Top 10 Coding Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for coding specialists in the job market because they provide evidence of a specialist’s knowledge and expertise in specific areas. A certification helps to demonstrate a specialist’s technical proficiency and can help them stand out among other candidates. It also provides employers with assurance that the specialist has the necessary skills and qualifications to perform a particular task or project. Certifications also provide coding specialists with opportunities for professional development as they may be able to increase their salary or move up within their current organization. Finally, certifications can open up new job opportunities as employers often prefer certified candidates when making hiring decisions.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Coding Specialists and how they can contribute to a successful career in the field.

What are Coding Specialist Certifications?

Coding specialist certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of proficiency in medical coding. This certification is awarded to individuals who have completed an approved medical coding program and/or passed an examination administered by a recognized certifying organization.

This certification can help those looking to enter or advance in the medical coding field by providing them with recognition of their knowledge and skills. It also serves as proof of competency which employers may require when hiring coders. Having this credential may open up more job opportunities, as well as higher salaries, for those seeking employment in this field. Furthermore, it can be beneficial for those already working in the field as it may give them additional credibility when applying for promotions or other career advancements.

In short, obtaining coding specialist certification can be invaluable for those looking to break into the medical coding profession or advance their careers within it.

Pro Tip: When considering a coding specialist certification, make sure to research the program and its accreditation. Ensure that the program is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and that it meets industry standards for coding specialist certifications. Additionally, ask questions about the curriculum, faculty credentials, and any fees associated with the certification before making a decision.

Related: What does a Coding Specialist do?

Top 10 Coding Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Coding Specialists today.

1. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of experienced software developers. The CSDP certification is offered by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA).

The CSDP certification program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Master. To become certified at each level, candidates must pass an exam that tests their knowledge in areas such as software development methodologies, programming languages, databases, operating systems, and software engineering principles.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the training and exams required for the CSDP certification. Candidates should plan on spending at least 40 hours per week studying for the exam in order to prepare adequately.

To get the CSDP certification, candidates must first register with IASA and pay a fee. The fee varies depending on the level of certification being sought; it ranges from $400-$1,500 USD depending on the level of certification being sought. After registering with IASA, candidates must then complete all required training courses and pass all three exams within two years in order to receive their CSDP certification.

In addition to passing all three exams, candidates must also demonstrate their experience in software development through a portfolio review process conducted by IASA prior to receiving their CSDP certification.

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and experience in the field of information security. The CISSP credential is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the eight domains of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). These domains include: Access Control, Telecommunications and Network Security, Cryptography, Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning, Legal Regulations, Compliance and Investigations, Software Development Security, and Operations Security.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CISSP exam depending on your prior knowledge and experience. To become certified you must pass the CISSP exam which consists of 250 multiple-choice questions. The exam fee varies by country but typically costs around $699 USD. Additionally, there are various study materials available online such as books, practice exams and courses that can help you prepare for the exam.

3. Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP)

Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP) is an industry-recognized certification for developers who have demonstrated a mastery of the Java programming language. This certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced Java programmers.

The OCPJP certification requires passing two exams: the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer I (1Z0-808) exam and the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer II (1Z0-809) exam. Both exams are multiple choice and require a score of 65% or higher to pass. The total cost for both exams is $245 USD.

It typically takes 6-12 months to prepare for the OCPJP certification depending on your current level of experience with Java programming. To get started, it is recommended that you have at least 3 years of experience in developing applications using Java technologies, as well as a basic understanding of object-oriented concepts and design patterns. Additionally, you should be familiar with all core features of the Java language, including classes, interfaces, exceptions, collections, generics and concurrency.

To prepare for the OCPJP certification exams, you can take advantage of online resources such as tutorials and practice tests offered by Oracle University or other third-party providers. You may also consider enrolling in instructor-led training courses offered by Oracle University or other training providers to gain more in-depth knowledge about specific topics related to the OCPJP certification exams.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills of experienced software developers. It is offered by Microsoft and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in building business solutions using Microsoft development tools and 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 using Visual Studio and the .NET Framework, while the elective exams focus on specific application types, such as Windows Store apps or web applications.

In order to become certified, you must first pass all four required exams within a 2-year period. After passing all four exams, you will receive an MCSD certification that is valid for three years.

Each exam costs $165 USD and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. In addition, there are several online resources available to help prepare for the MCSD certification including books, practice tests, video tutorials, and more.

5. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance, an international organization dedicated to promoting and teaching Scrum. The CSM certification is designed to help individuals and organizations understand and apply the principles of Scrum in their software development projects.

The CSM certification requires successful completion of a two-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course covers topics such as the history of Scrum, roles and responsibilities, planning and estimation techniques, sprints and releases, agile metrics, and more. After attending the course, participants must pass a multiple-choice exam in order to become certified.

The cost of the two-day course varies depending on the trainer and location but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD. Additionally, there is an annual membership fee of $100 USD required for maintaining active status with the Scrum Alliance.

6. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-leading certification for IT professionals. It is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that validates the knowledge and skills required to work in the IT field. The CompTIA A+ certification covers a wide range of topics, including hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, software troubleshooting, security and operational procedures.

