LonMark International to Expand Testing Sites for Certified Professional Exam

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LonMark, a non-profit association for the certification, education and promotion of interoperability standards for control networking, today announced the addition of nearly 500 North American proctored testing sites for LonMark Certified Professional (LCP) exam candidates. These sites will include secure, computer-based test administration from Castle Worldwide, a leader in the development of testing solutions and assessment products and long-time LonMark partner. The addition of these new Castle Worldwide sites will dramatically improve the availability and accessibility of exam scheduling for candidates in the United States and Canada.

LonMark's Professional Certification Programs —comprised of the LCP and LonMark Certified System Integrator (LM-CSI)—provides a comprehensive professional education and testing program for manufacturers, integrators and end-users involved in the design, specification, integration, installation or maintenance of LonWorks® control networks. This program establishes a proficiency standard to assure end-users that they have access to a resource pool of professionals with industry knowledge and experience.

"For nearly two decades, LonMark has set the bar for quality through its certification programs, and the expansion of testing sites validates the need and demand for certified professionals in the industry," said Barry Haaser, executive director, LONMARK International. "Expanding our long-time partnership with Castle Worldwide across these new sites will help us continue to bring world-class training and certification to the LON community."

To view a listing of the cities, states and ZIP codes in which Castle Worldwide sites are available, please visit https://www.castleworldwide.com/castleweb/clients/testing-services/ibt-testing-sites.aspx. When registering, candidates will be able to view the exact address for their selected testing site prior to confirmation. The majority of Castle Worldwide sites are open for testing Monday through Saturday during normal business hours. During exam registration, exam candidates may select a date and time based on site availability.

The LonMark Certified Professional program provides the credentials associated with fundamental knowledge of LonWorks technology, including terminology, basic architecture, network-management tools, basic network engineering, system design, configuration, wiring, termination, routers, network interfaces, advanced system diagnostics, and HMI integration.  This certification applies to network-integration individuals such as HVAC, lighting, security, and building-automation and -controls engineers. To learn more, visit www.lonmark.org/professionals.

The LonMark Certified System Integrator program provides the industry with a pool of seasoned, professional integration firms that are highly trained and proficient in the planning, development, installation, and support of integrated systems.  Companies participating in the program must have at least two employees with LonMark Certified Professional credentials, technical competency involving LonWorks control networks, and project references. To learn more, visit www.lonmark.org/csi.

About LONMARK International

LonMark International is a non-profit corporation supporting the testing and certification of products, people and companies supporting the ISO/IEC 14908 body of standards. Its nearly 400 members manufacture, distribute, develop, install or use systems based on these standards. LonMark International provides peer-review based certification guidelines and testing for products, people and companies. There are over 550 interoperable products certified and listed on the LonMark website and nearly 600 people have been trained and certified as LonMark Certified Professionals. For more information about LonMark International, please visit www.lonmark.org.

LON and LONWORKS are U.S. registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation.