Top 11 Applications Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for an applications engineer in the job market because they demonstrate the engineer's commitment to their profession and proficiency in their field. They also provide employers with assurance that the engineer has the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively perform their duties. Additionally, certifications can be a deciding factor when it comes to employers selecting from multiple candidates for a position. They can also open up new opportunities for advancement or specialization within an organization. Ultimately, certifications help applications engineers stand out from other applicants and give them an edge in an increasingly competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the benefits of certifications for Applications Engineers, and how they can help to enhance an applications engineer's career.

What are Applications Engineer Certifications?

Applications engineer certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and maintain applications software. This certification can help individuals gain recognition for their expertise in this field and demonstrate to employers that they are qualified for certain positions. It also provides a way for employers to identify potential candidates with the right skillset for specific roles. Additionally, by earning this certification, applicants can stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in application engineering, allowing them to remain competitive in the industry.

Pro Tip: Before applying for an applications engineer certification, make sure to research the specific requirements and qualifications of the certifying body. Make sure that you have the necessary knowledge and experience to qualify for the certification. Additionally, familiarize yourself with any study materials or practice exams offered by the certifying body as these can help you prepare for the exam.

Related: What does an Applications Engineer do?

Top 11 Applications Engineer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Applications Engineers today.

1. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is an international certification program designed to recognize software development professionals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the field. The CSDP certification is offered by the International Association of Software Professionals (IASP).

The CSDP certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as software design, coding, testing, project management and customer service. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is administered online. Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in software development or related fields in order to qualify for the exam.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for and take the CSDP exam. Preparation includes studying course material provided by IASP and taking practice exams. The cost of the CSDP exam varies depending on your country or region, but typically ranges from $200-$500 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CSDP certification from IASP. This certificate will serve as proof that you are a qualified software development professional and can be used to demonstrate your expertise on job applications or resumes.

2. Certified Systems Engineer (CSE)

Certified Systems Engineer (CSE) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in designing, building, and managing computer systems. This certification is offered by the International Association of Computer Information Systems (IACIS).

The CSE certification requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as system design, hardware architecture, networking, security, software development, project management and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CSE certification, candidates must have at least five years of experience in the field of computer information systems or equivalent education. Candidates must also pass an ethics exam prior to taking the CSE exam.

The cost to take the CSE exam varies depending on where you take it. The cost ranges from $200-$500 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees for retaking or rescheduling the exam if needed.

Overall, obtaining your Certified Systems Engineer (CSE) certification can open up new career opportunities in the IT field and help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in computer systems engineering.

3. Certified Network Engineer (CNE)

A Certified Network Engineer (CNE) is a professional who has achieved a level of expertise in the field of networking. The CNE certification is awarded by Novell, Inc., and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of excellence in network engineering.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the necessary training and exams required to become a Certified Network Engineer. To get certified, you must first pass the Novell Certified Network Engineer (CNE) Exam, which consists of two parts: Core Technologies and Advanced Technologies. You must also have at least one year of experience in network engineering or related fields.

The cost to become a Certified Network Engineer varies depending on the training program you choose and any additional materials you may need to purchase for the exam. Generally, you can expect to spend anywhere from $1,000-$4,000 on training materials and exam fees.

Overall, becoming a Certified Network Engineer is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in network engineering and can open up many opportunities for career advancement.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a professional certification issued by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and experience to design, implement, monitor and maintain an enterprise-wide information security program.

The CISM certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of information security management best practices, including risk assessment, security architecture and design, business continuity planning, incident response management, legal requirements and compliance.

It typically takes six months or more to prepare for the CISM exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in four hours. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in information security management in three out of four domains: information security governance; risk management; incident response; or compliance.

The cost for the CISM exam varies depending on where you take it. The fee is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations.

In addition to passing the CISM exam, candidates must also adhere to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics and agree to ongoing continuing education requirements in order to maintain their certification status.

5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in cloud security. It is offered by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). The CCSP credential validates an individual’s knowledge and experience with cloud security technologies and best practices.

It typically takes 6-12 months of study and preparation to obtain the CCSP certification. To become certified, individuals must pass a rigorous exam that tests their understanding of cloud security concepts, strategies, and implementation techniques.

To get started on the path to becoming CCSP certified, individuals should first review the CSA's official study guide for the exam. They should also take advantage of available online training courses or self-study materials to gain a thorough understanding of cloud security topics such as identity and access management, data protection, risk assessment, compliance management, incident response, and more.

The cost of taking the CCSP exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $600 USD for members of the CSA and $750 USD for non-members.

6. Certified Solutions Architect (CSA)

Certified Solutions Architect (CSA) is a professional certification program offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who design, deploy, and manage applications on the AWS platform. The CSA certification requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to design secure, reliable, cost-effective, and highly available distributed systems on the AWS platform.

The CSA exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that test an individual’s knowledge of core AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS, Elastic Beanstalk, CloudFormation, VPCs, IAM roles and policies. The exam also covers topics related to security best practices for using AWS services.

