Top 11 Partner Certifications

Certifications are important for partners in the job market because they demonstrate a partner’s expertise and knowledge to employers. They can also help a partner stand out from the competition and show that they have the qualifications needed to do a particular job. Certifications also provide recognition from professional organizations, which can be helpful when applying for jobs or promotions. Finally, certifications may enable partners to access higher salaries or more opportunities in their field.

The article reviews the top certifications for Partners and explains how they can help to advance a Partner's career.

What are Partner Certifications?

Partner certification is a process through which companies can certify their partners and suppliers as being compliant with certain standards, requirements, or guidelines. This process allows businesses to ensure that their partners are meeting the company’s expectations for quality and performance. By certifying partners, companies can have confidence that they are working with reliable, trustworthy vendors who will deliver the services or products they need in a timely manner. Certification also helps companies manage risk by verifying that suppliers comply with safety regulations and industry standards. Additionally, partner certification can help businesses build trust with their customers by providing assurance that their products are of the highest quality and meet all applicable regulations. Finally, partner certification can help businesses save money by helping them identify cost savings opportunities and reducing reliance on expensive third-party auditors.

Pro tip: When considering a partner for certification, always make sure to thoroughly research their qualifications and experience. Check references and look for any reviews or feedback from past clients. This will help ensure that the partner you choose is reliable and able to provide the services you need.

Related: What does a Partner do?

Top 11 Partner Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing, and managing IT solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It demonstrates that the individual has the skills and knowledge to effectively design and implement modern business solutions using the latest Microsoft technologies.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the MCSE certification program depending on how quickly you can complete your studies. To get certified, you must first pass one of two exams: either a 70-742 or 70-743 exam. The exams cover topics such as server infrastructure, cloud platform, identity management, virtualization, storage solutions, networking fundamentals, and more. After passing the exam(s), you will need to submit proof of your professional experience in order to receive your MCSE certification.

The cost of getting an MCSE certification varies depending on which exam(s) you choose to take and whether or not you need to purchase any additional study materials or practice tests. Generally speaking, the cost of taking both exams ranges from $200-$400 USD plus any additional study materials or practice tests you may need.

2. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification offered by Cisco Systems, Inc. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills related to routing and switching technologies in enterprise networks. The CCNP certification requires the successful completion of four exams: ROUTE, SWITCH, TSHOOT, and either SECURE or WIRELESS.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CCNP certification process. To get started, you must first pass the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) exam or have any valid Cisco CCNA Routing & Switching certification. After that, you can register for the four required exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of each exam varies depending on your location and which version of the exam you take (single-exam or composite). Generally speaking, each exam costs around $300 USD. Therefore, the total cost of getting a CCNP certification is approximately $1200 USD.

3. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral certification that is designed to validate the skills of entry-level IT professionals. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to computer hardware, networking, and mobile devices.

To earn CompTIA A+ certification, you must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions. To prepare for the exam, you can take an online course or attend a training program offered by CompTIA.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally, it costs around $200 per exam or $400 for both exams. You can also purchase study materials and practice tests from third-party vendors for an additional fee.

It usually takes about three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams if you are studying on your own with self-study materials. However, if you attend a training program or take an online course, it may take less time to prepare for the exams.

4. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge of VMware products and solutions. It is the highest-level certification offered by VMware, and it demonstrates that the individual has mastered the skills necessary to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot a virtualized environment using VMware technologies.

To become VCP certified, you must complete a training course from an authorized VMware education partner. The course typically takes anywhere from three to five days to complete depending on the type of course taken. After completing the course, you must pass two exams: one for vSphere 6 Foundations and one for vSphere 6 Advanced Professional.

Once you have completed the training course and passed both exams, you will be awarded your VCP certification. The cost of the training courses vary depending on which provider you choose but can range from $2,500 - $4,500 USD. Additionally, there are fees associated with taking the exams which can range from $150 - $250 USD per exam.

5. Oracle Certified Associate (OCA)

Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) is an entry-level certification offered by Oracle that validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills in the Oracle Database. It is designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using and managing Oracle Database technology.

