Top 10 Enterprise Architect Certifications

Certifications are an important component of an enterprise architect’s qualifications. Employers are increasingly looking for certified professionals to fill their enterprise architecture roles, as evidenced by the growing number of job postings that list certifications as a requirement. Certifications demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in the field, and can help set an enterprise architect apart from other applicants. They also provide evidence of commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. Lastly, certifications provide a way for an enterprise architect to validate their knowledge and experience with a recognized credential, which can be beneficial when seeking advancement or new opportunities.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Enterprise Architects and explains how they can help to further an enterprise architect's career.

What are Enterprise Architect Certifications?

Enterprise Architect Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in enterprise architecture. It provides an opportunity for architects to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience in the field, as well as their commitment to continuing professional development.

The certification process involves passing an exam that tests an individual's ability to analyze complex business problems and design effective solutions using enterprise architecture principles, techniques and methodologies. It also requires applicants to demonstrate their understanding of current industry trends and best practices related to enterprise architecture.

Having a certified Enterprise Architect on staff can help organizations realize greater value from their investments in technology, reduce costs associated with inefficient processes, and increase the effectiveness of their IT infrastructure. Certified Enterprise Architects are able to provide strategic guidance to ensure the successful implementation of projects and initiatives. They can also identify potential risks and develop strategies for mitigating them before they arise. By having an Enterprise Architect on staff, organizations benefit from reduced costs associated with inefficient processes and improved agility in responding quickly to changing market conditions.

Pro Tip: Prepare for the Enterprise Architect Certification exam by taking advantage of online resources such as practice tests and study guides. Additionally, attend seminars or workshops to increase your knowledge and understanding of the material. Finally, dedicate yourself to studying and review your notes regularly in order to retain the information.

Related: What does an Enterprise Architect do?

Top 10 Enterprise Architect Certifications

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

1. Enterprise Architect Professional Certification (EPEC)

EPEC (Enterprise Architect Professional Certification) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Software Architects (IISA). It is designed to recognize and validate the professional expertise of enterprise architects. It is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a mastery of the principles, practices, and tools used in enterprise architecture.

The EPEC program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Expert. Each level has its own set of requirements that must be met before the certification can be granted. The Associate level requires completion of an online course and passing an exam; the Professional level requires completion of two additional courses and passing a more advanced exam; and the Expert level requires completion of three additional courses and passing a comprehensive exam.

In order to obtain EPEC certification, applicants must first register with IISA and pay the associated fees. Once registered, they will receive access to online courses as well as study materials for each level. After completing all required courses and exams, applicants will receive their EPEC certificate via email.

The cost for EPEC certification varies depending on which level you are applying for. The cost for Associate Level is $395 USD; Professional Level is $495 USD; Expert Level is $595 USD. All fees include access to study materials and online courses as well as one attempt at each exam.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all levels of EPEC certification depending on how quickly you are able to complete each course and pass each exam.

2. Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA)

Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of enterprise architecture. It is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, build, and maintain complex IT systems.

The CEA certification is offered by The Open Group, an international consortium of technology companies, vendors, and customers. To become certified as a CEA, applicants must pass a rigorous exam that covers topics such as business process modeling, systems analysis and design, enterprise architecture frameworks, and other related areas. The exam typically takes about four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CEA certification exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in enterprise architecture or an equivalent field. They must also have completed an accredited training program or have earned a degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.

The cost of the CEA exam varies based on where it is taken. In the United States, it typically costs around $600 USD for the exam fee alone. Additional fees may apply depending on the testing center where you take the exam.

3. Certified Business Architect (CBA)

Certified Business Architect (CBA) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to become a successful business architect. The CBA designation is offered by the International Association of Business Architects (IABA), which is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the practice of business architecture.

The CBA program consists of two parts: a rigorous online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as business strategy, process design, organizational structure, technology management, and project management. It typically takes about 6 months to complete the coursework and pass the exam.

To get certified as a CBA, you must first complete the online course and then pass the exam. The cost for the online course is $1,995 USD; however, there are discounts available for members of IABA or other professional organizations. After completing the course and passing the exam, you will be awarded your CBA designation.

