Top 10 Release Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a release coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate that the release coordinator is knowledgeable and qualified to perform their duties in a professional manner. Certification shows employers that the release coordinator has obtained specialized training and knowledge in the field of software release coordination, which can be beneficial when seeking employment opportunities. Certifications also provide employers with proof that the release coordinator has met industry standards for their profession, which can help them stand out from other applicants. Furthermore, certifications increase the credibility of a release coordinator in the eyes of potential employers by showing that they are committed to their profession and have taken the time to gain additional skills and knowledge related to software releases.

This article reviews the most beneficial certifications for Release Coordinators and explains how they can help to further their career.

What are Release Coordinator Certifications?

Release Coordinator Certification is a professional certification program that provides training and education in the key processes and best practices associated with release coordination. It is designed to help organizations create, implement, and maintain a successful release cycle. This certification covers topics such as version control, product development lifecycle, software deployment, risk management, change management, and more. By earning this certification, professionals can demonstrate their expertise in release coordination and be better prepared to lead successful release cycles for their organization. The certification also provides employers with assurance that their Release Coordinators have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully manage releases.

Pro Tip: When considering release coordinator certification, make sure to research the various certifications available and determine which one best fits your needs. Make sure to look into the cost, requirements, and how long it will take to complete the certification. It is also important to understand what type of job opportunities you may have access to after certification.

Related: What does a Release Coordinator do?

Top 10 Release Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Release Coordinator (CRC)

Certified Release Coordinator (CRC) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). The program is designed to provide medical coders with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately interpret medical coding guidelines and apply them to the release of patient information.

The CRC certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as: HIPAA compliance, documentation requirements, coding guidelines, and release of information processes. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CRC exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience in medical coding or related field, or have completed an AAPC-approved medical coding course. Candidates must also pass a background check before taking the exam.

The cost for the CRC exam is $399 USD for members and $449 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official Certified Release Coordinator certificate from AAPC.

2. Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)

Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in change management. The CCMP designation is the only globally recognized certification for change management professionals, and it is awarded by the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP).

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the program, depending on how quickly you can complete the required coursework and assessments. To get certified, you must first become an ACMP member and then complete an online application. You will also need to pass a written exam and demonstrate your knowledge of change management through a portfolio review.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are an ACMP member or not. For non-members, the cost is approximately $1,500 USD plus applicable taxes; for members, it is approximately $1,000 USD plus applicable taxes.

3. Certified Agile Release Train Engineer (CARTE)

Certified Agile Release Train Engineer (CARTE) is a certification program developed by Scaled Agile, Inc. to recognize the expertise of individuals in leading and managing an Agile Release Train (ART). An ART is a long-lived team of Agile teams that plan, commit to, build, and deliver solutions on a regular cadence. The CARTE certification demonstrates that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to lead an ART and its associated teams.

The CARTE certification requires passing two exams: SAFe 4.6 Advanced Scrum Master Exam and SAFe 4.6 Release Train Engineer Exam. The Advanced Scrum Master exam focuses on advanced agile concepts such as servant leadership, facilitation techniques, coaching practices, conflict resolution strategies, and more. The Release Train Engineer exam focuses on topics such as planning and executing Program Increments (PIs), releasing value to customers, managing risks and dependencies at scale, leading change initiatives, building high performing teams, driving continuous improvement initiatives across the ARTs portfolio of products/services, etc.

In order to obtain the CARTE certification you must first purchase the SAFe 4.6 Advanced Scrum Master or SAFe 4.6 Release Train Engineer course from Scaled Agile Academy which includes access to both exams for $495 USD each or $990 USD for both courses combined. Once you have purchased either course you will be granted access to both exams which can be taken online at your own pace within 90 days of purchase. Each exam consists of multiple choice questions with no time limit but it typically takes around 2 hours to complete each exam.

Once you have successfully completed both exams you will receive your official CARTE certification from Scaled Agile Academy which is valid for two years before needing renewal through re-certification or additional training courses offered by Scaled Agile Academy.

4. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

A Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a professional certification offered by the Scrum Alliance. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of the principles and practices of the Scrum framework, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement in product ownership.

The CSPO certification requires a two-day course that covers topics such as product vision, backlog management, user stories, release planning, and stakeholder collaboration. The course also includes interactive activities to help participants apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment to receive their certification.

To become a CSPO, you must first register for the two-day course through the Scrum Alliance website. The cost of the course varies depending on location and availability but typically ranges from $1,000-$1,500 USD. Once you have completed the course and passed the assessment, you will be awarded your CSPO certification.

5. Certified DevOps Professional (CDP)

Certified DevOps Professional (CDP) is a certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the DevOps methodology, which is a set of practices designed to help organizations improve collaboration between software development and IT operations teams. The CDP certification is offered by the DevOps Institute, a global organization dedicated to advancing the practice of DevOps.

The CDP certification requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of core concepts related to DevOps such as continuous delivery, automation, infrastructure as code, and monitoring. To obtain the certification, candidates must pass an online exam consisting of multiple-choice questions. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and covers topics such as DevOps culture, principles and practices; automation; configuration management; security; monitoring; and more.

