Top 11 Oracle DBA Certifications

Oracle DBAs are in high demand in the job market and having an Oracle certification can give you an edge over other candidates. Having a certification demonstrates your expertise and proficiency with Oracle databases, which is highly valued by potential employers. It also gives you access to exclusive resources such as training materials and certifications-only technical forums that help you stay up-to-date on the latest Oracle technologies. Additionally, having a certification provides networking opportunities and helps build credibility in the profession.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Oracle DBAs and explain how they can help an Oracle DBA advance their career.

What are Oracle DBA Certifications?

Oracle Database Administrator (DBA) certification is a professional credential offered by Oracle Corporation to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills to successfully manage an Oracle database. The certification is designed to give organizations assurance that certified DBAs possess the necessary skills to maintain and administer an Oracle database.

The Oracle DBA certification provides recognition of expertise in the administration of Oracle databases, including installation, configuration, security, backup and recovery, performance tuning, and troubleshooting. By certifying its DBAs with the latest technologies and best practices for managing an Oracle database, organizations can ensure that their IT professionals are up-to-date on the latest advancements in their field. Additionally, certified DBAs may be able to command higher salaries or find more job opportunities than non-certified DBAs.

The Oracle DBA certification consists of several exams that test a candidate’s knowledge of various aspects of administering an Oracle database. After completing all required exams, candidates become certified as a “Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional” (OCP). To maintain this certification, they must periodically take additional exams to stay current with new releases of Oracle products and technologies.

In summary, obtaining an Oracle DBA certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise in administering an Oracle database and increase their value within organizations or on the job market. It also helps organizations ensure they have qualified personnel managing their sensitive data.

Pro Tip: Before taking an Oracle DBA certification exam, make sure to review the material thoroughly and practice using real-life scenarios. Additionally, it's a good idea to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies related to Oracle DBA.

Related: What does an Oracle DBA do?

Top 11 Oracle DBA Certifications

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

1. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional

Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for administering Oracle Database 12c. It is an industry-recognized credential that can help you stand out in the competitive job market.

To become an Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c Administration I and 1Z0-063: Oracle Database 12c Administration II. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide.

The cost of each exam varies by country, but generally ranges from $245 to $295 USD per exam. The total cost of both exams combined is approximately $490 to $590 USD.

It typically takes between 6 months and a year to complete the certification process, depending on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exams.

2. Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional

Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification program that recognizes and validates the skills and knowledge of experienced Oracle Database Administrators. It is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Oracle Database 11g software, its features, and how to effectively manage and maintain an Oracle database.

To get the OCP certification, you must first pass two exams: 1Z0-052 Oracle Database 11g Administration I and 1Z0-053 Oracle Database 11g Administration II. The exams cover topics such as database architecture, backup and recovery, security, performance tuning, data integrity, network configuration, storage management, troubleshooting and more.

The exams can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center worldwide. The cost for each exam varies based on location but typically ranges from $125-$250 USD per exam.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for the OCP exams depending on your experience with the Oracle Database software. You should plan to spend at least 40 hours studying for each exam in order to ensure success.

3. Oracle Database 12c RAC and Grid Infrastructure Administration

Oracle Database 12c RAC and Grid Infrastructure Administration is a comprehensive course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Oracle Database 12c in an Oracle Real Application Clusters (RAC) environment. The course covers the architecture of Oracle Database 12c RAC, installation of Grid Infrastructure and Oracle Database software, configuring ASM Disk Groups, creating database services using SRVCTL and Enterprise Manager Cloud Control, managing databases with Enterprise Manager Cloud Control, patching the clusterware and databases using OPatch Auto for rolling patches, backup/recovery scenarios for RAC databases using Recovery Manager (RMAN), performance tuning of RAC databases using Enterprise Manager Cloud Control.

It typically takes two days to complete the Oracle Database 12c RAC and Grid Infrastructure Administration course. The cost of this course varies depending on location and delivery method.

4. Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c Certified Implementation Specialist

Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c Certified Implementation Specialist is a certification program that provides IT professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to manage Oracle’s enterprise management solutions. The certification validates an individual’s ability to deploy, configure, and maintain Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours and consists of multiple-choice questions. It covers topics such as installation, configuration, deployment, patching, security, monitoring, troubleshooting and tuning.

To get certified as an Oracle Enterprise Manager 12c Certified Implementation Specialist, you must first complete the required training courses and pass the associated exams. The cost of the training varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $2,000 - $4,000 USD. After completing the training courses and passing the exams, you can then register for the certification exam which costs $245 USD. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your certification.

