Top 10 Mobile Engineer Certifications
Updated 15 min read
Certifications are important for mobile engineers because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and experience in the field. Having certifications can help mobile engineers stand out from other applicants and give them an edge in the job market. They also show employers that the engineer is up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends, as well as having a strong foundation in mobile engineering principles. Certifications also allow employers to easily assess the skills and capabilities of potential hires, as they can quickly compare different certifications and determine which candidate is most qualified for the position.
This article reviews some of the top certifications for Mobile Engineers and explains how they can help to advance a mobile engineer's career.
What are Mobile Engineer Certifications?
Mobile engineer certification is a professional certification program designed to help mobile engineers develop and demonstrate their expertise in the design, development, and maintenance of mobile applications. Certification provides an industry-recognized credential that can be used to showcase an individual's skills and knowledge in this field. The certification covers topics such as mobile application architecture, security, optimization, performance testing, and more. With this certification, individuals can demonstrate their proficiency in developing apps for both iOS and Android platforms. It also serves as a way to validate the quality of the code they write. By having this certification, employers can trust that they are hiring someone with the necessary skillset to handle any mobile development project with confidence. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement or higher salaries as certified professionals are often given preference over those without certification.
Pro Tip: When considering mobile engineer certification, make sure to research the requirements for the specific certification you are looking into. Many certifications require a certain amount of experience and/or training before taking the exam. It is important to have a thorough understanding of what is required in order to ensure success.
Related: What does a Mobile Engineer do?
Top 10 Mobile Engineer Certifications
Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Mobile Engineers today.
1. Android Certified Application Developer (ACAD)
Android Certified Application Developer (ACAD) is a certification program designed to recognize developers who have the expertise to create high-quality applications for the Android mobile platform. The certification requires knowledge of the Android SDK, development tools, and best practices for creating secure and robust applications.
It typically takes around two months to complete the ACAD program. To get certified, you must first register with Google, then take an online assessment that tests your knowledge of Android development principles. Once you have passed the assessment, you will be given access to the ACAD course material which includes tutorials and hands-on exercises. After completing all course requirements, you will receive your certificate from Google.
The cost of the ACAD certification varies depending on where you are located and what type of package you choose. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD to become certified in ACAD.
2. Apple iOS Mobile App Development Certification
Apple iOS Mobile App Development Certification is a certification program offered by Apple that allows developers to demonstrate their expertise in creating mobile applications for the iOS platform. The certification is based on a set of technical skills and knowledge required to develop iOS apps. It includes topics such as Swift, Xcode, UI/UX design, development tools, and more.
The certification process typically takes about two weeks to complete and consists of an online assessment followed by an in-person interview with an Apple representative. During the assessment, you will be asked questions related to your experience developing iOS applications, as well as general programming concepts. After completing the assessment successfully, you will be invited to attend an in-person interview with an Apple representative who will evaluate your skills and knowledge further.
To get started on the certification process, you must first register for the program through Apple's Developer Program website. Once registered, you can then access the online assessment and begin studying for it. You should also familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the exam so that you can prepare adequately for it.
The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on where you are located and how many exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.
3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder is a certification program from Microsoft that recognizes IT professionals who have the skills and knowledge to design, build, test, and deploy Windows applications using Microsoft Visual Studio. The MCSD: App Builder certification validates a professional’s expertise in developing Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, Windows Forms, WPF, and Web Services.
To get the MCSD: App Builder certification, you need to pass three exams: Exam 70-483 Programming in C#; Exam 70-486 Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications; and Exam 70-487 Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services. It usually takes around 6 months to complete all three exams.
The cost of each exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD for a retake or $150 USD for an initial attempt. So if you are taking all three exams for the first time, it will cost you about $450 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.
