Top 10 Oracle Database Administrator Certifications

Certifications are important for Oracle Database Administrators in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise, knowledge and proficiency with Oracle products. Certified professionals typically have more job opportunities and higher salaries than non-certified individuals. Employers often prefer to hire certified professionals as they can be sure that the individual has met certain standards and is knowledgeable about Oracle products. In addition, certifications allow employers to more easily compare candidates for a position, since the certification process requires a certain level of knowledge on specific topics related to Oracle databases.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Oracle Database Administrators and explain how they can help further an Oracle Database Administrator's career.

What are Oracle Database Administrator Certifications?

Oracle Database Administrator Certification is a professional certification program from Oracle. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals working with Oracle databases. The certification exams cover topics such as database design, installation, security, backup and recovery, performance tuning, and more.

Having an Oracle Database Administrator Certification can help an IT professional stand out in the job market by demonstrating their expertise in the field. This certification also helps employers recognize that their employees have the necessary skills to properly manage and maintain their Oracle databases. Additionally, having this certification can open up potential career opportunities for IT professionals who want to specialize in Oracle databases and work with larger organizations that use them.

Finally, having an Oracle Database Administrator Certification allows IT professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies related to Oracle databases. As new versions of Oracle are released, they can use their certification to learn about new features and functionality that may be beneficial for their organization or clients.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in becoming an Oracle Database Administrator, gaining certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. It is important to research the different exams and certifications available, as well as the requirements for each one, so that you can make the best decision for your career path. Additionally, it is beneficial to stay up-to-date with any changes or updates to exams or certifications so that you can remain current with industry standards.

Related: What does an Oracle Database Administrator do?

Top 10 Oracle Database Administrator Certifications

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

1. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s ability to design, implement and maintain Oracle databases. The OCP certification requires the successful completion of two exams: one on the fundamentals of Oracle Database Administration and one on the specific version of Oracle Database that you are using.

The time it takes to get the OCP certification depends on your experience level and how much time you are willing to dedicate to studying for the exams. It typically takes between 3-6 months to prepare for both exams, depending on how much prior knowledge you have.

To get the OCP certification, you must first register with Oracle University and purchase an exam voucher. Then, you must pass both the Fundamentals of Oracle Database Administration I (1Z0-062) and a version-specific exam such as Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (1Z0-063). Once both exams have been passed successfully, you will receive your OCP certification.

The cost for taking both exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, it costs around $300-$400 USD for each exam, so expect to pay around $600-$800 USD in total for both exams.

2. Oracle Certified Master (OCM)

Oracle Certified Master (OCM) is an advanced certification offered by Oracle that is designed to recognize the highest level of expertise in the use and implementation of Oracle technologies. This certification requires a significant amount of experience and knowledge, and it is only available to those who have achieved the highest level of proficiency in their chosen field.

To become an OCM, you must first pass two exams: The Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional exam, and the Oracle Database 12c Performance Tuning Certified Expert exam. These exams are designed to test your knowledge of database administration, performance tuning, and other related topics. Once both exams have been passed with a score of 80% or higher, you will be eligible for the OCM certification.

The process to become an OCM can take anywhere from six months to two years depending on your current skill level and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. It is recommended that you spend at least three months studying for each exam before attempting them.

The cost of becoming an OCM varies depending on which country you are located in but typically ranges from $2,000-$3,000 USD including all associated fees such as exam registration costs and study materials.

3. Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional (OCP11g)

Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional (OCP11g) is a professional certification program offered by Oracle to demonstrate expertise in the administration and management of Oracle Database 11g. The OCP11g certification is designed to validate a candidate’s ability to install, configure, upgrade, patch, monitor and troubleshoot Oracle Database 11g.

In order to become an OCP11g certified professional, a candidate must pass two exams: 1Z0-051 and 1Z0-052. The 1Z0-051 exam focuses on the installation and configuration of Oracle Database 11g while the 1Z0-052 exam focuses on advanced topics such as backup & recovery, performance tuning and security.

The amount of time required to study for the OCP11g certification depends on the individual’s prior knowledge and experience with Oracle Database 11g. However, it typically takes between 3-6 months of intensive study in order to adequately prepare for the exams.

In order to get certified as an OCP11g professional, candidates must register for each exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of each exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $150-$300 per exam.

4. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (OCP12c)

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (OCP12c) is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and expertise in administering Oracle Database 12c. The certification requires the successful completion of two exams: Oracle Database 12c: Administration I and Oracle Database 12c: Administration II.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for the OCP12c exam depending on your experience with Oracle Database 12c. It is recommended that you have at least six months of hands-on experience working with Oracle Database 12c before attempting the exams.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Oracle website. Once registered, you will need to purchase an exam voucher from a Pearson VUE testing center or from an authorized reseller. After purchasing the voucher, you can schedule your exam at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide by selecting a date and time that fits your schedule.

The cost of an OCP12c certification varies depending on where you take the exams and which version of the exams you are taking (standard or premium). The standard exam costs approximately $245 USD per exam, while the premium version costs approximately $395 USD per exam.

5. Oracle Database 12cR2 Administrator Certified Professional (OCP12cr2)

Oracle Database 12cR2 Administrator Certified Professional (OCP12cr2) is an Oracle certification that demonstrates a professional's expertise in administering Oracle Database 12c Release 2. It is the highest level of certification for Oracle Database Administrators, and it requires a combination of hands-on experience and formal training to achieve.

In order to become certified, you must first pass two exams: 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced Administration and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c Installation and Administration. Both exams are offered through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in and the currency used. In the US, each exam costs $245 USD. The total cost for both exams is therefore $490 USD.

