Top 10 Java Architect Certifications

Certifications are important for a Java Architect in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual is knowledgeable and experienced in the field. They provide employers with proof that the candidate has been trained and tested on specific technologies, frameworks, and concepts related to Java architecture. This helps employers to ensure that their employees have the necessary skills needed to effectively design, build, and maintain large-scale software applications. Certifications also help employers to assess the level of experience of each applicant, which can be extremely beneficial when it comes to making hiring decisions. In addition, certifications can serve as a way for employers to differentiate between applicants when multiple candidates are competing for the same position.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Java Architects and explains how they can help to advance a java architect's career.

What are Java Architect Certifications?

Java Architect Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates the ability to design, develop, and maintain Java-based applications. This certification helps validate the expertise of experienced Java developers and architects in the field of software development. The certification process tests an individual’s knowledge of core concepts such as object-oriented programming, enterprise application architecture, and design patterns. It also evaluates their ability to develop high-performance applications using best practices for coding and security. Additionally, this certification verifies that individuals are proficient in technologies such as Spring Framework, Hibernate ORM, JPA, and JMS.

This certification can help individuals demonstrate their technical proficiency in Java development and increase their chances of getting hired or promoted. It also serves as proof of their experience in the field and shows potential employers that they have a deep understanding of the technology. Furthermore, having this certification can help them stand out among other applicants when applying for a job or promotion since it is recognized by major organizations worldwide. Finally, obtaining a Java Architect Certification is an excellent way to stay up-to-date with industry trends and gain access to additional resources related to software development.

Pro Tip: When considering certification for Java Architect, make sure to research the various requirements and prerequisites for the certification. It is important to understand the topics that will be covered in the exam, as well as any experience or education requirements that must be met in order to qualify. Additionally, it can be beneficial to review sample questions and practice exams so you are better prepared on test day.

Related: What does a Java Architect do?

Top 10 Java Architect Certifications

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

1. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a programmer’s expertise in the development and maintenance of applications using the Java Platform, Standard Edition 8 (Java SE 8). This certification is intended for developers who have a strong foundation in the Java language and can demonstrate their ability to create robust applications using Java SE 8.

It typically takes around three to six months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer exam. During this time, it is important to review the core language features of Java as well as familiarize yourself with new features added in Java SE 8. It is also important to practice coding problems related to these topics.

In order to become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer, you must pass one exam: 1Z0-808: Java SE 8 Programmer I. The exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 150 minutes. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $245-$295 USD.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also agree to abide by Oracle’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct before becoming certified. Once you have passed the exam and agreed to abide by Oracle’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, you will be awarded your Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer certification.

2. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer is an advanced certification that demonstrates expertise in developing web components using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) version 6. It is the highest level of certification available for Java EE 6 web component development.

To get this certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-899 (Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certified Expert Exam) and 1Z0-900 (Java EE 6 Application Developer Certified Expert Exam). The exams are computer-based tests and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center.

The exams typically take 2 hours each to complete. The cost of each exam is $245 USD, so the total cost of the Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certification is $490 USD.

3. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing and deploying enterprise applications using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 6. It validates the knowledge and skills required to develop and deploy enterprise applications using the latest version of Java EE technology.

In order to get this certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-895: Java EE 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer Certified Expert Exam and 1Z0-896: Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Services Developer Exam. The exams are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and technologies related to developing and deploying enterprise applications using the latest version of Java EE technology.

It usually takes about 4-6 months to prepare for these exams depending on your level of experience with the technology. You can find study guides, practice tests, tutorials, and other resources online to help you prepare for these exams.

The cost of taking these exams is $245 each, so it will cost a total of $490 for both exams.

4. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect

Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect is an advanced certification program for experienced Java developers who are looking to demonstrate their expertise in the field of enterprise application development. It requires a deep understanding of the Java EE platform and its components, as well as experience with architecting and developing enterprise applications.

The Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a hands-on lab exam. The written exam focuses on topics such as design patterns, object-oriented analysis and design principles, web services, XML technologies, messaging systems, distributed computing technologies, security frameworks, and more. The hands-on lab exam requires candidates to develop an end-to-end enterprise application using the Java EE 6 platform.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect certification. In order to get certified, you must first pass both the written and lab exams. You can register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of taking the Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect exams is $245 USD per exam (for each part).

5. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform, Standard Edition

Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform, Standard Edition (SCEA) is a certification program offered by Oracle that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and developing enterprise applications using the Java platform. It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their ability to use best practices and techniques in designing, building, testing, and deploying enterprise applications.

To become certified as a Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform, Standard Edition, you must pass two exams: Exam 310-051 (Java EE 5 Business Component Developer) and Exam 310-052 (Java EE 5 Web Component Developer). These exams are administered by Pearson VUE.

The time it takes to get SCEA certification depends on your level of experience with the Java platform and how quickly you can study for the two exams. Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for both exams.

In order to get SCEA certification, you must register with Pearson VUE and pay an exam fee of $245 USD per exam. You will also need to purchase any necessary study materials such as books or online courses.

Overall, obtaining SCEA certification can be a time-consuming process but is well worth it if you are looking to demonstrate your expertise in developing enterprise applications with the Java platform.