To become a Certified Solutions Architect (CSA), one must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. This exam typically takes about 80 minutes to complete and costs $150 USD. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that individuals take an official training course from AWS or study independently using resources such as books or online tutorials. Additionally, there are practice exams available online which can help individuals gauge their level of preparedness before taking the actual exam.

7. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is an advanced certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate an individual's skills and knowledge in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. The certification requires a minimum of two years of hands-on experience with AWS, as well as a deep understanding of the AWS platform.

The certification exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher. The exam fee is $300 USD.

In order to prepare for the exam, candidates should have a thorough understanding of AWS services and concepts such as EC2, S3, VPCs, ELBs, IAM roles and policies, CloudFormation templates, Auto Scaling groups, Lambda functions, DynamoDB tables and more. Candidates should also be familiar with best practices for designing secure, scalable architectures on the AWS platform. Additionally, candidates should be comfortable using the command line interface (CLI) or APIs to manage resources on AWS.

There are several online courses available that provide training for this certification including A Cloud Guru’s “AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional” course which includes over 20 hours of video content and practice exams to help prepare for the exam.

8. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of software developers. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, develop, and deploy solutions using Microsoft technologies.

To get the MCSD certification, you must pass four exams: two core exams and two elective exams. The core exams are Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 (70-480) and Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications (70-486). The two elective exams can be chosen from a list of options such as Developing Windows Azure and Web Services (70-487), Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions (70-488), or Developing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016 Core Solutions (70-339).

The cost for each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in. Generally, the cost for each exam ranges from $100 to $200 USD. It typically takes about three months to prepare for all four exams and complete them successfully.

9. Oracle Database Administrator Certification

Oracle Database Administrator Certification is a professional certification offered by Oracle to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to administer Oracle databases. This certification is designed for database administrators (DBAs) who manage the day-to-day operations of Oracle databases.

To get Oracle Database Administrator Certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration, and 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration. Passing these exams will earn you the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credential in Database Administration.

The time it takes to get certified depends on your experience level and how much time you are willing to dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to prepare for the exams, depending on your background knowledge and experience with Oracle databases.

The cost of taking the two exams varies depending on the country in which you take them, but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with study materials or preparatory courses that you choose to take as part of your preparation for the exams.

10. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in networking. It is one of the most popular and widely recognized certifications in the IT industry. CCNA certification validates an individual’s ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks.

It typically takes about three to six months to prepare for the CCNA exam. Preparation includes studying self-paced courses, attending instructor-led training, or taking online courses from Cisco Learning Partners. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it, but it can range from $200-$400 USD.

To obtain your CCNA certification, you must pass two exams: ICND1 (100-105) and ICND2 (200-105). After passing both exams, you will be awarded with your CCNA certification. You can also opt to take a single exam called the CCNA Composite (200-125), which covers both ICND1 and ICND2 topics.

11. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and related hardware, as well as basic networking.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam and obtain certification. The best way to get certified is by taking a course or attending a boot camp. There are many online courses and boot camps available to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from $200 - $300 USD per exam. You must pass two exams in order to become certified: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002).

Do You Really Need a Applications Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. A certificate in applications engineering can be beneficial for those looking to pursue a career in this field, or those who want to further their understanding of the subject. However, it may not be necessary for everyone.

For those considering entering this field, having a certificate can give them an advantage when competing for jobs. It will demonstrate that they have taken the initiative to learn more about the subject and are committed to developing their skills. It also shows potential employers that they have a basic understanding of relevant concepts and principles, which is important in any engineering profession.

On the other hand, some people may already possess enough knowledge and experience in applications engineering that they don’t need a certificate in order to be successful in their job search or current role. The decision ultimately comes down to each individual's specific needs and goals.

Related: Applications Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Applications Engineer Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Applications Engineer?

Answer: To become an Applications Engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field. You may also benefit from certifications or specialized training in applications engineering.

2. Are there any professional certifications available for Applications Engineers?

Answer: Yes, there are several professional certifications available for Applications Engineers. These include the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), Certified Application Developer (CAD) and Certified Solutions Architecture Professional (CSAP).

3. How much does it cost to get certified as an Applications Engineer?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as an Applications Engineer depends on the certification program you choose. Generally, most certification programs require a fee for registration and/or exam fees which range between $200-$500 USD.

4. What are the benefits of being certified as an Applications Engineer?

Answer: Being certified as an Applications Engineer demonstrates your expertise and commitment to the profession, making you more competitive in the job market. It can also improve your earning potential and provide access to job opportunities not available to non-certified professionals.

5. How long does it take to get certified as an Applications Engineer?

Answer: The time it takes to get certified as an Applications Engineer varies depending on the certification program you choose and how much preparation time you dedicate to studying for the exam(s). Generally, most certification programs require anywhere from 60-120 hours of study time before taking the exam(s).