It usually takes around 6 months to prepare for both exams, although this can vary depending on your experience level with Oracle databases. You should plan to spend at least 40 hours studying for each exam, as well as additional time practicing hands-on tasks in a lab environment or with a virtual machine setup.

6. Oracle Database 18c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA18c)

Oracle Database 18c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA18c) is an entry-level certification for database administrators. It validates the knowledge and skills of an individual in installing, configuring, and administering Oracle Database 18c.

The OCA18c exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To get certified, you must pass one exam: 1Z0-071: Oracle Database 12c SQL. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125 to $245 USD.

To prepare for the OCA18c exam, it is recommended that you have at least six months of experience with Oracle Database 18c administration tasks such as installation, configuration, patching, backup/recovery, security management and performance tuning. You should also be familiar with the concepts of relational databases and SQL language.

You can find more information about the OCA18c certification on Oracle’s website or by contacting a local Oracle training center.

7. Oracle Database 19c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA19c)

The Oracle Database 19c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA19c) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s skills and knowledge in administering and managing Oracle Database 19c. It is designed for individuals who have experience with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of Oracle Database 19c.

To obtain the OCA19c certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-082: Oracle Database Administration I and 1Z0-083: Oracle Database Administration II. The exams cover topics such as database architecture, installation and configuration, security management, backup and recovery, performance tuning, and more.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the OCA19c certification. You can use self-study materials such as books or online courses to prepare for the exams. Additionally, you can also attend instructor-led training classes offered by Oracle University or other authorized training centers to help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of the OCA19c certification varies depending on your location and preparation method. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 - $2,000 USD to obtain the certification including exam fees and study materials.

8. Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Certified Implementation Specialist

Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Certified Implementation Specialist is an Oracle certification program that enables professionals to demonstrate their expertise in implementing and configuring Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c. This certification is for individuals who have a comprehensive understanding of the features and functionality of Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c, including its architecture, components, configuration, installation and deployment.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To get certified as an Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c Certified Implementation Specialist, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To prepare for the exam, you can take courses such as Oracle University's "Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c: Install & Upgrade" or "Oracle Enterprise Manager Cloud Control 12c: Administration & Deployment" course. You can also find study materials online to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD.

9. Oracle Exadata X5 Administration Certification

Oracle Exadata X5 Administration Certification is a professional certification that validates the skills and knowledge of individuals who are responsible for managing, administering, and troubleshooting Oracle Exadata Database Machine. This certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, patching, monitoring, backup and recovery, storage management, security administration, performance tuning and troubleshooting.

It takes around 20 hours to complete the training course for Oracle Exadata X5 Administration Certification. The course consists of lectures and hands-on labs that cover topics such as installation and configuration of Oracle Exadata Database Machine components; patching; monitoring; backup and recovery; storage management; security administration; performance tuning; troubleshooting; and more.

To get Oracle Exadata X5 Administration Certification you must first pass the Oracle Exadata Database Machine X5 Administration Exam (1Z0-062). This exam tests your knowledge on topics such as installation and configuration of Oracle Exadata Database Machine components; patching; monitoring; backup and recovery; storage management; security administration; performance tuning; troubleshooting; and more. After passing the exam you will receive an official certificate from Oracle.

The cost to take the Oracle Exadata Database Machine X5 Administration Exam (1Z0-062) is $245 USD.

10. Oracle Real Application Clusters 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration Certification

Oracle Real Application Clusters 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration Certification is an Oracle certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their ability to manage and maintain Oracle's clustered databases. The certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, patching, monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance tuning of Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) 11g and Grid Infrastructure.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and is offered in both English and Japanese languages. To get certified, you must pass the 1Z0-058: Oracle Database 11g: RAC & Grid Infrastructure Administration exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as installation, configuration, patching, monitoring, troubleshooting and performance tuning of Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) 11g and Grid Infrastructure.

The cost for the certification exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$250 USD. You can register for the exam through the Oracle website or by contacting a local Pearson VUE testing center.

Do You Really Need a Oracle Database Administrator Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Oracle Database Administrator Certificate is a decision that depends on your individual career goals.

For those looking to break into the field of database administration, an Oracle Database Administrator Certificate can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in the area. This certificate can give potential employers confidence in your abilities, as well as provide you with a leg up when competing for positions against other applicants without such credentials. Additionally, many organizations require or prefer candidates with this certification when applying for certain roles.

On the other hand, if you already have experience working as a database administrator and have been successful in this role, then having the certificate may not be necessary. In these cases, having a portfolio of work samples and references from past employers could be more beneficial than having the certificate.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Oracle Database Administrator Certificate comes down to your individual career goals and situation. If you’re just starting out in the field of database administration or are looking to move up in your current role, then obtaining this certification could give you an edge over other applicants. However, if you already have established yourself as an experienced database administrator, then it may not be necessary to obtain the certification.

Related: Oracle Database Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Oracle Database Administrator Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for Oracle Database Administrators?

A1. There are a variety of Oracle Database Administrator certifications available, including Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Oracle Certified Master (OCM), Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) and Oracle Certified Associate (OCA).

Q2. How do I earn an Oracle Database Administrator certification?

A2. To earn any of the Oracle Database Administrator certifications, you must pass specified exams and demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in database administration.

Q3. What is the cost of an Oracle Database Administrator certification?

A3. The cost of each certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and the number of exams required to achieve certification. Generally, expect to pay between $200-$400 per exam.

Q4. How long is an Oracle Database Administrator certification valid?

A4. Each certification is valid for three years from the date it was earned, after which time it must be renewed or recertified by taking additional exams or providing proof of continuing education credits in database administration topics.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for earning an Oracle Database Administrator certification?

A5: Yes, most certifications require at least one year of experience in database administration before you can take the associated exam(s).