6. IBM Certified Solution Architect – WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment

IBM Certified Solution Architect – WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing complex WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment (WAS ND) environments. It validates the skills needed to design and deploy WAS ND solutions for large-scale distributed applications.

To become certified, an individual must pass two exams: C9530-519: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V9.0 Core Administration and C9530-520: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V9.0 Advanced Administration. The exams can be taken at Pearson VUE test centers or online through the IBM Professional Certification Program website.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the location of the exam center and whether you take it online or in person. Generally, the cost is around $200 USD per exam, plus any applicable taxes and fees. The total cost of both exams is approximately $400 USD plus taxes and fees.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how much preparation you put into it before taking the exams. Generally speaking, it takes around 6-8 weeks of studying to prepare for each exam, so if you plan to take both exams back-to-back then you should expect a total preparation time of 12-16 weeks before taking them both together.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Web Applications with Java

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Web Applications with Java is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to build and maintain web applications using Microsoft technologies, including Java. It demonstrates an understanding of core web development concepts such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, JSON, XML, and SQL Server.

To obtain the MCSA: Web Applications with Java certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 and Exam 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

The cost of each exam varies by country; however, in the United States it typically costs $165 per exam. The total cost for both exams is approximately $330 USD.

It typically takes between two to three months to prepare for the MCSA: Web Applications with Java certification; however this time frame can vary depending on your level of experience with the topics covered on the exams.

8. Red Hat Certified JBoss Developer (RHCJD)

Red Hat Certified JBoss Developer (RHCJD) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. that verifies a developer’s expertise in developing applications using the JBoss Application Server and related technologies. The RHCJD certification is designed to demonstrate a developer’s knowledge of the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform and related technologies, such as Java EE, Hibernate, JPA, EJB, and other related frameworks.

To obtain the RHCJD certification, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as application development with the JBoss Enterprise Application Platform; Java EE application architecture; web services; security; messaging; and deployment strategies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

The cost of taking the RHCJD exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $200-$300 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain testing centers or for taking practice exams prior to attempting the actual exam.

In order to become certified, applicants must successfully pass the RHCJD exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, applicants will receive an official Red Hat Certified JBoss Developer certificate from Red Hat that can be used to demonstrate their expertise in developing applications using JBoss technology.

9. Zend PHP 5 Certification

Zend PHP 5 Certification is a professional certification program offered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the popular open source scripting language, PHP. It is designed to validate and recognize an individual’s expertise in developing applications using PHP 5.

The Zend PHP 5 Certification exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, web security, database access, XML processing, internationalization and localization, web services and more.

In order to take the exam, you must first register with Zend Technologies. Once registered, you can purchase an exam voucher from their website for $195 USD. You will then need to schedule your exam at one of the authorized testing centers located around the world.

Once you have taken the exam and passed it successfully, you will receive a certificate from Zend Technologies that verifies your knowledge and proficiency in developing applications using PHP 5.

10. Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced mobile application developers in developing applications for mobile devices using the Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME). It requires a deep understanding of the Java ME platform and its APIs, as well as knowledge of mobile device development.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to prepare for this certification. To get it, you must pass two exams: Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer Exam (1Z0-869) and Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 5 Enterprise Architect Exam (1Z0-807). You can find more information about these exams on the Oracle website.

The cost for the two exams is $245 each.

Do You Really Need a Java Architect Certificate?

No, you do not need a Java Architect Certificate to be successful in the field of software engineering. A certification can open up some doors and may offer some advantages, but it is not necessary for those who are already skilled in the language and have experience in software development.

The most important thing when pursuing a career in software engineering is having a comprehensive understanding of the language and its applications. Certifications are often seen as a supplementary tool that can help to demonstrate an individual's knowledge or expertise on a particular subject matter. However, employers often value practical experience more than certifications because they know that hands-on experience is the best way to truly understand how to apply concepts and technologies.

Most importantly, having a strong technical portfolio with relevant projects and coding challenges is essential for any aspiring software engineer. This will give potential employers an opportunity to see your abilities first-hand, which could be more valuable than any certification or degree. Furthermore, having an active presence on platforms such as GitHub will allow you to showcase your skillset and get noticed by potential employers.

Overall, though certifications may be beneficial for certain roles, they are not necessary for success in the field of software engineering. In order to stand out from other applicants and succeed in this competitive industry, it is important to focus on developing your skillset through practice and gaining real-world experience.

Related: Java Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About Java Architect Certifications

1. What is a Java Architect Certification?

Answer: A Java Architect certification is a professional certification that demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience in the design, development, and implementation of Java-based applications. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in the field of Java architecture.

2. How do I become certified as a Java Architect?

Answer: To become certified as a Java Architect, you must complete a certification program offered by an accredited provider such as Oracle or Sun Microsystems. This may include passing an exam, completing courses or both.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Java Architect?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Java Architect can help you stand out from other job applicants and demonstrate your proficiency in the field to potential employers. It also gives you access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities through your certifying body such as Oracle or Sun Microsystems.

4. What kind of jobs can I get with a Java Architect certification?

Answer: With a Java Architect certification, you can pursue various positions related to software engineering and design including software architect, senior software engineer and technical lead roles at technology companies or organizations that use Java-based applications.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Java Architect?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified will vary depending on the certifying body, courses taken, and specific requirements for the exam(s). Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from several months up to two years to become fully certified as a Java Architect.