Top 11 Equipment Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for an equipment specialist in the job market as they demonstrate a level of proficiency and knowledge. Companies want to hire personnel who have the skills and qualifications necessary to get the job done right. Certifications show that an individual has a certain level of expertise when it comes to working with specific types of equipment. This can be a great way to stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs, as employers know that they are getting someone who is qualified and knowledgeable about their particular field. In addition, certifications can open up opportunities for higher pay and better job security.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Equipment Specialists and explains how they can help to advance an Equipment Specialist's career.

What are Equipment Specialist Certifications?

Equipment specialist certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and skill in the maintenance, repair, and operation of various types of equipment. This certification can help people who work in industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare to gain recognition for their expertise in operating and maintaining specialized equipment.

Having an equipment specialist certification can be beneficial in many ways. It can help increase job opportunities, give recognition to those who possess a high level of expertise in their field, and open the door to more advanced levels of training. It also provides employers with assurance that their employees are qualified to use the specialized equipment they will be working with. Furthermore, having this certification can also provide individuals with a competitive edge in the job market as employers may be more inclined to hire someone who has it over someone who does not. Additionally, having this certification can also provide individuals with access to resources that would otherwise be unavailable due to lack of experience or education.

Pro tip: If you're looking to become an equipment specialist, be sure to research and understand the certification requirements for your desired specialty. Certification can help demonstrate your expertise in a particular field and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Related: What does an Equipment Specialist do?

Top 11 Equipment Specialist Certifications

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

1. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification that validates the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain routed and switched networks. It is designed for network engineers who have at least one year of networking experience and are ready to advance their skills and work independently on complex network solutions.

The CCNP certification requires candidates to pass three exams: Route (300-101), Switch (300-115), and Troubleshooting & Maintenance (300-135). The exams cover topics such as routing protocols, switching technologies, IP addressing, network security, QoS, VPNs, and more. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To get the CCNP certification you must first pass all three exams. You can purchase each exam individually or buy a bundle that includes all three exams. The cost of the exams varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$400 per exam.

Once you have passed all three exams you will receive your CCNP certification which is valid for three years from the date of completion. To maintain your certification you must either retake the exams every three years or take additional courses in order to earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs).

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing and managing Microsoft-based solutions. It is the highest level of Microsoft certification and is recognized worldwide as a benchmark for IT professionals.

It typically takes about six to twelve months to obtain the MCSE certification. To become certified, you must pass one or more exams related to Microsoft technologies such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server and System Center. The cost of each exam varies depending on the type of exam and the number of exams taken.

To get started on your MCSE journey, you should first determine which technology you want to specialize in. Once you have made this decision, research the available exams and study materials for that technology. After studying for the required exams, register with Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers to take the exams. Once all required exams are passed successfully, you will be awarded your MCSE certification.

3. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is a certification program offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It is an internationally-recognized credential that validates foundation-level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in IT. The certification covers topics such as hardware, networking, security, troubleshooting, operating systems, software, and more.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. To get certified, you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams are 90 minutes long and contain a maximum of 90 questions.

You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE. The cost of taking the exams varies depending on where you take them; however, it typically costs around $200 per exam.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded the CompTIA A+ certification. This credential is valid for three years from the date of your exam and must be renewed every three years to stay current with industry trends and technologies.

4. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s ability to design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. It is designed for IT professionals who have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 720 or higher on a scale from 100 to 900.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must first purchase the exam voucher from CompTIA. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your region but typically ranges from $220-$320 USD. After purchasing the voucher, you can register for an exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CompTIA Network+ certification within two weeks after completing all requirements. The certification is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed by taking another exam or participating in continuing education activities.

5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an industry-recognized certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It validates the knowledge and skills of individuals in designing, deploying, and managing applications on AWS. This certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. To get this certification, you must pass an online multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of various topics related to AWS. The exam consists of 65 questions and you must answer at least 75% correctly to pass. The exam fee is $150 USD.

6. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to demonstrate the expertise of IT professionals in the installation, configuration, and management of VMware vSphere environments. It is one of the most widely recognized certifications in virtualization technology.

To obtain VCP certification, candidates must complete a training course from an authorized VMware Education Provider and pass an exam. The training courses vary in length depending on the provider and type of course chosen. Generally, it takes around 5 days to complete a VCP training course.

To get VCP certified, you must first register for an exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from VMware or your authorized training provider. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your geographic location and whether you are taking the Foundation or Professional level exams. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $250 to $450 USD per exam.

Once you have passed your exam, you will need to submit your proof of passing to VMware via their online system in order to receive your official certification documents.

7. Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate (OCA)

Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate (OCA) is an entry-level certification for Oracle database administrators. It is designed to demonstrate a candidate’s knowledge of basic Oracle database administration tasks and concepts.

