Top 11 Application Developer Certifications

Certifications are important for application developers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of mastery in their technical skills. Certifications provide employers with assurance that an applicant is knowledgeable and competent in their chosen field. They also allow employers to quickly assess a candidate’s qualifications, as certifications are typically more comprehensive than resumes or portfolios. Additionally, certifications may also be necessary for certain roles or projects, so having them can make an applicant more competitive in the job market.

This article reviews some of the most beneficial certifications for Application Developers and outlines how they can help to advance an Application Developer's career.

What are Application Developer Certifications?

Application developer certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates a person’s proficiency in developing software applications. Certification typically involves passing an exam and/or completing a course or program to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various aspects of application development, such as coding, design, architecture, testing, and security. Application developer certification can help individuals stand out from the competition by providing employers with evidence that the applicant has sufficient knowledge and experience to develop quality software applications. It also provides developers with an opportunity to gain recognition for their skills and demonstrate their commitment to professional development. For organizations, certifications can be used as a way to assess the skills and abilities of potential employees before they are hired, helping them find the best-qualified candidates for open positions. Additionally, certifications can provide organizations with assurance that their existing staff members have kept up with industry trends and advancements in technology.

Pro Tip: When looking for an application developer certification, make sure to research the organization providing it and look for any reviews or feedback from past participants. A reputable certification should have a clear outline of what is expected of you and provide you with the necessary resources to successfully complete it. Additionally, be sure to check if there are any prerequisites or fees associated with the certification before enrolling.

Related: What does an Application Developer do?

Top 11 Application Developer Certifications

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

1. Certified Application Developer (CAD)

Certified Application Developer (CAD) is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated expertise in developing applications using specific software platforms. The certification is offered by several organizations, including Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM.

To become a Certified Application Developer, an individual must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the software platform they are applying for. The exams are typically multiple-choice and can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to complete. Depending on the organization offering the certification, there may also be additional requirements such as completing a course or project prior to taking the exam.

In order to get certified, individuals must register with the organization offering the certification and pay any applicable fees. Fees vary depending on the organization but typically range from $100 to $400 USD.

Once an individual has passed their exam, they will receive a certificate of completion and can use it to demonstrate their expertise in application development. This can be especially useful when applying for jobs or seeking promotions within their current role.

2. Certified Mobile Application Developer (CMAD)

Certified Mobile Application Developer (CMAD) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing mobile applications. It is designed to validate the skills necessary to develop, deploy and maintain mobile applications across multiple platforms and devices.

It typically takes around three months of study and practice to prepare for the CMAD exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as mobile application architecture, development tools, user interface design, security, performance optimization, and more.

To obtain the CMAD certification, you must first pass the CMAD exam with a score of at least 70%. After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate from the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). You can also get additional recognition by becoming a Certified Professional Mobile Application Developer (CPMAD) if you have five or more years of experience in developing mobile applications.

The cost of taking the CMAD exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam.

3. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer is a certification that demonstrates a programmer’s expertise in the Java programming language. This certification is designed for experienced Java developers who want to demonstrate their skills and knowledge of the language.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as object-oriented programming, collections, generics and concurrency.

To get this certification, you must first register for the exam on Oracle's website. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from Oracle and pay the associated fee. After registering and paying for your voucher, you can schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

The cost of the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $245-$295 USD.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is a professional certification program offered by Microsoft. The certification is designed to recognize individuals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and deploy solutions using Microsoft technologies.

The MCSD certification requires candidates to pass four exams: two core exams and two elective exams. The core exams are focused on developing applications with either the .NET Framework or Windows 8, while the elective exams cover specific technologies such as Azure, SharePoint, Office 365, and Visual Studio.

In order to earn the MCSD certification, an individual must pass all four of the required exams within 24 months of starting their first exam. Each exam costs $165 USD and must be taken at an authorized testing center.

Overall, earning the MCSD certification can take several months depending on how quickly an individual can study for and pass each exam. In total, it will cost around $660 USD in exam fees alone.

5. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer (ZCPE) is a professional certification program for experienced PHP developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of web application development using the Zend Framework. The certification exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, MVC architecture, security, caching, performance optimization, and more.

To get the ZCPE certification, you must pass an online examination with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or remotely through their online proctoring service.

The cost of the ZCPE exam is $195 USD. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after 30 days without paying an additional fee. However, if you fail three times in a row, then you will need to wait 180 days before attempting again and pay another fee.

Once you have passed the exam and received your ZCPE certificate, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in developing secure and high-performance web applications using the Zend Framework.

6. Adobe Certified Expert in ColdFusion 9/10

Adobe Certified Expert in ColdFusion 9/10 is an Adobe certification program that tests a person’s knowledge and skills in developing web applications using the ColdFusion 9/10 platform. This certification is designed for individuals who have a strong understanding of the fundamentals of ColdFusion, including object-oriented programming, database integration, and web services.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple choice questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $100-$200 USD.

To prepare for the exam, Adobe provides a variety of resources like online tutorials, sample exams, and practice tests. You can also find third-party training materials available online that can help you better understand the material covered on the exam. Additionally, there are several books available that provide comprehensive coverage of ColdFusion 9/10 topics.

7. IBM Certified Mobile Application Developer

IBM Certified Mobile Application Developer is a professional certification that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in developing mobile applications. It demonstrates proficiency in the development of mobile applications for iOS, Android and Windows devices.

