Top 10 ASP.NET Developer Certifications

Certifications for an ASP.NET developer are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise, as well as a commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies and best practices. Certifications provide employers with assurance that a potential employee has the necessary knowledge and skills to do the job effectively. They also help employers differentiate between similarly qualified applicants and can be used to better assess an individual’s suitability for the role. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for higher salaries or promotions, as they demonstrate that an individual is dedicated to their profession and willing to invest in their own development.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for ASP.NET Developers and outlines how they can help an asp.net developer advance their career.

What are ASP.NET Developer Certifications?

ASP.NET Developer Certification is a certification program designed to verify the skills and knowledge of web developers who use Microsoft's ASP.NET technology to create websites, web applications, and services. This certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise in developing dynamic and interactive web applications using the ASP.NET framework. It also provides employers with an assurance that the developer they hire has the necessary technical skills to create successful web solutions using the ASP.NET platform.

In order to earn this certification, individuals must pass a series of exams which test their knowledge of ASP.NET, C#, and Visual Studio development tools and techniques. The exams cover topics such as building secure websites and services, creating rich user experiences with AJAX, working with data-driven applications, debugging code, and deploying solutions to production environments. Passing these exams verifies that an individual has mastered the essential concepts needed for successful ASP.NET development projects and is ready to take on more complex tasks.

Having an ASP.NET Developer Certification can provide numerous benefits for individuals looking for work in web development or those already working in this field who want to broaden their marketability and increase their earning potential. It can serve as proof of competency when applying for a job or promotion in a related field, help stand out from other applicants during interviews, give insight into how well an individual understands the latest versions of ASP.NET technologies, show employers that they are serious about their chosen profession by having attained a recognized industry credential, or serve as evidence of continued professional growth by staying up-to-date on current trends within the industry.

Pro Tip: Before taking an ASP.NET developer certification exam, be sure to thoroughly review the material and practice coding tasks related to the topics you will be tested on. This will help ensure that you are well-prepared for the exam and can maximize your chances of passing.

Related: What does an ASP.NET Developer do?

Top 10 ASP.NET Developer Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Web Applications

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Web Applications is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing web applications using Microsoft technologies. The certification covers topics such as designing and developing web applications, creating services-oriented applications, designing and implementing Windows Azure cloud services, and deploying web applications.

It typically takes around 6 to 12 months to complete the training and pass the exams required for MCSD: Web Applications certification. To get certified, you must pass three exams: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 (70-480), Developing ASP.NET MVC 4 Web Applications (70-486) and Developing Windows Azure and Web Services (70-487).

The cost of each exam varies depending on your location; however, it typically ranges from $100 to $150 per exam. The total cost of getting the MCSD: Web Applications certification can range from $300 to $450 depending on your location.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Azure Solutions Architect

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Azure Solutions Architect is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge necessary to design, build, test, and maintain cloud solutions using Microsoft Azure. This certification demonstrates expertise in cloud technologies like virtual machines, storage, networking, security, and identity.

It typically takes around 6-9 months to prepare for the MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect certification exam. To get certified as an MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect you must pass two exams: Exam 70-535: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions and Exam 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions.

The cost of the two exams is $165 each for a total of $330. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with studying for the exams such as purchasing books or online courses.

3. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): Web Developer 4

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): Web Developer 4 is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing web applications using Microsoft technologies. It requires a deep understanding of the .NET Framework, C#, ASP.NET, HTML5, JavaScript, and other related technologies. To get this certification, one must pass three exams: Exam 70-515: TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4; Exam 70-516: TS: Accessing Data with Microsoft .NET Framework 4; and Exam 70-519: PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4.

The total cost for all three exams is around $450 USD. The exams are available online or in person at a testing center. Each exam takes about two hours to complete and the results are available immediately after completion. It typically takes between four to six months of preparation to get the MCPD certification depending on your experience level with the technologies involved.

4. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): Enterprise Application Developer

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD): Enterprise Application Developer is a certification that validates the skills of experienced software developers who use Microsoft technologies to design and develop enterprise applications. It is designed to demonstrate expertise in developing applications using Visual Studio, ASP.NET, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), LINQ, and ADO.NET Entity Framework.

To get the MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer certification, you must first pass three exams: Exam 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation; Exam 70-515: TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4; and Exam 70-513: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Communication Foundation Solutions with Microsoft .NET Framework 4.

It usually takes several months to prepare for these exams and pass them successfully. You can find study materials such as books, online courses, practice tests, and other resources to help you prepare for the exams on the official Microsoft website or through third-party vendors.

The cost of the MCPD certification varies depending on which country you are located in. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with registering for the exam or purchasing additional study materials.

5. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ASP.NET 4

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ASP.NET 4 is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing web applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 and ASP.NET 4. It is designed for professionals who have at least one year of experience developing web applications with ASP.NET 4 and the .NET Framework 4.0, as well as a good understanding of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, jQuery, LINQ and Entity Framework.

It usually takes about three months to prepare for the exam, depending on your current level of expertise and familiarity with the topics covered by the exam. To get certified you must pass Exam 70-515: TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4.

The cost of the exam varies from country to country but typically ranges from $125-$150 USD per attempt.

6. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Communication Foundation Development with .NET Framework 4

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Communication Foundation Development with .NET Framework 4 is a certification that validates an individual's skills in developing distributed applications using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) and the .NET Framework 4. This certification demonstrates the candidate’s ability to use WCF services, create service contracts, configure bindings and behaviors, host and consume services, secure services, and debug and troubleshoot distributed applications.

To get this certification, you must pass one exam: Exam 70-513: TS: Windows Communication Foundation Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4. The exam consists of 40-60 questions covering topics such as service contracts, hosting and consuming services, security, debugging and troubleshooting. It takes about 2 hours to complete the exam.

The cost of taking the exam varies by region; however, it typically costs around $150 USD.

7. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Workflow Foundation Development with .NET Framework 4

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows Workflow Foundation Development with .NET Framework 4 is a certification program that validates a professional’s ability to design and develop workflows using the Windows Workflow Foundation technology. It requires knowledge of designing, developing, deploying, and debugging workflow-enabled applications using the .NET Framework 4.

To get this certification, you must pass one exam: Exam 70-505: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 - Windows Workflow Foundation Development. This exam tests your skills in creating workflow solutions for businesses by using the Windows Workflow Foundation technology. The exam covers topics such as creating and managing workflows, hosting and managing workflow services, integrating services into workflows, and debugging workflow applications.

The cost of the exam is $165 USD. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take an instructor-led training course or self-study materials from Microsoft Learning or other authorized providers.

8. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ADO.NET Data Services Development with .NET Framework 3.5

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ADO.NET Data Services Development with .NET Framework 3.5 is a certification that validates a professional’s expertise in developing applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework and ADO.NET Data Services. It requires knowledge of the fundamentals of data access, data manipulation, and data services development techniques using the .NET Framework 3.5 and Visual Studio 2008.

The MCTS: ADO.NET Data Services Development with .NET Framework 3.5 certification typically takes approximately three months to complete, depending on an individual's prior experience and knowledge base. To obtain this certification, individuals must pass two exams: Exam 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5—Windows Communication Foundation Applications and Exam 70-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5—ADO.NET Data Services Development with Visual Studio 2008.

The cost for each exam is $125 USD per exam, so the total cost for both exams is $250 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exams at a test center or through an online proctored exam provider such as Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

9. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ASP.NET AJAX Extensions Development with .NET Framework 3.5

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): ASP.NET AJAX Extensions Development with .NET Framework 3.5 is a certification that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in developing web applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and ASP.NET AJAX Extensions. It demonstrates an individual’s ability to create rich, interactive web applications that are secure and cross-browser compatible.

