SAN JOSE, Calif.--April 12, 2004-- Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced new certification levels, exams and vendors to the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) program, providing a more comprehensive, flexible certification program for graphic artists and creative professionals. An Adobe Certified Expert is someone who has demonstrated proficiency with one or more Adobe software products. The Certified Expert program now makes it easier for graphic artists and creative professionals to showcase their experience working with Adobe products by offering new levels of certification, including ACE Creative Suite Master; and ACE Web, Print or Video Specialist. "Even in today's job market, employers continue to have difficulty matching their requirements with the right skill sets," said Bill McCulloch, Adobe training and certification programs manager. "The Adobe Certified program helps creative professionals and consultants differentiate themselves by calling out their specialized skills and deep product knowledge with clearly defined certification levels." To support the new certification levels and ensure graphic artists and creative professionals are current with Adobe software offerings, new exams are available for all major Adobe product upgrades in English, French, German and Japanese at more than 5,000 Thomson Prometric and Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. With ACE exams now available at Pearson VUE, customers have even more ways to get certified. "When we provide our client companies with design professionals who have earned the Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) credential, these businesses may be more assured they are working with highly skilled Adobe experts who can efficiently complete even the most challenging projects," said Tracey Turner, executive director of The Creative Group, a creative professional staffing service available through Robert Half International, Inc. New Options for Trainers In addition to expanded certification levels and software titles, the Adobe Certified Expert program includes new options for trainers. The Adobe Certified Instructor (ACI) program highlights trainers and educators, allowing them to quickly establish credibility and knowledge among educational institutions and potential students. To qualify for the Adobe Certified Instructor program, an individual must be certified as an ACE and demonstrate the ability to provide instruction or training to others on the use of Adobe products. Adobe Certified Instructors are qualified for potential employment at any of the more than 500 Adobe Authorized Training Centers around the world. Pricing and Availability Adobe does not charge a fee to become an Adobe Certified Expert or to join the Training Provider program. Pearson VUE (www.vue.com) and Thomson Prometric (www.prometric.com) testing services administer exams qualifying Adobe Certified Experts for the program. The per-exam fee is estimated to be about US$150 in the United States, 18,000 yen in Japan and 135 Euro in Europe. For more information on actual prices or the Adobe Certified Expert program or to register for an exam, please visit www.adobe.com/certified.