Top 10 Android Developer Certifications

Certifications are important for an Android developer in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Employers want to know that applicants have the skills and experience necessary to do the job, and certifications provide evidence of this. Certifications also show that an Android developer is up-to-date on the latest technology and trends in the industry, which can give them an edge over other applicants. Finally, certifications can open doors to new opportunities, as employers may be more likely to consider applicants who have obtained a certification than those without one.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Android Developers and explains how they can contribute to an android developer's career by providing valuable knowledge and skills.

What are Android Developer Certifications?

Android Developer Certification is a certification program that verifies a developer's skills in developing applications for the Android platform. The certification program is designed to ensure that developers have the necessary knowledge and skills to create high quality applications for Android devices.

The certification process consists of two parts: an examination and a hands-on project. The examination tests a developer's theoretical knowledge of the Android platform, including topics such as user interface design, activities, services, content providers, and broadcast receivers. The hands-on project requires developers to create an application from scratch using the Android SDK. Both parts are scored separately, and applicants must pass both in order to become certified.

Having an Android Developer Certification can be very beneficial for developers looking to establish themselves as experts in their field. It shows employers that they have the necessary skills and understanding of the Android platform to create quality applications. It also gives them an advantage over other developers who may not have this certification, increasing their chances of getting hired by employers who are looking for experienced professionals with proven expertise in developing Android apps. In addition, having an Android Developer Certification can open up more job opportunities and potentially lead to higher salaries or better work contracts.

Pro Tip: Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Android Developer Certification Exam requirements before taking the exam. This will help you understand what topics are covered and how to best prepare for the exam.

Related: What does an Android Developer do?

Top 10 Android Developer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Android Developers today.

1. Android Application Development Certification from Google

Android Application Development Certification from Google is a program designed to help developers learn the skills needed to create and publish Android apps. It consists of two parts: an online course, and a certification exam.

The online course is self-paced and can be completed in approximately 8 weeks. It covers topics such as designing user interfaces, developing for different device types, integrating with Google services, and publishing apps to the Google Play store. The course also includes hands-on exercises that allow you to practice what you’ve learned.

Once you complete the online course, you can take the certification exam. This exam tests your knowledge of Android development concepts, best practices, and tools. You must pass this exam in order to earn your certification.

The cost of the Android Application Development Certification from Google varies depending on which version of the course you choose. There are two versions available: Basic ($149) or Pro ($299). Both versions include access to all course materials, but Pro also includes additional resources such as sample code and exclusive webinars with industry experts.

In order to get certified, you must first take the online course and then pass the certification exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate via email within 2-3 weeks.

2. Android Developer Nanodegree from Udacity

Android Developer Nanodegree from Udacity is a comprehensive program designed to help you become an Android developer. It is a six-month program that includes online courses, projects, and mentorship. It covers topics such as user interface design, data storage, networking, and more.

The program takes approximately six months to complete. You will need to dedicate around 10 hours per week to complete the program in the allotted time frame.

To get the Android Developer Nanodegree from Udacity, you must first apply for the program by submitting an application form. Once your application has been accepted, you will be enrolled in the program and given access to all of its resources.

The cost of the Android Developer Nanodegree from Udacity is $999 USD for the entire six-month duration of the course. Payment plans are available if needed.

3. Android Certified Application Developer (ACAD) from Oracle

Android Certified Application Developer (ACAD) from Oracle is a certification program that provides developers with the skills and knowledge to create, deploy, and maintain secure Android applications. The certification focuses on developing secure mobile applications for the Android platform using Oracle’s Mobile Application Framework (MAF).

It typically takes about two months to complete the ACAD certification. To get certified, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as application development, security, performance optimization, and debugging. You will also need to demonstrate your ability to develop a secure mobile application using MAF.

The cost of the ACAD certification depends on your country of residence and which version of the exam you are taking. In the United States, it costs $295 USD for the standard version and $395 USD for the extended version.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also agree to abide by Oracle's terms of use and privacy policy in order to become certified.

4. Professional Android Developer Certification from Microsoft

The Microsoft Professional Android Developer Certification is a certification program that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing Android applications. This certification is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated the ability to develop, debug, and deploy Android apps using the latest technologies and tools.

To get the Microsoft Professional Android Developer Certification, you must first take and pass an exam. The exam covers topics such as developing with Java, debugging and deploying apps, working with APIs and libraries, designing user interfaces, understanding mobile device architecture, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from Microsoft. You can then add this certification to your resume or portfolio to demonstrate your expertise in developing for the Android platform.

The cost of the Microsoft Professional Android Developer Certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD for the exam itself plus any applicable taxes or fees.

5. Certified Android App Developer from Brainmeasures

Certified Android App Developer from Brainmeasures is a certification program designed to equip developers with the knowledge and skills required to develop high-quality apps for the Android platform. The program covers topics such as Android app development fundamentals, user interface design, application architecture, debugging and testing, and publishing an app on the Google Play Store. It also covers advanced topics such as using libraries and external services in an app, working with databases, creating custom views and animations, and building multi-screen apps.

The duration of the Certified Android App Developer program from Brainmeasures is approximately 30 hours. This includes both online training sessions and hands-on projects. During the course of the program, participants will be able to gain practical experience in developing real-world apps for the Android platform.

To get certified as an Android App Developer from Brainmeasures, participants must complete all the coursework successfully and pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost of the certification program is $199 USD.

6. Android Mobile Application Development Certification from Simplilearn

Android Mobile Application Development Certification from Simplilearn is a comprehensive certification program designed to help developers gain the skills necessary to create, deploy, and maintain Android mobile applications. The program covers topics such as Android architecture, design principles, user interface design, data storage, and more. It also includes hands-on practical exercises to help students apply their new knowledge in a real-world setting.