The MCTS: ASP.NET AJAX Extensions Development with .NET Framework 3.5 certification requires passing one exam, Exam 70-562: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development, which covers topics such as creating user controls, using validation controls, working with data sources, using the AJAX Control Toolkit and more. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and consists of 40-60 questions in multiple choice format.

To obtain the MCTS: ASP.NET AJAX Extensions Development with .NET Framework 3.5 certification, you must register for and pass Exam 70-562 at a Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center near you or online via remote proctoring services offered by Pearson VUE or ProctorU. The cost of the exam is $165 USD (or local currency equivalent).

10. Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Application Developer on the .NET Platform

Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Application Developer on the .NET Platform is a certification from Microsoft that demonstrates an individual's expertise in developing and deploying enterprise-level applications using the .NET platform. This certification focuses on the development of business applications using Visual Studio, ASP.NET, Windows Communication Foundation (WCF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WF), and other related technologies.

It typically takes around two or three months to complete this certification depending on the individual’s experience level and study habits. To get this certification, individuals must first pass an exam that covers topics such as designing and implementing distributed applications, developing web services, creating user interfaces, debugging code, and more. Once they have passed the exam, they must then submit a project demonstrating their ability to use the .NET platform to develop an enterprise application.

The cost of the Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Enterprise Application Developer on the .NET Platform certification varies depending on where you take your exams and how many exams you take. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $150-$300 per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exams.

Do You Really Need a ASP.NET Developer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual’s goals and aspirations. While having an ASP.NET Developer Certificate may be beneficial for some, it is not necessary for everyone. It is important to consider whether or not the time and money spent obtaining a certificate would be worth it in the long run.

If one’s primary goal is to become a proficient ASP.NET developer, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial. This can provide proof of one’s knowledge of the language and make them more desirable to potential employers. Certificates can also demonstrate that one has completed a certain amount of coursework in the field, which can give employers confidence in their abilities. Additionally, obtaining certification can lead to higher pay due to its confirmation of skillset and experience with ASP.NET development.

On the other hand, if one already has extensive experience working with ASP.NET or other related programming languages, then obtaining a certificate might not be necessary or even beneficial as it could potentially distract from their real-world experience or portfolio projects they have already completed related to web development. In such cases, it may be better to focus on building up relevant work experience rather than investing resources into getting certified in order to prove one’s abilities as an ASP .NET developer.

In conclusion, whether or not someone needs to obtain an ASP .NET Developer Certificate really depends on their individual goals and situation; there is no single right answer for everyone. Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves if this certification would benefit them in achieving their career objectives and if it would be worth the investment of time and money required for completion.

Related: ASP.NET Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About ASP.NET Developer Certifications

1. What is the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) Certification?

Answer: The Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certification is a professional-level credential from Microsoft that demonstrates expertise in developing and designing applications with the Microsoft .NET Framework. It validates the skills necessary to develop advanced applications and services using .NET technologies, including Visual Studio, C#, ASP.NET, Azure, and SQL Server.

2. How do I become an MCSD certified developer?

Answer: To become an MCSD certified developer, you need to pass all of the required exams associated with the certification track you choose. These exams measure your ability to use Visual Studio, C#, ASP.NET, Azure, and SQL Server to build various types of applications and services.

3. What is the cost of becoming MCSD certified?

Answer: The cost for each exam varies depending on region but typically ranges from $100 to $165 USD per exam. You can check the exact pricing at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/exam-list.aspx

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking MCSD exams?

Answer: Yes, there are prerequisites for some of the MCSD exams depending on which track you choose to pursue certification in. For example, if you choose to pursue Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4 certification track then you must have prior experience developing web applications with HTML5, JavaScript and CSS3 as well as knowledge of ASP.NET 4 or later versions and Visual Studio 2013 or later versions before taking any of its associated exams like 70-480 and 70-486 etc..

5. How long is an MCSD certification valid?

Answer: An MCSD certification is valid for two years from the date it was earned after which it needs to be renewed by passing one or more recertification exams depending on the chosen technology track