Top 10 Operations Technician Certifications

Certifications are important for an operations technician in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the technician has the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a specific task. Certifications provide recognition of the technician’s expertise and professional commitment to their field, which can give them an edge over other applicants for a position. They also show potential employers that the technician is dedicated to staying up-to-date on industry trends and technologies, and have a working understanding of best practices in the field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for operations technicians and explains how they can enhance an operations technician's career.

What are Operations Technician Certifications?

Operations Technician Certification is a professional certification program designed to help technicians gain the knowledge and skills they need to understand and manage the operations of an organization. It includes training on topics such as safety, security, customer service, equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, process improvement, and systems operation. The certification can help technicians become more knowledgeable about the operations of their organization and better able to handle complex tasks. It also provides them with the tools and resources needed to keep up with changing technologies and industry trends. This can help them stay current in their field, improve job performance, develop new skills, and even increase their job opportunities. By earning this certification, technicians demonstrate that they have a comprehensive understanding of operational processes and procedures which can make them more attractive to employers.

Pro Tip: Always make sure to research the requirements for each operations technician certification you are interested in. Different certifications may require a certain amount of years of experience, specific training courses, and tests. Additionally, some certifications may be renewed periodically so be sure to stay up-to-date on renewal deadlines.

Related: What does an Operations Technician do?

Top 10 Operations Technician Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Operations Technicians today.

1. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a technician’s skills in hardware and software installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair. It is the most widely recognized entry-level certification for IT professionals. CompTIA A+ certification is offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). The exams cover topics such as computer hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, security and software troubleshooting. Each exam takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple choice questions.

To obtain CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass both exams within one year of each other. You can take the exams at any authorized testing center or online with Pearson VUE or Certiport. The cost of the exams varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 to $300 USD per exam.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your CompTIA A+ certification. Your certification will be valid for three years before you need to recertify. To recertify, you must either retake the Core 1 and Core 2 exams or pass one continuing education exam (CE).

2. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is a certification offered by Microsoft that validates a person’s skills in administering, configuring, and troubleshooting Windows Server operating systems. The MCSA certification shows employers that the holder has the knowledge and experience to manage Windows Server-based networks.

It typically takes about 12 months to complete all of the requirements for an MCSA certification, depending on how much prior experience you have with Windows Server. To get an MCSA certification, you must first pass two exams: one related to Windows Server installation and configuration, and another related to networking services and active directory.

The cost of the exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150-$200 USD. In addition to the cost of the exams, there may be other costs associated with studying for the exams such as books or online courses.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your MCSA certification from Microsoft. This certification is valid for three years after which time it must be renewed by passing additional exams or completing certain training courses.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking. It is designed to provide professionals with the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks.

It typically takes around four months to complete the CCNA certification program. The program consists of two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2). To get the certification, you must pass both exams.

The cost of the CCNA certification varies depending on which exam you take. The cost for ICND1 is $150 USD while the cost for ICND2 is $300 USD. The total cost for both exams is $450 USD.

In addition to passing the two exams, applicants must also have a valid Cisco Learning Network account in order to register for the CCNA certification program.

4. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in VMware virtualization technologies. It is the most popular and widely recognized certification for IT professionals working with VMware products. The VCP certification is designed to validate an individual’s ability to install, configure, manage and troubleshoot VMware vSphere environments.

It typically takes about 6-12 months of study and hands-on experience to prepare for the VCP exam. To become certified, individuals must attend a qualified training course, pass the VCP exam, and submit a valid certificate of completion from their training provider.

The cost of the VCP exam varies depending on which version you are taking, but it typically ranges from $250-$450 USD per exam.

5. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification for IT professionals who want to learn more about the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to provide an understanding of the key concepts, processes, and terminology used in IT service management. The certification is awarded by the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) after successful completion of a two-hour exam.

The ITIL Foundation certification requires no prior knowledge or experience in IT service management and can be completed in as little as one day. It covers five core areas: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, and Continual Service Improvement. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions and must be passed with a score of 65% or higher to receive the certification.

The cost of taking the ITIL Foundation exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$300 USD to take the exam. Additionally, there are often discounts available if you purchase study materials or sign up for online courses that include the exam fee.

In order to get certified, you will need to register for an accredited training course or self-study program that covers all five core areas mentioned above. Once you have successfully completed your training program, you will be able to take the official ITIL Foundation Exam at a testing center near you or online through an approved provider such as PeopleCert or EXIN.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification that validates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing and managing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who have experience with Microsoft products and services, such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server, SharePoint and System Center.

