Top 11 Database Developer Certifications

Database developers are integral to any organization’s IT infrastructure. In order to demonstrate their knowledge and experience, many database developers pursue certifications in the field of database development. Certifications can help a database developer stand out in a competitive job market, as they show employers that the applicant has a deep understanding of the technologies and processes required to be successful in the role. Certifications also provide an opportunity for continuous learning, as they often require recertification at regular intervals. This helps ensure that the developer stays up-to-date with industry best practices and new technologies. Finally, certifications often provide access to exclusive resources, such as networking events or online communities where developers can collaborate and learn from one another.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Database Developers and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Database Developer Certifications?

Database developer certification is an industry-recognized credential that verifies a person's knowledge and skills in designing, developing, and maintaining databases. This certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise to employers and increase their career prospects. It also helps employers identify qualified database developers who have the technical abilities needed to successfully manage their organization’s databases.

Database developer certification programs are often offered by software companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM. They typically involve passing an exam which covers topics such as database design, data modeling, query languages, database administration, and programming languages. After completing the program, individuals receive a certificate that recognizes their expertise in database development.

Having a database developer certification can help individuals stand out among job applicants when applying for positions in the field of database development. Employers look for professionals who have proven experience with databases and are able to work on complex projects efficiently and effectively. Database developer certifications can provide potential employers with proof of an individual’s ability to understand and use various types of databases in an efficient manner. Additionally, having a certification may lead to advancement opportunities within the organization or higher salaries for those already employed in the field of database development.

Overall, obtaining a database developer certification can be extremely beneficial for those looking to advance their career in this field or secure employment with a reputable organization. It provides evidence of an individual’s skillset and demonstrates their commitment to staying up-to-date with modern technologies used in database development.

Pro Tip: When considering a database developer certification, make sure to research the available options carefully. Look for certifications that are recognized by industry leaders and organizations, as well as those that offer comprehensive training and guidance on the most up-to-date best practices for working with databases. Additionally, look for certifications that will provide you with access to ongoing support or resources to help you stay up to date on the latest trends in database development.

Related: What does a Database Developer do?

Top 11 Database Developer Certifications

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

1. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) is a professional certification program offered by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with Oracle products and technologies. The OCP certification is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in the IT industry.

To become an Oracle Certified Professional, you must first pass two exams: the Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA) exam and the Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (OCP) exam. The OCA exam tests your basic knowledge of database administration, while the OCP exam tests your advanced skills in database administration.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how much experience you have with Oracle products and technologies, as well as how quickly you can study for and pass the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to a year to prepare for and pass both exams.

In order to get certified, you must register for both exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. You will also need to pay an exam fee for each test. The cost of each exam varies depending on where you are taking it, but typically ranges from $150-$200 per exam.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive an official certificate from Oracle that verifies your status as an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP). This certificate will be valid for three years after which you must renew it by passing a recertification test or completing continuing education credits.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Database Development

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Database Development is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of an individual in designing, building, querying, and administering databases using Microsoft SQL Server. It is designed to provide an understanding of the core database concepts and skills necessary for a successful career as a database developer or administrator.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the MCSA: Database Development certification. The certification consists of two exams: Exam 70-761: Querying Data with Transact-SQL and Exam 70-762: Developing SQL Databases. Both exams must be passed in order to receive the MCSA: Database Development certification.

In order to get certified, you must first register with Microsoft and pay for the exams. You can then book your exams at a local testing center or online through Pearson VUE. The cost of each exam is $165 USD, so the total cost of getting certified will be $330 USD.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your MCSA: Database Development certification from Microsoft and become part of their global network of certified professionals.

3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management & Analytics

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management & Analytics is a certification program designed to validate the technical skills and knowledge of professionals working with Microsoft data platform technologies. The certification is intended for IT professionals who design, build, and maintain business intelligence solutions using Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and related technologies.

It takes approximately 3-6 months to complete the MCSE: Data Management & Analytics certification process. To get the certification, you must first pass two exams: Exam 70-767: Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse and Exam 70-768: Developing SQL Data Models. After passing these exams, you will need to complete an elective exam from a list of approved exams.

The cost of the MCSE: Data Management & Analytics certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exam. Generally speaking, it can range from $150-$250 USD per exam.

