Top 10 Oracle Consultant Certifications

Oracle certifications are important for Oracle consultants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the Oracle database. Certification shows potential employers that an individual has taken the initiative to learn and understand the Oracle database and its features, as well as having experience troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Additionally, certification can help demonstrate credibility within the field and give an individual a competitive advantage over other applicants who are not certified. In short, Oracle certification is necessary for any Oracle consultant to stand out in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Oracle Consultants and explain how they can help advance an Oracle Consultant's career.

What are Oracle Consultant Certifications?

Oracle Consultant Certification is a certification program offered by Oracle that is designed to recognize professionals who have expertise in implementing, developing and managing Oracle applications. This certification helps professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in Oracle technology and products to employers, customers and peers. It also provides them with recognition for their achievements and abilities.

The Oracle Consultant Certification Program focuses on the core areas of the Oracle product suite, including database administration, application development, enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and business intelligence (BI). It validates a professional’s ability to design, develop, deploy and maintain Oracle solutions.

By obtaining an Oracle Consultant Certification, professionals can increase their marketability by showcasing their skills to potential employers. The certification also helps them stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry as they must recertify every two years. Additionally, it allows organizations to identify qualified candidates for specialized positions within their IT departments. Finally, holding an Oracle Consultant Certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of Oracle technology.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different Oracle Consultant Certifications available and the requirements for each one. This will help you determine which certification is best suited for your skillset and career goals. Additionally, make sure to read through the Oracle Consultant Certification handbook in order to understand the policies and procedures associated with obtaining certification.

Related: What does an Oracle Consultant do?

Top 10 Oracle Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Oracle Consultants today.

1. Oracle Certified Professional, Oracle Database 12c

Oracle Certified Professional, Oracle Database 12c is an advanced certification program offered by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of experienced IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the Oracle Database 12c platform.

The certification requires candidates to pass two exams: 1Z0-061: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Administration. Both exams must be completed within 18 months of each other in order to achieve the certification.

To get the certification, candidates must first register for an account with Pearson VUE, which is the official testing provider for Oracle certifications. Candidates then need to purchase vouchers for both exams from Pearson VUE or from a third-party vendor. Once registered and vouchers are purchased, candidates can schedule their exams at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the country you are located in and whether you purchase your exam vouchers from Pearson VUE or a third-party vendor. Generally speaking, it costs around $300 USD per exam plus additional fees if you purchase your voucher from a third-party vendor.

2. Oracle Certified Expert, Oracle Database 11g

Oracle Certified Expert, Oracle Database 11g is an advanced certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in the Oracle Database 11g platform. This certification requires a comprehensive understanding of database administration and development, as well as the ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Oracle Database 11g.

It typically takes around 3-6 months to prepare for this certification exam. To get certified, you must pass one of three exams: 1Z0-053 (Database Administration I), 1Z0-052 (Database Administration II), or 1Z0-050 (Upgrade to Oracle Database 11g).

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location. The cost for the US is $245 USD, while it costs $200 USD in Canada and $250 AUD in Australia.

3. Oracle Certified Master, Oracle Database 11g

Oracle Certified Master, Oracle Database 11g is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced Oracle Database administrators. It is the highest level of certification offered by Oracle and requires advanced knowledge and experience in database administration.

The certification process consists of two parts: a multiple-choice exam and a hands-on lab exam. The multiple-choice exam tests your knowledge of the Oracle Database 11g architecture, installation, configuration, maintenance, security, performance tuning and troubleshooting. The hands-on lab exam tests your ability to install, configure, manage and maintain an Oracle Database 11g environment.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the exams. You can find study materials from various sources such as books or online courses. Additionally, you can attend instructor-led training courses offered by Oracle University or other authorized training providers.

The cost for the exams varies depending on your country of residence but typically ranges between $200 - $400 per exam (not including any applicable taxes).

4. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Developer is a professional certification program offered by Oracle Corporation for individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to design, develop, and deploy applications using the MySQL 5.6 database platform. This certification is designed to validate the expertise of professionals in developing and managing applications that use MySQL 5.6 as their primary data store.

The Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Developer certification requires candidates to pass a single exam: 1Z0-888: MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator. The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration of MySQL Server, security management, query optimization and performance tuning, backup and recovery, replication techniques, monitoring and troubleshooting of MySQL databases, etc.

It typically takes 4-8 weeks to prepare for the exam depending on your experience level with the technology covered in the exam syllabus. It is recommended that you take an official training course or self-study with books/online resources to prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Developer exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $150-$250 USD per attempt.

5. Oracle Certified Professional, Database Administrator 11g

Oracle Certified Professional, Database Administrator 11g (OCP DBA 11g) is a certification program offered by Oracle Corporation that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in administering Oracle databases. The OCP DBA 11g certification is the highest level of certification available for database administrators who use Oracle Database 11g.

It typically takes around six months to one year to prepare for the OCP DBA 11g exam. This includes attending training courses, studying course materials, and taking practice exams.

To get certified as an OCP DBA 11g, individuals must pass two exams: 1Z0-051 "Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I" and 1Z0-052 "Oracle Database 11g: Administration I". Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $245 each.

In addition to passing the two required exams, applicants must also submit proof of their experience with Oracle Database software. This can be done through providing evidence of hands-on work or through completing a course from an authorized training provider such as Oracle University or Global Knowledge.

6. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer is a certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills in the Java programming language. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to develop, deploy, and maintain applications using the Java Platform Standard Edition 8 (Java SE 8).

It usually takes between 4-6 months of preparation to get Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer certification. To get this certification, you must pass one exam: 1Z0-808: Java SE 8 Programmer I. This exam tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of the Java programming language including object-oriented concepts, syntax, data types, variables, operators and flow control structures.

The cost for taking the Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer I exam varies by country but typically ranges from $150-$250 USD.

7. Oracle Certified Expert, Exadata Implementation and Administration

Oracle Certified Expert, Exadata Implementation and Administration is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the installation, configuration, and management of Oracle Exadata Database Machine. This certification is designed for database administrators and system administrators who are responsible for implementing and managing Oracle Exadata Database Machine.

It typically takes about 2-3 months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Expert, Exadata Implementation and Administration exam. The exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 2 hours. To get certified, you will need to pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get certified as an Oracle Certified Expert, Exadata Implementation and Administration, you will need to register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric. The cost of registration varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150 - $200 USD.

8. Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials Certification

Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the use of Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g. This certification is intended for individuals who have experience in data warehousing, business intelligence, analytics, and reporting.

This certification requires that you pass one exam: 1Z0-591 Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials Exam. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get this certification, you must first register for the exam by visiting the Oracle website. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from the Oracle website or an authorized reseller. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125 USD to $250 USD.

Once you have registered for the exam and purchased your voucher, you can schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you. After successfully completing the exam, you will receive an email confirming your certification status from Oracle within 48 hours.

The cost of the Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials Certification includes both the cost of the exam voucher and any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the test at a Pearson VUE testing center.

9. Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Essentials Certification

Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Essentials Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c product. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s ability to install, configure and manage Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c.

It typically takes around 8 hours to complete the training and exams required for this certification. The training consists of two courses: Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c: Install, Patch and Upgrade (1Z0-457) and Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c: Manage Targets and Deploy Agents (1Z0-458). These courses are available online or in a classroom setting. After completing the training, candidates must pass two exams—the 1Z0-457 exam and the 1Z0-458 exam—in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the training and exams varies depending on the provider. Generally, it costs around $2,000 USD for both courses and exams combined.

10. Oracle WebLogic Server 12c: Administration I Certification

Oracle WebLogic Server 12c: Administration I Certification is an Oracle certification that demonstrates proficiency in the installation, configuration, and administration of Oracle WebLogic Server 12c. It is designed for system administrators, database administrators, and developers who are responsible for managing WebLogic Server applications in a production environment.

To get certified, you must pass the Oracle WebLogic Server 12c: Administration I Exam (1Z0-133). The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration of WebLogic Server domains; deployment of applications; monitoring and tuning performance; security management; troubleshooting; and more.

It typically takes about 2-3 months to prepare for the exam. You can use self-study materials or attend instructor-led training courses to prepare for the exam. There are several resources available online to help you prepare including practice tests, study guides, eBooks, videos, and more.

The cost of the Oracle WebLogic Server 12c: Administration I Exam is $245 USD. You must register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric before you can take it.

Do You Really Need a Oracle Consultant Certificate?

No, you do not necessarily need an Oracle Consultant Certificate to be a successful Oracle consultant. However, there are several benefits that may come with having the certificate.

The Oracle Consultant Certificate is an official recognition of your knowledge and expertise in the Oracle database and related technologies. It demonstrates that you have completed an approved course of study, passed rigorous tests, and have been certified by the company. Having this certification can help differentiate you from other applicants when applying for jobs or contracts as it shows potential employers that you have a level of expertise in the field.

In addition to increasing your chances of getting hired, having a valid Oracle Consultant Certificate can also lead to higher pay for consulting contracts. Many companies will offer more competitive rates for consultants who possess the certification because they know that these individuals have a high level of expertise and knowledge about their products. This could translate into larger project fees or better hourly rates when working with those clients.

Finally, having an Oracle Consultant Certificate may also open up opportunities to work on special projects or assignments that require advanced knowledge and experience with certain aspects of the Oracle database software. These types of assignments often require people with specialized qualifications and certifications, so having one can give you access to these types of assignments which could prove to be very lucrative in terms of both money and experience gained.

Overall, while an Oracle Consultant Certificate is not required for success as a consultant, it does provide numerous benefits that can help ensure success in the industry.

Related: Oracle Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Oracle Consultant Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Oracle consultant?

Answer: To become an Oracle consultant, you will need to have a minimum of two years of experience working with Oracle technologies, as well as a certification in either the Oracle Database or the Oracle Application Server.

2. How much does it cost to get certified as an Oracle consultant?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as an Oracle consultant depends on the type of certification and the number of exams required. Generally, each exam costs around $200 USD plus applicable taxes.

3. How long does it take to become certified as an Oracle consultant?

Answer: The time required to get certified varies depending on the type of certification and how much studying is needed for each exam. Generally, it can take anywhere from one month up to six months or more depending on your level of preparation.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming an Oracle consultant?

Answer: Yes, in order to become an Oracle Consultant you must have at least two years of experience working with Oracle technologies and must also have a certification in either the Oracle Database or the Oracle Application Server.

5. What types of certifications are available for becoming an Oracle consultant?

Answer: There are several different certifications available for becoming an Oracle Consultant including the OCA (Oracle Certified Associate), OCP (Oracle Certified Professional), OCI (Oracle Certified Implementation Specialist) and OCE (Oracle Certified Expert).