Top 10 Computer Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for computer engineers in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and experience to potential employers. Having certifications shows that an engineer has taken the time to study and understand a specific technology, which is valuable to employers looking for qualified candidates. Certifications also show that an engineer is committed to staying up-to-date on new technologies and best practices, which can be beneficial in a competitive job market. Finally, certifications can often give engineers access to exclusive job opportunities or higher salaries than those without them.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Computer Engineers and explains how they can help to enhance a computer engineer's career.

What are Computer Engineer Certifications?

Computer engineer certification is a formal recognition of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of computer engineering. It is awarded by professional organizations or educational institutions and must be maintained by continuing education. Computer engineer certification serves as an indication of expertise in a particular area of computer engineering, such as programming, system design and administration, networking, or web development. With this certification employers can be assured that an individual has the necessary qualifications to perform the job.

Achieving a computer engineer certification also provides individuals with increased job security and better career opportunities. Companies often prefer to hire people who already have qualifications and certifications in their chosen field. Furthermore, having a recognized certificate may give individuals access to higher-level positions where they are able to command higher salaries. Additionally, some companies offer tuition assistance for employees pursuing additional certifications or degrees in the field of computer engineering.

The benefits associated with obtaining computer engineer certification extend beyond improved job prospects; it also increases an individual’s self-confidence and ability to work effectively within their chosen field. The process of studying for and passing tests required for these certificates provides individuals with valuable knowledge that will help them perform more effectively on the job. In addition, having this type of certificate can provide an extra competitive edge when applying for jobs as employers can easily recognize a person’s specialized knowledge in this area by looking at their credentials.

Pro Tip: When selecting a certification program for computer engineering, make sure to research the accreditation of the program and ensure it meets industry standards. Additionally, look into the specific courses offered in the program to ensure they are up-to-date with current trends and technologies in the field.

Related: What does a Computer Engineer do?

Top 10 Computer Engineer Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in designing, implementing, and managing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The MCSE credential is typically earned by IT professionals who have experience in the field and who have passed several exams from Microsoft.

The MCSE certification is divided into two main categories: Infrastructure and Applications. To earn an MCSE certification, you must pass exams in both of these categories. Depending on the specific technology you are certified in, there may be additional requirements such as completing elective courses or labs.

It can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete the requirements for an MCSE certification, depending on your level of experience and how quickly you can study for and pass the required exams.

To get an MCSE certification, you must first meet the prerequisites for each exam you plan to take. These prerequisites vary depending on the exam but typically include having a certain amount of experience working with Microsoft technologies or completing specific courses or labs related to the technology being tested. After meeting all of the prerequisites, you can register for and take any of the required exams at a testing center near you.

The cost of taking an MCSE exam varies depending on which exam(s) you are taking and where it is taken. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD but this price can vary significantly depending on location and other factors.

2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in designing, implementing, configuring, and troubleshooting converged local and wide area networks with 100 or more nodes. The CCNP certification requires three exams: ROUTE (300-101), SWITCH (300-115), and TSHOOT (300-135). To obtain the CCNP certification, you must pass all three exams.

The CCNP certification typically takes around six to nine months to complete depending on your experience and study habits. To prepare for the exams, you should have a solid understanding of networking fundamentals as well as hands-on experience with Cisco routers and switches. You can also take training courses offered by Cisco or its partners to help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of the CCNP certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctored fees. Some organizations may also offer discounts on certain exams if they are part of a larger program or bundle.

3. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level computer technicians. It is designed to provide a foundation for a career in IT, and it is a prerequisite for many jobs in the field. CompTIA A+ certification covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, security and troubleshooting.

It typically takes between six months and two years to get CompTIA A+ certification. The amount of time required depends on the individual’s experience level and study habits. To get certified, individuals must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions.

To prepare for the exams, individuals can take online or classroom courses from approved training providers or self-study with books or other materials. Once they have passed both exams, they will receive their CompTIA A+ certification.

The cost of getting CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on the training provider chosen. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 to register for each exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at an authorized testing center. Training courses may also cost extra depending on which provider you choose.

4. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification program offered by Oracle Corporation to demonstrate expertise in the Oracle Database. It is designed to prove an individual's knowledge and skills in the administration, development, and tuning of Oracle databases.

To become an OCP, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-061: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Administration. The exams are typically taken over the course of several days or weeks depending on each individual's study habits and availability.

The cost for taking the OCP exams varies depending on your location, but generally ranges from $245 to $295 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam and scheduling it at a testing center.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive an official certificate from Oracle Corporation that verifies your status as an OCP. This certificate can then be used to demonstrate your qualifications when applying for jobs or other opportunities that require knowledge of Oracle databases.

5. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who use VMware products. This certification is intended for IT professionals who have experience with VMware vSphere and other virtualization technologies.

The VCP certification requires successful completion of a training course, passing an exam, and meeting certain prerequisites. The training course typically takes five days to complete and covers topics such as installation, configuration, management, troubleshooting, monitoring, security, and more.

In order to become certified, candidates must first meet the prerequisites which include having at least six months of experience using VMware products or completing a qualifying course such as VMware’s vSphere: Install, Configure & Manage or equivalent training from an authorized training provider.

Once the prerequisites are met, candidates can register for the VCP exam which costs $250 USD. The exam consists of 85 questions that must be completed in two hours. Candidates must score at least 300 points out of 500 to pass the exam and receive their VCP certification.