5. Oracle Exadata X3, X4 and X5 Administration

Oracle Exadata is a line of engineered systems that are optimized for running Oracle Database workloads. It combines Oracle Database software, servers, storage and networking into a single integrated system. Oracle Exadata X3, X4 and X5 Administration is the administration of these systems in order to maximize performance, scalability and availability.

Oracle Exadata X3, X4 and X5 Administration includes setting up the system, configuring the network, managing storage, creating databases, monitoring performance and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. It also involves optimizing the system for specific workloads such as OLTP or Data Warehousing.

It usually takes around one week to get up to speed with Oracle Exadata administration. This time can vary depending on the level of experience of the administrator and their familiarity with Oracle Database technologies.

In order to get started with Oracle Exadata administration it is necessary to have an understanding of Linux/Unix operating systems as well as SQL and PL/SQL programming languages. Additionally, knowledge of Oracle Database architecture and internals would be beneficial in this role.

The cost of getting started with Oracle Exadata Administration depends on the training program chosen by the administrator. There are several online courses available which range in price from free to several hundred dollars depending on the quality of instruction offered.

6. Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015

Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015 is a suite of tools that allow users to optimize their Oracle databases for maximum performance. It includes features such as the Oracle Database Performance Analyzer, which allows users to analyze database activity and identify potential performance bottlenecks, and the Oracle Database Tuning Pack, which provides automated tuning recommendations to help improve query performance. Additionally, it includes the SQL Optimizer, which helps users optimize their queries for better performance.

It takes approximately one hour to install and configure Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015. This process involves downloading the software from the Oracle website, running the installation wizard, configuring the settings for your environment, and then launching the application.

The cost of Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015 depends on whether you are purchasing a perpetual license or subscription license. A perpetual license will cost between $3,000 - $6,000 depending on the size of your organization while a subscription license will cost between $1,200 - $2,400 per year.

In order to get Oracle Database Performance and Tuning 2015 you must purchase it directly from Oracle either online or through an authorized reseller.

7. Oracle Database 11g Security

Oracle Database 11g Security is a comprehensive security solution that helps organizations protect their data assets and ensure compliance with industry regulations. It provides a comprehensive set of features to help protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data stored in Oracle databases.

Oracle Database 11g Security includes features such as authentication, authorization, auditing, encryption, and secure application development. It also provides support for advanced security technologies such as Oracle Advanced Security Option (ASO), Oracle Label Security (OLS), and Oracle Data Vault (ODV).

Oracle Database 11g Security is available with all versions of Oracle Database 11g. It can be installed either during the initial installation process or after the database has been created. The installation process typically takes less than an hour to complete.

The cost of Oracle Database 11g Security depends on the version of the database being used and the number of users accessing it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 per user for an Enterprise Edition license and $500 per user for a Standard Edition license. In addition to these fees, there may be additional costs associated with training and maintenance contracts.

8. Oracle Real Application Clusters 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration

Oracle Real Application Clusters 11g (RAC 11g) is a high-availability and scalability solution for Oracle Database. It provides the ability to run multiple instances of an Oracle Database on multiple nodes in a cluster, allowing for increased performance and availability. The Grid Infrastructure component of RAC 11g provides the underlying infrastructure for managing the cluster, including shared storage, networking, and other components necessary for running the cluster.

It typically takes around one to two days to get started with RAC 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration, depending on the complexity of the environment. To get started with RAC 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration, you will need to purchase a license from Oracle, install the software on each node in your cluster, configure the nodes as part of a cluster using Oracle Clusterware, configure shared storage using ASM (Automatic Storage Management), create an instance of an Oracle Database on each node in your cluster, and configure any additional components needed for your environment.

The cost of RAC 11g and Grid Infrastructure Administration depends on several factors such as the number of nodes in your cluster and whether you are purchasing licenses or using existing ones. Generally speaking, it can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on your specific needs.

9. Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional

Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional is a certification program that is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of professionals who are proficient in administering Oracle Database 10g. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates a professional’s ability to install, configure, administer, and troubleshoot Oracle Database 10g.

To get this certification, you must first pass the Oracle Database 10g Administration I and II exams. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $245 each. You can also purchase discounted exam vouchers from Oracle University. Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded the Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional credential.

