Top 10 Release Manager Certifications

Certifications for release managers are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and commitment to the profession. Certification programs provide an opportunity for release managers to demonstrate their expertise, stay up-to-date on industry best practices, and gain recognition from employers. They also provide a way for employers to evaluate potential candidates and determine which ones have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the role. Certifications can also give employers confidence that their staff is knowledgeable about industry standards and processes.

This article reviews the top certifications for Release Managers and explains how they can help to advance a release manager's career.

What are Release Manager Certifications?

Release manager certification is a professional certification that provides an individual with the knowledge and skills to manage the planning, coordination, and implementation of software releases. It helps individuals to understand best practices for managing software development projects, including how to track progress, plan release schedules, coordinate stakeholders, and manage risk. The certification also covers topics such as project estimation and communication strategies. With this certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in release management processes and gain credibility in the technology industry. In addition to providing a competitive advantage in the job market, release manager certification can help individuals stay up to date on industry trends and learn new skills necessary for successful software releases.

Pro Tip: Before attempting to get certified as a Release Manager, make sure you have a solid understanding of the processes and systems related to software release management. Also, ensure that you are familiar with the best practices in the field and have a good understanding of the industry standards for releasing software.

Related: What does a Release Manager do?

Top 10 Release Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Scrum Release Train Engineer (CSRTE)

Certified Scrum Release Train Engineer (CSRTE) is a certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge and experience in applying the principles of Scrum to a large-scale software development environment. The CSRTE certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for leading, managing, and supporting enterprise-level Agile Release Trains (ARTs).

The CSRTE certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience working with Agile Release Trains, as well as a minimum of one year of experience in a leadership role on an ART. Applicants must also possess a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Scrum Professional (CSP) certification.

The CSRTE certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person interview. The online assessment is designed to assess the applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices associated with leading, managing, and supporting enterprise-level Agile Release Trains. The in-person interview focuses on the applicant’s practical experience with Agile Release Trains.

It typically takes between six weeks and three months to complete the CSRTE certification process. The cost of the certification varies depending on the country where you are located but generally ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

2. Certified Agile Release Train Professional (CARTP)

Certified Agile Release Train Professional (CARTP) is a certification program offered by the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). It is designed to help individuals become proficient in leading and managing an Agile Release Train (ART), which is a group of teams working together to deliver value in an iterative and incremental way.

The CARTP certification requires individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the SAFe framework, as well as their ability to lead and manage an ART. The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the concepts covered in the SAFe training courses.

It typically takes about 4-6 months to complete the necessary training and pass the CARTP exam. Individuals must first complete two core SAFe courses: Leading SAFe and Implementing SAFe. After completing these two courses, they must then pass the CARTP exam, which can be taken online or at a testing center.

The cost for obtaining the CARTP certification varies depending on where you take your training courses. Generally speaking, it will cost between $1,500-$2,000 USD for both courses and the exam fee.

3. Certified Release and Deployment Manager (CRDM)

Certified Release and Deployment Manager (CRDM) is a certification program offered by the DevOps Institute. It is designed to help professionals who are responsible for release and deployment processes in their organizations. The CRDM certification provides an understanding of the principles, practices, and tools used in modern release and deployment management.

The CRDM certification program consists of two parts: a self-paced online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as release management best practices, version control systems, continuous integration/delivery pipelines, automated testing, and more. The exam tests the knowledge gained from the course material.

It typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete the online course material and 1-2 hours to take the exam. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of getting certified depends on which package you choose. There are three packages available: Basic ($299), Professional ($399), and Enterprise ($499). Each package includes access to the online course material, practice exams, and one attempt at the CRDM exam.

4. ITIL® Foundation Certificate in Release, Control and Validation

ITIL® Foundation Certificate in Release, Control and Validation is a certification offered by the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in managing releases of IT services. The certificate covers topics such as release planning, change control, risk management, and quality assurance. It also provides an understanding of how to ensure that changes are released into production safely and securely.

It typically takes around one month to complete the ITIL® Foundation Certificate in Release, Control and Validation course. This includes studying for the exam, taking practice tests, and attending an accredited training course. The cost of the certification varies depending on the provider but is usually around $1,000 - $2,000 USD.

The exam can be taken online or at a testing center and consists of 40 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam you must score 65% or higher. After passing the exam you will receive your ITIL® Foundation Certificate in Release, Control and Validation which is valid for three years from date of issue.

5. Certified Software Release Manager (CSRM)

Certified Software Release Manager (CSRM) is a professional certification program developed by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in software release management. The CSRM certification is intended to help organizations identify qualified professionals who can effectively manage the entire software release process.

The CSRM certification requires that candidates pass an exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies. The exam covers topics such as version control, change management, configuration management, release planning and testing, deployment strategies, and more. Candidates must also demonstrate their ability to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios.

In order to become certified, candidates must have at least three years of experience in software release management or related fields. They must also submit proof of completion of at least one approved course on software release management or related topics.

The CSRM certification typically takes about six months to complete from start to finish. Candidates should expect to spend several hours studying for the exam and preparing for the case studies.

The cost of the CSRM certification varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

6. DevOps Institute Certified Release on Demand Manager (CRODM)

The DevOps Institute Certified Release on Demand Manager (CRODM) is a professional certification that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage the release of software applications in an Agile environment. The CRODM certification is designed to help professionals understand the principles, processes, and best practices surrounding the release of software applications.

