Top 10 Desktop Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for desktop engineers to demonstrate their technical knowledge, skills, and ability to perform in the job market. Certifications provide employers with a way to quickly validate an engineer's technical experience and qualifications. They also help employers determine if a candidate is up-to-date on the latest technologies and can effectively troubleshoot any problems that may arise. Additionally, certifications can give engineers an edge over the competition when applying for jobs or negotiating salary.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Desktop Engineers and explains how they can help to advance a desktop engineer's career.

What are Desktop Engineer Certifications?

Desktop engineer certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person's expertise in desktop engineering. It is designed to assess an individual's knowledge and skills related to the installation, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and security of desktop computers. The certification covers topics such as hardware components and installation procedures, operating systems fundamentals, networking principles, security measures and best practices, system administration tasks and scripting languages.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their proficiency in desktop engineering to employers or clients. This certification gives them an advantage over other candidates who may not have the same level of experience or knowledge. Additionally, it can help individuals stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends in the industry by providing them with specialized training and resources. Furthermore, having a desktop engineer certification can open up job opportunities in areas such as IT support services or system administration roles. Finally, gaining this certification will also give individuals more confidence when working with desktop computers since they will have the necessary skills to do so efficiently and effectively.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research different desktop engineer certifications to find the one that best fits your career goals. Look for certifications that are widely recognized and accepted in the industry, as well as those that offer a comprehensive program with hands-on training and practice exams. Additionally, consider going through an accredited certification program to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience.

Related: What does a Desktop Engineer do?

Top 10 Desktop Engineer Certifications

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

1. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals. It is designed to validate a technician’s skills in hardware, software, networking and security. The CompTIA A+ certification is the foundation of an IT career and provides the necessary skills to work in any type of organization.

It typically takes around 90 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. The exam consists of two parts: 220-901 and 220-902. The 220-901 covers hardware and software topics while the 220-902 covers networking and security topics.

To get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 700 out of 900 points each. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ exams varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam.

2. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who work with Microsoft technologies. It is an intermediate-level credential that requires knowledge and experience in designing, implementing, and administering infrastructure solutions based on Microsoft Windows Server platforms.

In order to obtain the MCSE certification, candidates must pass one or more exams from a list of approved courses. The exams cover topics such as networking, security, virtualization, identity management, system center configuration manager, business intelligence, cloud platform and infrastructure services, and data platform.

The amount of time it takes to get the MCSE certification depends on the number of exams taken and the amount of time spent studying for them. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all requirements for the certification.

To get started on your path to obtaining the MCSE certification you will need to register for an exam at a Microsoft Authorized Testing Center (MTC). You can find these locations by visiting Microsoft’s website or searching online for “Microsoft Authorized Testing Centers”. Once you have registered for an exam you will need to purchase study materials such as books or online courses which are available through various vendors.

The cost of obtaining the MCSE certification varies depending on how many exams you take and what type of study materials you purchase. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD and study materials can range from $50-$200 USD depending on what type you choose.

3. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ certification is an internationally recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills required to successfully install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. It is designed for IT professionals with at least nine months of networking experience who are looking to advance their careers.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ exam. The amount of time required depends on the individual’s experience level and study habits. To get certified, you must pass the Network+ exam (N10-007).

To prepare for the exam, you can take a course from an accredited training provider or self-study using books or online resources. You can also use practice tests to help you identify areas where you need more preparation.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on your country/region. In the United States, it costs $329 USD.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is a certification program that validates an individual’s skills in Microsoft technologies. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in using the most current Microsoft products and technologies. With an MCSA certification, individuals can prove their ability to design, implement, and manage solutions based on Microsoft products and services.

It typically takes between six months to one year to earn an MCSA certification. The amount of time it takes depends on the individual’s experience level and dedication to studying for the exams. To get an MCSA certification, you must pass two or more exams related to a specific technology area. You can find the list of available exams on the Microsoft website.

The cost of taking an MCSA exam varies depending on which exam you take and where you take it. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD. Additionally, some companies may offer discounts or vouchers that can reduce the cost of taking an exam.

In order to maintain your MCSA certification, you must periodically retake any applicable exams in order to stay up-to-date with new technologies and products released by Microsoft.

5. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification offered by Red Hat, Inc. that demonstrates an individual’s skills and knowledge in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is designed for system administrators who are responsible for the installation, configuration, and day-to-day management of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

The RHCSA exam typically takes two to three hours to complete and covers topics such as managing files, users, groups, services, security, networking, storage devices and partitions, system logging and monitoring, kernel tuning and troubleshooting. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and performance-based tasks.

To get the RHCSA certification one must pass the RHCSA exam with a score of at least 70%. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center. To prepare for the exam it is recommended to take an official Red Hat training course or self-study using various resources such as books and online tutorials.

The cost of the RHCSA exam varies depending on the country where it is taken but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

6. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program offered by Cisco Systems. It is designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills related to networking technologies, such as routing, switching, network security, wireless networking, and other related topics.

The CCNA certification is valid for three years from the date of passing the exam. To maintain the certification, you must recertify every three years by either passing a current CCNA exam or earning a higher-level Cisco certification.

To get the CCNA certification, you must pass two exams: ICND1 and ICND2. Both exams are 90 minutes long and have multiple choice questions. The cost of each exam is $300 USD.

You can prepare for the CCNA exams using self-study materials such as books or online courses offered by Cisco or third-party vendors. You may also choose to attend instructor-led training courses offered by Cisco Learning Partners or authorized resellers.

