CIW Associates have mastered the fundamental knowledge and skills required to work in an Internet technology-enabled environment. These foundational skills include basic knowledge of Internet technologies such as Web browsers, FTP and e-mail; Web page authoring using Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML); basic infrastructure networking, and project management. CIW Associate certification is valuable for individuals working in fields such as sales, business development, advertising, technical recruiting and other areas that depend on Web-enabled systems for productivity.

To become a CIW Associate, the candidate must pass one required CIW exam AND complete the CIW Certification Agreement by logging in to the CIW Candidate Information Center. CIW Associate certification is also required to qualify for all CIW Professional and Master CIW certifications.

The CIW Foundations exam validates the basic hands-on skills and knowledge that a professional is expected to understand and use. Foundational skills include basic knowledge of Internet technologies, network infrastructure, Web authoring using XHTML, and job skills such as project management.

In order to achieve CIW Associate certification, the student must pass the following exam:

• 1D0-510 CIW v5 Foundations
  

Foundations skills are not product- or system-specific. They are a combination of minimal technical and non-technical skills and knowledge required for those interested in developing specific Internet skills as a designer, developer or administrator. The exam also requires a basic understanding of essential business practices that relate directly to Internet technologies. The 1D0-510 exam tests the following knowledge domains:

Internet Business Foundations

• Identify job roles in the Information Technology (IT) industry, including the responsibilities, tasks and skills they require
• Identify the infrastructure required to access the Internet, including hardware and software components
• Define important Internet communications protocols and their roles in delivering basic Internet services
• Identify the basic principles of the Domain Name System (DNS)
• Identify the functions of Web browsers, and use them to access the World Wide Web and other computer resources
• Use e-mail clients to send simple messages and files to other Internet users
• Define and use additional networking and Internet services
• Demonstrate ways to communicate effectively using Internet technology
• Identify and configure user customization features in Web browsers, including: preferences, caching, cookies
• Identify security issues related to Internet clients (e.g., Web browsers, e-mail, instant messaging) in the workplace, including: certificates, malware, illicit servers, viruses
• Use different types of Web search engines effectively
• Identify and use principles of Personal Information Management (PIM), including: common applications
• Efficiently transmit text and binary files using popular Internet services
• Identify security-related ethical and legal issues faced by IT professionals
• Relate project management concepts and terms to the IT profession
• Recognize essential database concepts

Domain 2: Site Development Foundations

• Demonstrate knowledge required to create a Web page
• Add images and graphical formatting to HTML files
• Identify and use design and color principles for Web pages
• Create a basic HTML form that accepts user input
• Create HTML frames
• Define Extensible Markup Language (XML), and identify its features and appropriate use
• Identify essential Web site navigation issues, and ensure page/site accessibility
• Define and apply essential aspects of the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) standard
• Use Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML) to create Web pages
• Identify technologies for enhancing the user`s Web experience, including: programming languages, multimedia technologies
• Use GUI-based HTML editing software to create Web pages
• Test and analyze Web site performance issues
• Identify steps in the Web site planning and development process
• Identify essential issues in developing and maintaining a Web site, including: project management, testing, legal issues
• Plan and deliver oral presentations of your Web site, during and after site development
• Define electronic commerce (e-commerce) and related technologies and concepts necessary to develop a secure, useful interface (i.e., storefront)
• Demonstrate knowledge of languages commonly used to provide database connectivity to Web sites
• Identify the benefits and drawbacks of running your own Web server versus using a service provider
• Identify common strategies for managing an end user`s experience and improving site creativity
• Consider copyright and ethical issues when creating Web pages