The OCA certification requires the completion of two exams: 1Z0-071: Oracle Database 12c SQL and 1Z0-062: Oracle Database 12c: Installation and Administration. Candidates must pass both exams with a score of 65% or higher to become certified. The exams can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Oracle University.

The time required to complete the OCA certification depends on the individual's experience level, study habits, and preparation time. Generally, it takes between three to six months to prepare for the exam depending on how much time you are willing to dedicate to studying.

The cost of taking the OCA exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125 USD - $245 USD per exam. You may also need to purchase additional study materials such as books or practice tests which can add up to several hundred dollars more.

Overall, obtaining an OCA certification is a great way for individuals interested in working with Oracle databases to demonstrate their knowledge and skillset in this area.

6. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to design, deploy, and manage applications on the AWS platform. This certification is designed for those who want to become cloud architects, develop cloud-based solutions, or manage large-scale deployments of applications on the AWS platform.

The exam for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Level consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions that test your knowledge of designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS. The exam covers topics such as networking, storage, compute services, database services, security services, application services, analytics services, deployment strategies, and more.

It typically takes around 4 months to prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Level exam. To get ready for the exam you should have a good understanding of core AWS concepts such as EC2 instances, S3 buckets, IAM roles & policies, VPCs & subnets etc., as well as experience in deploying applications on the AWS platform. You should also be familiar with best practices for designing highly available architectures using multiple Availability Zones (AZs). Additionally you should have hands-on experience in configuring network access control lists (ACLs), security groups (SG), route tables (RT), internet gateways (IGW) etc., as well as be able to troubleshoot common issues related to networking in an Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC).

The cost of taking the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Level exam is $150 USD. You can register for the exam online at aws.amazon.com/certification/. After registering you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule your exam date and time.

7. Citrix Certified Professional (CCP)

Citrix Certified Professional (CCP) is a certification program from Citrix, a leading provider of virtualization and cloud-based solutions. The certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for designing, deploying, and managing Citrix solutions. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in the areas of networking, security, application delivery, and other related technologies.

To obtain the CCP certification, individuals must pass two exams: the Citrix Certified Associate (CCA) exam and the Citrix Certified Professional (CCP) exam. The CCA exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, management, troubleshooting, and performance tuning of Citrix products. The CCP exam focuses on more advanced topics such as architecture design and implementation strategies for complex environments.

The exams can be taken at any authorized testing center or online via an approved proctoring service. Each exam costs $200 USD. Depending on experience level and study habits, it typically takes between 2-4 months to prepare for both exams.

Once certified, individuals will have access to exclusive resources such as webinars, white papers, eBooks and discounts on training courses. They will also receive recognition from peers in the form of a digital badge they can share on social media or their website.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. that validates the skills and knowledge of system administrators in managing and deploying Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is designed to test the competency of an individual in areas such as installation, configuration, maintenance, security, troubleshooting and other tasks related to system administration.

The RHCSA exam typically takes around two hours to complete. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and hands-on labs that assess the candidate's ability to perform administrative tasks on Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. To become certified, candidates must pass both the written and practical exams with a score of at least 80%.

To get RHCSA certification, candidates must first enroll in an accredited training program or self-study using approved materials from Red Hat. After completing the training program or self-study materials, candidates can then register for the RHCSA exam through Pearson VUE or other authorized testing centers.

The cost of the RHCSA exam varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $400 to $500 USD.

9. IBM Certified Solution Advisor

IBM Certified Solution Advisor is a certification program designed to help IT professionals gain the skills necessary to become trusted advisors to their customers. The program provides comprehensive training and certification in IBM products, solutions and services, enabling IT professionals to develop the technical expertise needed to effectively advise customers on their IT needs.

The program consists of two levels: IBM Certified Solution Advisor - Entry Level and IBM Certified Solution Advisor - Advanced Level. To become certified at the entry level, you must complete an online course that covers topics such as product positioning, customer requirements analysis, solution design, and implementation planning. The course takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

To become certified at the advanced level, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge of IBM products and solutions. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

The cost for the IBM Certified Solution Advisor program varies depending on the level of certification you are seeking. The entry-level certification costs $200 USD while the advanced-level certification costs $400 USD.