4. Certified Solutions Architect (CSA)

Certified Solutions Architect (CSA) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and deploy cloud-based solutions. A CSA is able to identify the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for businesses in the cloud computing environment.

The certification process typically takes between 6-12 months depending on the individual's experience level and commitment to studying. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by a third-party organization such as Amazon Web Services (AWS). The exam covers topics such as Cloud Computing Fundamentals, Cloud Security, Networking & Storage, Database & Data Management, Application Development & Deployment, and Troubleshooting & Monitoring.

In order to get certified as a CSA, individuals must first register for the exam with the third-party organization administering it. After registering for the exam, individuals should study for it using resources such as books or online courses. Once they feel prepared enough to take the exam, they can schedule their test date and pay for it at that time. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on the organization administering it but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

Once individuals have taken and passed the exam they will receive their official CSA certification from the third-party organization that administered it. This certification will demonstrate their expertise in cloud computing solutions and help them stand out in a competitive job market.

5. TOGAF 9 Certified Enterprise Architect (TOGAF 9 CEA)

TOGAF 9 Certified Enterprise Architect (TOGAF 9 CEA) is a certification program offered by The Open Group. It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to design, implement, and maintain an enterprise architecture based on TOGAF 9. The certification provides a comprehensive view of the TOGAF framework and its capabilities, enabling architects to more effectively use it in their organizations.

To become certified as a TOGAF 9 CEA, individuals must successfully complete two exams: the Level 1 Foundation exam and the Level 2 Certified exam. The Level 1 Foundation exam covers basic concepts related to enterprise architecture, while the Level 2 Certified exam focuses on advanced topics such as architecture governance, security, risk management, and service-oriented architectures.

The exams can be taken either online or in person at one of The Open Group's authorized testing centers. Both exams must be completed within 12 months of each other in order for the certification to remain valid.

The cost for taking both exams varies depending on where you take them; however, it typically ranges from $400-$600 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exams in person at an authorized testing center.

Overall, obtaining the TOGAF 9 CEA certification is a great way for professionals to demonstrate their knowledge of enterprise architecture principles and best practices using the TOGAF framework.

6. Certified Cloud and Infrastructure Architect (CCIA)

Certified Cloud and Infrastructure Architect (CCIA) is a professional certification program developed by the Cloud Credential Council (CCC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have mastered the skills necessary to design, implement, and manage cloud-based infrastructure solutions. The CCIA certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design and deploy secure, scalable, and reliable cloud architectures.

The CCIA exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions that must be completed within three hours. The exam covers topics such as cloud computing fundamentals, cloud architecture principles, security best practices, identity management, and system monitoring.

To get the CCIA certification, applicants must first register for the exam with the CCC. Once registered, applicants can take the online exam at any time during their registration period. Applicants must also complete a post-exam survey before they are eligible to receive their certification.

The cost of taking the CCIA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for an online proctored exam or $500 USD for an in-person proctored exam.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Enterprise Applications (MCSE: EA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Enterprise Applications (MCSE: EA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who specialize in designing, implementing, and managing enterprise applications. The MCSE: EA certification demonstrates a professional’s ability to work with Microsoft Dynamics 365, Microsoft Azure, and other related technologies.

To obtain the MCSE: EA certification, candidates must pass two exams: Exam 70-346 (Managing Office 365 Identities and Requirements) and Exam 70-347 (Enabling Office 365 Services). Candidates must have at least one year of experience working with Enterprise Applications before they can take the exams.

The cost of each exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $165-$200 per exam. It generally takes around 4-6 months to complete both exams depending on the individual's study habits and availability.

To prepare for the exams, Microsoft provides official training courses as well as practice tests to help candidates get ready for their certifications. Additionally, there are numerous third-party resources available that provide additional study materials such as books, videos, and online courses.

8. Oracle Certified Master, Enterprise Architecture (OCM-EA)

Oracle Certified Master, Enterprise Architecture (OCM-EA) is a certification program offered by Oracle that recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of enterprise architecture. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing and implementing enterprise architectures based on Oracle technologies.

