Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) Certification
The Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) certification verifies an understanding of Mac OS X core functionality and an ability to configure key services, perform basic troubleshooting, and assist end users with essential Mac OS X capabilities. This certification addresses the technical skills needed by a Mac OS X specialist who works at a help desk or otherwise assists Mac OS X users with technical issues. The currently required exam is based on Mac OS X v10.4.
Who Should Seek ACHDS Certification?
The ACHDS certification is intended for Mac OS X help desk specialists, technical co-ordinators, service technicians, and others who support Mac OS X customers.
Typical candidates for this certification are help desk personnel in businesses using Mac OS X systems for general productivity or creative design, service technicians who support Mac OS X customers, and technical co-ordinators or power users who manage networks of Mac OS X systems in their organizations — such as teachers and technology specialists who manage classroom networks or computer labs.
This certification is not intended for high-end system administrators or engineers, but is a good first step on an intended career path to system administration.
Requirements
Candidates for ACHDS 10.4 certification are required to pass one exam:
- Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.4 Exam (9L0-401)
Covers a practical knowledge of the core functionality of Mac OS X 10.4 and the basics of managing Mac OS X client systems running Mac OS X version 10.4. The recommended preparatory course for this exam is the Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.4 course. For specific exam objectives, see the Skills Assessment Guide for the Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.4 Exam. For an example of exam question types, see the Sample Test.
The Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) 10.4 certification is granted upon successful completion of this exam.
NOTE: ACHDS certification is valid for a specific version of Mac OS X. Apple Training updates certification exams for major Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server revisions and posts notification on www.apple.com.au/certification/.
Registration
Exams are administered by Prometric, a worldwide provider of comprehensive technology-based testing and assessment services, at testing centres worldwide.
Candidates are required to have an Apple Tech ID number before registering for an exam. You can apply for a Tech ID by following the instructions at certifications.apple.com. Then, to register for an exam, call Prometric on 1300 368 785 or register online at prometric.com/apple.
Key Features
- Industry-wide recognition of Apple technical expertise
- Comprehensive, job-related certification for Mac OS X entry-level technical help desk staff, service technicians and technical co-ordinators
- Self-directed career development path
- Valuable tool for assessing the technical skills of consultants, current staff, or new employees
- Locally accessible at hundreds of Prometric testing centres throughout the United States, and many other countries.