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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about becoming a Certiport Center (authorized testing center):
General Questions
Membership Requirements
Benefits of Membership
Application Process
General Questions
 What certification programs are available to my college?
What is Microsoft Office Specialist Certification?
What is Internet and Computing Core (IC³) Certification?
What certification programs are available to my college?
Currently three certification programs are available to Centers: Microsoft® Office Specialist Certification, Internet and Computing Core (IC³) Certification, and World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) Certification.
What is Microsoft Office Specialist Certification?
The premier certification for desktop applications is the Microsoft® Office Specialist program, a globally recognized standard for demonstrating desktop skills with the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity applications. By encouraging individuals to develop advanced skills with Microsoft's leading business desktop software, the Office Specialist program helps fill the demand for qualified knowledge workers in the modern workplace. At the same time, Office Specialist helps satisfy an organization's need for a qualitative assessment of employee skills.
What is Internet and Computing Core (IC³) Certification?
The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) program is the world's first validated, standards-based training and certification program for basic computing and Internet knowledge and skills. Successful completion of IC³ ensures you have the knowledge and skills required for basic use of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet. IC³ is your gateway to advancement in education, employment, or other certification programs.
Membership Requirements
Is there a membership fee?
If a college has a number of satellite campuses, must each site complete a separate application to become a Certiport Center?
What are the hardware requirements for a Center?
What are the requirements for participating as a Certiport Center?
Can we cancel our contract and receive a refund?
Is there a membership fee?
No. While there is no membership fee to join, Colleges must purchase certification exams as inventory in advance from Certiport to meet student demand. Participation in the Office Specialist program, however, requires an initial minimum exam purchase; contact Certiport for more information.
If a college has a number of satellite campuses, must each site complete a separate application to become a Certiport Center?
Yes, to participate in the program (and to be featured on the online Center Locator), each physical location of an institution must be an active Center, completing a separate application and purchasing exams individually.
What are the hardware requirements for a Center?
Specific recommended system requirements are listed for both the Administrative Workstations and the Testing Workstations. Please ensure that your college's testing environment meets these requirements.
What are the requirements for participating as a Certiport Center?
Centers are required to submit the following information for consideration and admittance into the program:
Have an active e-mail account and Internet connection
Meet hardware and facility requirements
Agree to site inspections by Certiport
Complete an online application and electronically sign your Center Agreement document
Complete Program Addendum documents for each desired certification program
Complete Program Logo License Agreements for each desired certification program
Purchase certification exams
Implement marketing materials as provided by Certiport
Promote your Center's ability to offer certification on campus
Can we cancel our contract and receive a refund?
You may cancel your participation according to your Center Agreement. However, no refunds will be issued for used or remaining certification exams in inventory.
Benefits of Membership
How will becoming a Certiport Center benefit our students?
How can our school distinguish itself from other schools that aren't Certiport Centers?
Are there marketing restrictions?
How can I complete a Logo License Agreement?
What e-mail or phone support is provided?
Is there a listing for my Center?
How will becoming a Certiport Center benefit our students?
Programs, such as Microsoft Office Specialist Certification or Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³), allow your students to demonstrate their confidence, to achieve more in less time, and to increase their credibility. Offering these certifications to your students provides an opportunity for them to achieve a portable, globally recognized credential that proves their abilities as productive users of the tested software applications. Your students will appreciate the opportunity to gain better employment and be more efficient employees.
How can our school distinguish itself from other schools that aren't Certiport Centers?
The program names and brands were created with the consideration of distinction in mind. By adding IC³ certification or Office Specialist certification to your school's list of services, it signifies that participating centers are delivering global certification standard programs. And by using Microsoft-approved courseware (or IC³-authorized materials) in your training, it gives you the opportunity to market your alignment with Microsoft (or Certiport) and reflect the quality that these certification programs uphold.
Are there marketing restrictions?
The opportunity to use the Office Specialist Program logo to market your school's involvement with the program is a considerable benefit and requires a Logo License Agreement with Microsoft Corporation; Use of the IC³ Program logo requires an additional agreement with Certiport.
Once these agreements are finalized, you may use the logos on marketing collateral your school produces (course catalog, classroom flier, Web site, campus newspaper advertisement, etc.).
How can I complete a Logo License Agreement?
In order to use the Microsoft Office Specialist Program logo, your college must submit a valid Logo License Agreement to Microsoft Corporation. Once approved, Certiport will send you electronic artwork in various formats.
Use of the IC³ Program logo requires a valid Logo License Agreement with Certiport.
What e-mail or phone support is provided?
Customer support and technical services are provided by Certiport via phone and e-mail (24-hour service Monday - Friday):
To reach Customer Services for Microsoft Office Specialist: services@certiport.com or call (888) 222-7890 or (801) 847-3100 (International).
To reach Customer Services for IC³: services@certiport.com or call (800) 572-9250.
Support documentation and examination software downloads are available through the Center Dashboard (centers-only Web site). In addition, Centers will receive a monthly e-mail newsletter for each certification program they offer that contains marketing information, promotional materials, and program announcements and updates.
Is there a listing for my Center?
Individuals may search for "public" Certiport Centers located in their community or area. This search feature is available on certiport.com and is linked from microsoft.com.
Each listing contains the name of your school, distance from designated zip code, Web site address, certification programs offered at location, various messages pertaining to each program (testing by appointment; call to confirm business hours; testing offered only with a training purchase, etc.) school's address, and contact phone, fax and toll free numbers.
You may also select not to have your college displayed on the listing.
Application Process
How do I become a Certiport Center?
Can our legal department amend the Center Agreement?
Once I apply online, how long will it be until I am notified of acceptance and how will I be notified?
How do I become a Certiport Center?
An online application form is available at https://iqcenter.certiport.com/register/SelectPrograms.asp:
Complete all steps within the online application
Read all applicable documentation as outlined within the Center Agreement
Your application will be reviewed in a timely manner
Once approved, download and install the administrative and testing center software
Participation in the Office Specialist program, however, requires an initial minimum exam purchase; contact Certiport for more information.
Can our legal department amend the Center Agreement?
The Certport Legal Department has thoroughly reviewed the Center Agreement and maintains that all sections are appropriate and necessary to function as a Certiport Center (authorized testing center). Due to the wide range of products and services offered in this program, no part of the Center Agreement may be added to, removed, or revised in any way.
Once I apply online, how long will it be until I am notified of acceptance and how will I be notified?
Once a complete application that meets all of the requirements is received you will receive an e-mail notification within 1-3 business days and benefits will be available upon acceptance.
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