The OCM-EA certification requires passing two exams: the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) exam and the Oracle Certified Master (OCM) exam. The OCP exam covers topics such as architecture, design, implementation, and management of Oracle databases. The OCM exam covers topics such as application development, system administration, security, performance tuning, networking, backup/recovery, and more.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the OCM-EA certification exams. During this time you should focus on studying the material covered in both exams and gaining hands-on experience with Oracle technologies. You can find study resources such as books, online courses, practice tests and more to help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of taking the OCM-EA certification exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking it will cost around $2,000 USD for both exams combined.

To get certified as an Oracle Certified Master Enterprise Architect (OCM-EA), you must pass both the OCP and OCM exams within 12 months of each other. Once you have passed both exams successfully you will be awarded your OCM-EA certification from Oracle.

9. IBM Certified Solution Designer – Enterprise Architecture V1

IBM Certified Solution Designer – Enterprise Architecture V1 is an IBM certification that validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in designing solutions for enterprise architecture. It requires the individual to demonstrate their ability to design, develop, and implement solutions that support business objectives.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as enterprise architecture principles, application development, infrastructure design, security, data management, system integration, and cloud computing.

To get this certification, one must first take the IBM Certified Solution Designer – Enterprise Architecture V1 Exam (C2090-621). The exam costs $200 USD and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your IBM Certified Solution Designer – Enterprise Architecture V1 certification.

10. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is an advanced-level certification from Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who design distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of AWS services, architecture best practices, and the ability to design and deploy secure, reliable, and cost-efficient solutions on AWS.

It typically takes around 3 months to prepare for the exam. To get this certification, you must first pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. After that, you will need to pass the two-hour professional level exam which covers topics such as designing highly available and scalable architectures on AWS, developing cost-effective architectures on AWS, migrating complex multi-tier applications to AWS, implementing security controls in cloud environments, and troubleshooting complex issues with AWS services.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $300 - $400 USD.

Do You Really Need a Enterprise Architect Certificate?

The answer to this question really depends on the individual and their career goals. For those looking to break into the field of enterprise architecture, a certificate can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the profession. It shows employers that you have taken the time to acquire specialized knowledge in this area and that you are capable of delivering results.

However, an enterprise architect certificate isn’t always necessary for everyone. If you already have experience in the field or have other qualifications that demonstrate your understanding of enterprise architecture, then you may not need a certificate. Similarly, if you don’t intend to pursue a career as an enterprise architect, then it may not be worth your time and money investing in one.

Ultimately, whether or not an enterprise architect certificate is necessary will depend on your own unique circumstances and career goals. It is important to weigh up the costs and benefits before making any decisions about pursuing certification.

Related: Enterprise Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About Enterprise Architect Certifications

Q1. What is an Enterprise Architect Certification?

A1. An Enterprise Architect Certification is a professional certification that validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in the field of enterprise architecture, which includes designing and deploying strategies, architectures and solutions to meet organizational objectives.

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining an Enterprise Architect Certification?

A2. Obtaining an Enterprise Architect Certification can help you to demonstrate your technical expertise, build credibility in the workplace, open up new career opportunities and increase your earning potential. It also helps you to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in enterprise architecture, which can be beneficial for organizations when it comes to strategic planning and decision making.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as an Enterprise Architect?

A3. The amount of time required to become certified as an Enterprise Architect will depend on several factors such as prior experience, existing qualifications and the specific certification program chosen. Generally speaking, it can take between six months to two years or more to become certified as an Enterprise Architect.

Q4. How much does it cost to get certified as an Enterprise Architect?

A4. The cost of becoming certified as an Enterprise Architect varies depending on the specific certification program chosen but can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year for course fees, exam fees and other related costs such as travel expenses if necessary.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as an Enterprise Architect?

A5. Yes, most certification programs require either prior experience or qualifications in order for individuals to apply for their certification exam(s). It is important to check with individual certifying bodies for specific prerequisites before applying for a certification program or exam(s).