I have checked out the the Python certification programs and I think it would be interesting to create something more "official" and more open/cheaper. I have found a Polish company which calls itself as Python-Institute (which is a bit misleading name in my opinion as it suggest that it is officially related to some organization of the Python community) and sells tests/certs from approx. fifty to several hundred EUR depending on the level. I have tried the entry level and for me it was disappointing from the perspective of the quality of the questions. I haven't tried Microsoft's certification yet. I think it would be a very viable option to create a certification program which is officially supported by the PSF and provide some reasonable pricing (i.e. free if someone just want do a self assessment and a reasonable price if someone want to take the test in a controlled environment). The scope could be the core language elements. Let me know what you think about the usefulness of the idea.