It typically takes between three to six months to study for and complete the CompTIA A+ exam. To get certified, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Both exams are 90 minutes long and include a maximum of 90 multiple choice questions.

To get your CompTIA A+ certification you need to register with CompTIA's website or through a Pearson VUE testing center. You can purchase study materials online or from bookstores. The cost of the exams vary depending on which country you take them in but generally range from $200-$300 USD per exam.

7. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification program offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to effectively design and deploy secure, reliable, and cost-effective cloud-based solutions using AWS technologies. The certification requires a deep understanding of core AWS services, such as Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, and Amazon VPC.

The exam typically takes about 130 minutes to complete and consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions. To become certified, you must pass a single exam that tests your knowledge of the various AWS services.

In order to get the certification, you will need to register for the exam through the AWS Certification website. You can find more information on the registration process here: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certification-prep/. Once registered, you will need to schedule an appointment with an authorized testing center in order to take the exam.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $150 - $300 USD.

8. Apple Certified iOS Technician (ACiT)

Apple Certified iOS Technician (ACiT) is an Apple certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the maintenance and troubleshooting of Apple iOS devices. This certification validates a technician’s ability to diagnose, repair, and maintain iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices.

The ACiT program includes two exams: an online exam and a hands-on performance assessment. The online exam covers topics such as iOS architecture, operating system fundamentals, troubleshooting techniques, and security best practices. The performance assessment requires technicians to demonstrate their knowledge of iOS device hardware and software by completing tasks such as restoring an iPhone from backup or setting up a new iPad.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the ACiT program. After registering for the program through Apple's website, technicians must pass both exams within 90 days in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of the ACiT program varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, it costs $299 USD to register for the program.

9. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer is a certification program designed to recognize the expertise of engineers who develop and maintain web applications using the PHP language. It is administered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the popular open-source PHP scripting language. The certification program consists of a two-hour exam that tests an engineer’s knowledge in areas such as object-oriented programming, database access, security, web services and more.

To become certified, candidates must first pass a written exam that covers topics such as PHP syntax and semantics, object-oriented programming with PHP5, security considerations for developing with PHP, web services with SOAP and REST architectures and more. After passing the written exam, candidates must then complete an online practical exam which involves writing code to solve real-world problems.

The entire process typically takes between four to six weeks to complete and costs approximately $195 USD. In addition to the cost of the exams, there are also optional training courses available from Zend that can help prepare candidates for the exams.

10. Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and manage robust, secure, scalable, highly available and dynamic solutions to drive business objectives. The certification validates an individual’s expertise in the Google Cloud Platform technologies and services.

The certification requires the successful completion of a multiple-choice exam. The exam covers topics such as designing and planning a cloud solution architecture; managing and provisioning solutions; designing for security and compliance; analyzing and optimizing technical and business processes; managing implementations of cloud architecture; and ensuring successful operations on the Google Cloud Platform.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam. Preparation can include studying online resources, attending instructor-led training courses or self-paced online courses, or taking practice exams.

The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States, it costs $200 USD per attempt.

To get certified as a Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect, you must first register with Pearson VUE (the testing provider) to take the exam at one of their authorized test centers. Once registered, you can schedule your exam date and time by selecting an available slot from their website or by calling their customer service number.

Do You Really Need a Coding Specialist Certificate?

When it comes to deciding whether or not you need a coding specialist certificate, there is no easy answer. It depends on your individual goals and objectives for pursuing a career in coding. For example, if you are looking to gain employment as a software developer or programmer, then having a certificate can be helpful. It demonstrates that you have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the job market.

On the other hand, if you are already working in the field of coding and want to advance your career, then having certification may not necessarily be necessary. Companies often prefer experienced coders who have worked with their specific technologies and platforms over those who have only studied them in school. In this case, hands-on experience is usually more valuable than any kind of certification.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not getting a coding specialist certificate would be beneficial for your personal goals and objectives. If you feel that obtaining one will give you an advantage when applying for jobs or advancing your career, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if practical experience is more important than credentials in your particular field of interest, then it might make more sense to focus on gaining experience instead of investing time and money into obtaining certification.

Related: Coding Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Coding Specialist Certifications

Q1: What is a coding specialist certification?

A1: A coding specialist certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the medical coding profession. The certification validates a candidate’s expertise in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, coding systems, and health care reimbursement.

Q2: What types of certifications are available?

A2: There are several certifications offered by different organizations such as the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Q3: How do I become certified?

A3: In order to become certified, you must complete an accredited program or training course in medical coding from an accredited institution. After completing the training course or program, you will need to pass a certification exam in order to be officially recognized as a certified professional coder.

Q4: What types of jobs can I get with a coding specialist certification?

A4: With a coding specialist certification, you can find employment in various settings including hospitals, physician offices, insurance companies, government agencies, billing companies and more. Job titles may include medical coder, medical biller/coder or health information technician.

Q5: How long does it take to become certified?

A5: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on how much experience you have in medical coding prior to taking the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to complete all necessary coursework and pass the exam.