To get the OCA certification, candidates must complete two exams: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals 1Z0-061 and Oracle Database 12c: Administration 1Z0-062. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and take approximately 2 hours each to complete.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country in which you take it, but typically ranges from $125 to $245 USD per exam.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded the OCA certification, which is valid for three years from the date of completion.

8. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in the field of Linux system administration. The RHCE exam is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and covers topics such as installation, configuration, security, networking, storage management, system maintenance, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes up to six months to prepare for the RHCE exam. To get started, you should consider enrolling in an official Red Hat training course or self-study with materials from Red Hat's website. You can also take practice exams to help you prepare for the real thing.

Once you have completed your preparation, you will need to register for the RHCE exam at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $400-$600 USD.

The RHCE exam consists of two parts: a performance-based lab and a multiple choice section. The performance-based lab requires you to complete tasks within a given time limit while the multiple choice section tests your knowledge of Linux systems administration concepts. Once you have passed both sections of the exam, you will receive your RHCE certification from Red Hat Inc., which is valid for three years before recertification is required.

9. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS)

Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in Juniper network technologies. This certification is intended for professionals who have a basic understanding of networking and routing protocols, as well as Juniper-specific technologies such as Junos OS, MX Series routers, EX Series switches, and SRX Series security devices.

The JNCIS certification requires passing two exams: the JN0-103 (Junos Routing Essentials) and the JN0-347 (Junos Security). It typically takes about 8 to 10 weeks to complete the necessary training and prepare for the exams. The cost of each exam varies from country to country but generally ranges from $200 to $300 USD.

To get certified, individuals must first pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher. Once they have passed both exams, they will be issued their JNCIS certificate. To maintain their certification status, individuals must retake one of the two exams every three years.

10. HP Accredited System Administrator (HPASA)

HP Accredited System Administrator (HPASA) is a certification program from Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to support HPE server, storage, and networking products. The certification is focused on the design, implementation, and maintenance of HPE solutions.

To become an HPASA certified professional, candidates must pass two exams: one for the Foundation level and one for the Advanced level. The Foundation exam covers topics such as system architecture, installation, configuration, troubleshooting, security, and performance tuning. The Advanced exam focuses on more advanced topics such as virtualization technologies and storage solutions.

The Foundation exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete while the Advanced exam takes around 4 hours. Both exams are available in multiple languages and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

The cost of the HPASA certification varies depending on the country you are taking it in but typically ranges from $150 - $250 USD per exam.

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

Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for designing, deploying, managing, and troubleshooting virtualized environments using Citrix XenServer. It requires a combination of hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge.

To become a CCP-V certified professional, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-100: Citrix XenServer 6.5 Administration Exam and 1Z0-101: Citrix XenServer 6.5 Advanced Administration Exam. The exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

The cost of the exams varies depending on where you take them; however, they typically range between $150-$200 USD per exam. You can find more information about the cost of each exam on the Pearson VUE website.

It typically takes around 3 months to prepare for the CCP-V certification if you have prior experience with virtualization technologies such as Citrix XenServer or VMware vSphere. If you don’t have any prior experience, it may take longer to prepare for the exams as you will need to learn the basics of virtualization before attempting either exam.

Do You Really Need a Equipment Specialist Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Equipment Specialist Certificate depends on your individual goals and the industry in which you are working. If you are looking to work in a particular field that requires specialized knowledge of equipment, then having a certificate can be beneficial. It can help demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the job well.

On the other hand, if you are already employed in an industry that does not require such a certificate, then it may not be necessary. In some cases, having a certificate may be more of a hindrance than a help. For example, if you are trying to break into a new industry and don’t have an existing network of contacts or relevant experience, then having a certification may actually make it harder for you to get hired as employers may view you as overqualified.

In conclusion, whether or not an Equipment Specialist Certificate is necessary will depend on your individual situation and career goals. It is important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding if obtaining one is right for you.

Related: Equipment Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Equipment Specialist Certifications

1. What is an Equipment Specialist Certification?

Answer: An Equipment Specialist Certification is a certificate program that provides specialized instruction and training in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial equipment and systems. It covers topics such as safety procedures, electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, HVAC, welding, machining, fabrication, and more.

2. What are the benefits of becoming an Equipment Specialist?

Answer: Benefits of becoming an Equipment Specialist include increased job security and higher wages; improved knowledge and expertise in a specific area; better ability to troubleshoot problems quickly; enhanced problem-solving skills; and potential for career advancement.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The length of time to become certified depends on the individual certification program chosen but typically ranges from 6 months to 2 years or more.

4. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Answer: Prerequisites may vary depending on the certification program chosen but typically include a high school diploma or GED equivalent; prior experience or education in industrial equipment operations; passing a specialized exam; and meeting other requirements specified by the certifying organization.

5. How much does it cost to become certified?

Answer: Costs may vary depending on the certification program chosen but typically range from $500 - $5000 or more including fees for exams, textbooks, materials and lab time.