The certification takes approximately 80 hours to complete and consists of three courses: Android Fundamentals, Android Studio Programming, and Advanced Android Development. Each course has multiple modules that cover the different aspects of developing for the Android platform.

To get the certification, you must successfully complete all three courses within six months of enrollment. After completing all three courses, you will be required to take an online assessment that tests your knowledge of the material covered in each course. If you pass this assessment with a score of 70% or higher, then you will receive a certificate of completion from Simplilearn.

The cost of the Android Mobile Application Development Certification from Simplilearn is $499 USD. This fee covers all three courses and the online assessment required for certification.

7. Professional Android App Developer Certification from edX

The Professional Android App Developer Certification from edX is an online course designed to help learners develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become a professional Android app developer. The course covers topics such as designing, developing, debugging, and deploying Android apps. It also includes lessons on how to use the Android Studio development environment, the Java programming language, and other related technologies.

This certification program consists of four courses that must be completed in order to receive the certificate. The courses are: Introduction to Android App Development, Building Layouts for User Interfaces, Working with Data Storage and Managing Background Tasks, and Publishing Your App. Each course takes around 10-15 hours to complete.

In order to get the Professional Android App Developer Certification from edX, learners must first register for a free edX account. Once registered, they can enroll in any of the four courses that make up this certification program. After successfully completing all four courses and passing their final exams with a score of 70% or higher, learners will receive their certificate from edX.

The cost of this certification program varies depending on which payment option you choose. You can pay per course or purchase a verified certificate which includes access to all four courses plus a verified certificate upon successful completion of the program. The cost of each individual course is between $49-$99 USD depending on whether you purchase a verified certificate or not.

8. Advanced Android App Development Certification from Coursera

Advanced Android App Development Certification from Coursera is a professional certification program designed to help developers become proficient in building advanced Android apps. The program consists of four courses that cover topics such as developing an app architecture, creating user interfaces, working with databases, and more. It takes approximately 6 months to complete the certification program.

To get the Advanced Android App Development Certification from Coursera, you must first enroll in the four courses that make up the program. Each course costs $49 USD and can be taken at your own pace. After completing all four courses, you will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible for the Advanced Android App Development Certification. The total cost for this certification is $196 USD.

9. Google Associate Android Developer Certification Exam

The Google Associate Android Developer Certification Exam is a professional certification program designed to help developers demonstrate their expertise in developing Android applications. The exam covers topics such as creating and testing Android apps, using the Android SDK, and debugging and optimizing code.

The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete, and consists of multiple choice questions. To get the certification, you need to pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but typically costs around $150 USD. You can register for the exam through the Google Developers website. Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access it.

In order to prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take a course or read books related to Android development. Additionally, there are practice exams available online that can help you become familiar with the types of questions asked on the actual exam.

10. Professional Certificate in Android App Development by Harvard University

The Professional Certificate in Android App Development by Harvard University is a comprehensive program designed to teach students the fundamentals of developing Android apps. The program covers topics such as user interface design, app architecture, data storage, and more. It takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete the program, depending on the student’s prior knowledge and experience.

To get the certificate, students must successfully complete four courses: Introduction to Mobile App Development with Android; User Interface Design for Mobile Devices; Data Storage with SQLite; and Advanced Topics in Mobile App Development. After completing these courses, students will receive a digital certificate from HarvardX verifying their completion of the program.

The cost of the Professional Certificate in Android App Development varies depending on whether you are an individual or part of an organization. For individuals, it costs $1,200 USD for access to all four courses and a digital certificate upon completion. For organizations, it costs $2,400 USD for access to all four courses and up to 10 digital certificates upon completion.

Do You Really Need a Android Developer Certificate?

No, you do not need an Android Developer Certificate to be a successful Android developer. While having a certificate may help demonstrate your technical skills and knowledge of the Android platform, it is not essential. There are other ways to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in Android development.

For example, you can create an impressive portfolio of projects that you have created and maintained on the Android platform. You can also take courses in Android development at universities or online platforms such as Udacity or Coursera. Finally, you can participate in hackathons or open source projects related to Android development to gain experience and build your skillset.

In short, while having an Android Developer Certificate may be beneficial, it is not necessary to become a successful Android developer.

Related: Android Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Android Developer Certifications

1. What is an Android Developer Certification?

Answer: An Android Developer Certification is a credential that proves your skills in developing applications for the Android platform. It demonstrates your knowledge of Android fundamentals and best practices, as well as your ability to use the latest tools and technologies.

2. How do I get an Android Developer Certification?

Answer: You can get certified by taking the Google Associate Android Developer (AAD) or Professional Android Developer (PAD) exams. These exams are offered by Google Partners such as Udacity, Pluralsight, Certiport, and Coursera.

3. What topics are covered on the AAD and PAD exams?

Answer: The AAD exam covers topics related to application development for the Android platform, such as user experience design, mobile device compatibility testing, debugging techniques, and publishing applications to the Google Play Store. The PAD exam covers advanced topics such as performance optimization, content provider integration, material design principles, advanced debugging techniques, and creating custom components.

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking these exams?

Answer: Yes - in order to take either exam you must have at least six months of experience developing apps for the Android platform using Java or Kotlin programming languages. In addition, you should have a basic understanding of XML layout files and be familiar with the latest APIs available on the platform.

5. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: Depending on your existing knowledge and skill level it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for either exam. Once you feel ready you can register for an exam date with one of our authorized partners and take the test online from home or at a local testing center near you.