4. IBM Certified Database Administrator (CDA)

IBM Certified Database Administrator (CDA) is a certification program offered by IBM to validate the skills and knowledge of database administrators. It is designed to demonstrate that individuals have the necessary expertise to manage, maintain, and administer IBM databases.

The CDA exam consists of two parts: a core exam and an elective exam. The core exam covers topics such as database design, data modeling, SQL programming, performance tuning, security, backup/recovery, troubleshooting and more. The elective exam focuses on specific areas such as DB2 for z/OS or DB2 for Linux/UNIX/Windows.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CDA certification exams. Candidates should be familiar with the concepts covered in the core and elective exams before attempting them. Additionally, candidates should have hands-on experience working with IBM databases in order to be successful on the exams.

The cost of taking the CDA certification exams varies depending on which country you are taking them in and which version of the exams you are taking (e.g., DB2 for z/OS or DB2 for Linux/UNIX/Windows). Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.

5. MongoDB Certified Developer Associate

MongoDB Certified Developer Associate is a certification program offered by MongoDB, Inc. to demonstrate proficiency in developing applications using the MongoDB database. It is designed for software developers who have experience building applications with MongoDB and want to demonstrate their skills to employers and colleagues. The certification exam covers topics such as data modeling, indexing, performance tuning, security, and more.

It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within the allotted time limit. Candidates must score 70% or higher in order to pass the exam and receive the certification.

To get certified as a MongoDB Certified Developer Associate, you must first register for an account on the MongoDB website and purchase a voucher code for the exam. Once you have purchased your voucher code, you can schedule your exam at any time through Pearson VUE’s online testing platform.

The cost of taking the MongoDB Certified Developer Associate exam is $150 USD for individuals or $300 USD for organizations (for up to 10 people).

6. PostgreSQL Core Certification Program

PostgreSQL Core Certification Program is an official certification program for PostgreSQL Database Administrators and Developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who work with the PostgreSQL database. The program consists of two exams: the Core Exam and the Advanced Exam.

The Core Exam tests a candidate’s ability to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot PostgreSQL databases. It also covers topics such as SQL syntax, performance tuning, security, replication, backup/restore, and high availability. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs $150 USD.

The Advanced Exam tests a candidate’s ability to manage large-scale PostgreSQL deployments as well as design and implement advanced features such as partitioning, replication, sharding, materialized views, etc. It also covers topics such as monitoring and performance tuning for large databases. The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete and costs $200 USD.

In order to get certified in either exam you must first register with the PostgreSQL Certification Program website (https://www.postgresqlcertificationprogram.org/). Once registered you can purchase vouchers for either exam from the same website or from an approved reseller if available in your country. After purchasing a voucher you can then schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center near you or online via their website (https://home.pearsonvue.com/test-taker/all-tests/postgresql).

7. MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator Certification

MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator Certification is a professional certification program offered by Oracle that validates an individual’s expertise in administering MySQL databases. It is designed to ensure that professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and maintain MySQL databases.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test an individual’s understanding of topics such as database design, data manipulation, optimization, security, replication, backup and recovery. The exam also covers topics related to MySQL Cluster and other advanced features.

The duration of the certification exam is 90 minutes and it costs $245 USD. To get certified, you need to register for the exam online at the Oracle website. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to take the exam. You can then schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center near you or take it online using ProctorU. After passing the exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from Oracle which will be valid for three years from date of issue.

8. Amazon Web Services Database Specialty Certification

Amazon Web Services Database Specialty Certification is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing databases on the AWS platform. It is intended for individuals who have hands-on experience with database technologies such as Amazon Aurora, Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS), and Amazon DynamoDB.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as architecting for performance, security, high availability, scalability, and cost optimization; data modeling; migration strategies; database management; monitoring and troubleshooting; automation; and more.

It typically takes about 4-6 weeks to prepare for the exam depending on your existing knowledge level. The best way to get ready is to review the exam guide and practice with the sample questions provided by AWS. Additionally, there are several online courses available that can help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of the certification varies depending on where you take it. It costs $300 USD if taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or $150 USD if taken online through AWS Certification Portal.

9. SAP HANA Certification for Database Administrators

SAP HANA Certification for Database Administrators is a certification program offered by SAP that validates the skills and knowledge of database administrators who are responsible for managing and administering SAP HANA databases. It demonstrates that the certified individual has the necessary knowledge to install, configure, upgrade, monitor, optimize, secure, and troubleshoot an SAP HANA system.

