Top 10 PHP Developer Certifications

Certifications for a PHP developer are important in the job market because they demonstrate that the developer has been trained and tested in their knowledge of the language. Having a certification shows employers that the developer is knowledgeable and experienced in working with PHP, which can give them an edge over other candidates who don’t have a certification. Additionally, certifications often come with industry-recognized credentials, which can further improve a candidate’s chances of getting hired. Finally, certifications provide proof to employers that the developer has taken the time to learn and understand the language, which is an important factor when hiring for any technical position.

This article reviews the top certifications for PHP Developers and outlines how they can help to advance a PHP developer's career.

What are PHP Developer Certifications?

PHP developer certification is an industry-recognized professional credential that verifies a developer’s knowledge and experience in the PHP programming language. This certification validates a developer’s proficiency in designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining web applications using PHP. It also serves as evidence of their technical abilities to employers and clients.

Having a PHP Developer Certification can be highly beneficial for developers looking to advance their careers. It demonstrates that they have the skill set necessary to create dynamic websites and applications with the help of the PHP language. Additionally, it shows employers that they are committed to keeping up with current industry standards and are capable of building robust solutions for their business needs. This can make them more attractive candidates for job openings or promotions within their current organization. Furthermore, having this certification can potentially open doors to new opportunities in the marketplace.

Overall, obtaining a PHP Developer Certification can be an excellent way for experienced developers to demonstrate their expertise and stand out from the competition. It showcases their commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies while also providing recognition of their abilities as professionals in this field.

Pro Tip: When considering a PHP developer certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Ensure that you understand the curriculum and the types of skills you will need to demonstrate in order to pass. Additionally, look into any available study materials or practice exams that can help you prepare for your exam. Finally, be sure to check with potential employers to see if they accept the certification as a valid qualification for their positions.

Related: What does a PHP Developer do?

Top 10 PHP Developer Certifications

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

1. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer is a professional certification program designed to recognize PHP developers who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the language. It is administered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the popular open-source scripting language. The certification is based on an exam that tests knowledge and skills related to developing applications with PHP.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple choice and essay questions. To pass the exam, you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly.

To get certified as a Zend Certified PHP Engineer, you must first register for the exam online or through a testing center. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher from Zend Technologies, which costs $195 USD (as of 2021). After purchasing the voucher, you can schedule your exam at a time and location convenient for you.

Once you have completed your exam, your results will be available within 48 hours. If you pass, you will receive an email from Zend Technologies with instructions on how to access your digital certificate and badge that can be used on resumes and other documents.

2. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator

Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator is a certification program offered by Oracle that certifies an individual’s ability to manage the MySQL database. This certification demonstrates proficiency in the installation, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of MySQL 5.6 databases.

It typically takes around 4-6 months to complete the training and pass the exams required for this certification. To get certified, you must first complete a course of study from an accredited provider such as Oracle University or an Oracle partner. Once you have completed the course, you will need to pass two exams: 1Z0-888 MySQL 5.6 Database Administrator and 1Z0-889 MySQL 5.6 Developer/DBA Certification Exam.

The cost of these exams varies depending on your location and other factors but typically range between $200-$400 USD per exam.

3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Web Applications

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Web Applications is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, building, and maintaining web applications using Microsoft technology. This certification focuses on the development of web applications using Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5, ASP.NET, HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3, AJAX, and other related technologies.

It typically takes 6-12 months to prepare for and pass the MCSE: Web Applications certification exam. To get this certification you must first pass two exams: Exam 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3 and Exam 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications. After passing these two exams you will be awarded the MCSE: Web Applications certification.

The cost of the MCSE: Web Applications certification depends on the country you are located in and whether or not you purchase a practice test or study guide to help prepare for the exams. Generally speaking it will cost around $200 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with purchasing practice tests or study guides.

4. Certified PHP Developer Program

The Certified PHP Developer Program is a certification program designed to test the knowledge and skills of developers in the use of the PHP programming language. It is offered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the popular open source scripting language.

