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Top 10 Processor Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 16 min read

Certifications for a processor in the job market demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge related to the field. They are a way to showcase an individual’s qualifications and experience, as well as their commitment to continuing education and professional development. Additionally, certifications can help employers identify qualified candidates more easily and quickly, allowing them to make better hiring decisions. Furthermore, certifications can give processors a competitive edge over those without them when seeking employment opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Processors and explain how they can help to further their career.

What are Processor Certifications?

Processor certification is a process in which computer hardware components, such as processors, are tested and verified to meet certain standards. This type of certification is important for ensuring that the hardware components used in a system will be compatible with one another and will work together properly. By having certified processors, it ensures that the system is capable of running smoothly and efficiently. Additionally, processor certification can also help protect against potential problems associated with counterfeit or low-quality components. The certification helps to ensure that the processor has been tested and approved by a third party agency, such as Intel or AMD, which provides an extra layer of assurance when selecting components for your system. In general, certified processors offer better performance than uncertified ones due to the added quality control measures implemented during the testing process.

Pro Tip: Before certifying a processor, always verify that it is compatible with your operating system and any other software you plan to use. Additionally, check the processor’s specifications to ensure it meets your performance needs.

Related: What does a Processor do?

Top 10 Processor Certifications

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

1. Intel Certified Solutions Expert (Intel CSX)

Intel Certified Solutions Expert (Intel CSX) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who design, deploy, manage, and support Intel-based solutions. This certification is offered by Intel in collaboration with its partners.

In order to become an Intel CSX certified professional, individuals must first pass the Intel CSX exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as system architecture, storage technologies, networking fundamentals, operating systems, server platforms, and virtualization. The exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and requires a passing score of 70% or higher.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that individuals have at least six months of hands-on experience working with Intel-based solutions. Additionally, there are many resources available online including practice exams, study guides, and training courses that can help individuals prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the Intel CSX exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

2. AMD Certified Professional (AMD CP)

AMD Certified Professional (AMD CP) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals with advanced knowledge and skills in the installation and maintenance of AMD-based systems. This certification is offered by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD).

The AMD CP certification validates the expertise of IT professionals who install, configure, and maintain AMD-based systems. It also demonstrates their ability to troubleshoot hardware and software issues related to these systems.

To become an AMD CP, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as system architecture, installation and configuration, system management, troubleshooting, and optimization. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

Applicants must have at least six months of experience working with AMD-based systems before taking the exam. Additionally, they must be familiar with Windows operating systems, Linux distributions, and other operating systems that are compatible with AMD processors.

The cost for the exam is $150 USD per attempt. Candidates who successfully pass the exam will receive an official certificate from AMD recognizing them as an AMD Certified Professional.

3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with Microsoft technologies. The MCSA certification is an entry-level credential that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in Microsoft products and services. It is designed for professionals who are looking to start their career in the IT field or want to upgrade their existing skillset.

To get an MCSA certification, you must pass one or more exams related to a specific technology or product. The exams cover topics such as installation, configuration, management, troubleshooting, and security. Depending on the technology you choose, it may take anywhere from three months to two years of study and practice before taking the exam.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the technology chosen; however, most exams cost between $100 and $200 USD per exam. Additionally, there are often discounts available through Microsoft Learning Partners or other organizations that offer training courses for these certifications.

Overall, obtaining an MCSA certification can help those looking to advance their career in IT by validating their knowledge and skillset with a globally recognized credential.

4. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level IT professionals. It is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in hardware, software, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certification demonstrates competency in areas such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). The exams are 90 minutes long each and contain a maximum of 90 multiple choice questions. The exams cover topics such as hardware, networking, mobile devices, hardware & network troubleshooting, operational procedures and security.

To get CompTIA A+ certification you must pass both the Core 1 and Core 2 exams. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online with an approved proctoring service. The cost for each exam is $219 USD.

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification depending on your experience level with IT concepts. There are many resources available to help you study for the exam including books, practice tests and online courses.

5. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in developing applications using the Java programming language. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge of core Java concepts and technologies, as well as their ability to develop secure, robust, and maintainable Java applications.

It typically takes around 6 months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer exam. To get certified, candidates must pass one exam: 1Z0-808: Java SE 8 Programmer I. This exam covers topics such as object-oriented programming principles, language fundamentals, working with data types and variables, flow control statements, creating objects and methods, arrays and collections framework, exception handling and more.

The cost of the Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer exam varies depending on the region in which it is taken. The exam fee ranges from $150 USD to $245 USD. Additionally, some training providers offer courses that include the cost of the exam in their fees.

6. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with VMware virtualization solutions. The VCP certification is the industry standard for validating an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, manage, and troubleshoot VMware vSphere environments.

It typically takes approximately three months to complete the necessary coursework and pass the required exams in order to become certified. To get certified as a VCP, you must first take a VMware authorized training course on vSphere or another related product. After completing the training course, you will need to pass two exams: one on vSphere fundamentals and one on the specific product you studied in your training course. Additionally, you must have at least six months of experience working with VMware products before taking either exam.

The cost of becoming a VCP varies depending on which training course you take and whether or not you use any study materials such as practice tests or books. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD for all of the necessary courses and exams to become a VCP.

7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program offered by Cisco Systems. It is designed to validate an individual's skills and knowledge in networking and related technologies. The CCNA certification is the entry-level certification for networking professionals, and it provides a foundation for more advanced certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).

