@Mark Gerules  - I'm posting your question regarding your Dev Cert. here since its a good place to get these answers

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I understand that they have retired the Salesforce Certified Force.com Developer  cert.  A couple questions:

a)      Am I required to take the Transition Exam by a certain date or I lose my  Salesforce Certified Force.com Developer?

b)      Alternatively, can I continue to take the maintenance exams, and continue to have my Salesforce Certified Force.com Developer  cert so that I pursue other certs?