for individuals pursuing specialized study in vendor-specific certification programs. People who are CIW-certified find it easier to pass vendor-specific certification exams because they know the core technologies and standards used by vendor-specific applications.

6. Can anyone pursue CIW certification? Or do I need prior knowledge, certifications, qualifications or experience?

Anyone interested in pursuing or enhancing a career in Internet technologies or other IT-related fields will benefit from earning CIW certification. No prerequisites are necessary to earn any CIW certification; only passing scores on relevant certification exams are required. However, the certification exams are challenging and comprehensive. CIW offers training programs and curriculum to teach the knowledge and skills tested on the certification exams. These courses are not required before taking CIW exams or to earn CIW certifications, but for many candidates they are extremely helpful.

7. How do I get started on becoming CIW-certified?

The first step is to begin your training in CIW topics and skills. Visit the Training page to see if there is an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) or Authorized Academic Partner (AAP) near you. You can also visit our CIW online store to purchase CIW self-study materials, assessment tools and more. When you are ready to take CIW certification exams, you can locate testing centers through your training provider or by visiting VUE  or Prometric , our third-party testing center providers.

8. How long does it take to get CIW-certified?

There is no set time period for earning CIW certifications. Certifications are awarded when exams have been passed and other requirements have been met. Preparing to take and pass CIW exams is a personal matter that depends on your existing knowledge level and experience: Some students have more to learn and need more time than others. We suggest you discuss your training requirements with your local academic institution or learning center to determine an appropriate program for your needs. Our learning partners - which include universities, learning centers, community colleges and secondary institutions around the world - can further help you plan your study.

9. Does my CIW certification ever expire?

CIW certifications do not expire. However, the CIW skills objectives and certification exams are revised periodically when the industry dictates that updates are needed. CIW strongly encourages candidates to update their certification status by taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification, in order to demonstrate their current skills to the job marketplace.

10. Are CIW certifications valuable to someone who is not in an IT job role?

CIW certification can be helpful for many professionals — in marketing, design, public relations or office administration, for example — who need to demonstrate their skills in the Internet technologies related to their jobs. Individuals in any job roles in which computers, technology and the Internet are primary tools by which to do business can benefit from earning CIW certification.

11. How do I use the CIW Foundations Movies in my studies?

The CIW Web Foundations courses offer movie files that discuss selected technology topics. These online movies are an integral part of the CIW program and offer a multimedia experience that appeals to alternative learning styles. Instructors can present movies to the group in class as part of a structured teaching plan, and students can review movies on their own time to reinforce material when studying. To view the movies, log on to the CIW Online Campus at http://education.certification-partners.com/ciw. If you have any questions, please contact Product Support at (866) 370-3511 or support@certification-partners.com.

Note that the movies provide supplementary instruction in a multimedia format, and enhance the coursebook narrative and labs. However, movie content does not comprehensively address CIW Web Foundations Associate exam objectives and is not intended to replace coursebook content.

 

12. What is the relationship between CIW/Certification Partners and Habitat For Humanity?

There is no formal relationship between Certification Partners and Habitat For Humanity. Some of the labs within the Official CIW Curriculum are based on the Habitat Web site, which is useful for illustrating many of the Web site construction principles discussed in the official courseware. We have obtained permission from Habitat to use this material, and representation of its site in this context is with Habitat's knowledge and permission.

13. Whom should I contact if I have additional questions about CIW?

Simply complete and submit our brief Contact Form. We will respond to you promptly.

14. What does the CIW acronym stand for?

The CIW brand has come to represent quality standards in IT job skills certification and education. The program's original name has evolved and we now simply use the term CIW to emphasize the brand. CIW is a family of professional certifications and associated curriculum.

