Are Comptia training instructors required to be certified in the course they teach?

[AgileLearnX]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

 

[AgileLearnX]

Makes sense. Thanks for your input

 

[Gregory Childers]

If you work for CompTIA or a CompTIA partner, you do have to be certified. CompTIA requires that you're not only certified but that you have passed the version of the exam that you're teaching. I have six Security+ certs, four A+ certs, four Net+ certs, three CySA+ certs, and two Project+ certs. Non-CompTIA partners may or may not require that you have a certification or a specific version of the exam.

I'm preparing for the Linux+ to complete all 14 CompTIA certifications. After that, I'll be recertifying as each new version comes out.

 

[Mark Anthony Germanos]

How will this trainer respond when a student asks him when he took the exam of which he is preparing the students?

 

[Rick Butler]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

I have always felt like an instructor should have the same certs as the classes he teaches, particularly if the goal for the student is to earn the cert. I've had situations where it wasn't the case and, well, it was demoralizing to students. There is always that "why are you teaching this if you don't have it" objection - even if the instructor is quite qualified.

But then the response I get is, "well, if he's qualified, he should go take the exam". And they are right.

In the end, it's up to the institution. But I think there's a credibility thing for any cert exam.

/r

 

[Gregory Childers]

I've been teaching project management courses for 20+ years, including Project+, CAPM, and PMP. I hold the Project+ and CAPM, but do not have the PMP.

The reason I haven't taken the PMP? The PMI requires 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years. Unfortunately, you cannot substitute teaching project management for project management experience. I could pass the PMP on the first attempt if they would allow teaching experience to count as required experience.

 

[Rick Butler]

Quite right. I am only now getting to the point where I have that kind of experience, but not in a full on capacity - so I don't think I'll take the PMP either, even though I am pretty confident in my teaching experience. This is why I stick with Project+. Maybe one day, CAPM - maybe...if I don't hit retirement age first.

/r

 

[jarrelrivera]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

It is ideal that they are certified.
- they would be familiar with how questions are presented especially, with the likes of PBQs and simulations
- they can share their own experience re: how to manage time, how is the exam setup, etc.

Is it required? not really. It all depends on your organization's policies, as shared by others.

A PHD in cybersecurity means the person has specialized in researching a certain topic related to Cyber. But it doesn't necessarily mean that they know all the exam objectives. Just my two cents.

However, if the person has 'tons' of experience in project and lecture related to all the exam objectives, then sure. Give it a go.

I hope this helps.

 

[abiodun1991]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

Yes it a requirement because (1) it is an evidence to show that you have the right skill in the job role. (2) it is also a means to standardized your job role in that organization.

 

[Abby N Krane]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

Required - no not really. Should he be, absolutely, hands down, no question. So much of passing certification exams is being able to navigate the exams themselves. The language of the questions, the testing experience with PBQs, etc. I would never consider having someone teach a certification class if they do not hold the certification. As an attendee in class I would feel like I didn't receive the best instruction if the instructor hasn't sat for and earned the certification.

 

[MBA]

This is a very interesting question, for me the answer hinges on the goals of the institution and the objectives of the course.

If the priority of the institution is for students taking the course to sit and pass the exam, then this sets the tone for the course, then preparing the students for the exam experience is just as valuable as teaching them the content. Most students taking these kind of courses are goals-oriented and would probably judge the credibility of the instructor through the narrow lense of whether or not they hold the certification. Helas, there is a downside to this approach, as passing the certification exam becomes the most important goal and knowledge of the material and preparation for job roles becomes secondary.

On the other hand, if the focus is knowledge of the concepts (knowledge-based approach) and certification is just a validation process for students completing the course, a well-designed course or set of courses by a Phd, who does not hold the certification, can work. The issue will be the buy-in from and expectations of the students, especially if they are fixated on the certification. So, the approach would have to be clarified to the students from the start to make sure they are on board.

