5/16/2007 -- Last month Oracle announced a new line of specialty certifications as part of its overall certification program, each of which comes with the title Oracle Certified Expert.

There are currently four specialites available:

• Oracle Database 10g: Managing Oracle on Linux Certified Expert
• Oracle Database 10g: Real Applications Clusters Administrator Certified Expert
• Oracle 11i Workflow Certified Expert
• Oracle 11i System Admininstrator Certified Expert

Detailed requirements for each of the specialties are available here. Currently, the database ones require passing an exam plus holding a previous Oracle certification or taking a hands-on training course from Oracle. The 11i certifications do not have any other requirements at this time besides passing one exam.

The exams for the 11i certifications appear to be currently available at Prometric testing centers worldwide for $195 U.S.

Oracle is currently offering discounted betas on the Database 10 and Custers exams. It also has another beta for an exam not in the program, 1Z0-312 Oracle Application Server 10g: Administration II. For more information on participating in any of these betas, go here.

For more information on the new Expert certifications, go here. -Becky Nagel