Top 10 PHP Programmer Certifications

Certifications are important for a PHP programmer in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge of the language. A certification can also help to distinguish an individual from other applicants and set them apart as someone with specialized skills. Additionally, certifications increase credibility, ensuring that potential employers take an applicant's skills seriously. Furthermore, certifications can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries since they provide proof that an individual is knowledgeable and capable of working with PHP professionally.

This article reviews the most beneficial certifications for PHP Programmers and explains how they can help to progress their careers.

What are PHP Programmer Certifications?

PHP programmer certification is a formal recognition of a person's proficiency in the programming language PHP. This certification is designed to demonstrate a person's understanding of the fundamentals of programming and developing with PHP, as well as their ability to implement best practices and techniques when writing code. It can also be used to show employers that an individual has the necessary technical skills to work on web-based applications built with this language.

PHP programmer certification helps individuals stand out from the crowd by demonstrating their expertise in this popular language. Having such a certification can give job seekers an advantage over others who do not have it, increasing their chances of being selected for positions that require knowledge of PHP. Additionally, having such a credential may help individuals qualify for higher salaries or better job opportunities. Finally, having such certification may also open up career opportunities abroad, as many companies around the world look for certified professionals in order to ensure quality code and successful projects.

Pro Tip: PHP programmer certification is an important step towards becoming a professional programmer. Taking the time to become certified will give you the knowledge and confidence necessary to take on more complex programming tasks and make you stand out from other candidates. Additionally, having a certification will help demonstrate your commitment to being a professional programmer and can be beneficial when applying for jobs.

Related: What does a PHP Programmer do?

Top 10 PHP Programmer Certifications

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

1. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer is a certification program for professional web developers who specialize in the PHP programming language. It is designed to validate an individual's expertise in developing and deploying applications using the Zend Framework. The certification exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming, security, performance tuning, and other aspects of web development.

The exam takes about three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of the certification varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150 to $250 USD.

To prepare for the exam, Zend provides study materials such as online tutorials and practice exams. Additionally, there are many third-party resources available that provide additional guidance on preparing for the certification test.

2. Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in developing applications using the Oracle Database and the PHP programming language. The certification is administered by Oracle University and is available to anyone interested in demonstrating their expertise in the Oracle Database and PHP development.

It typically takes several months to prepare for and pass the Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as database administration, SQL, PL/SQL, web development using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX and XML technologies; while the practical exam tests your ability to develop applications using the Oracle Database and PHP.

To get certified as an Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer you must first register for an Oracle University account. Once registered you can purchase the appropriate courses from Oracle University which will provide you with all of the necessary materials needed to prepare for the exams. It is also important to make sure that you have access to an up-to-date version of both the Oracle Database and PHP software prior to taking either of the exams.

The cost of becoming an Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer varies depending on which courses you choose to take from Oracle University. Generally speaking though it can range anywhere from $200 - $1000 USD depending on what type of course package you purchase.

3. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) in PHP

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) in PHP is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary for developing web applications using Microsoft’s Visual Studio and the .NET Framework. It is intended for professional developers who are already familiar with PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other web technologies.

The MCPD in PHP certification consists of three exams: Exam 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3; Exam 70-481: Essentials of Developing Windows Store Apps Using HTML5 and JavaScript; and Exam 70-482: Advanced Windows Store App Development Using HTML5 and JavaScript. To become certified, you must pass all three exams.

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for the MCPD in PHP certification. This includes studying the material covered by each exam, taking practice tests, attending training sessions or workshops, and doing hands-on development work.

To get the MCPD in PHP certification, you must first purchase a voucher from Microsoft that will allow you to take the exams at an authorized testing center. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your location but usually ranges between $150 - $200 USD per exam. After passing all three exams, you will be awarded your MCPD in PHP certification by Microsoft.

4. Certified PHP Programmer (CPP)

Certified PHP Programmer (CPP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced PHP developers. It is administered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the PHP language.

The CPP exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as object-oriented programming, security, performance optimization, and database access. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To become certified, you must pass the CPP exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can take the exam online or in person at an authorized testing center.

The cost of taking the CPP exam varies depending on your location and whether you are taking it online or in person. In general, it costs around $200 USD for an online exam and $300 USD for an in-person exam.

5. Symfony Certified Developer

Symfony Certified Developer is a certification program offered by SensioLabs, the creators of the Symfony framework. It is designed to recognize developers who have a strong understanding of the Symfony framework and its components.

The certification consists of a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of the Symfony framework. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and covers topics such as routing, security, forms, services, performance optimization, and more.

In order to become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. You can take the exam online or in person at one of SensioLabs’ training centers around the world.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it. Online exams cost $150 USD while in-person exams cost $250 USD.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive an official certificate from SensioLabs along with a digital badge that you can use to show off your achievement on websites like LinkedIn and GitHub.

6. Magento Certified Developer Plus

Magento Certified Developer Plus is a certification program for developers who have extensive experience with Magento 2. It is designed to validate the technical skills of developers and ensure they are qualified to build, customize, and maintain Magento 2 websites.

The certification process involves taking an online exam that covers topics such as: architecture, customization techniques, performance optimization, debugging, and troubleshooting. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get certified as a Magento Certified Developer Plus you need to first register for the exam on the Magento website. The cost of the exam is $260 USD and you can take it at any Pearson VUE testing center or online. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from Magento.

To maintain your certification status you must complete 15 hours of continuing education every year. This includes attending webinars, taking courses, or participating in other activities related to Magento development.

