With the release of FileMaker 19 in May of 2020, Claris switched to an agile development process. Historically, a new version of FileMaker was released roughly every 12–18 months. It would be a completely new software package, with a certification exam specific to the nuances of that version. At PK Information, we’re collectively certified in FileMaker 8, 13, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
Now, we receive periodic updates to our software, allowing for faster bug fixes, security patches, and new feature rollouts. If you’re familiar with Adobe’s software offerings, this transition with FileMaker’s rollout is incredibly similar to when Adobe switched from the Creative Suite to the Creative Cloud.
But as the FileMaker software is now ever-evolving in this agile environment, how does the certification process work? Claris recently announced a new format.
For those already certified in a previous version, some good news: Version-specific certifications don’t expire and are still valid on those previous versions. If you were certified in FileMaker Pro 16, you still are and can advertise as such. The most recent version-specific exam was the Developer Essentials for FileMaker 18 exam and Claris will retire it on May 28 (tomorrow!), so it will soon no longer be available for completion.
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Moving forward, developers will be certified in FileMaker as a whole, rather than a specific rollout. However, that certification is valid for two years (24 months). It begins the day you pass the Developer Essentials for Claris FileMaker exam. Recertification is required to maintain the credential. PK Information and Claris recommend making sure you complete the recertification process before your certification expires to prevent a potential lapse.
This new exam is available in English and Japanese and is proctored by Pearson VUE. They have testing facilities (availability is determined individually in each region due to COVID-19) as well as their online option. It’s already available to take and you can register here. Some of the benefits Claris advertises that this certification provides includes:
Become a more well-rounded developer with an expanded skillset
Increase earning potential
Provide greater credibility to organizations
Ability to use the Claris FileMaker Certification logo on your website and business cards as additional marketing efforts
Partners are able to receive a preferred listing on the Claris website
What is the new format?
It’s still very similar to the previous tests. The exam is still timed and composed of 60 multiple choice questions randomly chosen from a bank of questions. However, the technical specifications portion has been removed. There are questions on:
Database schema (10–15% of total score)
Building layouts (10–15% of total score)
Calculations (15–20% of total score)
Scripts (15–20% of total score)
Security (10–15% of total score)
Deployment (10–15% of total score)
Data integration (5–10% of total score)
If you anticipate taking the certification exam, we previously published a blog post of tips to prepare. Claris has also released an updated study guide. The official recommendation is to have at least six months of development experience prior to taking the test. If you learn better in a guided, classroom setting, we offer both our Become a FileMaker Developer course and FileMaker Bootcamp. PK Information’s developers are already preparing to take the new certification exam.
Does certification matter?
If you’re a business owner using FileMaker, does it matter if your developer or agency is certified? Yes, we very much believe so.
In our digital world, it’s increasingly easier for anyone to hang a sign declaring themselves a FileMaker developer. FileMaker’s ease-of-use also makes it easy for people to learn, which we think is wonderful. However, the certification exam is stringent and requires a great deal of FileMaker expertise. When you work with a certified developer, that certification brings with it accountability with Claris and the developer community as a whole. You can have the confidence that they know what they’re doing, including best practices.
PK Information is a FileMaker-certified development agency serving the Tampa Bay, Miami Lakes, and Knoxville regions. We believe that software should work the way you do, with business priorities first and technology second.
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