4. Oracle Mobile Application Framework (MAF) Certification
Oracle Mobile Application Framework (MAF) Certification is an Oracle certification program designed to validate a developer's knowledge and ability to develop mobile applications using the Oracle Mobile Application Framework. It is a comprehensive certification program that covers all aspects of developing mobile applications using MAF, including designing, coding, debugging, testing and deploying mobile applications.
The duration of the Oracle MAF Certification Program depends on the type of certification you are pursuing. Generally, it takes between 1-3 months to complete the program and obtain your certification.
To get certified in Oracle MAF, you will need to pass a series of exams that test your knowledge and skills in developing mobile applications with MAF. The exams are offered through Oracle University or through authorized training partners.
The cost for taking the exams varies depending on where you take them and how many exams you need to take. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD and there may be additional fees for taking the exam at an authorized training partner or for additional materials or services related to the exam.
5. Google Cloud Platform Mobile Certification
Google Cloud Platform Mobile Certification is a professional certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in developing and deploying mobile applications on Google Cloud Platform. The certification covers topics such as mobile application development, storage and databases, authentication and authorization, deployment, monitoring, and more.
The certification exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete. It consists of multiple-choice questions with a passing score of 70%. To get the certification, individuals must pass the exam and pay the associated fee. The cost of the exam is $99 USD (or local equivalent).
To prepare for the exam, individuals should have experience working with Google Cloud Platform services such as App Engine, Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Firebase Authentication & Authorization and Cloud Functions. Additionally, they should be familiar with mobile application development concepts such as Android or iOS SDKs and frameworks like React Native or Flutter.
6. CompTIA Mobility+ Certification
CompTIA Mobility+ is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for managing, designing, integrating, and troubleshooting mobile networks. This certification is vendor-neutral and covers topics such as mobile device management, mobile application development, security and privacy, network infrastructure, and troubleshooting.
It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CompTIA Mobility+ exam depending on your level of experience with mobility technologies. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes or less. It costs $339 USD to take the exam.
In order to become certified in CompTIA Mobility+, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher. You can also opt for a bundle package which includes both the exam registration fee and an official study guide from CompTIA.
7. BlackBerry Certified Mobile Developer Program
The BlackBerry Certified Mobile Developer Program is a certification program designed to help developers gain the skills and knowledge they need to create applications for BlackBerry devices. The program offers a comprehensive set of tools, resources, and training materials that help developers create high-quality applications for the BlackBerry platform.
In order to get certified, developers must complete three courses: Introduction to BlackBerry Development, Advanced BlackBerry Development, and Application Security for BlackBerry. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete. After completing the three courses, developers must pass an exam in order to become certified.
The cost of the program varies depending on the country you are from. In the United States, it costs $299 USD per person. In other countries, it may be more or less expensive depending on local taxes and exchange rates.
Once certified, developers will be able to use their certification as proof of their expertise in developing applications for the BlackBerry platform. They will also be eligible for discounts on software tools and services related to developing apps for BlackBerry devices.
8. Salesforce Certified Mobile Developer Program
The Salesforce Certified Mobile Developer Program is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of mobile developers who work with the Salesforce platform. The certification is awarded after completing a series of exams that test the developer’s ability to design, develop, and deploy mobile applications on the Salesforce platform.
The program consists of two exams: one focused on Salesforce development fundamentals and one focused on mobile development. The first exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, Apex programming language, Visualforce pages, and Force.com application architecture. The second exam focuses on topics such as mobile application design, native iOS and Android development, mobile application testing, and integration with other Salesforce services.
It typically takes about 6-8 weeks to complete both exams depending on the individual’s experience level. To get started, individuals must register for an account with Salesforce University (formerly known as Trailhead) and then purchase the certification package which includes access to both exams. The cost for this package is $200 USD per person or $400 USD for a team of up to five people. After passing both exams successfully, individuals will receive their official Salesforce Certified Mobile Developer certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.
