Top 10 Product Developer Certifications

Certifications are important for product developers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications provide proof that a product developer has the necessary skills to develop and deliver high-quality products. They also show that the developer is committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends, and can quickly adapt to new technologies and techniques. Companies want employees who are knowledgeable and capable, so having certifications can give applicants an edge over other candidates.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Product Developers and explain how they can help to further a product developer's career.

What are Product Developer Certifications?

Product developer certification is a credential that demonstrates the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and launch successful products. It is awarded by many organizations that specialize in product development and can be an invaluable asset for professionals looking to break into or advance in the industry. A product developer certification can help showcase an individual’s expertise in product development and provide tangible proof of their abilities. It also allows employers to quickly identify qualified candidates who have the necessary skills to deliver successful products. With a product developer certification, professionals can demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence and set themselves apart from other job seekers. Additionally, those with a product developer certification often receive priority consideration for jobs since they are viewed as having a higher level of experience and knowledge than those without the certification.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a product developer certification, research the requirements and expectations of the program to ensure that it aligns with your career goals. Many certifications require completion of certain courses or exams, so make sure that you are prepared for the challenges ahead. Additionally, look into what kind of job opportunities may be available with your certification to ensure that it is worth the time and effort.

Related: What does a Product Developer do?

Top 10 Product Developer Certifications

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

1. Certified Product Manager (CPM)

Certified Product Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of product managers. The certification is offered by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM).

It takes approximately three months to complete the CPM program, depending on your learning style and commitment level. The program consists of four courses: Introduction to Product Management, Product Strategy, Product Launch & Delivery, and Professional Practices in Product Management. Each course includes online study materials, quizzes and assignments. Upon successful completion of all four courses, you will receive your CPM certification.

To get certified as a CPM, you must first apply for admission to the AIPMM’s CPM program. Applications are accepted year-round and can be completed online or via mail. Once accepted into the program, you will need to pay a fee of $1,495 USD to cover tuition costs. This fee covers all course materials as well as access to an online community where you can interact with other product managers who have already achieved their CPM certification.

The cost of the Certified Product Manager (CPM) program is $1,495 USD for tuition fees. Additional fees may apply for optional services such as coaching or additional study materials.

2. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and understanding of the Scrum framework. CSPO certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an organization that provides education and resources on the Agile methodology.

To become certified, applicants must attend a two-day CSPO course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course covers topics such as product backlog management, sprint planning, release planning, and value delivery. After completing the course, applicants must pass an online exam in order to receive their CSPO certification.

The cost of the two-day CSPO course varies depending on the instructor and location but typically ranges from $1,000 - $2,000 USD. Additionally, there is a fee for taking the online exam which is currently $250 USD.

Overall, it takes about three days to get your CSPO certification: one day for attending the course and two days for studying for and taking the online exam.

3. Certified Agile Product Owner (CAPO)

Certified Agile Product Owner (CAPO) is a professional certification offered by the Scrum Alliance that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of product ownership in an Agile environment. The CAPO certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field of product ownership.

The CAPO certification requires applicants to pass an online exam consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as Agile values and principles, product backlog management, release planning, stakeholder engagement, and customer collaboration. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working as a product owner or equivalent role on an Agile team.

To get the CAPO certification, applicants must first register for the exam with the Scrum Alliance. The cost of registration is $200 USD. Once registered, applicants can take the online exam at any time within one year from their registration date. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CAPO certification from the Scrum Alliance.

In addition to passing the online exam, applicants must also complete 12 hours of professional development activities related to Agile product ownership within two years from their registration date in order to maintain their certification status.

4. Certified Lean Product Developer (CLPD)

Certified Lean Product Developer (CLPD) is a professional certification program developed by the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an in-depth understanding of lean product development principles and practices. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their ability to apply lean principles and practices to develop products more effectively and efficiently.

The CLPD certification requires applicants to complete a three-day training course, which covers topics such as customer value, product design, flow, pull systems, rapid experimentation, and continuous improvement. After completing the course, applicants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CLPD certification varies depending on the organization providing the training. The cost typically includes the registration fee for the course plus any associated materials or travel expenses. The cost can range from $1,500-$3,000 USD.

Once certified, CLPDs are required to maintain their certification through continuing education credits every two years. This can be done by attending LEI workshops or other approved courses related to lean product development principles and practices.

5. Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM)

Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM) is a professional certification offered by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved mastery in product management. CPPMs are responsible for leading the development and delivery of successful products, services, and solutions.

The CPPM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as product strategy, market analysis, customer requirements gathering, competitive analysis, product lifecycle management, pricing strategies, and more. The exam tests your knowledge of these topics and is administered by AIPMM.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CPPM program. However, this can vary depending on how quickly you progress through the course material.

To get certified as a CPPM, you must first complete the online course and then pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. You will also need to submit proof of at least three years of relevant work experience in product management or related fields. Once you have completed all requirements successfully, you will be awarded your CPPM certification.

The cost of the CPPM program varies depending on whether you take it online or in-person at an AIPMM training center. Online courses typically range from $1,000-$2,500 while in-person courses usually cost around $3,000-$5,000.

6. Certified Software Product Manager (CSPM)

Certified Software Product Manager (CSPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for managing software products. The CSPM certification is a globally recognized credential that provides validation of an individual’s expertise in software product management.

