Top 11 Configuration Management Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important way for configuration management specialists to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field. They demonstrate that the specialist has a deeper understanding of the technology, processes, and tools used in configuration management. This can help them stand out from other job applicants in the job market and make them more attractive to employers. Additionally, certifications can give employers confidence that they are hiring someone who has a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Certification programs also provide ongoing education opportunities so that specialists can stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies related to configuration management.

This article reviews the top certifications for Configuration Management Specialists and explains how they can help a configuration management specialist advance their career.

What are Configuration Management Specialist Certifications?

Configuration Management Specialist Certification is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional's knowledge and experience in managing and maintaining the configuration of an organization's IT infrastructure. This certification is designed to assess a professional’s ability to effectively plan, implement, monitor, maintain, and document the changes made to an organization’s system components. The Configuration Management Specialist Certification ensures that professionals have a thorough understanding of the principles of configuration management and its application in various environments.

The certification helps organizations ensure that their IT infrastructure is secure, reliable, and up-to-date. It also helps them maintain compliance with any applicable laws or regulations. For individuals, it provides recognition for their expertise in configuration management, as well as providing them with additional qualifications for career advancement opportunities. The certification also helps employers identify qualified candidates who can help ensure that their IT systems remain secure and compliant with industry standards.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a configuration management specialist certification, make sure you are familiar with the different types of configuration management tools and processes. Additionally, research the various certifications available and verify that they are up-to-date and relevant to your needs. Finally, create a study plan that incorporates self-study and hands-on practice in order to ensure success in passing the certification exam.

Related: What does a Configuration Management Specialist do?

Top 11 Configuration Management Specialist Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) in Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) in Cloud Platform and Infrastructure is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing cloud-based solutions. It validates the skills needed to build and maintain a secure, reliable, and scalable cloud infrastructure.

To get the MCSE in Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification, you must pass three exams: 70-532 Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions; 70-533 Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions; and 70-535 Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions. Depending on your experience level, it can take anywhere from two to four months to prepare for these exams.

You can register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam varies but typically ranges from $165 to $200 USD per exam. The total cost of all three exams is approximately $600 USD.

2. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program from Red Hat, Inc., that validates a candidate’s skills and knowledge in system administration on Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The RHCSA certification is the first step towards becoming a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).

The RHCSA exam typically takes about 3 hours to complete and covers topics such as installing and configuring systems, managing users and groups, file permissions, storage management, network configuration, system security, troubleshooting, and more. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to perform the tasks required for day-to-day system administration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

To get the RHCSA certification, candidates must pass an online or in-person exam administered by Red Hat. The cost of the exam varies depending on location and delivery method but typically ranges from $400 to $500 USD.

3. CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who use the Linux operating system. The certification is vendor-neutral, meaning it applies to all distributions of Linux, such as Red Hat, SUSE, and Ubuntu. It covers topics such as system administration, troubleshooting, security, scripting, and automation.

The CompTIA Linux+ exam consists of two parts: LX0-103 and LX0-104. Both exams must be completed in order to earn the certification. The exams are multiple choice and performance-based questions that test your knowledge of Linux systems.

It typically takes around three months to study for the CompTIA Linux+ certification exams. You should plan on spending at least 20 hours per week studying for the exams if you want to pass them on your first attempt.

You can purchase vouchers from CompTIA or an authorized reseller in order to take the CompTIA Linux+ exam. Prices vary depending on where you purchase them from but typically range from $200-$300 USD per exam voucher.

Overall, earning a CompTIA Linux+ certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge of Linux systems and open up new career opportunities in IT.

4. Puppet Certified Professional

Puppet Certified Professional is a certification program that provides an industry-recognized credential to demonstrate your expertise in Puppet, the open source IT automation platform. It is designed to validate your skills and knowledge of Puppet, from basic concepts to more advanced topics.

The certification process consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as architecture, installation, configuration management, and troubleshooting. The practical exam requires you to demonstrate your ability to configure and manage Puppet in a real-world environment.

It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the written exam and another 4-6 hours for the practical exam. You can take the exams online or at one of the many testing centers around the world.

The cost for the Puppet Certified Professional certification varies depending on where you take it and what type of package you purchase (e.g., individual or group). Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for both exams combined.

5. Chef Certification Program

Chef Certification Program is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge required to become an expert in Chef, an open-source automation platform for cloud infrastructure. The program is designed to help individuals gain expertise in Chef’s core concepts, such as cookbook development, configuration management, and system automation.

The program consists of two levels: Certified Chef Associate (CCA) and Certified Chef Professional (CCP). To become a CCA, participants must pass the CCA exam which covers topics such as cookbook development, configuration management, and system automation. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete. To become a CCP, participants must pass the CCA exam plus three additional exams which cover advanced topics such as security, scalability, and performance optimization. The CCP exams take approximately 4 hours to complete.

To get certified, individuals need to register for the certification program on the Chef website and pay for the associated fees. The cost of the CCA exam is $300 USD while the cost of the CCP exams is $600 USD.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) in Windows Server 2012/2016

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) in Windows Server 2012/2016 is a certification that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in working with Windows Server 2012/2016. It is designed for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to design, implement, configure, and manage the Windows Server 2012/2016 platform.