The cost of preparing for the CCNA exams varies depending on your chosen method of study. Self-study materials can range from free online resources to expensive books and video tutorials; instructor-led training courses can range from $500 to over $3000 USD depending on their length and content.

7. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a professional certification program offered by VMware, the leading provider of virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions. The VCP certification is designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware vSphere environments.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to get certified as a VCP depending on your experience level. To become a VCP you must have at least six months of experience with VMware vSphere or equivalent technology. You must also complete a VMware authorized training course and pass the associated exam.

The cost of becoming a VCP varies depending on the training option you choose. The cost of the authorized training course ranges from $3,000 - $4,500 USD. Additionally, there is an exam fee of $250 USD for each attempt at the certification exam.

8. Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V)

Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in the virtualization technology space. This certification is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for the design, implementation, and management of Citrix XenServer environments.

It takes approximately 5-10 hours to complete the CCP-V exam, which consists of 60 multiple choice questions. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the CCP-V exam varies depending on your geographical location. Generally, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam. Additionally, you may need to purchase additional materials such as study guides or practice tests in order to prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the CCP-V exam and become certified, you will receive an official certificate from Citrix that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in virtualization technology.

9. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of Linux professionals. It is an internationally recognized, vendor-independent certification that covers all aspects of Linux administration, from installation and configuration to system maintenance and security. The LPIC program consists of four levels: LPIC-1, LPIC-2, LPIC-3 and LPIC-4.

LPIC-1 is the entry level certification for Linux professionals. It covers basic topics such as installation and configuration of Linux systems, user management, file permissions, network configuration and troubleshooting. To earn the LPIC-1 certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 101 and Exam 102. These exams are typically taken over a period of two days and cost around $200 each.

LPIC-2 is the advanced level certification for experienced Linux administrators. It covers topics such as system security, server configuration, network services, web services and scripting languages. To earn the LPIC-2 certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 201 and Exam 202. These exams are typically taken over a period of two days and cost around $200 each.

LPIC-3 is the expert level certification for experienced Linux professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge in specialized areas such as virtualization or clustering technologies. To earn the LPIC-3 certification, you must pass three exams: Exam 301 (Core), Exam 302 (Virtualization & High Availability) or Exam 303 (Security). These exams are typically taken over a period of three days and cost around $300 each.

LPIC-4 is the master level certification for experienced Linux professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in enterprise environments with complex architectures such as cloud computing or high performance computing clusters. To earn the LPIC-4 certification, you must pass four exams: Exam 401 (Core), Exam 402 (Virtualization & High Availability), Exam 403 (Security) or Exam 404 (Networking). These exams are typically taken over a period of four days and cost around $400 each.

In total it takes about 10 days to complete all 4 levels of LPIC certifications if done consecutively which will cost approximately $1600 in exam fees alone not including any study materials or preparation courses which may be required depending on your existing level of knowledge on Linux systems administration topics .

10. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide fundamental technology knowledge to individuals who are just starting out in the IT field. The MTA program offers a series of exams that cover core technical concepts in areas such as networking, security, software development, database administration, and web development.

Each exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. To get an MTA certification, you must pass one or more of the available exams. After passing the exam(s), you will receive an official Microsoft certificate verifying your achievement.

The cost for each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in; however, most exams cost between $115-$150 USD. It usually takes about two weeks for results to be released after taking the exam.

To get an MTA certification, you must first register with Microsoft Learning and then purchase an exam voucher from a Microsoft partner or Pearson VUE testing center. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Do You Really Need a Desktop Engineer Certificate?

A Desktop Engineer Certificate can be a great asset for any computer technician, but it is not necessary in order to do the job. The most important thing for a desktop engineer is to have the knowledge and experience required to perform the task. A certificate may give you an edge over other applicants when looking for employment, but it is not always necessary.

The main reason why some employers require a Desktop Engineer Certificate is because it shows that you have taken the time to learn about the industry and have received formal training. This helps demonstrate that you are serious about your career and have invested the time and effort into becoming an expert in your field. However, many employers are more interested in hiring someone with practical experience than someone who just has a certificate.

It is also important to note that having a certificate may not guarantee you a job or even an interview. Employers will still look at your work history, portfolio, and any other qualifications that you possess before making their final decision. It is also important to remember that no matter how qualified you are, if there are no openings available then having a certificate won’t help much.

In conclusion, while having a Desktop Engineer Certificate can be beneficial for certain jobs, it is not always essential for success in this field. Ultimately, employers will be looking at your skills and experience more than anything else when deciding whether or not to hire you.

Related: Desktop Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Desktop Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Desktop Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Desktop Engineer Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise in the installation, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of computer systems and networks.

2. What skills do I need to become certified?

Answer: To become certified as a desktop engineer, you should have a good understanding of computer hardware and software, network protocols and security measures, operating systems and system administration.

3. How much does it cost to get certified?

Answer: The cost of getting certified varies depending on which certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, the cost can range anywhere from $500 to $2,500 or more (depending on the certifications).

4. How long does it take to complete the certification process?

Answer: The amount of time needed to complete the certification process depends on the type of certification being pursued as well as any prerequisites required for that particular certification. Generally speaking, it usually takes between 6-12 months to complete most certifications.

5. Are there any job opportunities available after getting certified?

Answer: Yes! After obtaining your desktop engineer certification, you may qualify for positions such as system administrator, network administrator or even IT consultant depending on your experience level and certifications obtained.