Originally, CIW stood for Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW). Since then, the CIW program grew to include job-role certifications that exceed the boundaries of the Internet and the role of the Webmaster. CIW certifications now validate skills and expertise in more advanced and diverse IT disciplines, such as server administration, security, application development, programming languages and enterprise solutions, as well as computer and Web skills practical for every job. As such, the program title was modified for the 21st century to Certified Internet Web Professional.

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2010-2011 CIW Program Changes

15. I hear the CIW certification program offerings are changing soon. Which CIW certifications will no longer be awarded, and when?

The following certifications will no longer be awarded as of June 30, 2011:

• CIW Professional
• CIW Associate Design Specialist (ADS)
• Master CIW Administrator
• Master CIW Enterprise Developer
• Master CIW Web Site Manager

These certification programs will not be discontinued immediately because universities, community colleges and other teaching institutions have adopted CIW certifications as part of their curriculum. We want to give everyone a chance to finish the programs.

Note that most of these certifications are simply being replaced with equivalent or similar CIW certifications that carry new titles.

16. Why are you no longer awarding certain CIW certifications?

Some changes to CIW certifications are related to partnerships that CIW has developed. Other changes reflect the need for CIW to focus more closely on Web-based technologies. Note that most of the certification changes involve replacement with equivalent or similar CIW certifications that carry new titles.

17. I hold (or will soon hold) a CIW certification that will no longer be available after June 30, 2011. Can I still claim to hold this certification on my résumé?

Yes, you can cite any current or past CIW certification on your résumé. However, CIW will no longer market or award the older certifications in the future. CIW certifications reflect an uncommon level of professionalism and technical skill, and represent a significant personal achievement. Taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification demonstrates to the job marketplace your current skills, your commitment to evolving technologies and your initiative.

18. What new CIW certifications are you now awarding?

We are now awarding the following CIW certifications :

• CIW Internet Business Associate (IBA) certification (exam 1D0-51a)
• CIW Site Development Associate (SDA) certification (exam 1D0-51b)
• CIW Network Technology Associate (NTA) certification (exam 1D0-51c)

• CIW Web Foundations Associate (exam 1D0-510, or all three 1D0-51* exams)

Web Design series

• CIW Web Design Specialist (exam 1D0-520)
• CIW E-Commerce Specialist (exam 1D0-525)

• Web Design Professional (both exams 1D0-520 and 1D0-525)

Web Development series

• CIW JavaScript Specialist (exam 1D0-435)
• CIW Perl Specialist (exam 1D0-437)
• CIW Database Design Specialist (1D0-541)

• Web Development Professional (exams 1D0-535, 1D0-537 and 1D0-541)

Web Security series

• CIW Web Security Associate (exam 1D0-571)
• CIW Web Security Specialist (exam 1D0-571, plus any ONE exam listed here
• CIW Web Security Professional (exam 1D0-571, plus any TWO exams listed here

Some of these certifications are based on CIW exams that have existed for some time. We have received market feedback that CIW should award certifications based on each of these exams.

 

19. How has CIW Foundations changed?

The CIW Foundations courseware and skills objectives remain the same. Candidates who take the 1D0-510 exam now receive the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification.
You can also become a certified CIW Web Foundations Associate by passing all three of the following modular exams based on CIW Foundations:

• CIW Internet Business Associate (IBA) — exam 1D0-51a
• CIW Site Development Associate (SDA) — exam 1D0-51b
• CIW Network Technology Associate (NTA) — exam 1D0-51c

You will earn the corresponding certification for passing each modular exam. If you earn all three of these modular certifications, you will be awarded the comprehensive CIW Web Foundations Associate certification in addition.

20. So if I earn all three of the modular CIW Associate certifications (IBA, SDA and NTA), I will also be awarded CIW Web Foundations Associate status? And if I earn the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification, will I also receive the IBA, SDA and NTA certifications?

Yes. If you earn the IBA, SDA and NTA certifications by passing the individual exams (1D0-51a, 1D0-51b and 1D0-51c), then you will also receive CIW Web Foundations Associate certification status. However, you will not receive a certificate for CIW Web Foundations Associate automatically. If you want the certificate for this certification, you can request it for an additional fee.