It typically takes about three to six months to prepare for the MCSE exam depending on the individual’s background knowledge of the technology. To get certified, individuals must pass at least one core exam plus two elective exams from a list of approved courses.

The cost of the MCSE certification varies depending on which exams are taken; however, it can range from $150 to $500 per exam.

7. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in networking. It is designed to provide a vendor-neutral foundation of networking knowledge, and it covers topics such as network technologies, installation and configuration, media and topologies, security, and network troubleshooting.

The CompTIA Network+ certification exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions which are scored on a scale from 100 to 900 points. To pass the exam, you must score at least 720 points (out of 900).

In order to get the CompTIA Network+ certification you must first take the CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-007 or N10-006. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers around the world. You can also take online practice tests to prepare for the exam if you prefer.

The cost of taking the CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-007 or N10-006 varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 - $300 USD.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification that validates the skills of system administrators who manage and deploy Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is designed to demonstrate competency in areas such as installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

It typically takes between three and six months to prepare for the RHCSA exam. Preparation involves studying the official Red Hat documentation and taking practice exams. The cost of the exam itself is usually around $400 USD.

To get certified, you must pass a hands-on, performance-based exam that lasts up to two hours. During this time, you will be asked to perform tasks on a live system using command-line tools and other methods. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from Red Hat.

9. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate is an AWS certification that validates a person’s ability to deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS platform. The certification is designed for individuals with at least one year of experience working with AWS technologies.

To get the certification, you must pass the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam. This exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that test your knowledge of deploying, managing, and operating systems on the AWS platform. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs $150 USD.

In order to prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you have hands-on experience working with AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS, ELB, CloudFormation, IAM, VPCs and more. Additionally, there are many online resources available to help you prepare for the exam including practice exams and study guides.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized credential for project managers, and it demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing projects.

To become a PMP certified professional, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. You must have at least 4500 hours of project management experience over the last 8 years, or 7500 hours of project management experience over the last 15 years. You must also have 35 contact hours of formal education in project management.

Once you meet these requirements, you can apply to take the PMP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that cover five domains: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling and Closing. The exam takes four hours to complete and costs $405 for PMI members or $555 for non-members.

After passing the exam, you will be awarded your PMP certification which is valid for three years. To maintain your certification status, you must earn 60 PDUs (Professional Development Units) every three years by completing approved training courses or activities related to project management.

Do You Really Need a Operations Technician Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's career goals and their current level of experience. For those who are new to the operations field and want to get a jump start on their career, obtaining an Operations Technician Certificate can be extremely beneficial. It provides an opportunity to gain knowledge in a specific area that employers often look for when hiring operations technicians.

For experienced operations technicians, getting certified may not be as necessary since they have already acquired skills and knowledge through their job experience. However, it is still important to stay up-to-date with industry trends and technology in order to remain competitive in the job market. Having a certificate can demonstrate that you are knowledgeable and capable of performing tasks related to your job duties. Additionally, if you are looking to advance into higher positions within the operations field, having a certificate can provide evidence of your commitment to professional development and show employers that you are taking initiative in furthering your career.

In conclusion, whether or not an individual needs an Operations Technician Certificate ultimately depends on their current level of experience and future goals. Those who are just starting out may benefit from getting certified as it can provide them with a foundation of knowledge for their future careers. Experienced technicians may find that certification is less necessary but still valuable when it comes to staying up-to-date with industry trends or seeking higher positions within the field.

Related: Operations Technician Resume Examples

FAQs About Operations Technician Certifications

Q1. What is an Operations Technician Certification?

A1. An Operations Technician Certification is a professional credential that verifies an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the operations field. It typically includes topics such as safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and process control.

Q2. What qualifications do I need to become an Operations Technician?

A2. To become an Operations Technician, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least two years of experience in a related field such as industrial engineering or maintenance technology. Some certifications may require additional education or experience.

Q3. How long does it take to get an Operations Technician Certification?

A3. The amount of time required to get certified will vary depending on the certification program you choose and your individual level of preparedness for the exam. Generally speaking, most certifications can be obtained within 6-12 months with some requiring up to 2 years of study and preparation prior to taking the exam.

Q4. How much does it cost to get an Operations Technician Certification?

A4. The cost of getting certified will depend on which certification program you choose and whether you are paying for tuition, books, or other materials yourself or if your employer is covering the costs for you. Generally speaking, most certifications range from $500-$2,000 USD depending on the program chosen and any additional materials or fees associated with it.

Q5. Is an Operations Technician Certification worth it?

A5: Yes! An Operations Technician Certification enables individuals to increase their knowledge base while also demonstrating their commitment and dedication to their profession by achieving a higher level of professional recognition and credibility within their industry.