Getting the MCSA certification typically takes around 6-12 months depending on the individual’s experience and how quickly they can complete the required courses and exams. To get the certification, individuals must pass two exams: 70-410: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012/2016 and 70-411: Administering Windows Server 2012/2016.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take your training courses and which exams you choose to take. The cost of the two required exams is approximately $150 each. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking training courses or other preparation materials.

7. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is a certification designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It is intended for individuals who have experience in designing, deploying, and managing distributed systems on AWS. The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of automation tools, deployment strategies, security best practices, monitoring and logging techniques, and other related topics.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the exam depending on how much prior experience you have with AWS. To get certified you must pass the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional exam which consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions that assess your technical knowledge of AWS services and their application in a DevOps environment.

The cost of the exam varies by country but is generally around $300 USD.

8. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an internationally recognized certification program that provides a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage IT services and processes within an organization.

The ITIL Foundation certification takes approximately two days to complete, depending on the provider. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed in 60 minutes or less. The passing score for the exam is 65 percent or higher.

To get ITIL Foundation certified, you must first take an accredited course from a training provider who offers the official ITIL Foundation Exam. After completing the course, you will need to register for and take the exam at an authorized testing center.

The cost of getting ITIL Foundation certified varies depending on your chosen training provider and can range from $500-$2,000 USD.

9. Ansible Automation Certification

Ansible Automation Certification is a certification program offered by Red Hat that validates an individual’s skills in using the Ansible automation platform. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to automate the deployment, configuration, and management of applications, systems, and services with Ansible.

The exam for this certification takes approximately 2 hours and consists of multiple choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation exam (EX407). The cost of this exam varies depending on your location and can range from $400-$600 USD.

To prepare for this exam, it is recommended that individuals have at least 6 months of experience working with Ansible or equivalent knowledge. Additionally, it is recommended that individuals review the official course materials provided by Red Hat prior to taking the exam.

10. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Data Center

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Data Center is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge required to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot a data center network. The CCNA Data Center certification proves an individual’s ability to manage and maintain Cisco data center technologies such as unified computing, network services, storage networking, security, automation and orchestration.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to obtain the CCNA Data Center certification depending on the individual's prior experience and study habits. To become certified in CCNA Data Center, individuals must first pass two exams: 200-150 DCICN (Introducing Cisco Data Center Networking) and 200-155 DCICT (Introducing Cisco Data Center Technologies).

The cost of obtaining the CCNA Data Center certification varies depending on where you take the exam. The cost of each exam is $300 USD per exam. Additionally, there are other expenses such as study materials or training courses which can add up to the total cost of obtaining the certification.

11. IBM Certified Deployment Professional – Tivoli Provisioning Manager V7.1

IBM Certified Deployment Professional – Tivoli Provisioning Manager V7.1 is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in deploying and managing IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager V7.1. The certification requires an individual to demonstrate the ability to install, configure, upgrade, and administer the product.

It typically takes approximately 40 hours of study time to prepare for the exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions and performance-based tasks. To obtain this certification, individuals must pass one exam: Exam C9510-418: IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager V7.1 Implementation.

The cost of the exam is $200 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. To register for the exam, individuals must go to the Pearson VUE website (https://home.pearsonvue.com/ibm).

Do You Really Need a Configuration Management Specialist Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your goals and objectives. If you are looking to become a professional Configuration Management Specialist, then a certificate may be beneficial for demonstrating your knowledge and skill in the field. However, if you are already an experienced professional in the field, then a certificate may not be necessary.

If you are considering obtaining a Configuration Management Specialist Certificate, it is important to understand what is involved. Generally speaking, this type of certification requires passing an exam that tests your understanding of configuration management processes and principles. You may need to complete courses or workshops prior to taking the exam in order to prepare yourself for the content and format of the test. Additionally, many organizations require certified professionals for certain positions and will only consider applicants who have obtained this certification.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Configuration Management Specialist Certificate really depends on your goals and current experience level in the field. If you are seeking entry-level employment or want to demonstrate your expertise and skillset, then obtaining this certification may be beneficial. However, if you have extensive experience in the area, then it may not be necessary.

Related: Configuration Management Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Configuration Management Specialist Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for Configuration Management Specialists?

A1. There are several certifications available for Configuration Management Specialists, including Certified Configuration Manager (CCM), Certified SCM Professional (CSCP), Certified SCM Practitioner (CSMP), and Certified IT Service Management Professional (CITSM).

Q2. What is the cost of Configuration Management Specialist Certifications?

A2. The cost of certification varies depending on the specific program and certification level you choose to pursue. Generally speaking, most certifications range from $500-$2000 USD.

Q3. How long does it take to become a certified Configuration Management Specialist?

A3. It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the necessary coursework and exams required to become a certified Configuration Management Specialist.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming a certified Configuration Management Specialist?

A4. Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least two years of professional experience in configuration management or related fields before they can be eligible to apply for certification.

Q5. What type of job can I get with a certification in Configuration Management?

A5. With a certification in configuration management, you could find employment as an IT specialist, system administrator, software developer, network engineer, or other roles related to configuration and systems management within any organization that uses computers or networks for its operations.