Top 10 Java Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a Java engineer's job market success. Employers often look for specific certifications when hiring engineers, as these certifications demonstrate that the engineer has a certain level of knowledge and experience in the field. Certifications also provide employers with assurance that the engineer is up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices for developing software with Java. Additionally, certifications help to differentiate engineers from their peers, allowing them to stand out in a competitive job market.

The article reviews the top certifications for Java Engineers and explains how they can be beneficial to a Java Engineer's career.

What are Java Engineer Certifications?

Java Engineer Certification is a professional certification program designed to provide developers and software engineers with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, test, and deploy applications using the Java programming language. This certification proves that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of Java and is capable of developing applications for various platforms.

The certification provides a comprehensive assessment of the candidate’s knowledge and skills in Java development, testing, debugging, performance optimization, deployment, and maintenance. It also tests the candidate’s ability to identify potential problems in existing code as well as design solutions to those problems.

Having a Java certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees. For employers, it can help them assess the skill set of potential employees more accurately as well as demonstrate their commitment to hiring qualified individuals for their projects. For employees, it can help them stand out from other job seekers when applying for positions within their desired field. Additionally, it can give them an edge over other candidates by providing evidence of their expertise in the form of an official certificate.

Pro Tip: If you are looking to become a certified Java engineer, make sure to take courses that cover the Java Standard Edition (SE) and Enterprise Edition (EE). Familiarizing yourself with both versions of the language will ensure that you have a comprehensive knowledge of Java and its various features, making you a more qualified candidate for any job.

Related: What does a Java Engineer do?

Top 10 Java Engineer Certifications

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

1. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer (OCPJP) is a professional certification for programmers who have mastered the Java programming language. It is offered by Oracle and is designed to validate a programmer’s knowledge of core language features, object-oriented programming, and other advanced topics.

It typically takes about two months of study to prepare for the OCPJP exam. The exam itself consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. To pass the exam, candidates must achieve a score of 65%.

To get the OCPJP certification, candidates must first register with Oracle and pay an exam fee. The cost varies depending on country but generally ranges from $245 to $395 USD. After registering, candidates can book their exam at one of Oracle’s authorized testing centers. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their certificate in the mail.

In addition to passing the OCPJP exam, candidates must also demonstrate that they have at least two years of experience in developing software using Java technology before they can become certified professionals.

2. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect

Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-level Java applications. It is designed to recognize the highest level of expertise and skill in developing enterprise-level Java applications.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for this certification, depending on your experience level. To get certified, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-807 (Java Enterprise Edition 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master Exam) and 1Z0-865 (Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master Assignment). The cost of these exams varies by country but generally ranges from $250 - $400 USD per exam.

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

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced developers who are proficient in developing web components using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 (Java EE 6) technology. This certification is ideal for developers who want to demonstrate their expertise in developing web applications using Java EE 6 technologies such as Servlets, JSPs, EJBs, and web services.

The Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer exam consists of 72 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 120 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as architecture and design principles, application development with servlets/JSPs/EJBs/web services, deployment descriptors and annotations, security, transactions and messaging.

In order to become an Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer you must first pass the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) Java Programmer exam. After passing the OCP exam you can then register for the Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) Java EE 6 Web Component Developer exam.

The cost of the Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) Java EE 6 Web Component Developer exam is $245 USD.

4. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer is an entry-level certification for developers who have basic knowledge of the Java programming language. The certification demonstrates a developer’s understanding of the fundamentals of the Java language, its syntax, and its class libraries. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to write, compile, debug and execute programs using the current version of Java (Java SE 7).

It typically takes about 3-4 months to prepare for this certification exam. To get it, you will need to purchase and complete a training course from Oracle University or another approved provider. You will also need to pass the Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer I Exam (1Z0-803) with a score of at least 65%.

The cost for this certification varies depending on where you take your training course. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2000 USD.

5. IBM Certified Solution Developer - Java Platform

IBM Certified Solution Developer - Java Platform is a certification program offered by IBM for software developers who demonstrate expertise in developing applications using the Java Platform. This certification validates that the developer has the skills and knowledge to develop, deploy, and maintain enterprise-level Java applications.

The duration of the certification process depends on the individual's experience and background. Generally, it takes around two months to complete all the requirements of this certification. To get certified, individuals must pass two exams: one on core Java concepts (1Z0-817) and another on advanced Java concepts (1Z0-819).

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take your exams. Generally, each exam costs around $200 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking an online or in-person course to prepare for the exams.

6. Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java Platform

Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java Platform is a certification program designed to assess an individual's knowledge and skills in developing web components using the Java platform. It is intended for developers who are familiar with the Java programming language, have experience working with web technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and XML, and are interested in building web applications that use JavaServer Pages (JSP) technology.

The Sun Certified Web Component Developer exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as JSP syntax, JavaBeans components, servlets, custom tag libraries, session tracking, debugging techniques, and deployment considerations.

To get certified as a Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the Java Platform you must first pass the SCWCD 1.4 Exam (CX-310-083). You can register for this exam at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers worldwide.

