3/22/2006 -- The Linux Professional Institute -- which for years has held fast to one of the lowest exam prices of all certification programs ($100 U.S.) -- recently announced that it has raised its exam prices to $150 (U.S.) each.

The new price for the non-profit's vendor-neutral linux certification exams is effective immediately.

"We have not adjusted our world price since we first began offering exams in 2000, despite rising costs," commented Jim Lacey, president and CEO of the non-profit LPI, in a statement released last week.

While the new price point is intended to serve as a global "benchmark" price, the organization said it will still allow some flexibility based on "regional variances." The organization has a history of offering discounted exams in countries where the U.S. exam fee is out of reach of most candidates.

LPI currently offers four exams: two for its Level I certification, and two for its Level II certification. All are available through Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers worldwide.

For more information on LPI certification, go here. -Becky Nagel