Top 11 DevOps Certifications

Certifications are an important way for DevOps professionals to demonstrate their commitment to the field and their knowledge of best practices. They can provide employers with a quick way to assess the skills of potential hires, and can also help DevOps professionals stand out in a competitive job market. Certifications show employers that the individual has taken the time to learn specific technologies and approaches, as well as having a certain level of expertise in them. In addition, certifications can be used to validate DevOps principles and processes across different organizations, making it easier for DevOps teams to collaborate effectively.

This article reviews the top DevOps certifications and their potential to enhance a DevOps career.

What are DevOps Certifications?

DevOps certification is a professional credential that verifies an individual’s ability to understand and implement the principles of DevOps. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge in this field and increase their chances of being hired for a job or promoted within their current organization. This certification proves that an individual has the necessary skills and understanding to work with DevOps tools, methodologies, and processes.

DevOps certification can be beneficial for IT professionals in several ways. First, it provides them with a way to prove their proficiency in DevOps-related tasks such as automation, continuous integration/delivery, configuration management, and infrastructure as code. Having a certification also demonstrates that they are knowledgeable about the latest DevOps trends and technologies, which employers often look for when hiring new candidates. Furthermore, having this credential can help validate their skillset to potential employers and give them an edge over other applicants who lack such qualifications. Finally, obtaining a DevOps certification can open up opportunities for career advancement or even a higher salary due to its value in the industry.

Pro Tip: When looking into DevOps certifications, make sure to research the specific requirements and objectives of each certification. This will help you make an informed decision as to which certification is best suited for your experience level and career goals.

Related: What does a DevOps do?

Top 11 DevOps Certifications

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

1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, manage and maintain applications on the AWS platform. The certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing, deploying and managing applications on the AWS platform.

It typically takes about two months of preparation to get certified as an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional. To get certified, you must first pass the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional exam. This exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that test your knowledge of various topics related to developing, deploying and managing applications on the AWS platform.

You can prepare for the exam by taking online courses or attending instructor-led training courses. You can also find study guides and practice exams online that can help you prepare for the exam. Additionally, there are many resources available from Amazon Web Services that provide guidance on how to best prepare for the exam.

The cost of getting certified as an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional varies depending on which type of course or study material you use to prepare for the exam. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200-$400 USD to take a course or purchase study materials. The actual cost of taking the exam itself is $300 USD.

2. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The RHCSA certification is the most popular Linux certification and is widely recognized in the industry.

The RHCSA exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and consists of multiple choice, performance-based, and hands-on tasks. The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, basic system administration tasks, networking, storage management, security, troubleshooting, and automation.

To get the RHCSA certification you must pass the RHCSA exam. You can take the exam online or at an authorized training center. To prepare for the exam you can attend a Red Hat Training course or use self-study materials such as books or online tutorials.

The cost of taking the RHCSA exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

3. CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is an internationally recognized certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who use the Linux operating system. It is designed to demonstrate competence in areas such as installation and configuration, system maintenance, security, networking, troubleshooting, scripting and automation.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CompTIA Linux+ exam. The exam consists of two parts: LX0-103 and LX0-104. Both exams are 90 minutes long and have a maximum score of 300 points each. To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 750 out of 900 points combined from both exams.

To get CompTIA Linux+, you must first purchase an exam voucher from CompTIA's website or through one of their authorized resellers. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your location but typically ranges between $200-$300 USD. After purchasing the voucher, you can register for an exam at any Pearson VUE testing center located near you.

Once you have successfully passed both exams, you will receive your CompTIA Linux+ certification which is valid for three years from the date it was issued.

4. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)

Docker Certified Associate (DCA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals using Docker technologies. The DCA exam covers core topics such as installation, configuration, networking, storage and image management, orchestration, security, and operations best practices. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in the use of Docker Enterprise Edition for developing and deploying applications on-premises or in the cloud.