7. CakePHP Certification Program

CakePHP Certification Program is an official certification program offered by the Cake Software Foundation. It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in developing applications using the CakePHP framework.

The program consists of two levels: Certified CakePHP Developer and Certified CakePHP Master Developer. The Certified CakePHP Developer certification requires applicants to pass a written exam that tests their knowledge of the fundamentals of the CakePHP framework. The Certified CakePHP Master Developer certification requires applicants to complete a project that demonstrates their ability to develop an application with advanced features using the CakePHP framework.

The entire process typically takes between 3-6 months, depending on how quickly you can complete the required tasks. To get started, you must first register for the program by submitting an application and paying a fee of $150 USD. Once accepted, you will be provided with access to study materials and practice exams which will help prepare you for the written exam or project work required for each level of certification.

Once you have successfully completed all requirements, your name will be listed on the official list of certified developers on the Cake Software Foundation website and you will receive a certificate from them as well as other benefits such as discounts on conference tickets and priority support from the core development team.

8. LAMP Stack Certification

LAMP Stack Certification is a certification program that verifies an individual’s knowledge and skills in the Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP (LAMP) stack. This certification is designed to demonstrate expertise in the areas of system administration, web development and database management.

The LAMP Stack Certification program consists of two exams: The Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) exam and the Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) exam. The LFCS exam covers topics such as system architecture, security, networking, package management and system troubleshooting. The LFCE exam focuses on advanced topics such as system performance tuning, scripting and automation tools.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to complete both exams depending on the amount of time an individual is able to dedicate to studying for them. To get started with the certification process, individuals should review the official course materials provided by The Linux Foundation which can be found at https://training.linuxfoundation.org/certification/. Once they have familiarized themselves with the material they should then register for the exams at https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/programs/lfce/.

The cost for taking both exams is $450 USD per exam or $900 USD for both exams combined.

9. Yii Framework Certification

Yii Framework Certification is a professional certification program offered by the Yii Foundation, an open-source PHP framework. The certification program is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of developers who are proficient in the use of Yii. It is intended to help employers identify qualified developers for their projects.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as basic Yii concepts, object-oriented programming, database access, caching, and web services. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and must be taken at an authorized testing center.

To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. There is no cost associated with taking the exam; however, there may be fees associated with registering for it and reserving a seat at a testing center.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also submit proof that they have completed at least one project using Yii within the past 12 months. This requirement helps ensure that applicants have hands-on experience with the framework before attempting to become certified in it.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive their Yii Framework Certification via email within 5 business days.

10. Drupal 8 Site Builder Certification

Drupal 8 Site Builder Certification is a certification program offered by Acquia, the creators of the Drupal content management system. It is designed to give developers and site builders a comprehensive understanding of how to build and manage websites using Drupal 8.

The certification consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course takes approximately 4 hours to complete and covers topics such as installation, configuration, content types, views, themes, modules, security, performance optimization, and more.

To get certified, you must first successfully complete the online course and then take the exam. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. You must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

The cost for the certification program is $499 USD. This includes access to the online course materials as well as one attempt at the exam. Additional attempts at the exam can be purchased for $99 USD each.

Do You Really Need a PHP Programmer Certificate?

Whether or not you need a PHP Programmer Certificate depends on several factors. First, you should consider your current knowledge level and experience with PHP programming. If you have a good understanding of the language and have experience working with it, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are new to programming or want to demonstrate your knowledge in an official capacity, then pursuing a certificate may be beneficial.

Another factor to consider is the job market for PHP programmers. If there is high demand for this type of work in your area, then having a certification can help set you apart from other applicants and make yourself more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, if you plan on working as a freelancer or providing services online, having an official certification can help build credibility and trust with clients.

Finally, if cost is a concern for obtaining the certification, there are several free online courses available that will teach the basics of PHP programming and prepare you for the exam. Taking these courses can save money on tuition fees while still allowing you to demonstrate your proficiency in the language.

Overall, whether or not you need a PHP Programmer Certificate ultimately depends on your individual situation and goals. If it’s important for you to demonstrate your skillset in an official capacity or increase your chances of landing employment opportunities, then taking the time to get certified may be worthwhile investment of time and money.

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FAQs About PHP Programmer Certifications

1. What is a PHP programmer certification?

Answer: A PHP programmer certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the programming language, PHP. It is usually acquired through a formal course of study or examination.

2. Where can I get certified as a PHP programmer?

Answer: There are many organizations that offer certifications for PHP programmers, including Zend Technologies, Oracle, and Microsoft. You can also find online courses and exams to help you prepare for the certification exam.

3. What types of jobs require a PHP programmer certification?

Answer: Many web development jobs require some level of knowledge in the programming language, PHP. This includes web designers, software developers, system administrators, database administrators, and more. Having a certification can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting hired for these positions.

4. How much does it cost to get certified as a PHP programmer?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as a PHP programmer depends on the organization offering the certification and any additional materials needed to complete the program (such as books or software). Generally speaking, expect to spend anywhere from $500-$1000 on the program itself plus any additional costs associated with preparing for the exam or taking it online or at an approved testing center.

5. How long will it take me to become certified as a PHP programmer?

Answer: The amount of time required to become certified as a PHP programmer will vary depending on how quickly you learn and how much effort you put into studying for the exam. Generally speaking, most people are able to obtain their certification within 6-12 months if they dedicate themselves to studying hard and mastering all aspects of the language before taking the exam.