Top 10 Java Developer Certifications

Certifications for a Java developer are important in the job market because they show employers that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform well in the role. Certifications can demonstrate that a developer has a certain level of expertise or experience in Java-specific technologies, frameworks, and tools. Employers can use certifications as a way to quickly identify qualified candidates and make informed hiring decisions. Additionally, having a certification may give an applicant an edge over other applicants who do not have one. Ultimately, certifications help developers stand out from the crowd and demonstrate their commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technologies.

This article reviews the most popular certifications for Java Developers and explains how they can help to advance a Java Developer's career.

What are Java Developer Certifications?

Java Developer Certification is a professional certification that verifies a person’s knowledge and skills in the Java programming language. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in developing Java applications and demonstrates that the individual has mastered the core principles of Java development. This certification can help individuals gain recognition as a qualified Java developer and increase their chances of securing a job or promotion in the field.

Having a Java Developer Certification can also provide employers with assurance that a potential employee is skilled in developing applications using Java, which is one of the most popular programming languages used today. Furthermore, it can provide employees with an edge when competing for jobs against other candidates who may not have this certification. In addition, it can give employers more confidence in hiring an individual to develop their software because they know they are working with someone who has been tested and certified on their skillset. Ultimately, having this certification can help individuals stand out from the crowd and get ahead professionally.

Pro Tip: When considering a Java developer certification, look for certifications that are specific to the version of Java you plan to use. This will ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired during the certification process are applicable to your current job role.

Related: What does a Java Developer do?

Top 10 Java Developer Certifications

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

1. Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer is a certification program offered by Oracle that verifies an individual's expertise in the Java programming language. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing applications using the Java Platform, Standard Edition 8 (Java SE 8).

To obtain this certification, individuals must pass a multiple-choice exam. The exam covers topics such as object-oriented concepts, exception handling, lambda expressions, generics, and collections. It also covers topics related to concurrency and JDBC.

The exam takes approximately 150 minutes to complete and contains 80 questions. To pass the exam, individuals must achieve a score of 65% or higher. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken but typically ranges from $245 - $295 USD.

2. Oracle Certified Professional Java EE 6 Web Component Developer

Oracle Certified Professional Java EE 6 Web Component Developer is a certification for experienced Java developers who have expertise in developing and deploying web applications using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE). It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in developing web components using Servlets, JSPs, and other related technologies.

To obtain this certification, you must pass two exams: Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer I and Oracle Certified Professional Java EE 6 Web Component Developer. The first exam tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of the Java language, while the second exam focuses on your ability to develop web components with Servlets and JSPs.

The exams typically take about 4-5 hours each to complete. You can register for these exams online at the Oracle website.

The cost of taking both exams is approximately $300 USD.

3. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect

Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect is a certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and developing enterprise applications using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) 6. This certification is designed to identify professionals who have mastered the skills necessary to design and develop complex enterprise applications with the latest version of Java EE technology.

The Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect certification requires passing three exams: 1Z0-807 (Java Enterprise Edition 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master Exam), 1Z0-865 (Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Web Services Developer Certified Expert Exam), and 1Z0-866 (Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Java Persistence API Developer Certified Expert Exam). The exams are offered through Pearson VUE or Oracle University.

It typically takes approximately one year to complete all three exams required for the Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect certification. This includes studying for each exam individually as well as completing any associated coursework or hands-on experience.

The cost of taking the three exams varies depending on which provider you choose and where you take them. However, it typically costs between $1,000-$2,000 USD to take all three exams required for this certification.

4. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Services Developer

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Services Developer is an Oracle certification that demonstrates the skills and knowledge necessary to develop web services using Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 (Java EE 6). This certification is designed for experienced developers who have a deep understanding of web services and the Java EE platform.

In order to obtain this certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-897: Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Web Services Developer Certified Expert Exam and 1Z0-895: Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Web Component Developer Certified Expert Exam. The exams are administered by Oracle University and can be taken at any authorized testing center.

The cost of the exams varies depending on the country in which you take them. In the United States, each exam costs $245 USD.

It typically takes several weeks or months of study and preparation to pass these exams. Candidates should review the exam objectives for each exam before attempting them so they can identify areas where they need additional study or practice.

5. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 JavaServer Faces Developer

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 JavaServer Faces Developer is a professional certification offered by Oracle that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills to develop secure, reliable, and maintainable applications using the JavaServer Faces technology.

This certification requires an individual to demonstrate their ability to design and develop web-based applications using the JavaServer Faces (JSF) technology. The exam covers topics such as developing JSF pages, creating custom components, working with various input elements, validating user input, integrating with other technologies such as AJAX and JavaScript, and deploying JSF applications.

It takes approximately 2-3 months of study time to prepare for this certification exam. It is recommended that candidates have at least 3 years of experience in developing web-based applications using JSF technology before attempting this exam.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $300-$400 USD. To take the exam you must register through Oracle’s website or through one of their authorized testing centers.

6. Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP)

Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) is a certification program designed to test the knowledge and understanding of the Java programming language. It is offered by Oracle, which acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010.

The SCJP exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within two hours. The exam covers topics such as object-oriented concepts, language fundamentals, syntax, and API usage. The exam also tests your ability to write simple programs using the Java language.

To get certified, you must pass the SCJP exam with a score of at least 60%. You can take the exam online or at an authorized testing center.