The DCA exam takes about 2 hours to complete and consists of 65 multiple choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of the exam is $195 USD per attempt.

5. Puppet Professional Certification

Puppet Professional Certification is a certification program offered by Puppet, Inc., a leading provider of IT automation software. The certification verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in using Puppet to manage their IT infrastructure. It is a valuable credential for those looking to demonstrate their expertise in the field of IT automation and configuration management.

The certification process consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam tests an individual’s knowledge of Puppet concepts, tools, and best practices. The practical exam requires the candidate to demonstrate their ability to use Puppet to manage an IT infrastructure.

The certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. Candidates must first register for the exams on the Puppet website and pay the associated fees before taking each exam. Once registered, candidates can schedule their exams at any time that works for them.

The cost of the Puppet Professional Certification varies depending on which country you are located in, but generally it costs around $400 USD for both exams combined. This fee covers all materials needed to take the exams as well as any applicable taxes or fees associated with registering for the exams.

Overall, obtaining the Puppet Professional Certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in IT automation and configuration management and can help you stand out from other job applicants or advance your career within your current organization.

6. Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions (AZ-400)

Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions (AZ-400) is an exam that validates your expertise in designing and implementing DevOps practices using Microsoft Azure technologies. The AZ-400 exam measures your ability to design a DevOps strategy, implement DevOps development processes, design and implement continuous integration, continuous delivery, dependency management, and application infrastructure.

The AZ-400 exam takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. It consists of 40-60 questions that are multiple choice or multiple select. To pass the exam you must score 700 points or higher out of 1000 possible points.

In order to take the AZ-400 exam, you must first purchase an exam voucher from Microsoft or an authorized partner. The cost of the voucher varies depending on which country you are taking the exam in but typically ranges from $165-$200 USD.

Once you have purchased a voucher, you can register for the exam at the Microsoft Learning website or through an authorized testing center. You will need to provide your voucher number when registering for the exam. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to schedule your appointment at a local testing center or online proctored environment.

Finally, once you have taken the AZ-400 exam and passed it successfully, you will receive a certificate of completion from Microsoft that will be valid for three years from the date of passing.

7. Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in deploying applications, managing cloud infrastructure, and automating operations on the Google Cloud Platform. It requires an understanding of core technologies such as containers, Kubernetes, and Istio.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. The exam must be taken at an authorized testing center or online proctored environment.

To get the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer certification, you must pass the Google Cloud Certified Professional - Cloud DevOps Engineer Exam (GCP-CDE). This exam tests your ability to deploy applications, manage cloud infrastructure, automate operations on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and use GCP services such as Kubernetes Engine, Compute Engine, App Engine, BigQuery, and Storage.

The cost of the GCP-CDE exam is $200 USD. You can purchase vouchers from Pearson VUE or directly from Google for the exam fee.

8. Jenkins Certified Engineer

Jenkins Certified Engineer is a certification program offered by CloudBees, the company behind Jenkins. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in Jenkins and its related technologies.

The certification exam consists of two parts: multiple-choice questions and hands-on exercises. The multiple-choice questions are based on the official Jenkins documentation, while the hands-on exercises require candidates to demonstrate their ability to configure and use Jenkins in a real-world environment.

The certification exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Candidates must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to be certified as a Jenkins Certified Engineer.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on where you take it. The standard cost is $200 USD, but discounts may be available for students and members of certain organizations.

In order to become certified, candidates must first register for an account with CloudBees and then purchase an exam voucher from the CloudBees website. Once they have purchased their exam voucher, they can schedule their exam at one of CloudBees’ authorized testing centers around the world.

9. Kubernetes Certified Administrator (KCA)

Kubernetes Certified Administrator (KCA) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in deploying, managing and operating Kubernetes clusters. The certification requires knowledge of core concepts and components of Kubernetes, as well as the ability to deploy, manage and troubleshoot applications on a Kubernetes cluster.