The program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam tests your knowledge of PHP syntax, built-in functions and object-oriented programming concepts. The practical exam tests your ability to solve real-world problems using PHP code. Both exams must be taken and passed in order to become certified.

The certification process typically takes around three months from start to finish. You will need to register for the exams online and pay the associated fees before you can take them. The cost of registration varies depending on which country you are taking the exams in, but it usually ranges from $200-$400 USD per exam.

Once you have completed both exams, you will receive an official certificate from Zend Technologies that verifies your status as a Certified PHP Developer. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your expertise in developing web applications with PHP and can help you stand out when applying for jobs or contracts related to web development.

5. Symfony Certification Program

The Symfony Certification Program is an official certification program for developers who are proficient in the Symfony framework. It is designed to assess and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of developers who have a good understanding of the Symfony framework.

The program consists of two levels: Certified Developer (level 1) and Certified Expert (level 2). The first level focuses on basic concepts and principles while the second level covers advanced topics such as security, performance optimization, and best practices.

To get certified at either level, you must take an online exam that includes multiple-choice questions as well as coding challenges. The exams are administered by SensioLabs, the creators of Symfony. The exams can be taken remotely from anywhere in the world.

It typically takes around 4-6 hours to complete each exam depending on your experience with Symfony. You will need to score at least 70% to pass each exam.

The cost for taking each exam is €150 for Certified Developer and €300 for Certified Expert.

6. Magento Certified Developer Plus

Magento Certified Developer Plus is a certification program for experienced Magento developers. It is designed to recognize developers who have achieved a high level of proficiency in developing and customizing Magento applications. The certification requires the completion of an online exam that tests knowledge and skills related to Magento development, including database architecture, web services, store customization, performance optimization, and more.

The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience developing with Magento and must have completed the Magento Certified Developer exam.

To get certified as a Magento Certified Developer Plus, applicants must first register with the Magento Certification Program by completing an online application form. After registering, applicants will receive an email containing instructions on how to access the exam. Once applicants have successfully completed the exam, they will receive their official certificate via email within 1-2 weeks.

The cost of taking the exam is $260 USD for individuals or $500 USD for teams (up to five people).

7. Acquia Certified Developer

Acquia Certified Developer is a certification program that allows developers to demonstrate their expertise in developing and managing Drupal websites on the Acquia Platform. The certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of developers who are building, managing, and maintaining Drupal websites on Acquia Cloud.

The Acquia Certified Developer exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as Acquia Cloud architecture, configuration management, security, performance optimization, development best practices, and more.

To become an Acquia Certified Developer, you must first register for the exam through the Acquia Certification Program website. The cost of the exam is $250 USD. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online exam platform and take the exam.

Once you have successfully completed the exam, your results will be available immediately after submitting your answers. If you pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will be awarded an Acquia Certified Developer certificate.

8. CakePHP Certification Program

The CakePHP Certification Program is an online certification program offered by the Cake Software Foundation to help developers demonstrate their proficiency in using the CakePHP framework. The program consists of three levels of certification: Certified Developer, Certified Professional, and Certified Master.

Certified Developer is the entry-level certification and requires a minimum of six months experience with the CakePHP framework. It tests knowledge on topics such as installation, configuration, database access, routing, views, and controllers. This level can be completed in approximately 2-3 hours.

Certified Professional is the intermediate-level certification and requires a minimum of two years experience with the CakePHP framework. It tests knowledge on topics such as security, caching, testing, debugging, internationalization/localization, performance optimization and deployment. This level can be completed in approximately 4-5 hours.

Certified Master is the advanced-level certification and requires a minimum of five years experience with the CakePHP framework. It tests knowledge on topics such as application architecture design principles, advanced features like AJAX integration and custom components development. This level can be completed in approximately 8-10 hours.

To get certified at any level you must first register for an account on the Cake Software Foundation website (https://cakefoundation.org/certification). Once registered you will have access to all of the material necessary to prepare for your exam including tutorials and practice questions. After studying up you can take your exam online at any time from anywhere in the world using your computer or mobile device.

