Top 10 Publisher Certifications

Certifications are important for publishers in the job market as they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge to potential employers. A certification can show that a publisher has the necessary skills and qualifications needed to work in the publishing industry, and it can also help to set them apart from other candidates. Certifications provide evidence of a publisher's dedication to their profession, commitment to staying up-to-date on industry trends, and ability to produce quality work. Additionally, having a certification can be beneficial when applying for more advanced positions or higher salaries, as employers may view them as more qualified than someone without one.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Publishers and explains how they can help to advance a publisher's career.

What are Publisher Certifications?

Publisher certification is a process that ensures an advertising network or platform is compliant with the rules and regulations of the industry. It is designed to ensure that publishers are providing quality services and content while also ensuring they are not engaging in any fraudulent activities. By becoming certified, publishers can demonstrate their commitment to following industry standards and can gain access to higher-paying campaigns from advertisers. This certification helps to protect both advertisers and publishers from fraud, as well as provide more transparency into the digital advertising space. Publishers who become certified also have access to more detailed analytics about their campaigns, allowing them to make better decisions about how to optimize their efforts. Ultimately, publisher certification helps to create a more secure and trustworthy digital advertising ecosystem for everyone involved.

Pro Tip: When pursuing publisher certification, always make sure to read the requirements carefully and thoroughly. Many publishers have specific criteria that must be met in order to become certified, so it’s important to ensure that you are meeting all of these requirements before submitting your application. Additionally, don’t forget to keep a record of any correspondence between yourself and the publisher during the certification process in case you need to refer back to it later.

Related: What does a Publisher do?

Top 10 Publisher Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) is a professional certification for software developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to develop applications and services that are based on Microsoft technologies. The certification focuses on the ability to design, build, deploy, and debug applications on the Microsoft platform.

To receive an MCSD certification, you must pass four exams: two core exams and two elective exams. The core exams focus on developing solutions with HTML5, JavaScript, ASP.NET MVC 4/5, Windows Azure, and Visual Studio 2012/2013. The elective exams cover topics such as SharePoint development, Windows Store Apps development, or Web Services development.

The cost of each exam varies depending on which country you take it in and the type of exam you take (i.e., online or in-person). Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD (or equivalent in local currency).

In terms of time commitment, it typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for all four exams and obtain your MCSD certification. This timeline can be shortened if you have prior experience with the technologies covered in the exams or if you have taken related courses at a college or university.

2. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with an introduction to core Microsoft technologies. It is a great way for those who are new to the IT industry or who are looking to learn more about specific Microsoft products and services, such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, Office 365, Azure, and SQL Server. MTA certifications are intended to provide a foundation of knowledge that can be used as the basis for further study and exploration of related technologies.

The MTA certification exam consists of 40-60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as Windows operating systems, networking fundamentals, security fundamentals, software development fundamentals, database fundamentals, and web development fundamentals.

To get an MTA certification you must first register for the exam at the Microsoft Learning website. Once registered you will receive an email containing instructions on how to access your exam voucher code which you will need in order to take the exam. After passing the exam you will receive a digital certificate confirming your achievement.

The cost of taking an MTA certification exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $99-$125 USD per exam.

3. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for entry-level computer technicians. It is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to support and troubleshoot hardware, software, and network components in a variety of IT environments. The certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. To get the certification, you must pass two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. These exams cover topics such as hardware components, operating systems, security fundamentals, mobile devices, virtualization technologies, cloud computing concepts and troubleshooting methodology.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $220 USD for both exams. Some providers may offer discounts or special pricing for students or members of certain organizations.

4. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) is an official certification program offered by Adobe Systems to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in using Adobe products. The ACE program is designed to validate the skills of professionals who use Adobe software and technologies to create digital content, manage projects, and develop applications.

The ACE program consists of two levels: Associate and Professional. To become an ACE Associate, you must pass one or more exams that demonstrate your knowledge of a specific Adobe product. To become an ACE Professional, you must pass multiple exams that demonstrate your knowledge of multiple Adobe products.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for the ACE exams. You can study independently or take advantage of resources such as online courses, practice tests, and study guides from Adobe or third-party providers.

To get certified as an ACE, you must register for the exam on the Adobe website and pay a fee. The cost varies depending on which exam(s) you take; most exams cost $180 USD per exam.

5. Apple Certified Pro (ACP)

Apple Certified Pro (ACP) is a certification program designed to recognize and reward professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the use of Apple products. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates expertise in the use of Apple hardware, software, and services.

To become an ACP, individuals must pass a series of exams that cover topics such as macOS, iOS, iCloud, networking, system administration, and more. The exams are administered by Apple-authorized testing centers around the world.

The process typically takes several months to complete. First, applicants must register for the ACP program and pay the associated fee. They then need to study for and pass all required exams. Once they have passed all the exams, they will receive their official ACP certification from Apple.

The cost of becoming an ACP varies depending on the number of exams taken and the location of the test center. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2,000 USD or more.

6. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in Oracle Database technologies. It is offered by Oracle Corporation, the world's leading provider of enterprise-level database software. The program consists of two levels: Associate and Professional.

To become an Oracle Certified Professional, you must first pass the Oracle Database 12c Administrator or Developer Certification Exams. These exams are designed to test your knowledge of SQL, PL/SQL, and other related topics. Once you have passed these exams, you can then apply for the OCP certification.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you dedicate to studying and preparing for the exams. Generally speaking, it should take about six months to prepare for the exams and pass them successfully.