Another side point, that relates to what Greg mentioned, is whether or not you have to hold the exact certificate related to the course. I think that's not necessary if you have an equivalent or superior certificate from a different vendor. You can't tell me that somebody who hold a CISSP and does not hold a Security+, is not capable of teaching a Security+ course.

Great topic and discussion.

Best
-Moez

 

[Gregory Childers]

While CISSP and Security+ have some overlapping content, they also have some content that is exclusively one or the other. CISSP leans much more heavily on security management, while Security+ is more of a broad foundational security knowledge.

Overlapping circles in a Venn Diagram, but not completely overlapping.

 

[MBA]

While CISSP and Security+ have some overlapping content, they also have some content that is exclusively one or the other. CISSP leans much more heavily on security management, while Security+ is more of a broad foundational security knowledge.

Overlapping circles in a Venn Diagram, but not completely overlapping.

Yes, I am aware of that. My point is that someone with a CISSP is capable of reviewing the objectives sheet for Security+ and a content resource (book, videos, etc.) to familiarize themselves with the specifics then prepare to teach the course. They don't have to take the exam.

Best,
-Moez

 

[Isaiah Fagoroye]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

Getting the Certs also will go a long way to validate skill sets as Curriculums are evolving with Changes in the technologiical landscape

 

[Jen Williams]

If you work for CompTIA or a CompTIA partner, you do have to be certified. CompTIA requires that you're not only certified but that you have passed the version of the exam that you're teaching. I have six Security+ certs, four A+ certs, four Net+ certs, three CySA+ certs, and two Project+ certs. Non-CompTIA partners may or may not require that you have a certification or a specific version of the exam.

I'm preparing for the Linux+ to complete all 14 CompTIA certifications. After that, I'll be recertifying as each new version comes out.

Do you have a reference for this? I teach for a few CompTIA partners and the only time I've had the requirement for passing the current version of the exam was when a specific federal contract required it. I believe that even that requirement was for within 2 versions.

 

[Gregory Childers]

Do you have a reference for this? I teach for a few CompTIA partners and the only time I've had the requirement for passing the current version of the exam was when a specific federal contract required it. I believe that even that requirement was for within 2 versions.

I didn't say CompTIA partners required that a trainer must be certified in the version they were teaching. I said they must have that certification.

CompTIA requires their CompTIA trainers to be certified in the version that they're teaching.

 

[Aidy]

I have a trainer who is a PhD in Computer Science specializing in Cyber Security with tons of experience in both lecturing and security project. He can teach the security and network plus courses but does not have the certifications.

Is he required to be certified before training?

I can’t believe to see such a question, do you think that compTIA could be more effective and credible than PhD ? Someone with PhD should be able to create content more powerful than compTIA or ISACA .
Hope I had answered your question

 

[Gregory Childers]

I can’t believe to see such a question, do you think that compTIA could be more effective and credible than PhD ? Someone with PhD should be able to create content more powerful than compTIA or ISACA .
Hope I had answered your question

I would NEVER assume that. Most people in academia at universities are tenured professors who do not work in the industry. They tend to be behind the curve, so to speak.

Honestly, if someone has been working in the field and been passing certs on a regular basis, they're probably already at or beyond the Master's degree level.

 

[Aidy]

I would NEVER assume that. Most people in academia at universities are tenured professors who do not work in the industry. They tend to be behind the curve, so to speak.

Honestly, if someone has been working in the field and been passing certs on a regular basis, they're probably already at or beyond the Master's degree level.

Agree , my point is , someone with PhD and a lot of experience as she mentioned, needs certificate to teach ? This is my point

 

[abiodun1991]

I would NEVER assume that. Most people in academia at universities are tenured professors who do not work in the industry. They tend to be behind the curve, so to speak.

Honestly, if someone has been working in the field and been passing certs on a regular basis, they're probably already at or beyond the Master's degree level.

Certification for having the understanding, the skills , the attitude to handle that Role , eg Network+ certification.

Agree , my point is , someone with PhD and a lot of experience as she mentioned, needs certificate to teach ? This is my point