Top 10 Pipeline Controller Certifications

Certifications are an important way for pipeline controllers to demonstrate their competence and commitment to safety in the job market. A certification provides employers with a verified level of knowledge and experience that is required to safely operate the pipelines. In addition, certifications help ensure that pipeline controllers understand the latest regulations related to their work, giving employers confidence that they can trust them with their operations. Finally, certifications can help pipeline controllers stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market by showing employers that they are well qualified and reliable professionals.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Pipeline Controllers and explains how they can help advance a pipeline controller's career.

What are Pipeline Controller Certifications?

Pipeline controller certification is a process that demonstrates an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely and effectively operate pipeline control systems. This certification is typically required by regulatory agencies in order to ensure personnel who are responsible for controlling pipelines have the necessary qualifications and training to do so safely.

The certification process involves both theoretical and practical assessments of an individual’s knowledge of pipeline control systems, such as their ability to read and interpret schematic diagrams, identify safety hazards related to operations, demonstrate proper use of emergency shutdown procedures, perform troubleshooting techniques on control systems, understand basic engineering principles related to pipeline operations, etc. The assessment also includes an evaluation of the individual’s understanding of applicable laws and regulations concerning pipeline operations.

Having personnel who are certified as pipeline controllers can help ensure safe and efficient operation of pipelines by providing them with the necessary qualifications and training to do so. Additionally, it can help reduce risk associated with potential accidents or environmental damage due to improper operation of the pipelines. Furthermore, having certified personnel can help organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements set by applicable laws or agencies.

Pro Tip: When taking a pipeline controller certification course, make sure to have an up-to-date understanding of the latest regulations and industry standards. This will help ensure that you are adequately prepared to take the exam and become certified.

Related: What does a Pipeline Controller do?

Top 10 Pipeline Controller Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

Microsoft Certified Azure DevOps Engineer Expert is a certification designed to validate an individual’s expertise in the development and deployment of cloud-based applications using Microsoft Azure. This certification is intended for professionals who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing continuous integration, delivery, and monitoring of software applications on the Azure platform.

To get this certification, you must first pass two exams: AZ-400 (Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions) and AZ-303 (Azure Architect Technologies). You can take these exams online or at a testing center. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $165-$200 USD.

The time it takes to get certified depends on your experience level and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from one to three months to prepare for the exams and become certified as an Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.

2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is an advanced-level certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced AWS cloud architects who have one or more years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architectures on AWS.

The certification exam consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions that cover topics such as: designing highly available, cost-efficient, fault tolerant, secure systems; implementing solutions using best practices for architecting scalable applications; selecting appropriate AWS services to design and deploy an application based on given requirements; estimating costs and identifying cost control strategies; migrations from existing on-premises solutions to the cloud; and understanding data security concepts.

It typically takes around 6 months of preparation to get ready for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional exam. The best way to prepare for this exam is to gain hands-on experience working with AWS services, attend training courses, read relevant books and online material, practice with labs and sample questions, and take practice tests.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but it typically costs around $300 USD.

3. Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the technical skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and manage solutions on Google Cloud Platform. This certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for designing and managing secure and scalable cloud solutions on Google Cloud Platform.

It typically takes around 6-8 months to become a Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect. To get this certification, you must first pass the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam. The exam covers topics such as designing and planning a cloud solution architecture, managing and provisioning the cloud environment, designing for security and compliance, analyzing application performance, cost optimization, monitoring operations, troubleshooting issues, and more.

The exam costs $200 USD per attempt. You can purchase an exam voucher from the Google Cloud website or through a third-party provider such as Pearson VUE or Kryterion. Once you’ve purchased your voucher, you can register for the exam at least 24 hours before your scheduled time slot.

4. Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform

Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform (RHCSA in RHCOP) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in managing the Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. It is designed to validate the ability to deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot OpenShift clusters.

It typically takes around 8-10 hours of study time to prepare for the exam. The exam itself consists of up to 40 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 1 hour and 30 minutes.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam at the Red Hat website. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the online proctored exam. The cost of taking the exam is currently $400 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your RHCSA in RHCOP certification from Red Hat which will be valid for 3 years.

5. IBM Certified Solution Advisor for Cloud Pak for Data

IBM Certified Solution Advisor for Cloud Pak for Data is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills required to design, deploy, and manage IBM Cloud Pak for Data solutions. This certification is designed to help IT professionals become experts in the field of cloud data management. The certification covers topics such as understanding the architecture of IBM Cloud Pak for Data, working with various components of the platform, developing custom solutions using IBM Watson Studio, deploying applications on Kubernetes clusters, and more.

The duration of this certification program is approximately 40 hours and can be completed at your own pace. To get certified as an IBM Certified Solution Advisor for Cloud Pak for Data, you must pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of IBM Cloud Pak for Data and another on advanced topics related to the platform. The cost of these exams varies depending on where you take them but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

6. VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)

VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in virtualizing and managing data center environments using VMware vSphere technologies. The certification requires passing two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) Exam and the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization (VCP6-NV) Exam.

The VCP-DCV exam is designed to test your knowledge of the core concepts of vSphere, including installation, configuration, management, and troubleshooting. It also covers topics such as networking, storage, security, and automation.

