National Instruments Recertification Policy and Process

Figure 1. Certification Status Timeline

Active

Active status is achieved immediately after passing a certification or recertification exam. The length of time in which active status is in effect varies by certification type: Associate Developer - 2 years, Developer - 3 years, Architect - 4 years and Specialty (CLED) - 5 years.

Suspended (Expired)

Suspended status results if a certified individual does not pass either:

• The recertification exam OR
• The exam for the next level of certification OR
• Does not recertify by points prior to the expiration date of the certification.  

In the suspended state, the following changes occur:

• The individual’s name is removed from the list of certified professionals on ni.com.  
• The individual will not be allowed to take the exam for the next level of certification without first recertifying at the current level.
• Recertification points cannot be earned in the suspended state. 
  

Suspended status is cleared and changed to Active upon passing the recertification exam within a year of the date of suspension.  

Inactive

Inactive status occurs after one year of Suspended status. Architects and Developers who fail to recertify before the end of their suspended period become inactive. To become active, they restart their recertification process with the Developer practical exam. 

All NI Certified Professionals can recertify by exam. Certified Professionals at the Developer level or above have the option to recertify by achieving and logging activity points. Each of those methods are outlined below. 

Recertification by Points

Certified professionals (Developer or above) can recertify and maintain their certification status by participating and completing approved activities that earn points redeemable towards recertification. For additional information on recertifying with points, please contact your NI representative. 

Recertification by Exam

The table below indicates available options for recertification by exam.  Click the link to register for the option which best meets your needs. The link for exams at an “NI Location” will open a form which will allow you request contact by an NI representative who will attempt to schedule an exam session and location to meet your needs. Not all “NI Location” requests can be accommodated.

Recertification Exam Details

Recertification exams can be taken up to four months prior to your expiration date.  Exams taken within this window do not alter your current certification status, nor do they lessen the recertification interval.  

• Current certification status:  If, for example, you are an active Certified LabVIEW Developer whose certification expires March 1, 2021, and you fail the recertification exam on February 1, 2021, your certification is still valid until March 1, 2021.  However, you will need to retake and pass the recertification exam to extend your certification status beyond March 1, 2021.
• Recertification interval: For example, if your certification has a 2-year expiration cycle and expires March 1, 2021, and you take and pass a recertification exam on February 1, 2021, your certification will remain active for 2 years from the original expiration date - through March 1, 2023.