Top 11 Junior Web Developer Certifications

Certifications are important for any job candidate, but particularly for junior web developers. Certifications demonstrate that a candidate has the skills and knowledge necessary to perform in the role. They also show potential employers that the candidate is serious about their career and willing to invest time and energy into furthering their knowledge. Employers often view certifications as a sign of dedication, which can be an important factor when deciding between two candidates who have similar qualifications. In addition, certifications provide proof that a candidate is up-to-date on industry trends and technologies, which can give them an edge over other applicants who lack these credentials.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Junior Web Developers, and explains how they can help to propel a junior web developer's career.

What are Junior Web Developer Certifications?

Junior web developer certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing web applications. It is designed to assess the general abilities of applicants so they can demonstrate their fundamental programming, development and design skills. The certification covers topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, AJAX, SQL, PHP and more.

Having a Junior Web Developer Certification can help individuals stand out from other candidates when applying for entry-level web developer positions. It also provides valuable information about the applicant’s ability to develop web applications and create user interfaces; this could give employers greater confidence that the applicant has the necessary skills to perform the job effectively. Furthermore, having this certification may also make it easier for individuals to transition into more advanced roles in the field of web development since it serves as proof that they possess a strong foundation of technical knowledge.

Pro Tip: When considering junior web developer certification, look for programs that emphasize hands-on learning and offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers the fundamentals of web development. Additionally, make sure the program provides an intensive mentorship program to help you hone your skills and get personalized guidance from experienced professionals.

Related: What does a Junior Web Developer do?

Top 11 Junior Web Developer Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): Web Development Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with an introduction to core technology concepts. The MTA Web Development Fundamentals certification is designed to give individuals the knowledge and skills needed to develop dynamic websites using HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and AJAX. This certification covers topics such as web page design, client-side scripting, server-side scripting, web services and security.

The MTA Web Development Fundamentals exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40-60 multiple choice questions. The exam can be taken online or in a proctored environment at a Pearson VUE testing center.

To get the MTA Web Development Fundamentals certification, you must pass the associated exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 1000. You can purchase an exam voucher from Microsoft for $127 USD which includes one retake if necessary. After passing the exam, you will receive your official certificate via email within two weeks.

The cost of the MTA Web Development Fundamentals certification is $127 USD for the exam voucher plus any applicable taxes.

2. CompTIA Web Design Professional Certification

CompTIA Web Design Professional Certification is an industry-recognized certification for web designers. It is designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and maintain websites. The certification covers topics such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), and more.

The CompTIA Web Design Professional Certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in web design or development and the successful completion of two exams. The first exam covers the fundamentals of web design and development while the second exam focuses on advanced topics such as database management and server-side scripting. Both exams must be completed within one year of starting the program in order to receive the certification.

In order to get certified you must register for the program through CompTIA's website. The cost of registration varies depending on your region but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD. Once registered you will have access to study materials and practice tests which will help you prepare for the exams.

Once you have passed both exams you will receive your CompTIA Web Design Professional Certification which is valid for three years from the date it was issued. After three years you must renew your certification by taking a renewal exam or earning continuing education credits (CEUs).

3. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA): Web Communication Using Adobe Dreamweaver

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) Web Communication Using Adobe Dreamweaver is a certification program offered by Adobe that tests an individual’s knowledge and skills in using the web design and development software, Adobe Dreamweaver. The certification covers topics such as website design, coding, site management, and more.

The ACA Web Communication Using Adobe Dreamweaver exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete. It consists of multiple-choice questions that are designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge of the software. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 70%.

To get certified, individuals must register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Certiport. The cost for the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $100-$150 USD.

Once the exam has been completed and passed, individuals will receive their official ACA Web Communication Using Adobe Dreamweaver certificate from Adobe. This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed with additional exams if necessary.

4. Oracle Certified Junior Associate (OCJA): Java SE 8 Programmer I

Oracle Certified Junior Associate (OCJA) Java SE 8 Programmer I is an entry-level certification for those who have a basic understanding of the Java programming language. It is designed to validate a candidate’s knowledge and skills in developing applications using the Java SE 8 platform.

The OCJA exam consists of multiple choice questions that test a candidate's ability to understand and apply the fundamentals of object-oriented programming, core language features, and syntax. Candidates must also demonstrate their mastery of coding techniques and best practices for developing robust applications with Java SE 8.

It typically takes about 2-3 months to prepare for the OCJA exam depending on prior experience with Java programming. The exam can be taken online or at one of Oracle's testing centers around the world.

The cost for taking the OCJA exam is $245 USD.

5. CIW JavaScript Specialist

The CIW JavaScript Specialist certification is a professional-level credential that validates an individual’s ability to develop interactive web pages using the JavaScript programming language. It is designed to demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of client-side scripting, including how to create dynamic web content and use JavaScript libraries.

To obtain the CIW JavaScript Specialist certification, individuals must pass one exam: 1D0-635. This exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 90 minutes. The cost for this exam is $125 USD.

In order to prepare for the 1D0-635 exam, individuals are encouraged to take a CIW course or study from materials such as textbooks and practice exams. The CIW course typically takes around 40 hours to complete and costs between $400-$500 USD depending on the provider.

6. W3C: HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist

W3C HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist is a certification program offered by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It is designed to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in working with HTML5 and CSS3. The program consists of two parts: an online assessment, which tests your understanding of HTML5 and CSS3 fundamentals, and a practical project that requires you to create a website using HTML5 and CSS3.

The online assessment takes approximately one hour to complete. You must answer questions related to basic HTML5 and CSS3 concepts, such as document structure, styling elements, media queries, responsive design principles, accessibility features, browser compatibility issues, etc. The exam is scored on a scale from 0-100%. A score of 80% or higher is required for certification.