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for the VCP-DCV exam. Preparation includes reading official documentation from VMware, attending instructor-led training courses or taking self-paced online training courses on the topics covered in the exam. Additionally, it is recommended that you have hands-on experience with vSphere before attempting the exam.

You can register for the VCP-DCV exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $225 - $250 USD.

7. Apache Kafka Streams Developer Certification

Apache Kafka Streams Developer Certification is a certification program offered by Confluent, the company behind Apache Kafka. It is designed to help developers gain expertise in developing streaming applications using the Apache Kafka Streams API.

The certification consists of a two-part exam that tests your knowledge and skills in designing, building, deploying and managing streaming applications with Apache Kafka Streams. The first part of the exam covers basic concepts such as stream processing fundamentals, data flow patterns, and fault tolerance. The second part focuses on more advanced topics such as performance tuning, monitoring, and debugging.

The exam takes about 2 hours to complete and costs $250 USD. To get certified you must pass both parts of the exam with a score of at least 80%. You can take the exam online or in person at select locations around the world.

To prepare for the certification exam you can use online resources such as tutorials, sample code projects, and practice exams provided by Confluent or third-party providers. You can also attend instructor-led training classes offered by Confluent or its partners to gain hands-on experience with Apache Kafka Streams development.

8. Docker Certified Associate (DCA)

Docker Certified Associate (DCA) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals working with Docker technologies. The DCA certification is a great way for IT professionals to demonstrate their expertise in using Docker products and services, as well as their understanding of the underlying technology.

The DCA exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes or less. The exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, networking, storage and security of Docker components. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 70%.

To become certified, candidates must register for the DCA exam through the official Docker website. The cost of the exam is $195 USD. Once registered, candidates can access study materials on the website and take practice exams to prepare for the real exam.

Once they have passed the exam successfully, they will receive an email confirming their certification status and a digital badge to share on social media profiles or resumes. They will also be added to an official list of certified professionals on the Docker website.

9. Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin (SECA)

Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin (SECA) is a certification program offered by Splunk, Inc. It is designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced Splunk administrators. The certification requires individuals to demonstrate proficiency in the installation, configuration, and management of Splunk Enterprise deployments.

The SECA exam is an online proctored exam that takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions covering topics such as architecture, deployment, security, data collection, indexing and search strategies, alerting and reporting. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least six months of experience working with Splunk Enterprise in a production environment.

To get certified as a SECA, applicants must first purchase an exam voucher from Splunk's website. The cost of the voucher is $200 USD per attempt. After purchasing the voucher, applicants can schedule their exam through Pearson VUE's website or mobile app. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive an email with their results within two business days and will be listed on Splunk's website as a certified administrator.

10. Kubernetes Application Developer Certification

Kubernetes Application Developer Certification is a certification program offered by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in developing applications on Kubernetes. It is designed for developers who have experience with Kubernetes and want to demonstrate their expertise in building applications on the platform.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test an applicant’s understanding of the core concepts of Kubernetes, including deployment strategies, security best practices, networking, storage, monitoring and logging. The exam also covers topics such as application development using Kubernetes APIs and Helm charts.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $300 USD. To get certified, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

Applicants can register for the exam online at the CNCF website. They will need to provide proof of identity and payment information before they are allowed to take the exam. Once registered, applicants will receive a confirmation email containing instructions on how to access the exam portal.

To prepare for the exam, applicants should review all available resources from CNCF and other sources such as books, blogs, tutorials and practice exams. They should also gain hands-on experience with Kubernetes by deploying applications on it or participating in open source projects related to it.

Do You Really Need a Pipeline Controller Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their specific career goals. A pipeline controller certificate is a specialized certification that provides holders with the knowledge and skills necessary for managing and controlling a pipeline system. This certification is typically required by employers in order to be considered for a job in pipeline control, or related fields.

For those who are already working in the field of pipeline control, having a certificate could be beneficial in terms of career advancement opportunities. It can also provide an edge when competing for certain positions within the industry. For those just starting out, obtaining this certification can be an important step towards entering the field of pipeline control.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a pipeline controller certificate depends on their desired career path and long-term goals. If they plan to work in the field of pipeline control, then having a certificate may be beneficial or even necessary. However, if they are looking to pursue other opportunities, then it may not be necessary to obtain one.

Related: Pipeline Controller Resume Examples

FAQs About Pipeline Controller Certifications

1. What are the requirements for obtaining a Pipeline Controller Certification?

Answer: The requirements for obtaining a Pipeline Controller Certification vary depending on the jurisdiction, however most require the candidate to have at least two years of experience in pipeline control operations and pass an examination administered by the applicable regulatory agency.

2. Is there a time limit on how long my certification is valid?

Answer: Yes, most certifications are valid for five years from the date of issuance and must be renewed upon expiration.

3. Are there any prerequisites or continuing education requirements to maintain my certification?

Answer: Yes, many jurisdictions require that pipeline controllers complete ongoing continuing education courses or training in order to maintain their certification.

4. Will I need to take an exam to obtain my certification?

Answer: Yes, most jurisdictions require that candidates take and pass an examination in order to receive their certification.

5. How much does it cost to obtain a Pipeline Controller Certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Pipeline Controller Certification varies depending on the jurisdiction, however most range from $100-$150 USD.