The time it takes to get this certification depends on your level of experience with Oracle Database 10g and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. However, most people can expect to complete the certification within three months if they study regularly and practice their skills through hands-on experience with the software.

The cost of becoming an Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional varies depending on which materials you use for studying as well as any discounts you may receive from Oracle University or other sources. In addition to the cost of the two exams ($490 total), you should also factor in any additional costs associated with purchasing study materials or taking courses related to Oracle Database 10g Administration.

10. Oracle Exadata Cloud Service 2017 Implementation Essentials

Oracle Exadata Cloud Service 2017 Implementation Essentials is a comprehensive certification program designed to help IT professionals develop the skills and knowledge required to deploy, configure, and manage Oracle Exadata Cloud Service. This certification is intended for those who are responsible for deploying, configuring, and managing Oracle Exadata Cloud Service deployments.

The program consists of two courses: Oracle Exadata Cloud Service 2017 Implementation Essentials (1Z0-976) and Oracle Exadata Database Machine and Storage Server 2017 Certified Implementation Specialist (1Z0-975). The first course covers topics such as installation, configuration, administration, maintenance, troubleshooting, security considerations and more. The second course focuses on the design and implementation of an Oracle Exadata Database Machine or Storage Server deployment.

It typically takes around 8 weeks to complete the two courses necessary to earn the Oracle Exadata Cloud Service 2017 Implementation Essentials certification. You can find both courses on the official Oracle website at https://education.oracle.com/en/certification/oracle-exadata-cloud-service-2017-implementation-essentials/.

The cost of the two courses varies depending on your country of residence but typically ranges from $2,000-$3,000 USD.

11. Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional

Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional is a certification program offered by Oracle to demonstrate expertise in developing and deploying applications using the Oracle Database. The certification covers advanced concepts related to PL/SQL programming, database objects, debugging, and performance tuning.

To get the Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional certification, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-146 (Program with PL/SQL) and 1Z0-147 (Advanced PL/SQL). The exams are administered by Prometric or Pearson VUE. It typically takes about 3-4 months of study to prepare for the exams.

The cost of the exams varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 - $400 per exam.

Do You Really Need a Oracle DBA Certificate?

Having an Oracle DBA certificate can be beneficial for a wide variety of reasons. Oracle is one of the most widely used databases in the world, and having a certification from Oracle itself can show employers that you possess the knowledge and skills necessary to work with their database systems. It also demonstrates that you’re committed to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies, which is important in any industry.

However, it’s important to note that having an Oracle DBA certificate isn’t necessarily a requirement for getting a job as a database administrator. Many employers may take into account other factors such as your experience level, technical skills, and even personality when making hiring decisions. Therefore, while having an Oracle DBA certificate will definitely give you an edge over other applicants without one, it is not necessarily essential for securing a job in this field.

Ultimately, whether or not you should pursue an Oracle DBA certificate will depend on your own individual circumstances. If you are looking to break into the database administration field and don’t have any prior experience or qualifications, then obtaining an Oracle DBA certificate could be beneficial for increasing your chances of success. On the other hand, if you already have extensive experience working with databases or related technologies then it may not be necessary for you to pursue this additional certification.

Related: Oracle DBA Resume Examples

FAQs About Oracle DBA Certifications

Q1. What is an Oracle DBA Certification?

A1. Oracle DBA Certification is a professional certification that certifies the knowledge and skills of database administrators who use the Oracle Database technologies. The certification exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, performance tuning, security, backup and recovery, and more.

Q2. What are the different types of Oracle DBA Certifications?

A2. There are four levels of Oracle Database Administrator certifications: Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Oracle Certified Master (OCM) and Oracle Certified Expert (OCE).

Q3. How do I prepare for an Oracle DBA Certification Exam?

A3. You can prepare for the certification exam by taking online courses or attending classroom training sessions offered by authorized training centers from Oracle University. Additionally, you can also read official documentation from the official website to gain knowledge about different aspects of the technology covered in the exams.

Q4. How much does it cost to take an Oracle DBA Certification Exam?

A4. The fees for taking an exam vary depending on the type of certification you are pursuing as well as your geographic location; however, typically you should expect to pay between $150-$300 USD per exam attempt.

Q5. What benefits do I get after becoming an Oracle DBA certified professional?

A5. After becoming an Oracle DBA certified professional you will have enhanced credibility in the field, increase your chances of getting hired or promoted at work and may also be eligible for higher salary packages than non-certified professionals in similar roles in some organizations