In order to get certified as a W3C HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist, you must first register for the program on the W3C website. The cost for registration is $99 USD. After registering for the program, you will receive an email containing instructions on how to access the online assessment. Once you have completed the assessment successfully, you will be able to submit your practical project for review by W3C experts. If your project meets all requirements set forth by W3C standards, you will receive your certificate within 2-4 weeks after submission.

The cost of becoming a W3C HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist includes both the registration fee ($99 USD) as well as any additional costs associated with completing the practical project (such as hosting fees or software purchases).

7. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer (ZCPE) is a certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of experienced PHP developers. It is administered by Zend Technologies, a company that develops and supports the open source web application framework, Zend Framework.

The certification exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as object-oriented programming, security, performance tuning, database integration, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get certified, you must first register for an account with Zend Technologies. Once registered, you can purchase the exam voucher from their website. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location and currency but typically ranges from $150 to $200 USD.

Once you have purchased the voucher, you will be given access to the online practice exams which are designed to help you prepare for the actual certification exam. Additionally, there are many online resources available such as tutorials and forums where experienced PHP developers can offer advice and guidance on how best to prepare for the exam.

Once you feel ready to take the exam, simply schedule it at a testing center near you or take it online through Pearson VUE or Kryterion Global Testing Solutions. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your certificate in PDF format via email within 2-3 weeks.

8. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder is a certification that validates a professional’s ability to design and build modern mobile and/or web applications and services. It requires proficiency in Microsoft Visual Studio, Windows Azure, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, ASP.NET MVC, Entity Framework, and other related technologies.

To get the MCSD: App Builder 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. The exams are available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers worldwide.

The cost of the two exams is $150 each for a total of $300. Depending on your level of experience with the required technologies, it can take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year to prepare for the exams and obtain the certification.

9. Oracle Database 12c SQL Fundamentals

Oracle Database 12c SQL Fundamentals is a comprehensive course that teaches students the fundamentals of SQL and how to use it with Oracle Database 12c. It covers topics such as creating tables, manipulating data, writing queries, and using subqueries. The course also provides an introduction to PL/SQL programming language and how to use it with Oracle Database 12c.

The course takes approximately 30 hours to complete. It is available online through the Oracle University website and can be accessed anytime from anywhere. The cost of the course is $1,595 USD for the online version or $3,195 USD for the classroom version.

10. CIW Site Development Associate

CIW Site Development Associate is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to design, develop, maintain, and manage websites. This certification program is offered by the CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) organization.

The CIW Site Development Associate certification is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in website development. It covers topics such as web page design, HTML coding, web graphics, web scripting languages, database integration, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that measure a candidate's understanding of these topics.

It typically takes about six months to complete the coursework and prepare for the exam. During this time, you will need to study the material provided by CIW and practice your skills in order to pass the exam.

You can register for the CIW Site Development Associate certification exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150 - $200 USD.

11. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE): Dreamweaver CS6

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Dreamweaver CS6 is an official certification program from Adobe Systems, Inc. It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate proficiency in using Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 software. The ACE Dreamweaver CS6 certification requires a candidate to pass a single performance-based exam that tests the user’s knowledge and skills in creating, managing, and publishing web content with Dreamweaver CS6.

The exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of questions related to topics such as web design principles, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, XML, and more. To prepare for the exam, candidates are encouraged to take advantage of available training resources such as books or online courses.

To become an ACE Dreamweaver CS6 certified professional, you must first register for the exam through the Adobe website. The cost of the exam is $180 USD and it can be taken at any authorized testing center worldwide. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Adobe confirming your achievement.

Do You Really Need a Junior Web Developer Certificate?

The short answer to this question is that it depends. A junior web developer certificate can be beneficial depending on the individual's experience and knowledge in the field. It can help demonstrate one's commitment to learning and demonstrate a certain level of proficiency.

For those already working in the web development field, having a certificate may not be necessary as employers tend to focus more on practical experience than formal qualifications. However, for those who are just starting out or looking to break into the industry, a certification could potentially give them an edge over other applicants with less experience. It would also provide an extra layer of credibility when applying for jobs or freelance gigs.

Overall, whether or not someone should pursue a junior web developer certificate will depend on their own situation and career goals. If they feel that they need it in order to progress further in their career, then they should definitely go ahead and get one. On the other hand, if they already have enough hands-on experience and knowledge, then pursuing a certification may not be necessary at all.

Related: Junior Web Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Junior Web Developer Certifications

Q1: What are the benefits of a Junior Web Developer Certification?

A1: A Junior Web Developer Certification can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop websites and web applications. It can also help you increase your employability in the web development field, as many employers prefer to hire those with a certified background.

Q2: How long does it take to get a Junior Web Developer Certification?

A2: The amount of time it takes to receive your certification varies depending on the program you choose. Generally speaking, most programs require anywhere from six months to one year of study and practice.

Q3: What are the requirements for obtaining a Junior Web Developer Certification?

A3: Most programs require applicants to have basic programming knowledge, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other related languages. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to complete projects or tests in order to demonstrate their understanding of web development concepts.

Q4: Is there an exam required for a Junior Web Developer Certification?

A4: Yes, most programs will require applicants to pass an exam in order to receive their certification. The type of exam will vary depending on the program chosen but is usually focused on testing knowledge and skills related to web development principles and technologies.

Q5: Can I use my Junior Web Developer Certification to find employment?

A5: Yes, having a Junior Web Developer Certification can be beneficial when looking for employment as it demonstrates that you have acquired specific knowledge and skills related to web development. Many employers view certifications favorably when considering potential candidates for positions within their organization.