I found all the 'chat' re certification pretty interesting. Those interested in the issue might look at...

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/05/biztech/articles/03code.html

For Coders, a Code of Conduct 2000 Problem Tests Professionalism of Programmers

(at the risk of the NY Times descending on me for copyright violation, here's an excerpt)...

.....Some experts say the year 2000 problem could lead to changes in the way programs are written, just as earthquakes can lead to stricter building codes. Moreover, Y2K, as the problem is known, has given new life to a debate about whether programmers should be required to obtain professional certification, similar to that required of doctors, lawyers and certain engineers.

"You don't want an unlicensed engineer working on a bridge, but you have unlicensed computer programmers working all the time," said Dr. Marsha C. Woodbury, chairwoman of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, an 1,800-member group that deals with social consequences of computing.....

(...yes, just as we also have unlicensed Chairwomen of the Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, unlicensed college professos, etc...)

PS Just my $.02 on the issue. I teach (at least try to teach) intro SAS to public health/biostat/epidemiology students. Though I agree with all the comments that certification doesn't always equate to competence, it is convenient to have a defined knowledge set to attack within a senester. It was nice to look at the list of topics covered by the intro certification exam and see that it pretty much defined what I had been doing all along. I figured it was another of those great mind things (or possibly coincidence).

Mike Zdeb NYS Department of Health ESP Tower-Room 1811 Albany, NY 12237 P:518/473-2855 F:630/604-1475