The certification process includes a combination of online training and exams. The online training consists of two courses: Introduction to SAP HANA Administration and Advanced SAP HANA Administration. The total duration of the training is approximately 16 hours. After completing the training, candidates must pass two exams in order to become certified: the Introduction to SAP HANA Administration exam (C_HANATEC_15) and the Advanced SAP HANA Administration exam (C_HANATEC_16).

The cost of taking these exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, they range from $200-$400 per exam.

In order to become certified as an SAP HANA Database Administrator, candidates must successfully complete both courses and pass both exams within one year.

10. Red Hat Certified Specialist in Enterprise Databases

Red Hat Certified Specialist in Enterprise Databases is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and proficiency in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux databases. This certification is designed for system administrators, database administrators, and IT professionals who need to demonstrate their expertise in managing databases with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

The certification consists of two exams: EX294 (Red Hat Certified Specialist in Enterprise Database Administration) and EX297 (Red Hat Certified Specialist in High Availability Clustering). Both exams must be taken and passed within one year of each other to achieve the certification.

In order to take the EX294 exam, you must have a valid Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) certification or equivalent experience. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center. It takes approximately 3 hours to complete the exam.

The EX297 exam is a hands-on lab-based test that requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge by performing tasks on a live system. This exam can only be taken at select authorized training centers. It takes approximately 4 hours to complete the exam.

The cost of taking the EX294 exam is $400 USD, while the cost of taking the EX297 exam is $600 USD.

11. Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Spark and Hadoop Developer

Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Spark and Hadoop Developer is a certification program that verifies an individual's knowledge of Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark. The CCA Spark and Hadoop Developer exam is designed to test an individual’s ability to perform core competencies associated with the development of applications for processing big data using Apache Spark and related technologies. It covers topics such as:

• Writing, debugging, and maintaining code in Scala or Python
• Developing applications using the Apache Spark API
• Working with different data sources such as HDFS, S3, Hive, etc.
• Understanding the fundamentals of distributed computing
• Using the core components of the Hadoop ecosystem such as YARN & MapReduce
• Optimizing data processing jobs for performance

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To get certified you must pass the CCA Spark and Hadoop Developer Exam (CCA175). The cost of the exam is $295 USD.

Do You Really Need a Database Developer Certificate?

Database developers are in high demand, and many employers prefer to hire those with a certificate. But do you really need one? The answer depends on your situation.

If you have experience working with databases and are looking for a job, then having a database developer certificate could help you stand out from the competition. It will show potential employers that you have taken the time to learn the ins and outs of database programming and can be trusted to handle their data safely. Additionally, having a certification validates your skills and makes it easier for employers to trust you with their projects.

On the other hand, if you are just starting out in the field or don’t have much experience yet, then getting a certificate may not be necessary. While having a certification is always beneficial, it is more important to focus on building up your practical skills first. Employers will be more impressed by your ability to create complex databases rather than an impressive certificate hanging on your wall.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a database developer certificate depends on your individual situation. If you already have experience working with databases, then having a certification could give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs. However, if you are just starting out then it may be better to focus on building up practical skills first before getting certified.

Related: Database Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Database Developer Certifications

Q1. What is a Database Developer Certification?

A1. A Database Developer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in developing and managing databases. It is designed to validate skills in database design, development, security, and optimization.

Q2. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Database Developer?

A2. Becoming certified as a Database Developer can provide many benefits such as increased job opportunities, improved salary prospects, recognition from employers, and greater confidence in your abilities to effectively manage databases.

Q3. What types of certifications are available for Database Developers?

A3. There are several types of certifications available for Database Developers including Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), IBM Certified Database Associate (CDBA), and MySQL Certified Professional (MCP).

Q4. How do I get certified as a Database Developer?

A4. To become certified as a Database Developer you will need to complete the relevant training course or program from the provider of your chosen certification exam, such as Oracle University or Microsoft Learning Solutions. You must also pass the associated certification exam to earn your certification credentials.

Q5. How much does it cost to get certified as a Database Developer?

A5. The cost of getting certified as a Database Developer varies depending on the type of certification you choose and the provider offering it; however, most exams cost between $100 - $500 USD per attempt or per course/program package depending on the provider's policies and offerings