The cost for each level of certification varies depending on whether you are taking it as an individual or as part of a group/organization but generally ranges from $100 - $200 USD per person per exam level.

9. LAMP Stack Certification Program

The LAMP Stack Certification Program is a certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP (LAMP) stack. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their expertise in the open source web development platform.

The certification consists of two exams: the LAMP Foundation Exam and the Advanced LAMP Exam. The Foundation Exam covers basic concepts of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. The Advanced Exam covers more advanced topics such as security, performance tuning and scalability.

It typically takes around six months to complete both exams depending on the individual's experience level. To get started with the certification process, individuals must first register for an account with the Linux Professional Institute (LPI). After registering they can purchase exam vouchers from the LPI website or from a local testing center.

The cost of each exam voucher varies depending on where it is purchased but typically ranges between $50-$90 USD per exam. Once an individual has successfully completed both exams they will be awarded a certificate of completion from the Linux Professional Institute (LPI).

10. CodeIgniter Certification Program

CodeIgniter Certification Program is an online certification program offered by the CodeIgniter Foundation. It is designed to help developers gain a better understanding of the CodeIgniter framework and its associated tools, such as the MVC architecture, routing, security and caching. The program consists of several levels, each of which requires passing an exam in order to advance.

The program takes approximately 6-12 months to complete depending on the level you are aiming for. To get started, you must first register with the CodeIgniter Foundation and pay a fee. After registration, you will be able to access study materials and tutorials provided by the foundation. You can also join discussion forums where experienced developers can answer any questions you may have about the framework or related topics.

Once you have studied all of the material provided by the foundation, you can take a practice exam to gauge your knowledge level before taking the official exam. Once you pass this exam, you will be awarded a certificate indicating your level of proficiency in CodeIgniter programming.

The cost of getting certified depends on what level you are aiming for but generally ranges from $150-$500 USD.

Do You Really Need a PHP Developer Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a PHP developer certificate. While having a certificate may help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the area of PHP development, there are other ways to prove your capabilities and show that you are qualified for the job.

If you have been working with PHP for some time, then it is likely that you already have the experience and knowledge necessary to be successful as a PHP developer. Your portfolio and references should be able to provide an employer with evidence that you possess the skills needed for the job. Additionally, if you have taken any courses related to web development or programming, those can also be used as proof of your qualifications.

That being said, obtaining a PHP developer certificate can still be beneficial in certain situations. For example, if you are attempting to enter into a new field of work or if you want to demonstrate your proficiency in a specific skill set, then having a certification may give you an edge over other applicants who do not possess one. Having such a credential could also potentially increase your chances of getting hired by demonstrating that you have taken the initiative to learn and understand the fundamentals of web development and programming.

In conclusion, while having a PHP developer certificate is not necessary in order to become successful as a programmer or web developer, it may still be beneficial depending on your individual circumstances. Ultimately, it is up to each individual applicant to decide whether or not pursuing such certification is worth their time and effort.

Related: PHP Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About PHP Developer Certifications

Q1. What is a PHP Developer Certification?

A1. A PHP Developer Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and skills in developing websites and web applications using the PHP programming language.

Q2. How do I become certified as a PHP Developer?

A2. To become certified as a PHP Developer, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited certification body such as Zend or Oracle. You will also need to demonstrate experience in developing websites and web applications using the PHP language.

Q3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified PHP Developer?

A3. Becoming a certified PHP Developer can help you stand out from other developers when applying for jobs, show employers that you have the necessary skills to do the job, and give you access to exclusive resources and training opportunities related to your certification.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified?

A4. The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on your experience level with the language, but most exams take around 2-3 hours to complete once all prerequisites are met.

Q5. Is there any continuing education required after becoming certified?

A5. Most certifications require continuing education credits every few years in order to maintain your status as a Certified Professional, so be sure to check with your certification body for their specific requirements before taking the exam!