The CSPM program consists of two parts: the online course and the certification exam. The online course is self-paced and can be completed in about 8 weeks. It covers topics such as product strategy, product development, customer experience, and product marketing.

To get certified as a CSPM, you must first complete the online course and then pass the certification exam. The exam is offered at various locations around the world throughout the year. You can find information on upcoming exam dates and locations on the Certified Software Product Manager website.

The cost of becoming a CSPM depends on where you take your exam. The cost typically ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD depending on location and other factors.

7. Certified Internet of Things Product Developer (CIoTPD)

Certified Internet of Things Product Developer (CIoTPD) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills needed to design, develop, and deploy products for the Internet of Things (IoT). It provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and technologies used in IoT product development.

The CIoTPD certification consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on project. The online exam covers topics such as IoT architecture, security, communication protocols, data analytics, cloud computing, device management, and more. The hands-on project requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to create an end-to-end IoT solution from scratch.

It typically takes around three months to complete the CIoTPD certification program. Candidates must first register for the online exam and then complete the hands-on project within six weeks after passing the exam.

The cost of the CIoTPD certification program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 - $2,000 USD for both parts combined.

8. Certified Mobile App Product Developer (CMAPD)

Certified Mobile App Product Developer (CMAPD) is a certification program developed by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). It is designed to help mobile app developers demonstrate their expertise in developing and managing mobile applications. The CMAPD certification validates an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of mobile application development, product management, and usability.

The CMAPD exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 2 hours. To pass the exam, individuals must score at least 70%.

To get the CMAPD certification, individuals must first register for the exam through IASA's website. Once registered, they will need to pay a fee of $299 USD. After payment has been processed, individuals will be able to take the exam online or at one of IASA's testing centers located around the world.

Once an individual passes the exam, they will receive their official CMAPD certificate and can use it to demonstrate their expertise in mobile application development.

9. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure (MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure (MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, implement, and manage cloud-based solutions using Microsoft technologies. This certification validates the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center, with expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage and networking.

It typically takes around 6-12 months of study to prepare for the MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure exam. To get certified, you must pass one or more exams related to the technology you are seeking certification in. You can find these exams on the Microsoft Learning website. The cost of each exam varies but generally ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam.

10. Oracle Java SE 8 Programmer Certification

Oracle Java SE 8 Programmer Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a programmer’s knowledge and skills in developing applications using the Java programming language. It is designed to validate a programmer’s ability to create, maintain, and troubleshoot applications written using the Java programming language.

The certification process typically takes between one and three months depending on the individual's experience level. To get certified, individuals must pass two exams: The Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer I (OCPJP) exam and the Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer II (OCPJP II) exam. Both exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $245 USD each.

In order to prepare for these exams, individuals should have a thorough understanding of the Java language, its syntax and semantics, as well as object-oriented programming concepts. They should also be familiar with core libraries such as java.util.*, java.io.*, java.net.*, etc., development tools such as Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA, and web technologies such as Servlets and JSPs. Additionally, they should be able to use API documentation effectively to find information about classes and methods when needed.

Once both exams have been successfully completed, individuals will receive their official Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer certification from Oracle University which will demonstrate their mastery of the Java language and its associated technologies to potential employers or clients.

Do You Really Need a Product Developer Certificate?

No, you do not need a product developer certificate in order to become a successful product developer. While the certification may be beneficial for some people who are just starting out in the field and want to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of product development, it is not necessary for success. In fact, many successful product developers have achieved their success without ever obtaining a certificate.

The most important factor in becoming a successful product developer is having the right skills and knowledge. This includes having an understanding of user experience design, software engineering, coding languages, and project management. It also requires having the ability to think creatively and solve complex problems on a regular basis.

Having a certificate may make the process of finding employment easier, as it shows potential employers that you have had formal training in this area but it is not essential to success. Ultimately, employers are looking for someone who has demonstrated their competence through previous work experience or projects they have completed on their own.

In conclusion, while obtaining a product development certification may be beneficial for some people, it is not necessary for achieving success as a product developer. What matters most is having the right skillset and knowledge as well as being able to think creatively and solve complex problems quickly and effectively.

Related: Product Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Developer Certifications

1. What are the benefits of obtaining a product developer certification?

Answer: Product developer certifications can provide industry-recognized credentials that demonstrate proficiency in essential skills such as product design, development, testing, and management. These certifications can help to open up job opportunities or advance your career in the field of product development.

2. What types of product developer certifications are available?

Answer: There are many different types of product developer certifications available, depending on the specific area of interest or expertise. Popular certifications include Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Certified Product Manager (CPM), and Certified Software Product Manager (CSPM).

3. How long does it take to obtain a product developer certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to obtain a product developer certification varies depending on the type and level of certification desired. Generally speaking, most certifications require at least 40 hours of study time and may require 2-4 days for an exam or project completion.

4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a product developer certification?

Answer: Most product developer certifications have no prerequisites but some may require prior experience or knowledge in related areas such as software development or project management. It is important to check with the specific certification provider for details about any prerequisites before beginning the process.

5. How much does it cost to obtain a product developer certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a product developer certification varies depending on the type and level of certification desired. Generally speaking, most entry-level certifications will range from $500-$1000 USD while more advanced levels may cost upwards of $3000 USD or more depending on the provider and other factors.