In order to get certified, you will need to purchase an exam voucher from Oracle Corporation which costs around $300 USD per exam. You will also need to register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers located in your area. Once registered, you will be able to take the exams at any of these locations at your convenience.

Once all of your exams have been successfully completed and submitted, Oracle Corporation will review your results and issue your official OCP certification if everything is in order. This process usually takes around four weeks after all of your exams have been submitted.

Overall, becoming an Oracle Certified Professional requires dedication and hard work but it can be very rewarding once completed as it demonstrates a high level of proficiency in Oracle Database technologies which is highly sought after by employers worldwide.

7. CIW Web Foundations Associate (CIW-FA)

CIW Web Foundations Associate (CIW-FA) is a certification program designed to help individuals gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work in the web design and development industry. This certification provides an introduction to web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Dreamweaver. It also covers topics related to networking, security, e-commerce, and web project management.

The CIW-FA certification requires candidates to pass a single exam covering all of the topics listed above. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

To get the CIW-FA certification, you must first register for the exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. You can then schedule your exam at a time that is convenient for you. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $125-$200 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an email confirming your certification status along with instructions on how to access your digital badge and other materials related to your CIW-FA certification.

8. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using Adobe software applications. This certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of entry-level users of Adobe products, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Animate and Premiere Pro.

The ACA exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as creating documents, manipulating images and graphics, animation basics, web design fundamentals and video editing techniques. The exam typically takes between one and two hours to complete.

In order to become an ACA certified user, you must first purchase an exam voucher from Adobe or an authorized test center. The cost of the voucher varies depending on the type of certification you are seeking; however, it typically ranges from $95-$150 USD. Once you have purchased the voucher, you can register for the exam online at Adobe's website or through an authorized test center.

After registering for the exam, you will be given access to online study materials and practice tests to help prepare for the actual certification exam. You can also attend instructor-led training courses if desired; however these are not required in order to take the exam. Once you feel prepared for the exam, you can schedule a time to take it at a local testing center or via a remote proctoring service.

Once you have passed the ACA certification exam with a score of 70% or higher, your results will be sent directly to Adobe and your certificate will be issued within 7-10 business days. Your ACA certification will remain valid for two years before needing renewal.

9. Autodesk Certified User (ACU)

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) is an industry-recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in Autodesk software. It is a great way to demonstrate proficiency in Autodesk products, which can help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs.

The ACU certification typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of a series of online exams that test the user’s knowledge of Autodesk products. The exams are designed to assess the user’s ability to use Autodesk tools effectively, as well as their understanding of basic design principles.

To obtain an ACU certification, individuals must first register for the exam through the Autodesk website. After registering, they will be given access to a practice exam and study materials that will help them prepare for the actual exam. Once they have successfully completed the practice exam, they can then take the official ACU exam.

The cost of obtaining an ACU certification varies depending on which version of Autodesk software you are being certified in, but generally ranges from $99-$299 USD per product.

10. IBM Certified Publisher

IBM Certified Publisher is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the field of publishing. This certification is available to anyone interested in pursuing a career or expanding their current knowledge and skills in the publishing industry.

To become an IBM Certified Publisher, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as: publishing concepts, content management systems, digital asset management, layout design, digital printing technology, print production processes, and other related topics. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and typically takes two hours to complete.

In order to get certified as an IBM Certified Publisher, you must register with Pearson VUE and pay the associated fee which varies depending on your location. Once registered and paid for the exam, you will receive a confirmation email containing instructions on how to schedule your test date. After completing the exam successfully, you will be awarded an IBM Certified Publisher certification.

The cost of becoming an IBM Certified Publisher varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD.

Do You Really Need a Publisher Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a publisher certificate to be a successful author. However, having one can be beneficial as it indicates that your work has been vetted and accepted by a reputable publishing house. It also serves as evidence of your professional credentials and can help to establish credibility when submitting pieces for publication.

A publisher certificate may also be helpful in certain circumstances if you are self-publishing your book or applying for grants or awards. In some cases, the certificate may be required in order to prove that you have met the standards of quality set by the publishing house and that your work is suitable for publication.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a publisher certificate will depend on the type of writing that you do and how you plan to distribute it. If you are writing for an established publishing house, then having one will likely be beneficial. However, if you are self-publishing or using an online platform like Amazon to distribute your work, then a certificate may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh any potential cost associated with obtaining one.

Related: Publisher Resume Examples

FAQs About Publisher Certifications

Q1. What is a publisher certification?

A1. Publisher certifications are industry-recognized qualifications that demonstrate a publisher’s ability to effectively create and manage digital content, as well as their knowledge of the latest trends and best practices in the field. The certifications are offered by various organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and Adobe.

Q2. What are the benefits of having a publisher certification?

A2. Having a publisher certification can help you gain credibility in the publishing industry, increase your job prospects, and improve your overall career prospects. Additionally, it can also help you better understand the ever-evolving digital publishing landscape and give you an edge over other publishers who don't have such credentials.

Q3. How do I obtain a publisher certification?

A3. To obtain a publisher certification, you must first decide which organization's program you would like to pursue (e.g., Google Ads Certification or Microsoft Advertising Certification). Then, complete the required training courses or exams for that particular program and submit the necessary application materials to receive your certificate.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified?

A4. The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on which program you choose and how much effort you put into completing the required courses or exams for that particular program. Generally speaking, most programs require between 4-6 weeks of coursework or exam preparation before granting certification status.

Q5 Does having a publisher certification guarantee job opportunities?

A5 No, having a publisher certification does not guarantee job opportunities; however, it can certainly increase your chances of getting hired due to its industry recognition and validation of your skillset in digital publishing.