Thanks for the info T_Bone.  I think I have most of the knowledge that is on the syllabus but I do not have any experience doing pentesting so I m brushing up on methodologies etc.

Thought I would just also add that the pilot exam is the EXACT same exam as the one in the UK.  So if you take it you will be 'officially' CREST certified, regardless of what becomes of NBISE.

I am scheduled for the Oct. 18th to take the CRT in Orlando.  I currently hold a CCNA, CWNA, OSCP, Security+.  I have been looking around for study material for the CREST exams and it seems to be non-existent.  If anyone else is taking it and are interested in studying please feel free to drop me a pm.

Also for a little background, to be able to touch a .gov systems in the UK you have to be CHECK certified by CESG (guessing it's similiar to NSA here).  CREST certs are a requirement to become CHECK certified, so from what I understand CESG helped defined the objectives, etc.

http://www.gchq.gov.uk/about_us/cesg.html  <-- Info about CESG
http://www.cesg.gov.uk/products_services/iacs/check/index.shtml  <-- Info about CHECK

*Disclaimer*  This is just from what I have read and gather from talking to people in the UK