10. HP Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE)

HP Accredited Systems Engineer (ASE) is a certification program offered by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It is designed to recognize and validate an individual’s expertise in HPE server and storage technologies. The ASE certification is available for both HPE ProLiant servers and HPE Storage systems.

To obtain the ASE certification, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance tuning of HPE ProLiant servers and storage systems. The exam can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through the HPE website.

The ASE certification is valid for three years from the date of passing the exam. After three years, individuals must renew their certification by taking another exam or completing a training course.

The cost of obtaining the ASE certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and whether or not a training course is required. Generally speaking, exams cost between $200-$400 USD, while courses range from $500-$1000 USD.

11. Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS-ENT)

The Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist (JNCIS-ENT) is a professional certification that validates the knowledge and skills of networking professionals in the field of enterprise routing and switching. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Juniper Networks routers, switches, and security devices.

To obtain the JNCIS-ENT certification, you must pass two exams: JN0-103 (Enterprise Routing & Switching) and JN0-347 (Security). The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $200 each. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

In order to prepare for the exams, it is recommended that individuals have at least one year of experience working with Juniper Networks products and technologies. Additionally, there are several resources available online such as practice tests, study guides, and video tutorials that can help individuals prepare for the exams.

The cost of obtaining the JNCIS-ENT certification varies depending on how you choose to prepare for the exams. If you choose to purchase official training materials or attend instructor-led classes offered by Juniper Networks partners or authorized training centers, then the cost can range from $500-$2,000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Partner Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their specific circumstances. For some, having a partner certificate may prove beneficial, while for others it may not be necessary.

For those looking to start a business or enter into a joint venture with another person, having a partner certificate can prove invaluable. This document serves as an official record of the partnership agreement between two parties, outlining each party's rights and obligations. A partner certificate is also important for legal reasons; it can serve as evidence in court should any disputes arise between the partners. It is also useful if one of the partners dies or becomes incapacitated and their share needs to be transferred to someone else.

On the other hand, there are cases where a partner certificate may not be necessary. If two people are simply entering into an informal arrangement without any formal contract or agreement, then they may not need a partner certificate. In these situations, it is still important that both parties have a clear understanding of what each expects from the other so that there is no confusion or misunderstanding later down the line.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a partner certificate depends on your particular situation and goals. For those looking to start a business or enter into an agreement with someone else, having one can prove invaluable in protecting everyone involved legally and financially. However, if you are entering into an informal arrangement with no written documentation then it may not be necessary. Ultimately it is up to you to decide whether or not you need one based on your own individual circumstances.

Related: Partner Resume Examples

FAQs About Partner Certifications

Q1. What is a partner certification?

A1. Partner certifications are an industry-recognized credential that confirms the expertise of individuals in specific technologies or solutions. It is designed to demonstrate a partner's proficiency in selling, deploying, and managing solutions across a wide range of technology areas.

Q2. How do I become certified?

A2. To become certified, you will need to pass an exam offered by a certification provider such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, or Google Cloud Platform. You will also need to complete any required training courses before taking the exam. Additionally, you may need to meet certain prerequisites such as having experience with the technology or solution you are pursuing certification for.

Q3. What are the benefits of partner certifications?

A3. Partner certifications provide numerous benefits including increased credibility with customers and partners, enhanced career opportunities and increased earning potentials, improved technical skills and knowledge, increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, and better marketing opportunities for your company or products.

Q4. Are there different levels of certifications?

A4. Yes, there are different levels of certifications available for each technology or solution area depending on the certification provider (e.g., Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert). Generally speaking there are three main levels which include Associate (entry-level), Professional (intermediate-level), and Expert (advanced-level).

Q5. Is recertification required?

A5: Yes, most certifications require periodic recertification in order to maintain their validity over time due to changes in technology or standards associated with the particular technology or solution area being certified for. The frequency of recertification can vary depending on the certification provider but typically occurs every two years or so depending on the type of certification held by the individual or organization