Overall it can take anywhere from one month to several months to become certified depending on how quickly you complete the prerequisite courses or gain experience with VMware products.

6. CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-leading certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals working in information security. It is a globally recognized certification that verifies a candidate’s ability to identify security risks, develop appropriate mitigation strategies, and implement effective security policies and procedures.

The Security+ exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country you are located in, but typically ranges from $320-$350 USD.

In order to become certified, candidates must pass the CompTIA Security+ exam. To prepare for the exam, candidates should have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security and be familiar with networking technologies, operating systems, mobile devices, cloud computing concepts, risk management principles, and access control models. Additionally, candidates should be well versed in cryptography concepts such as authentication methods and encryption algorithms.

CompTIA offers several resources to help prepare for the Security+ exam including online training courses, practice tests, study guides, and more. These resources can be found on their website or through third-party providers such as ExamForce or CertMaster Learning.

7. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is a certification program designed to validate IT professionals’ skills in managing and maintaining Microsoft-based systems. It is an intermediate-level certification that demonstrates a professional’s ability to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot Windows Server operating systems.

It typically takes around six months of study and practice to prepare for the MCSA exams. The time required depends on the individual’s experience level with the technology being tested. To get MCSA certified, you must pass two exams: one for Windows Server 2016 and one for either Windows 10 or Office 365. The cost of each exam varies depending on the country where it is taken; however, it generally ranges from $125 to $165 USD per exam.

8. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a certification program designed by Red Hat, Inc. to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in administering and managing Linux-based systems. It is considered one of the most sought-after certifications for Linux professionals.

It takes approximately two to three months to prepare for the RHCE exam. The preparation process includes studying the Red Hat Enterprise Linux System Administration Guide, attending a Red Hat course such as RHCSA or RHCE, or taking practice exams online.

To get an RHCE certification, individuals must first pass the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam. Once they have passed the RHCSA exam, they can then take the RHCE exam which consists of two parts: a hands-on lab exam and a written exam. The lab exam tests an individual’s ability to configure and manage a system using command line tools while the written exam tests their knowledge of system administration topics such as networking, security, storage, and troubleshooting.

The cost of taking the RHCE exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $400-$800 USD.

9. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC-1/LPIC-2)

The Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is an industry-recognized certification program that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in the Linux operating system and related open source technologies. It is designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who use, administer, and develop applications on the Linux platform.

LPIC-1 is the entry-level certification for Linux professionals and focuses on core system administration tasks such as installation, configuration, maintenance, security, networking, and troubleshooting. LPIC-2 covers advanced topics such as server management, web services, database administration, virtualization, scripting, and more.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete LPIC-1/LPIC-2 depending on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for it. To get certified you must pass two exams: LPIC-1 Exam 101 & 102 or LPIC-2 Exam 201 & 202. Exams are administered by Pearson VUE at authorized testing centers around the world.

The cost of each exam varies by region but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. PMP holders are considered to be among the most highly trained and experienced practitioners in the field.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the PMP exam, although it can take longer depending on your background and experience. To qualify for the exam, you must have at least three years of project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

To get certified as a PMP, you must first apply to become a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI). Once accepted, you will need to complete an application form and submit it along with any required documentation. After your application is approved, you will be able to register for the PMP exam.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies by country but generally ranges from $225-$550 USD. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with becoming a member of PMI or taking any required courses or training materials related to the exam.

Do You Really Need a Computer Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, what type of computer engineering job are you looking for? If you are interested in working in the tech industry and want to be taken seriously by potential employers, it is likely that having some kind of certification or degree would be beneficial. This could include a certificate from an accredited institution, such as an online course or a traditional college or university program.

Having a computer engineering certificate can demonstrate to employers that you have specialized knowledge in the field. It can also show that you have dedication and commitment to your chosen profession. Additionally, certifications can sometimes open up more opportunities for advancement within the company.

If you are already working in the field and just looking to advance your career, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are just starting out or looking for entry-level positions, then having a certification may help you stand out from other applicants. It will also give potential employers confidence that you have the skills necessary to do the job effectively and efficiently.

In conclusion, whether or not to pursue a computer engineering certificate depends on your individual goals and situation. If you are looking for entry-level positions or want to demonstrate your commitment and dedication to the profession, then having some kind of certification can be beneficial. On the other hand, if you have experience in the field and just want to advance your career further, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Computer Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Computer Engineer Certifications

Q1: What is a computer engineer certification?

A1: A computer engineer certification is a qualification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise and knowledge in the field of computer engineering. It typically involves passing an examination that covers topics such as design, programming, networking, operating systems, and hardware.

Q2: How do I become certified as a computer engineer?

A2: To become certified as a computer engineer you need to either complete a degree program in Computer Engineering or pass an exam offered by an accredited certifying body like CompTIA or Microsoft. You may also need to have relevant work experience in the field.

Q3: Is computer engineering certification worth it?

A3: Yes, having a certification can help demonstrate your technical skills and experience to employers, helping you stand out from other applicants. It can also give you access to higher-paying jobs and better career opportunities.

Q4: What are the different types of computer engineer certifications?

A4: The most popular types of certifications for computer engineers include CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+; Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE); Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA); Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional (OCP); and Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).

Q5: How long does it take to get certified as a computer engineer?

A5: The amount of time it takes to get certified will depend on the type of certification you are pursuing, as well as your prior knowledge or experience in the field. Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from several months up to two years to complete all the requirements for a particular certification.