The cost for the CDP certification exam is $395 USD. Candidates who successfully pass the exam will receive their official CDP certificate within 4-6 weeks after taking the exam.

6. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification that provides individuals with the knowledge and best practices of IT Service Management. It is designed to help organizations improve their IT services and processes, leading to better customer satisfaction and improved business performance. The certification is based on the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework, which is widely used in the industry.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around 20 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level. To get certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited provider such as PeopleCert or AXELOS. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes.

The cost of the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider and country, but typically ranges from $200 to $400 USD.

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. It is designed to help project managers demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and experience in managing projects.

To become PMP certified, one must meet certain eligibility criteria and pass the PMP exam. The eligibility requirements are as follows:

-A four-year degree or equivalent education/experience

-At least three years of experience leading and directing projects

-At least 4,500 hours of project management experience

-35 hours of professional development training related to project management

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and takes four hours to complete. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that individuals take a PMP prep course or study on their own using PMI approved materials.

The cost for taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member of the PMI or not. For non-members, the cost is $555 USD; for members, the cost is $405 USD. In addition to this fee, there may be additional costs associated with taking a prep course or purchasing study materials.

Overall, becoming PMP certified can take anywhere from several months to over a year depending on how much time one has available to dedicate to studying and preparing for the exam.

8. Certified Software Release Manager (CSRM)

Certified Software Release Manager (CSRM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved excellence in the field of software release management. The certification is offered by the International Association of Software Release Managers (IASRM).

The CSRM certification requires that applicants demonstrate knowledge and experience in software release management, including planning, scheduling, testing, and deploying software releases. Applicants must also demonstrate their understanding of best practices for software release management.

The CSRM certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and an on-site assessment. The online exam covers topics such as project management, risk management, change control, configuration management, and release processes. The on-site assessment includes a review of the applicant's professional experience with software release management.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the CSRM certification program. To get started, applicants must register for the IASRM website and pay a registration fee of $500 USD. After registering, applicants can begin studying for the online exam and preparing for the on-site assessment.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants will be awarded their CSRM certification. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or attending conferences related to software release management.

9. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have mastered the principles of Lean Six Sigma and its methodology. It is designed to help organizations improve their processes, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

The CLSSBB program requires participants to complete a comprehensive training course that covers topics such as process improvement, project management, data analysis, and problem solving. The course typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete and can be taken online or in a classroom setting. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $1,500 to $3,000.

Once the course is completed, participants must pass an exam in order to become certified. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as Lean Six Sigma tools and methodologies, process improvement techniques, and project management skills. The exam typically takes 2-4 hours to complete and can be taken online or at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $300 to $600.

Once certified, individuals are expected to maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses every three years. This ensures that they stay up-to-date with the latest trends in Lean Six Sigma methodology and best practices.

10. Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions Certification

Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions Certification is an entry-level certification that validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills in the areas of Azure DevOps. It is designed to demonstrate a candidate’s ability to design, deploy, and manage applications on the Azure platform.

The certification exam typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of 40-60 multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as Azure DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), and more.

To get Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions Certification, you must first pass the AZ-400: Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions exam. This exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Prometric test center and costs $165 USD. You may also opt for online proctored exams if you prefer to take your exam from home.

Once you have passed the AZ-400 exam, you will receive your Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Solutions certificate. This certificate is valid for three years after which you will need to retake the AZ-400 exam in order to maintain your certification status.

Do You Really Need a Release Coordinator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and the type of job you are seeking. If you are looking for a career in release coordination, then it is highly recommended that you obtain a Release Coordinator Certificate. This certificate demonstrates to potential employers that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage software releases. It also shows that you have taken the time to understand industry best practices and can apply them in a professional setting.

Having a Release Coordinator Certificate also allows employers to quickly identify qualified candidates who have specialized knowledge and experience in this field. Additionally, having such certification may open up more job opportunities as some organizations may prefer or require applicants with such credentials.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Release Coordinator Certificate depends on the position you are applying for and the qualifications required by the employer. If your goal is to pursue a career in release coordination, then obtaining such certification would be beneficial for your job search as it will demonstrate your commitment and dedication towards the profession.

Related: Release Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Release Coordinator Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a Release Coordinator?

Answer: You need to have a degree in computer science or related field and experience managing release cycles. In addition, some employers may require certifications such as Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), or Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM).

2. How long does it take to get certified as a Release Coordinator?

Answer: The time it takes to get certified as a Release Coordinator depends on the certification program you choose. Generally, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on the program and your level of commitment.

3. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified as a Release Coordinator?

Answer: Yes, some certification programs may have prerequisites such as prior experience with software development or project management. Be sure to check the requirements of the specific certification program before enrolling.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a Release Coordinator?

Answer: Becoming a Release Coordinator can help you improve your skills in managing release cycles, increase your employability, and give you an edge over other applicants in the job market. It also provides credibility and recognition within the industry, which can lead to better opportunities for career growth and advancement.

5. What is the cost of Certification for a Release Coordinator?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on the type of certification program you choose and whether or not you need to purchase study materials or application fees. Generally speaking, most certification programs range between $500-$2000 USD depending on the provider and depth of training offered.