No, when you earn the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification by successfully taking and passing the comprehensive 1D0-510 exam, you will not receive the CIW Internet Business Associate (IBA), CIW Site Development Associate (SDA) and CIW Network Technology Associate (NTA) certification status.

 

21. When will the new certifications be awarded?

The new certifications will become active on July 30, 2010. Candidates who have previously passed the appropriate exams and have already completed the CIW Certification Agreement will be certified in the new programs automatically. An automated e-mail message will be sent from the CIW Candidate Information Center to confirm your new status.

 

22. I passed a CIW exam in the past. With the changes to the CIW program, I'm now certified with a new title. Will I receive a new paper certificate for this certification automatically?

No, not automatically. Those who now qualify for a new or revised CIW certification title -- by passing exams in the past that previously did not earn a certification or that earned a certification of a different name -- now have the option to order a paper certificate for a nominal fee. Until September 30, 2010, you can order a printed certificate for a discounted price of $23.50. After September 30, the certificate reprint price will be $29. These fees also apply to all individuals who want a certificate reprint for current and future certifications. New certificants continue to receive one paper certificate per certification at no cost.

To obtain free proof of your revised credential(s), you can log into the CIW Candidate Information Center and use the Publish Credentials tool to have proof of your new certification status sent via e-mail to any e-mail address(es) you choose.

 

23. Do I need to become a CIW Web Foundations Associate before I can earn other CIW certifications?

No. You no longer need to pass the Foundations exam(s) to qualify for more advanced CIW certifications. However, most individuals should consider earning the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification to ensure and prove that they have the proper base of skills for their career.

24. Under the new CIW Web Foundations Associate program, can I still say I am "Foundations-certified" or that I am a "CIW Associate"?

Yes, if you earn all three modular certifications or the comprehensive CIW Web Foundations Associate, then you are considered a CIW Web Foundations Associate. However, you will need to be more specific if you pass only one or two of the modular Foundations exams. For example, if you earn the CIW Internet Business Associate certification, you are not necessarily a CIW Network Technology Associate.

25. I am already a certified CIW Associate. Under the new program, will my certification be automatically reissued as CIW Web Foundations Associate? And can I have the three modular certifications as well?

Under our new program effective August 2010, the previously named CIW Associate certification will be equivalent to the new CIW Web Foundations Associate certification. However, we do not automatically reissue new certifications to previous certification recipients. The certification you earned is still valid and still relevant in the industry, but it is an earlier version. Taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification demonstrates to the job marketplace your current skills, your commitment to evolving technologies and your initiative.

CIW Associates have the option to apply for the new CIW Web Foundations Associate certification and/or the modular certifications (CIW Internet Business Associate, CIW Site Development Associate and CIW Network Technology Associate) for a nominal fee.  Please contact us for more information.

26. Why is CIW Associate Design Specialist (ADS) no longer being awarded?

We are replacing the CIW Associate Design Specialist (ADS) certification with the CIW Site Development Associate (SDA) certification and the more advanced CIW Web Design Specialist. These new certification options provide you with several benefits:

• The Web design job market expects individuals to demonstrate the learning paths they took to obtain professional Web knowledge. We have therefore changed our certification map to reflect your learning path more completely.
• Instead of receiving one certification, you now receive two certifications to demonstrate your level of expertise.
• You will now be better prepared to earn additional certifications, such as the CIW E-Commerce Specialist and CIW Web Design Professional certifications.

27. Many of your new certifications are based on exams that you already offer. Why?

We have received market feedback from the industry and educators that CIW should award certifications based on each of these exams. Our education partners also appreciate being able to award more certifications as their students learn the skills to pass any one exam. Our current goal is to award a certification with each exam passed.

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For more exam-related questions, please visit our Exam FAQ page.