The CRODM certification requires a minimum of 21 hours of training and consists of three courses: Introduction to Release Management, Agile Release Management, and Advanced Release Management. These courses cover topics such as version control systems, continuous integration/delivery pipelines, automated testing strategies, release automation tools, and more.

It typically takes about two weeks to complete all three courses and obtain the CRODM certification. To get certified, you must pass an online exam after completing each course. The cost for the exam varies depending on where you take it but usually ranges from $100-$200 per course.

In addition to passing the exams, you must also have at least one year of experience in release management or related fields in order to qualify for the certification. Once you have completed all three courses and passed all three exams, you will receive your CRODM certificate from DevOps Institute.

7. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize practitioners who have demonstrated their knowledge, skills and experience in leading agile projects. The PMI-ACP certification requires practitioners to demonstrate their understanding of agile principles, practices and tools.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. During this time, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements, complete 21 contact hours of training in agile practices and pass an exam. The exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 3 hours.

To become certified as a PMI-ACP, applicants must submit an application to PMI that includes proof of professional experience with agile methods, proof of education or training in agile methods, and a signed code of professional conduct. Applicants must also pay an application fee and pass the exam.

The cost for the PMI-ACP certification varies depending on the country you are applying from but typically ranges from $435-$495 USD for members and $495-$595 USD for non-members.

8. CompTIA Project+ Certification

CompTIA Project+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in project management. It is designed to demonstrate a professional’s ability to manage projects, from initiation through completion. The CompTIA Project+ certification covers the fundamentals of project management, such as scope definition, risk management, budgeting and quality assurance.

It typically takes between three and six months to prepare for the CompTIA Project+ exam. To get certified, you must pass a single exam that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take an authorized training course or use self-study materials such as books or online resources. You may also want to consider joining a study group or taking practice exams to help you better understand the material and identify any areas where you need additional review before taking the actual exam.

9. Microsoft Technology Associate: Cloud Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate: Cloud Fundamentals (MTA: CF) is a certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate knowledge of cloud computing concepts and principles. It is an entry-level certification that validates the understanding of the fundamentals of cloud computing, including cloud services, deployment models, security and privacy considerations, and other related topics.

The MTA: CF exam takes about 90 minutes to complete. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as cloud services, deployment models, security and privacy considerations, and other related topics. The exam costs $127 USD.

To get the MTA: CF certification, you must pass the Microsoft Technology Associate: Cloud Fundamentals Exam (98-369). You can take this exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft verifying your achievement.

10. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer is an entry-level certification that demonstrates a programmer’s knowledge of the Java programming language. It is designed to validate a programmer’s understanding of the core language features and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of the Java platform.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can be taken in either an online or onsite format.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam through Oracle's website and pay the associated fee. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location, but typically ranges from $245 to $295 USD. After registering for the exam, you will need to study for it using official Oracle training materials and practice exams. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official Oracle Certified Associate Certificate in Java SE 8 Programmer from Oracle University.

Do You Really Need a Release Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question really depends on the individual. A Release Manager Certificate is a professional certification that is designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in managing software releases. It covers topics such as planning, scheduling, and executing releases, as well as managing stakeholders and risks associated with a release.

In some organizations, having a Release Manager Certificate may be beneficial because it can show potential employers that you are knowledgeable about the specific requirements of managing software releases. Having a certificate also indicates that you have taken the time to learn more about this particular field and can help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs. Additionally, it may open up opportunities for promotion or advancement within your current organization if they value certifications.

On the other hand, having a Release Manager Certificate is not necessary for everyone. If you already have experience in managing software releases or have taken courses related to this topic before then you may not need to pursue a formal certification. Furthermore, if your organization does not place value on certifications then attaining one may be unnecessary.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Release Manager Certificate will depend on your individual goals and objectives. If it will help you progress in your career then it might be worth considering getting certified; however, if it is not of any use to you in terms of your current job or future prospects then pursuing one may not be necessary.

Related: Release Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Release Manager Certifications

1. What are the benefits of Release Manager Certifications?

Answer: Release Manager Certifications provide individuals with the skills and knowledge to manage and deploy applications, software, and hardware. They help organizations improve their release management processes, reduce downtime, and ensure that their products are deployed correctly and on time.

2. How long does it take to obtain a Release Manager Certification?

Answer: The time frame for obtaining a Release Manager Certification depends on the individual's experience level and the certification program they choose. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months to two years to complete a certification program depending on the complexity of the material being covered.

3. What type of job opportunities are available for someone with a Release Manager Certification?

Answer: With a Release Manager Certification, professionals can pursue roles such as DevOps Engineer, Software Deployment Specialist, Software Configuration Analyst, or Release Engineer. These roles involve managing and deploying software updates, overseeing quality assurance testing processes, and troubleshooting technical issues related to releases.

4. What is the best way to prepare for a Release Manager Certification exam?

Answer: The best way to prepare for any certification exam is by studying relevant material from reliable sources such as textbooks or online courses. Additionally, practice tests can be taken in order to assess one’s understanding of the material before taking the actual exam.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Release Manager?

Answer: Most certification programs do not require any specific prior certifications or qualifications in order to become certified as a Release Manager; however some may require basic IT knowledge or experience in programming languages such as Python or Java Scripting language.