George;

Standards get updated in all organizations. This is a necessary evil in order
to keep abreast with technology improvements and introductions.

The Designer Certification program is based on the design concepts of a
number of standards, but primarily IPC-D-275. Notice I used the word
concepts. The designer education and certification program is based on sound
design praices, not necessarily the "numbers" in the tables. HOW a designer
uses the "numbers" is the important issue, not what the numbers are. Also
important, is an understanding of what the numbers mean and how they are
derived.

Therefore, when the current IPC-D-275 is superceded by the IPC-2221 and
IPC-2222, the affect on the education and certification program should be
minimal. 

In addition, the designer programs are designed (pardon the pun) to grow with
technology developments. As a standard is improved, the improvements are fed
into the study materials, and both are released in  the same time period. The
recertification process depends on the complexity of the updated materials.
If the technology has changed so drastically as to be entirely different from
the previous technology, then a new exam is possible. However if the only
improvements are capability numbers, in tables, then possibly an update
notice or half day seminar is all that is necessary to update one's
certification. The IPC Designers Council Education Committee will evaluate
each case, on an individual basis, and determine the appropriate
recertification criteria.

Regards,

Gary Ferrari
IPC Staff

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