FileMaker Certification

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FileMaker Certification: Frequently Asked Questions

Certificate and exam enquiries

FileMaker 9 Certification

FileMaker 8 Certification

FileMaker 7 Certification

Highlighting certified developers

Logos

Certificate and exam enquiries

Are there pre-requisites for taking the exam?

No, there are no pre-requisites. Anyone may take the exam.

What should I expect to receive if I pass the certification exam?

Candidates who have successfully passed the exam will receive a FileMaker Certified Developer certificate with permission to use the FileMaker Certified Developer logo. The certificate and logo will have the version of the exam, for example, "FileMaker 8 Certified Developer" or "FileMaker 9 Certified Developer". FBA members have an opportunity to list their company and be recognised as having a certified developer(s) on the local FileMaker website. See section on "Highlighting certified developers".

When will I receive my certificate?

Your certification package will be mailed approximately two to three weeks after the exam is completed.

I passed the certification but haven't yet received my packet with my certificate.

If you have not received your package after a one-month waiting period, please send an email to fmcertification@filemaker.com. Include your first name, last name, and full address given at the time of the test.

How can I change or correct my name if it's misspelled on the certificate?

While you can request a correction for a misspelled name, you cannot change your name. For misspelled names, please contact fmcertification@filemaker.com. Allow up to three weeks for a new certificate.

What if I lose my certificate?

Please contact fmcertification@filemaker.com.

Will my certification expire?

There is no expiration date to the certification title you receive. You may, however, be certified on a technology that is outdated if FileMaker, Inc. releases a new technology version and its associated exam. Keeping your certification current is highly recommended. FileMaker, at its discretion, may offer certification for one version back.

Will my test results be given to my employer, if they request it?

No, FileMaker will not provide test results or names of FileMaker certified developers. It is the responsibility of the certified developer to share that information with their employer if they so desire.

What if my employer requests that FileMaker confirm my certification?

FileMaker will not deny or confirm individual names of FileMaker certified developers. The certificate is your proof of certification. Your employer will be advised of this policy.

Where do I register for the exam?

To register, go to: www.prometric.com/filemaker

Where do I take the exam?

Thomson Prometric, a renowned industry leader in test development and delivery, has over 3,000 test centres available worldwide. When you register for an exam, you'll have an opportunity to choose a location near you.

How much time do I have to take the exam?

The exam is 72 multiple-choice questions. You are allowed 2 hours to take the exam.

Once I take the exam, how long will it take to get the results?

Upon completion of the exam, you will be given a pass or fail score at the time of the exam.

If I fail the exam, how soon can I take it again?

FileMaker has a 14-day re-testing policy. This means that if you take an exam, fail it, and need to retake the "same" exam again, you will be required to wait 14 days before taking the exam again. Why the policy?

  • Within the Certification industry, it is common for certification programmes to impose a waiting period—sometimes up to a month wait—FileMaker is only requiring 14 days.
  • The wait period assists with test security. Increased security means that the credential is even more valuable once earned.
  • Requiring a wait period provides a consistent basis for measuring skills and abilities. It has been proven that people who retake exams earlier than two weeks acquire an unfair advantage based upon short-term memory. Again this helps to protect the value of your credentials.
  • We want customers to succeed, so the wait allows additional time for customers to study in order to pass the next time.
How many times can a developer take the test should he/she fail?

There is no limit to the number of times a developer can take the test; however, each testing session will incur the standard testing fee.

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FileMaker 7 Certification

Is FileMaker 7 Certification still available?

No, FileMaker offers only one previous version for certification. Only the FileMaker 9 and FileMaker 8 Certification exams are available.

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FileMaker 8 Certification

What credential will I receive when I take the exam?

Candidates who are successful in passing the "Developer Essentials for FileMaker 8" exam will receive the "FileMaker 8 Certified Developer" credential.

Is FileMaker 8 Certification available?

A new exam "Developer Essentials for FileMaker 8" is available; and those that pass will receive the "FileMaker 8 Certified Developer" credential. Register for this exam.

What does this mean for my current FileMaker 7 Certification?

Your FileMaker 7 certification will remain an important credential. Customers and employers will still be asking for it if they have FileMaker Pro 7 version software at their company.

Are there any advantages to have a FileMaker 7 Certification and a FileMaker 8 Certification?

Absolutely. Although, we encourage FileMaker users to upgrade and keep current with the latest versions, FileMaker 7 will continue to have presence in the market.

My customers are asking me about FileMaker 7 Certification, will that test still be available?

No, FileMaker offers only one previous version for certification. The FileMaker 7 Certification exam is no longer available.

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FileMaker 9 Certification

Is FileMaker 9 Certification available?

Yes, the "Developer Essentials for FileMaker 9" is now available.

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Highlighting certified developers

Who gets recognition as a FileMaker Certified Developer on the FileMaker website?

FileMaker Business Alliance members are eligible to receive special recognition for their organisation. The company by whom the certified individual is employed must have an active FBA membership, and the individual must be a full-time employee of that company. The primary contact for the organisation's FBA membership must inform FileMaker when an employee is no longer working at the company or organisation. [Non-members are not eligible for a listing on the FileMaker website.]

How does FileMaker establish eligibility?

To establish your eligibility, the FBA member must inform FileMaker of the employee's certification in writing – email fba_manager@filemaker.com. FileMaker will verify the certification. FileMaker will record the name of the certified developer in the member's record and activate the certification profiling pre-programmed in the FBA database in the following weekly update. This will apply respectively in the various regions.

It is the responsibility of the FBA member to notify FileMaker immediately if the certified developer is no longer employed at the company. FileMaker reserves the right to audit employment at any time. In the event, an FBA organisation no longer employs individuals who have passed the test and been certified, FileMaker will update the FBA records and the certification logo will be removed from the website.

How will FileMaker showcase certified FBA members on its website?

Each FBA organisation that has a certified developer on staff will be noted with a special symbol next to their company name—in the consultants and training listing of the FBA Directory. Companies with a certified developer(s) on staff will be listed in alpha order and appear at the top level of customer search results.

My company has multiple branch offices. Will my certification count for all locations for my company?

Currently, FBA members are eligible to combine the total number of certified developers from their additional branches under their PRIMARY membership. Your FileMaker certification will only count towards your additional branch offices if they each have a FileMaker certified developer on-site. For example, if a PRIMARY membership has 2 additional branches with a FileMaker developer in each, both developers must be certified in order to display the "certified developer" listing.

If we have multiple developers on staff who have achieved FileMaker Certification—how will this be noted?

For organisations that have more than one certified developer on staff, FileMaker will highlight the organisation with a symbol that signifies the number of certified staff.

Are FileMaker Technical Network (FileMaker TechNet) members and FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) members required to take the FileMaker certification exam?

Certification is optional for FileMaker TechNet and FBA members. Although, FBA members are not required to take the exam and become certified for membership of the FBA, they do have an opportunity to increase the profile of their company or the company they are working for on the FileMaker website, if they successfully pass the certification examination.

 

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Logos

How do I receive the logo after I have successfully completed and passed the certification exam?

Each candidate who successfully passes the exam will receive a certificate and a letter. The letter will contain a special URL to download the logo from the website. You will be required to agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the FileMaker Certification logo agreement at the time of the download.

Are there guidelines for the use of the FileMaker Certified Developer logo?

Yes. To review the FileMaker Certified Developer logo agreement, download here.

Can certification holders use the certification title on their business cards or resume?

Yes, individual certification holders can use the certified title on their business cards and resume. The certification holder, however, must include the certified version number whenever one is available.

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