The cost of taking the SCJP exam varies depending on where you take it and how you register for it. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam online or at an authorized testing center.

7. Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD)

Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing web applications using JavaServer Pages (JSP) and Java servlets. This certification is offered by Oracle, which acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010.

The SCWCD exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the candidate’s understanding of JSP and servlet technologies, as well as their ability to develop web applications using these technologies. The exam also covers topics such as XML, HTML, JavaScript, and other web-related technologies.

The SCWCD exam typically takes about two hours to complete. Candidates must score at least 65% on the exam in order to pass.

To get the SCWCD certification, candidates must first register for the exam with Oracle. They can do this online or through a local testing center. Once registered, they will receive instructions on how to prepare for the exam and access practice materials.

The cost of the SCWCD certification varies depending on where you take the exam and what type of registration you choose. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 USD to take the exam.

8. IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7.0

IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7.0 is a professional certification that validates your skills and expertise in developing, deploying, and managing applications on the WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment (WAS ND) V7.0 platform. This certification requires you to demonstrate your ability to use the WAS ND V7.0 tools and technologies to create and deploy enterprise applications.

It takes approximately six months of preparation to become certified in this program. To get certified, you must pass one or more exams depending on the certification level you are aiming for. The most common exam for IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7.0 is Test C9530-404: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V7.0, Core Administration.

The cost of the exam depends on where you take it; however, it generally ranges from $200 - $250 USD per exam attempt.

9. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder for Java

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder for Java is a certification that demonstrates the ability to design, develop, and deploy modern applications on the Microsoft Azure platform. It validates an individual’s expertise in developing cloud-based applications using Java and related technologies.

To become MCSD: App Builder for Java certified, individuals must pass two exams: Exam 70-480 and Exam 70-487. The 70-480 exam focuses on the development of web applications using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and ASP.NET MVC; while the 70-487 exam focuses on developing data access solutions with Microsoft Azure SQL Database and Entity Framework.

The cost of each exam is $165 USD. Depending on an individual's experience level, it may take between 4 to 8 weeks to prepare for these exams. To get started with preparing for these exams, individuals should review the official Microsoft Learning website which provides a list of recommended study materials as well as practice tests.

10. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer is a professional certification program that helps validate the knowledge and skills of experienced PHP developers. It is designed to recognize the expertise of developers who have a deep understanding of the PHP language, its syntax and semantics, and its use in creating web applications. The certification exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, security, performance optimization, database integration, web services, and more.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that candidates have at least two years of experience with developing web applications using PHP. Additionally, they should have a good understanding of HTML/CSS/JavaScript and related technologies.

In order to take the Zend Certified PHP Engineer exam, candidates must first purchase an exam voucher from Zend Technologies. The cost of the voucher varies depending on location but generally ranges from $150 - $250 USD. Once purchased, candidates can schedule their exam at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE or Kryterion testing services.

Once the exam has been completed successfully, candidates will receive a certificate from Zend Technologies confirming their status as an official Zend Certified PHP Engineer. This certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and may be renewed by taking another version of the same exam after those three years have passed.

Do You Really Need a Java Developer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and circumstances. For many, a Java Developer Certificate can be a valuable asset that provides an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the field of software development. A certificate can also provide a boost in credibility and recognition among employers, colleagues, and peers.

On the other hand, there are some situations where it may not be necessary or desirable to obtain a Java Developer Certificate. For example, if you already have extensive experience with Java programming and are confident in your abilities, then you may not need the extra credential. Additionally, if you are already employed in a position where your skillset is well-respected and utilized, then it may not be beneficial to invest time and money into obtaining a certificate. Finally, if you lack the financial resources or time commitment needed for certification courses, then it may be better to focus on other avenues of professional development instead.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a Java Developer Certificate should depend on your own specific circumstances and career goals. If you think that such an investment would benefit your career objectives then pursuing certification is likely worth the effort. However, if you feel that another path would better serve your needs then there is no reason why you shouldn't pursue that route instead.

Related: Java Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Java Developer Certifications

Q1. What is a Java Developer Certification?

A1. A Java Developer Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in the development of Java applications and software solutions. It certifies that the individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to develop, deploy, and maintain Java-based applications.

Q2. Who Should Earn a Java Developer Certification?

A2. Anyone who is interested in becoming a professional software developer should consider earning a Java Developer Certification. This certification will help prove to employers that you have the necessary skills to build reliable and secure software solutions using the Java programming language.

Q3. What Are the Benefits of Earning a Java Developer Certification?

A3. Earning a Java Developer Certification can provide many benefits, including increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and career advancement potential. Additionally, it can make individuals more marketable to employers by demonstrating their commitment to their profession and providing proof of their technical expertise in developing software with the Java programming language.

Q4. What Are the Different Types of Certifications Available for Java Developers?

A4: There are several different types of certifications available for Java developers, including Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) certification, Sun Certified Professional (SCP) certification, Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) certification, Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA) certification, and Oracle Certified Master (OCM) certification. Each type of certification has its own set of requirements and focuses on different aspects of developing with the Java language.

Q5. How Can I Prepare for My Java Developer Certification Exam?

A5: To prepare for your exam, you should study relevant course material such as books or online tutorials related to developing with the Java language as well as practice test questions that cover topics covered in your chosen certification exam. Additionally, you should become familiar with any specific tools or technologies associated with your chosen exam so that you can answer questions on them confidently during your exam session