What is "TOGAF Certification" About?
The Open Group has introduced a certification program for TOGAF, presently Versions 7 and 8.1 - its industry
standard architecture framework and method.
TOGAF Certification is for both individuals and organizations. Individuals can become certified by demonstrating their knowledge of TOGAF either by attending a training course or passing an examination test. Organizations can have their products (TOGAF Tools or Training Courses), and services certified.
Customers who wish to base their IT architecture work on the open, industry standard
TOGAF method can now procure tools, training, and the services of consultants
(individuals and integrators) on the basis of certified conformance with TOGAF
standards.
Why is This Important?
IT Architecture is acquiring increasing recognition as a necessary discipline for
ensuring that the design and implementation of enterprise-wide IT properly addresses and
supports the needs of the business. TOGAF is an open, industry standard framework and
method for IT Architecture, developed and continuously evolved since the mid-90's by
representatives of some of the world's leading IT customer and vendor organizations.
The introduction of a certification program for TOGAF enables large organizations
(both private and public sector) to standardize on this open method for IT Architecture,
and so avoid lock-in to the proprietary methods of major consultancies.
It is an important step in making IT Architecture a well-recognized discipline, and in
introducing rigor into the procurement of tools and services for IT Architecture.
Why Become Certified?
The TOGAF certification program licenses the use of the terms "TOGAF 7" and "TOGAF 8"
together with The Open Group Certification Mark in association with Certified Offerings.
This provides the necessary legal framework to maintain the value of TOGAF to enterprise
customers. The value to licensees is the ability to use the term "TOGAF "
together with The Open Group Certification Mark in association with products and/or
services that support the TOGAF framework and its Architecture Development Method.
In addition, The Open Group publishes and publicizes the definitive register of TOGAF
certified offerings, and issues certificates that can be used by the vendor in promotion.
Individuals are also
entitled to membership of the Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) at no additional cost (www.aogea.org);
What Does this Mean for IT Users?
The value to customers is the knowledge that the vendor has made a legally binding
warranty of conformance with the Product Standards referenced in the Certification Program
- a warranty that requires compliance not only at the time of registration, but throughout
the lifetime of the product or service offering, for as long as it remains registered.
Customers can therefore procure TOGAF based product and service offerings safe in the
knowledge that the vendors concerned have taken a professional and commercially
responsible approach to the supply of these offerings to the market; and furthermore, have
completed a detailed Statement of Conformance, which the procurer can access freely and
compare with those of other certified vendors, if they wish.
How does This Tie in with the Objectives of The Open Group?
IT Architecture is regarded by The Open Group as a key discipline for organizations to
use in realizing the Boundaryless Information Flow vision, the enablement of which is The
Open Group's mission.
How long does Certification Last?
It lasts for up to 24 months. In some cases, for classes of certification
dependent on an annual Commercial TOGAF license then the initial certification
will be synchronized with the license renewal date.
How do I get TOGAF Certified as an Individual?
There are two routes for TOGAF 8.1 . Either by passing an examination,
or by attending a qualifying training course. For TOGAF 7
the training course attendance is the only route.
Registering to take the TOGAF Examination
Prometric administers the TOGAF 8 Certification exam (OG0-081).
The exam is available at any authorized Prometric testing center
around the world. If calling within North America, contact Prometric at
(800) 755-EXAM (755-3926). Outside the United States and Canada, contact
your local Prometric Registration Center. To register online with
Prometric, visit the Prometric Web site at http://www.prometric.com/OpenGroup.
What is the format of the TOGAF Examination?
The exam comprises 101 multiple-choice questions which must be completed
within 2 hours.
What topics are covered by the TOGAF Examination?
The syllabus for the examination is available within the TOGAF 8 Training
Conformance Statement, see
https://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/docs/togaf8certdocs/TOGAF_8_TRAINING_CSQ.htm .
The 6 Topic Areas covered by the examination
together with the approximate percentage of the number of
questions in the exam follows:
-
TOGAF8 Architecture Development Method (ADM) - Process
(50%)
-
TOGAF8 Architecture Development Method (ADM) - Information Sets
(25%)
-
TOGAF Foundation Architecture
(5%)
-
The Enterprise Continuum
(8%)
-
TOGAF and Other Architectures / Frameworks
(4%)
-
Architecture Governance
(8%)
What do I need to bring with me to take the Exam?
Check the requirements with Prometric.
