Top 11 Data Architect Certifications

Certifications are important for data architects in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to the profession and a level of expertise. Employers want to hire people with the knowledge and skills necessary to do the job, and certifications provide proof that an individual has those qualifications. Certifications also give employers confidence that their employees have the necessary skills to understand and interpret complex data sets, develop effective data architecture, create efficient databases, and design secure systems. Furthermore, certifications can help data architects stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Data Architects and explains how they can help to advance a data architect's career.

What are Data Architect Certifications?

Data architect certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing and implementing data architectures. This certification can be beneficial to those who are looking to advance their career in the field of data architecture, as it provides evidence of an individual's knowledge and experience in this area.

Data architects are responsible for the design, development, and implementation of data architectures which are used to store, manage, and analyze large amounts of information. Data architectures provide organizations with the ability to effectively store and access their data, allowing for better decision-making processes. Achieving this certification proves that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to design, develop, and maintain effective data architectures.

Having data architect certification can also help individuals stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions within the field of data architecture. It shows employers that they have a comprehensive understanding of how to create efficient and secure data architectures that meet organizational needs. Furthermore, having this certification may give individuals access to higher-level positions or more lucrative job opportunities within the field.

Overall, obtaining a data architect certification can be extremely beneficial for those interested in advancing their career in this field. It provides evidence of an individual's expertise in designing and implementing effective data architectures while demonstrating a commitment to continuing education within the profession.

Pro Tip: When considering a data architect certification, make sure to research the credentials of the certifying organization. Look for certifications that are accredited and recognized by industry leaders so that you can be sure your certification is valid and up-to-date with the latest trends in data architecture.

Related: What does a Data Architect do?

Top 11 Data Architect Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Data Architects today.

1. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of data management. The CDMP program is administered by DAMA International, a non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing the concepts and practices of data management.

The CDMP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as data governance, data architecture, data quality, and business intelligence. Applicants must also demonstrate experience in the field of data management in order to qualify for the exam.

The exam typically takes three hours and consists of multiple-choice questions. Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will be awarded the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) designation.

To become certified as a CDMP, applicants must first join DAMA International as a member. Membership fees vary depending on the type of membership chosen but generally range from $50-$150 USD per year. After joining DAMA International, applicants can register for the CDMP exam at a cost of $450 USD per attempt.

Once certified, CDMPs are expected to maintain their certification through continuing education credits and other activities related to data management.

2. Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)

Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in business intelligence and analytics. The CBIP certification is a globally recognized credential that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of business intelligence and analytics.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online application, pass a written exam, and submit three professional references. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data analysis, data warehousing, data mining, reporting, dashboards, predictive analytics, and more.

The CBIP certification process typically takes about six months from start to finish. Applicants must complete the online application within two weeks of submitting their application fee. After that, applicants must wait for their exam results before they can apply for the professional reference letters. Once all documents are received and approved by IIBA, applicants will be notified of their certification status within one month.

The cost to become certified varies depending on the country where you live. In the United States, it costs $495 USD to apply for the CBIP program. This fee covers the cost of the application fee and exam fees. For international applicants outside the US, additional fees may apply due to currency conversion rates or other costs associated with international shipping or processing fees.

3. IBM Certified Data Architect – Big Data

IBM Certified Data Architect – Big Data is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and developing data architectures for big data solutions. It validates the skills required to design, develop, and deploy big data solutions using IBM BigInsights, IBM Streams, and other IBM tools.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions to be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as architecture design principles, data modeling techniques, data integration methods, performance tuning strategies, security considerations, and more.

To get the IBM Certified Data Architect – Big Data certification one must pass the C2090-621: DB2 11 Fundamentals for z/OS exam. Candidates must also have at least two years of experience working with DB2 databases on the z/OS platform.

The cost of the C2090-621: DB2 11 Fundamentals for z/OS exam is $200 USD.

4. Oracle Certified Master, Data Architect

Oracle Certified Master, Data Architect is a certification that demonstrates the highest level of expertise in designing and building enterprise data architectures. This certification is designed for experienced professionals who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to design and build complex data architectures. It requires mastery of Oracle Database technologies, including Oracle Database 12c, Oracle Exadata, Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC), Oracle Data Guard, and Oracle Advanced Security.

It takes approximately 3-4 months to get this certification. To get this certification you must first pass two exams: 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration. Once you have passed these two exams, you will be eligible to take the final exam which is the Oracle Certified Master Data Architect Exam (1Z0-067).

The cost of getting this certification varies depending on the country you are located in. In the US it typically costs around $2,000 USD for all three exams combined.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Platform

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Platform (MCSE: Data Platform) is a certification offered by Microsoft that validates an individual’s skills in designing, implementing and managing data platform solutions on Microsoft SQL Server. The certification requires passing a series of exams that cover topics such as database design, installation and configuration, security, performance tuning, replication and high availability.

It typically takes 6-8 months to complete the MCSE: Data Platform certification program. To get the certification, you must first pass two required exams (70-461 Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 and 70-462 Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases) and one elective exam (70-463 Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014). You can also choose from a variety of other electives including 70-464 Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014 Databases; 70-465 Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014; and 70-466 Implementing Data Models & Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014.

The cost of the MCSE: Data Platform certification depends on which exams you take. Each exam costs $165 USD. So if you take all three required exams, it will cost $495 USD.

6. Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer

Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer is a certification program offered by Cloudera, the leading provider of Apache Hadoop-based software and services. This certification validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in designing, building, deploying, and maintaining data engineering solutions on Cloudera's platform.

The certification exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as data ingestion and transformation, data storage technologies, data processing frameworks, security best practices for enterprise data platforms, and more.