The KCA exam is administered by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). It is a hands-on, performance-based exam that consists of tasks that must be completed using command line tools or an API. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $300 USD.

In order to become certified, you must first pass the KCA exam. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you have at least six months of experience working with Kubernetes in production environments. Additionally, there are several online courses available through the CNCF that can help you get up to speed on the core concepts and components of Kubernetes. After completing your training, you can register for the exam through the CNCF website.

10. Chef Certification Program

The Chef Certification Program is a comprehensive program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to become an expert in the Chef configuration management system. The program consists of three levels: Certified Chef Associate (CCA), Certified Chef Professional (CCP), and Certified Chef Expert (CCE).

Certified Chef Associate (CCA): The CCA certification is designed for those who are new to Chef and want to learn how to use it effectively. It requires passing a single exam, which covers basic concepts such as cookbook creation, recipe writing, resource management, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $300.

Certified Chef Professional (CCP): The CCP certification is designed for experienced users who want to demonstrate their expertise in using Chef for complex tasks such as multi-node deployments, orchestration, security, scalability, and more. It requires passing two exams: the CCA exam plus an additional one that focuses on advanced topics. Both exams take approximately four hours each to complete and cost $400 each.

Certified Chef Expert (CCE): The CCE certification is designed for experts who have mastered all aspects of using Chef for large-scale deployments across multiple nodes. It requires passing three exams: the CCA exam plus two additional ones that focus on advanced topics such as automation, security, scalability, integration with other tools, and more. All three exams take approximately six hours each to complete and cost $500 each.

Overall, it can take up to 18 hours of study time plus testing time to get all three certifications. Additionally, the total cost can range from $1,100-$2,000 depending on which certifications you choose to pursue.

11. Ansible Automation Certification

Ansible Automation Certification is an industry-recognized certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in the use of Ansible automation technology. The certification is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Ansible, including its architecture, components, features, and use cases. It also covers best practices for deploying and managing applications with Ansible.

The certification exam takes approximately three hours to complete. It consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as installation and configuration, automation concepts, orchestration tasks, playbooks, roles, inventory management, security considerations and more.

To get certified you must first register for the exam at the Red Hat Learning Subscription website. Once registered you will be given access to the online training materials which include videos and practice exams. After studying these materials you can then take the certification exam online or at a local testing center.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD.

Do You Really Need a DevOps Certificate?

The short answer is: it depends. A DevOps certificate may be beneficial in certain circumstances, but it is not necessary for everyone working in the field of DevOps.

For those who are just starting out in the field of DevOps, a certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to employers and prove that you have the basics down. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have much experience or are coming from a different career path. Having a certificate may also help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in DevOps, a certificate may not be necessary since employers would likely want to see your portfolio and past work instead. Additionally, depending on the type of job you’re applying for, some companies may prefer hands-on experience over certifications.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a DevOps certificate depends on your individual situation. If you feel like it would benefit your career, then getting one could be worth your time and effort. However, if you already have the skills and experience needed to land the job you want without one, then investing in a certification may not be necessary.

Related: DevOps Resume Examples

FAQs About DevOps Certifications

Q1: What is DevOps Certification?

A1: DevOps Certification is a professional accreditation that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the principles of DevOps. It covers topics such as continuous delivery, automation, infrastructure as code, and more.

Q2: How do I obtain a DevOps Certification?

A2: You can obtain a DevOps Certification through various training programs or certification providers. These programs typically include online courses, exams, and hands-on practice.

Q3: How long does it take to get certified?

A3: This depends on the program you choose and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, it could take up to six months to prepare for a certification exam.

Q4: What are the benefits of getting a DevOps Certification?

A4: A DevOps Certification can help you land jobs in the IT industry or advance your career. It also shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to work with modern technologies related to software development and operations.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a DevOps Certification?

A5: Yes, most certifications require candidates to have some experience with related technologies such as cloud computing, scripting languages like Python or Bash, automation tools like Ansible or Chef, and containerization with Docker or Kubernetes.