To get the CCNA certification, you must pass two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 2). Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete, and you must pass both exams within 18 months of starting your studies.

The cost of taking the CCNA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs around $300 USD per exam. You can also purchase study materials from third-party vendors that provide additional resources to help prepare for the exams.

Overall, obtaining the CCNA certification requires dedication and hard work but can open up many doors in terms of career opportunities in the field of networking.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification offered by Red Hat, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions. The RHCSA certification validates the skills and knowledge necessary to configure, manage, and troubleshoot systems running Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is designed for system administrators who are responsible for maintaining and managing multiple systems in an enterprise environment.

The RHCSA exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. It tests a candidate’s knowledge of installation, configuration, maintenance, security, networking, storage, virtualization, automation and troubleshooting of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to perform common system administration tasks such as setting up users and groups; configuring network services; managing storage; setting up virtual machines; deploying applications; and more.

To get the RHCSA certification, candidates must pass the RHCSA exam (EX200). The exam can be taken at any authorized Pearson VUE testing center or online with remote proctoring. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD.

9. IBM Certified Systems Expert – Power Systems with AIX V7 Technical Sales Professional

IBM Certified Systems Expert – Power Systems with AIX V7 Technical Sales Professional is a certification for IT professionals who have the skills and knowledge to plan, install, configure, maintain, troubleshoot and support IBM Power Systems running AIX V7. It demonstrates expertise in installation, configuration and maintenance of IBM Power Systems running AIX V7.

It takes approximately 60 hours of study time to prepare for the exam. The exam consists of two parts: a written test and a practical lab exercise. The written test covers topics such as system architecture, hardware management console (HMC), virtualization technologies, storage systems, networking concepts, system security and performance tuning. The practical lab exercise tests your ability to configure and manage an IBM Power System running AIX V7.

To get the certification you must pass both parts of the exam. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through ProctorU. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD per part of the exam.

10. HP Accredited Platform Specialist – ProLiant Servers

HP Accredited Platform Specialist – ProLiant Servers is a certification program offered by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). It is designed to help IT professionals gain the skills and knowledge they need to effectively deploy, configure, and manage HPE ProLiant servers. This certification validates that an individual has the expertise to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot HPE server solutions.

The HP Accredited Platform Specialist – ProLiant Servers certification requires passing one exam. The exam covers topics such as installation and configuration of HPE ProLiant servers, server management tools, system monitoring, storage technologies, virtualization technologies, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get the HP Accredited Platform Specialist – ProLiant Servers certification you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD. After successfully completing the exam you will receive your certification via email within 7-10 business days.

Overall it can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to get the HP Accredited Platform Specialist – ProLiant Servers certification if you have already registered for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Processor Certificate?

A processor certificate is a document that certifies a company or individual as an approved processor of food products. This document is issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and allows processors to legally process and sell food products. The certificate also ensures that the food product is safe for human consumption, as it has gone through rigorous testing and evaluation to meet USDA standards.

The answer to whether you need a processor certificate depends on what type of business you are running. If you are selling processed foods, then you must obtain a processor certificate from the USDA in order to legally process and sell those products. It is important to note that not all businesses are required to have a processor certificate; only those businesses that process, package, or repackage food for sale must obtain one. In addition, some states may require specific licenses or permits in order for you to do business within their state boundaries.

For those who are not required to have a processor certificate but want to ensure that their customers receive safe and healthy food products, obtaining one can be beneficial. A processor certificate provides assurance that the facility meets all applicable safety standards and regulations set forth by the USDA. This can give customers peace of mind when purchasing processed food items from your business, as they know that they can trust the quality of what they are buying.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a processor certificate depends on the type of business you run and what state laws apply in your area. If you do need one, it is important to make sure that your facility meets all necessary safety standards set forth by the USDA in order to provide customers with safe and healthy food products.

Related: Processor Resume Examples

FAQs About Processor Certifications

Q1. What is a processor certification?

A1. Processor certifications refer to the process of validating that a processor meets certain performance and compatibility requirements set by the manufacturer or software developer. This ensures that the processor is capable of running specific applications, operating systems, and other software without any issues.

Q2. How do I get my processor certified?

A2. To get your processor certified, you need to contact the manufacturer or software developer who has set the requirements for certification. They will provide you with instructions on how to obtain certification for your specific processor model.

Q3. Are there different types of processor certifications?

A3. Yes, there are several different types of certifications available depending on the type of processor you have and what it needs to be able to do. Some common certifications include Intel’s Core processors, AMD’s Ryzen processors, NVIDIA’s GeForce GPUs, and Apple’s M1 chipsets.

Q4. What benefits do I get from having a certified processor?

A4. By having a certified processor, you can ensure that it will be compatible with all necessary hardware and software components in your system as well as optimized for peak performance levels when running applications or games that require specific capabilities from the CPU or GPU in your system. Additionally, having a certified processor may make you eligible for certain warranties and guarantees from the manufacturer or software developer who issued the certification.

Q5. Is there a cost associated with getting my processor certified?

A5: Depending on the type of certification required, there may be some associated costs with obtaining certification for your processor such as testing fees or licensing fees if applicable. However, these costs are generally nominal compared to the benefits received from having a certified system in terms of performance optimization and compatibility assurance

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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