To get this certification, candidates must pass one exam called C2180-279: IBM Worklight V6.0 Mobile Application Development. This exam covers topics such as designing and developing mobile applications, deploying and managing applications, using security features, and troubleshooting application issues. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in; however, it typically costs around $200 USD. To prepare for the exam, IBM offers a range of training materials including books, practice tests and online courses.

In order to maintain your IBM Certified Mobile Application Developer status, you must recertify every three years by passing a current version of the C2180-279 exam or any other related exams offered by IBM.

8. Apple iOS App Development Certification

Apple iOS App Development Certification is a professional certification program offered by Apple that allows developers to demonstrate their skills in creating apps for the iOS platform. It is designed to help developers gain recognition and credibility in the app development industry.

The certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as Swift programming, UI/UX design, and app architecture. The exam is administered at Apple Authorized Training Centers (AATCs) around the world.

The exam typically takes two hours to complete, and applicants must score at least 80% on the exam in order to pass. Once passed, applicants will receive an official certificate from Apple that can be used to demonstrate their expertise in developing apps for iOS devices.

The cost of the certification varies depending on where you take the exam, but it typically ranges from $150-200 USD. Some AATCs may also offer discounts or other incentives for taking the exam through them. Additionally, some universities may offer courses or programs related to iOS app development that can help prepare students for the certification exam.

9. Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification

Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification is a credential that demonstrates one’s ability to design, build, and implement custom applications on the Salesforce platform. This certification is designed for developers and administrators who want to demonstrate their expertise in developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. It covers topics such as application design, development, deployment, testing, debugging, security, integration, and more. The exam fee is $200 USD.

To become certified as a Salesforce Platform App Builder, you must first take an instructor-led course or eLearning course on the subject from Salesforce University or an approved partner. After completing the coursework and passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher you will receive your certification.

In order to maintain your certification status you must recertify every two years by taking an approved recertification course or passing the current version of the Platform App Builder Exam with a score of 70% or higher.

10. Google Cloud Platform Professional Data Engineer Certification

Google Cloud Platform Professional Data Engineer Certification is a certification program offered by Google to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who work with data on the Google Cloud Platform. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to design, build, and maintain data solutions on the Google Cloud Platform. It also validates an individual’s ability to use tools such as BigQuery, Cloud Storage, and Cloud Dataflow for data analysis, machine learning, and real-time streaming.

The certification exam takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. The cost of the exam is $200 USD. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

In order to prepare for the exam, Google provides a variety of resources including tutorials, practice tests, sample questions, and study guides. Additionally, there are many online courses available that provide comprehensive training in all aspects of working with data on the Google Cloud Platform.

To get started with studying for the exam, it is recommended that you review the official study guide provided by Google as well as any other materials that may be available online. Additionally, you should practice using BigQuery and other tools on the platform in order to gain hands-on experience before taking the exam.

11. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an industry-recognized certification that validates one’s ability to design, deploy, and operate applications and infrastructure on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. The certification demonstrates a professional’s expertise in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform.

The exam for this certification consists of multiple-choice questions and can take up to 80 minutes to complete. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points.

To prepare for the exam, you should have hands-on experience using AWS services such as EC2, S3, VPC, ELB, RDS, IAM and other related services. Additionally, there are numerous online resources available to help you study for the exam including practice tests, tutorials and official AWS documentation.

The cost of taking the exam is $150 USD.

Do You Really Need a Application Developer Certificate?

The short answer is no. You do not need an application developer certificate in order to become a successful application developer. However, having one may help you stand out from other applicants and give you an edge in the job market.

A certificate program in application development can provide you with a comprehensive education on the various tools, techniques, and principles used to create applications for various platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, and Android. This knowledge can make you more attractive to employers who are looking for someone with experience in developing applications for multiple operating systems.

In addition to teaching you how to develop applications, many certificate programs also offer courses on project management and software engineering principles that will help you better manage your projects and deliver quality results. These skills are invaluable when working with clients or employers who want their applications to be efficient and reliable.

Finally, having a certificate may also increase your chances of getting hired by certain companies as some employers prefer candidates who have completed such programs. It is important to note though that having a certificate does not guarantee employment; it just increases your chances of landing an interview or getting hired.

Overall, while having an application developer certificate is not necessary for success in this field, it can certainly be beneficial if you want to get ahead in the job market and gain valuable skills that will help you succeed as an application developer.

Related: Application Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Application Developer Certifications

1. What are the benefits of getting an application developer certification?

Answer: Getting an application developer certification can open up career opportunities, demonstrate your expertise in the field, and help you stay up-to-date with industry best practices and trends. It can also provide a competitive edge when applying for jobs or promotions.

2. How long does it take to get an application developer certification?

Answer: The length of time to get an application developer certification depends on the type of program you choose and how much time you are able to devote to studying and preparing for the exam. Generally, certification programs can range from several months to a year or more.

3. What is the best way to prepare for an application developer certification exam?

Answer: Preparing for an application developer certification exam requires dedication and hard work, but there are many resources available that can help you with your studies. These include taking practice exams, studying course material provided by your program provider, attending webinars or workshops hosted by industry experts, and reading relevant articles or blogs related to the topics covered in the exam.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming an application developer?

Answer: Most programs do not require any specific education background or technical experience as a prerequisite; however, having experience in coding languages such as Java, C# or Python is usually beneficial when taking the exam. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have taken specific courses prior to enrolling in their certifications program.

5. Do I need a degree to become an application developer?

Answer: While not required, having a degree in computer science or software engineering can be beneficial when obtaining a job as an application developer or pursuing further certifications down the line. Additionally, having knowledge of coding languages such as Java, C# or Python will be helpful when taking the exam and working on projects after obtaining your certification.