In order to get the certification, you must first register for the exam online at Cloudera's website. After registering, you will need to take an online tutorial that covers all of the topics covered in the exam. Once you have completed the tutorial, you can then schedule your exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however it typically costs around $400 USD (plus applicable taxes).

7. Hortonworks Certified Professional: Apache Hadoop Data Architect

Hortonworks Certified Professional: Apache Hadoop Data Architect is a professional certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and implementing data architectures using the Hortonworks Data Platform. This certification is designed to help organizations identify qualified professionals who can design and implement solutions using the Hortonworks Data Platform.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 90 minutes. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam covers topics such as HDP architecture, HDFS, MapReduce, YARN, Pig, Hive, Sqoop, Oozie and Flume.

To get certified as a Hortonworks Certified Professional: Apache Hadoop Data Architect you must first register for the exam on the Hortonworks website. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from Pearson VUE which will cost $250 USD. Once you have purchased your voucher you can schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive an email confirming your certification status along with instructions on how to access your certificate online. Your certificate will be valid for two years after which time you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

8. MongoDB Certified DBA Associate

MongoDB Certified DBA Associate is a certification program offered by MongoDB, Inc. that tests the knowledge and skills of database administrators in MongoDB. This certification is designed to validate the expertise of professionals who design, build, and maintain MongoDB databases. It covers topics such as installation, configuration, security, maintenance, performance tuning, backup and recovery, scaling and replication.

This certification requires a minimum of 6 months of experience working with MongoDB databases and takes approximately 8 hours to complete. To get certified, you must pass a multiple-choice exam that consists of 60 questions. The exam fee is $150 USD for individuals or $300 USD for teams.

9. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Big Data – Specialty

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Big Data – Specialty is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing big data solutions on the AWS platform. It covers topics such as data collection, storage, processing, analysis, visualization, security, and more.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to prepare for the exam depending on your existing experience with AWS and big data. To get certified you must first pass the AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty exam. This exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that test your knowledge of big data concepts and services offered by AWS. You can find study materials such as practice tests and courses online to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $300-$400 USD.

10. SAS Certified Big Data Professional

SAS Certified Big Data Professional is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas of big data, analytics and SAS programming. It is intended for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in working with big data technologies such as Hadoop, SAS Grid Computing, and SAS High-Performance Analytics.

The certification program consists of two exams: the SAS Certified Big Data Professional Exam (A00-220) and the SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional Exam (A00-221). The exams are designed to test an individual's understanding of big data concepts, tools, and techniques.

It typically takes about 4-6 months to prepare for the exams. Preparation includes studying course materials provided by SAS Institute, attending training sessions offered by certified instructors, and taking practice tests.

To get certified as a SAS Certified Big Data Professional, you must pass both exams within 12 months of starting the program. You can register for the exams online at https://www.sasinstitute.com/en_us/certification/exam-registration.html .

The cost for each exam is $180 USD ($360 USD total).

11. Splunk Core Certified Power User

Splunk Core Certified Power User is a certification program offered by Splunk. It is designed to help users become proficient in the use of Splunk software and its features. The certification covers topics such as data ingestion, search and reporting, dashboard creation, alerting, and more.

It takes approximately six hours to complete the certification exam. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam online at the Splunk website. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam portal and begin taking the test. After completing the exam, your results will be available within 24 hours. If you pass, you will receive your certificate via email within two weeks of passing the exam.

Do You Really Need a Data Architect Certificate?

Data architecture is a highly specialized field that requires a deep understanding of how to design, build, and manage data systems. It is becoming increasingly important as organizations rely more heavily on data to make decisions and gain insights into their business operations. As such, many professionals are considering whether or not they should pursue a data architect certificate.

The answer to this question depends largely on the individual’s career goals and existing experience in the field. For those just starting out in data architecture, a certificate can provide an excellent foundation for further study and give them the confidence needed to begin working with data systems. It can also be beneficial for experienced professionals who wish to update their skillset or expand their knowledge base.

However, it is important to note that having a certificate does not guarantee success in the field of data architecture. Many employers are looking for candidates with practical experience in addition to theoretical knowledge. To stand out from the crowd, job seekers should consider supplementing their certificate with real-world projects or internships that demonstrate their ability to design and implement effective solutions.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a data architect certificate depends on your specific situation and career aspirations. If you are just starting out in the field or want to update your skillset, then a certificate may be worth considering. However, it is important to remember that practical experience is often just as important as theoretical knowledge when it comes to landing a job in this highly competitive industry.

Related: Data Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About Data Architect Certifications

1. What is a Data Architect Certification?

Answer: A Data Architect Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing, building, and managing complex data architectures. It validates the knowledge and skills required to design effective data solutions in order to meet organizational objectives.

2. What are the benefits of having a Data Architect Certification?

Answer: A Data Architect Certification provides an individual with recognition for their expertise and knowledge in the field of data architecture. It also provides organizations with assurance that the holder has the necessary skills and experience for successful data architecture projects. Additionally, it can lead to better job prospects and higher salaries.

3. What are the requirements for obtaining a Data Architect Certification?

Answer: Requirements vary by certification program but generally include passing an exam or series of exams, completing coursework or other educational requirements, and/or having relevant work experience.

4. How long does it take to get a Data Architect Certification?

Answer: This depends on the program you choose; some offer accelerated programs while others may require additional time for coursework or exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to obtain your certification depending on your chosen program and level of dedication.

5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining a Data Architect Certification?

Answer: Yes, most programs will charge fees for tuition, exams, materials, etc., so you should plan accordingly when budgeting for your certification process.