How much does it cost to take the Examination?
Certification exams are priced according to currency values in
specific countries and regions. The TOGAF 8
certification exam costs $400 US per exam.
Certification exam prices are subject to
change. In some countries and regions, additional taxes may
apply. Contact your test registration center for exact pricing.
Can I refer to materials while i take the exam?
No its a closed book examination.
How long after taking the exam does it take to get the result?
You will be informed by Prometric at the time of completing
the examination.
Can I find out my score?
Yes, this is part of the test report supplied by Prometric.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes, once you have passed the examination, Prometric will
send your details to The Open Group, who will then contact you by
electronic mail with account information to login to The Open Group
web server to complete your certification. Once you accept the
logo usage agreement you become certified and will be able
to download your certificate and certified logos, and have
have an entry on the certification register.
If I Fail how soon can I resit?
An individual who has failed an examination will not be allowed to retake the examination within 30 days of the first sitting. No candidate is allowed to take the same examination more than three (3) times in twelve (12) months.
Are there materials available to help prepare for the Exam?
Yes as well as the syllabus, The Open Group has a version of TOGAF 8.1 (publication G063) and
a Study Guide (B061) available for purchase,
and there are a number of third party organizations who offer training
see the Certification Register for more details.
How long does the certification process take?
For course attendance the minimum duration is 4 days or 28 hours
of study for distance learning. The examination takes 2 hours.
Assuming a complete submission the certification authority has
the following service level targets to complete 80% of complete
and correct submissions as follows:
-
TOGAF Certified - 6 Working Days
-
Other Classes - 10 Working Days
100% of all complete and correct submissions will be processed within 12 working days.
If an incomplete or incorrect submission is received, the clock is suspended
until the missing or corrected parts are received.
I've changed my contact details and affiliation, who should I notify?
You should notify the TOGAF Certification Authority team (togaf-cert-admin(at)opengroup.org.
Why do I need to renew my certification?
Continued rights to use the TOGAF Certified logo.
Conitinued Entitlement to membership of the Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) at no additional cost (www.aogea.org); AOGEA is the
professional association for Enterprise Architects.
Continued inclusion in the register of certified practitioners. Employers are increasingly seeking TOGAF certified practitioners and will check the register for proof.
How do I renew my certification?
You have a choice regarding how you renew: as an individual, through
your employer or through a TOGAF(tm) certified training provider.
Renewal is for a further two year period. You can renew early or in the
30 day grace period, in either case the additional certification period
will be added to the date on which your certification would have
expired.
In all cases you will be contacted by The Open Group at about 60 days
before renewal is due. You will also be contacted again within 30 days
of renewal and once more within 30 days after renewal was due.
For this reason its important you notify the Certification Authority
of any changes to your email address.
Renewal by an Individual:
In order to renew your TOGAF Certified as an individual for a further
two year period you are required to pay a $300 fee. You will be emailed
at 60 days and 30 days in advance. A URL will be
provided for you to do so.
This allows you to pay your renewal fee online. Once payment is
complete you will receive a receipt, and typically within
3 working days your status will be renewed and notification sent to
you of where to download your latest certificate.
You can renew directly from our online store
here
(be sure to give the full name of the person renewal is for)
Renewal through your Employer:
If your employer wishes to pay for renewal of a batch of two or more
certified individuals, please have your company administrator contact
the TOGAF Certification Authority as soon as possible. The fee bands
for batch renewals are detailed on the Fee Schedule at
http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/Fee_Schedule.html and are based on
the total number of certified individuals your employer has on the
register at renewal time. Payment must be received before the first
renewal date in the batch. The minimum batch size is two individuals.
You can renew directly from our online store
here
(minimum number in a batch is two persons, be sure to give the full names of those to be renewed)
Renewal through a Certified Training Provider:
If you wish to have your renewal handled by a certified training
provider, then they will need to contact The Open Group and pay for
your renewal before the first renewal date in the batch. The fee
bands for batch renewals through a Certified Trainer are detailed on the
Fee Schedule at http://www.opengroup.org/togaf/cert/Fee_Schedule.html
The fee for this case is dependent on the number in the batch that the
training provider submits to The Open Group at one time. A batch has
to have a minimum of two individuals. You should contact your training
provider for more information.
So What's the Bottom Line?
With certification, TOGAF is now more than ever the logical choice as the basis for
an organization's IT Architecture work.