The cost of taking the SCWCD 1.4 Exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200 to $250 USD.

7. Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform

Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform is a certification program designed to recognize individuals with expertise in designing and developing enterprise applications using the Java platform. The certification requires an individual to demonstrate their skills in the areas of architecture, design, development, and deployment of enterprise applications.

The certification process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To get certified, an individual must pass two exams: 1) Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform (SCEA) and 2) Sun Certified Business Component Developer for the Java Platform (SCBCD). Both exams are administered by Oracle Certification Program and require a fee of $300 each.

In addition to passing both exams, applicants must also demonstrate a minimum of five years of experience in designing and developing enterprise applications using the Java platform. Applicants must submit proof of their experience such as resumes or references from employers or colleagues.

Finally, applicants must also submit a portfolio that demonstrates their knowledge and skills in architecture, design, development, and deployment of enterprise applications using the Java platform. This portfolio should include examples of projects they have worked on as well as any relevant documents or diagrams.

Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for the Java Platform certification from Oracle Certification Program.

8. Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer for the Java ME Platform

Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer for the Java ME Platform is a certification program designed to recognize developers who can demonstrate their ability to develop applications using the Java ME platform. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in developing mobile applications on the Java ME platform.

The certification requires candidates to pass two exams: Sun Certified Mobile Application Developer (SCMAD) and Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (SCJP/ME). The SCMAD exam focuses on topics such as the Java ME architecture, application design, user interface design, and debugging. The SCJP/ME exam tests knowledge of the core language features of Java ME.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for these exams. Candidates should have experience with developing mobile applications using the Java ME platform before attempting these certifications.

The cost of each exam varies depending on location and currency exchange rates but usually ranges from $100-$200 per exam.

9. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 5 Business Component Developer

Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 5 Business Component Developer is a certification that demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to develop enterprise applications using Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 5 (Java EE 5) technology. This certification is designed for developers who have experience developing business components using the Java EE platform.

It typically takes approximately six months of study and practice to prepare for this certification exam. To get certified, you must pass the Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Business Component Developer exam (1Z0-895). The cost of the exam varies depending on your country of residence. In the United States, it costs $245 USD.

To prepare for the exam, you should take an instructor-led training course or self-study with books or online resources. You should also gain hands-on experience by practicing building business components with Java EE 5 technology in a development environment such as Eclipse or NetBeans.

10. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Database Fundamentals in Java

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with an introduction to the fundamentals of various Microsoft technologies. The Database Fundamentals in Java MTA certification exam focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, create, and maintain databases using Java programming language.

The exam covers topics such as database design, data manipulation language (DML), data definition language (DDL), SQL statements, stored procedures, triggers, views, indexing and transactions. It also includes topics related to database security, backup and recovery strategies as well as performance tuning.

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40-60 multiple choice questions. Candidates must achieve a score of 700 or higher in order to pass the exam.

The cost for the MTA Database Fundamentals in Java exam is $127 USD. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website.

Do You Really Need a Java Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. A Java Engineer Certificate may be beneficial for those wanting to advance their career in the field of software engineering, as it demonstrates a certain level of knowledge and experience with the Java programming language. It can also be an attractive option for employers looking to hire qualified engineers who are knowledgeable in the latest technologies.

For individuals who are just starting out in their software engineering career, a Java Engineer Certificate may not be necessary right away. However, obtaining one can give professionals an edge over others when applying for jobs or promotions. It gives potential employers assurance that you have taken the time to learn and gain experience with the language. Additionally, having a certificate can open up new job opportunities and help differentiate yourself from other candidates by showing off your knowledge and skillset.

In conclusion, whether or not an individual needs a Java Engineer Certificate will depend on their current situation and future goals within software engineering. For those who are already experienced developers, it may not be necessary; however, it could still prove beneficial in terms of furthering their career prospects and gaining recognition from employers. For those just starting out, obtaining a certificate could provide them with an advantage when competing for job positions or promotions down the line.

Related: Java Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Java Engineer Certifications

Q1. What types of Java Engineer certifications are available?

A1. There are several Java certification options, including Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), and Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP).

Q2. How do I prepare for a Java Engineer certification exam?

A2. Preparation for a Java certification exam typically includes studying the official Oracle or Sun curriculum and taking practice tests to help assess your knowledge of the material. You may also want to attend classes or seminars that focus on preparing for the specific certification you are pursuing.

Q3. How much does it cost to take a Java Engineer certification exam?

A3. The cost of a Java engineer certification exam can vary depending on which type of certification you are pursuing and where you take the exam. Generally, Oracle exams range from $245-$395 USD, while Sun exams range from $150-$250 USD.

Q4. What is the duration of a typical Java Engineer certification exam?

A4. Most certification exams last approximately 2-3 hours, but some may be longer or shorter depending on the type of test being taken and the specific requirements for that particular certificate program.

Q5. Does having a Java Engineer certification guarantee me a job?

A5. While having a Java engineer certification may increase your chances of getting hired, it does not guarantee employment in any particular field or position. Employers will still consider other factors such as experience and qualifications when making hiring decisions.