9. IBM MobileFirst Foundation Developer Professional Certification
IBM MobileFirst Foundation Developer Professional Certification is an industry-recognized certification that verifies a developer’s ability to design, develop, and deploy mobile applications using IBM MobileFirst Foundation. It is a comprehensive certification program that covers the full spectrum of mobile development topics, including mobile application architecture, user experience design, security, integration with back-end systems, and more.
The certification consists of two exams: IBM MobileFirst Foundation Application Development (EX342) and IBM MobileFirst Foundation Advanced Application Development (EX343). The EX342 exam focuses on the fundamentals of mobile application development while the EX343 exam focuses on advanced topics such as security and integration. Both exams are multiple choice and require a passing score of 70% or higher.
The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. This includes studying for the exams, taking them, and submitting your results to IBM for review. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. The cost of each exam is $200 USD.
Overall, obtaining the IBM MobileFirst Foundation Developer Professional Certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in developing mobile applications with IBM MobileFirst Foundation. It can also help you stand out from other applicants when looking for jobs in the field of mobile development.
10. Adobe PhoneGap Build and Develop Mobile Applications
Adobe PhoneGap Build is a cloud-based service that enables developers to quickly create mobile applications for multiple platforms using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It uses the open source Apache Cordova framework to package web applications as native apps for various mobile devices.
PhoneGap Build makes it easy to get started with mobile application development by allowing you to upload your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code directly from your computer or from a repository like GitHub. Once uploaded, PhoneGap Build will compile your code into a native app that can be deployed to the App Store or Google Play Store.
Getting started with Adobe PhoneGap Build is quick and easy. All you need to do is sign up for an account on their website and then upload your code. Once your code has been uploaded, it should take around 5 minutes for the build process to complete.
Adobe PhoneGap Build is free to use but there are also paid plans available which offer additional features such as private builds and access to premium plugins.
Do You Really Need a Mobile Engineer Certificate?
The answer to this question largely depends on your specific goals and ambitions. If you are looking to work as a mobile engineer, then having a certification can be beneficial in helping you stand out from the competition. It demonstrates that you have a certain level of knowledge and expertise in the field, which could give employers the confidence that you can handle any project they might throw your way.
On the other hand, if you are already working as a mobile engineer and want to take your career to the next level, then getting certified may not be necessary. There are many other ways to demonstrate your capabilities such as attending conferences, taking part in hackathons or even creating an app of your own. These activities show that you are actively engaged in improving yourself and staying up-to-date with industry trends.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not getting a mobile engineering certificate is worth it for your particular situation. If it helps open doors for more opportunities or better positions, then it may make sense. Otherwise, there are plenty of other ways to showcase your skillset without having a formal certificate.
Related: Mobile Engineer Resume Examples
FAQs About Mobile Engineer Certifications
1. How do I become a certified mobile engineer?
Answer: To become a certified mobile engineer, you must complete an accredited program and pass an exam. You can find programs offered by various organizations such as the Mobile Application Developers Association (MADA) or the International Association of Certified Mobile Engineers (IACME).
2. What topics are covered in a mobile engineering certification exam?
Answer: Topics generally covered in a mobile engineering certification exam include software design and development, mobile application architecture, security, user experience design, and performance optimization.
3. Are there any prerequisites for getting a mobile engineering certification?
Answer: Yes, most organizations require applicants to have at least two years of professional experience with mobile application development before taking their certification exams. Additionally, some programs may also require applicants to have specific educational qualifications such as a degree in computer science or software engineering.
4. How long does it take to get certified as a mobile engineer?
Answer: The time it takes to become certified as a mobile engineer will vary depending on the program you choose and your level of experience with mobile application development. Generally speaking, most certification programs require between one and three months of study before taking the exam.
5. What is the cost of getting certified as a mobile engineer?
Answer: The cost of becoming certified can vary depending on the program you choose and any additional materials or services you may need to purchase in order to prepare for the exam. Generally speaking, most certifications cost anywhere from $200-$1000 USD depending on the organization offering them.