Top 10 RPG Programmer Certifications

Certifications are important for any RPG programmer in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency and expertise in the language. They also provide proof that the individual has taken the time to learn specific aspects of RPG programming and is committed to a high standard of work. Certifications can give employers confidence that a potential hire is capable of completing projects on time and to a high quality, as well as providing assurance that the person understands how to use the language correctly. Furthermore, certifications can help an individual stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of getting hired.

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

What are RPG Programmer Certifications?

RPG Programmer Certification is a professional certification for RPG (Report Program Generator) programmers. It demonstrates to employers that a programmer has the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, maintain, and troubleshoot applications using IBM’s RPG language. The certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as RPG syntax and commands, embedded SQL coding, debugging techniques, and working with data structures.

Having the RPG Programmer Certification can help demonstrate a programmer’s expertise in this language to potential employers. It can also give the programmer more credibility when applying for jobs or negotiating salary. Additionally, having this certification can help them stay ahead of industry trends by providing access to new technologies and best practices in the field. Finally, it may also provide additional career opportunities due to its recognition among employers as a respected credential.

Pro Tip: When considering an RPG Programmer Certification, look for certifications that are specific to your version of RPG and include topics such as RPG coding standards, debugging techniques, and the latest features of the language. This will ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the language and can effectively use it in development projects.

Related: What does an RPG Programmer do?

Top 10 RPG Programmer Certifications

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

1. RPG Developer Certification from IBM

RPG Developer Certification from IBM is a certification program designed to help developers gain proficiency in the RPG programming language. It is designed to provide developers with the skills needed to develop, maintain, and debug RPG applications.

The certification consists of two exams: the IBM Certified Application Developer – RPG (CAD-RPG) exam and the IBM Certified System Administrator – RPG (CSSA-RPG) exam. The CAD-RPG exam covers topics such as database design, application development, debugging techniques, and performance optimization. The CSSA-RPG exam covers topics such as system administration tasks, security management, and system monitoring.

It typically takes around six months to complete the entire certification process. To get started, you must first register for an IBM ID and then purchase the appropriate exams from IBM's website. Each exam costs $200 USD. After completing both exams successfully, you will receive your certificate via email within a few weeks.

Once certified, you can demonstrate your knowledge of RPG programming by listing your certification on your resume or portfolio. You can also use it to apply for jobs that require experience in RPG programming or related fields.

2. RPG Programming Certification from CompTIA

RPG Programming Certification from CompTIA is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the development of applications using RPG (Report Program Generator) programming language. This certification is designed for professionals who have at least two years of experience with RPG programming and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in this field.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher on a scale of 100-900.

To get the RPG Programming Certification from CompTIA, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE, which is an online testing center. Once you’ve registered, you can then schedule your exam at any time that works best for you. The cost of the exam is $259 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official certificate from CompTIA within 3-4 weeks. You can also use this certificate to apply for jobs or promotions in your current role as it demonstrates your expertise in RPG programming language.

3. RPG Programming Certification from Microsoft

RPG Programming Certification from Microsoft is a certification program that validates the skills of RPG programmers. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their proficiency in developing and maintaining applications using IBM i (formerly known as AS/400) and related technologies. The certification covers topics such as database design, programming logic, debugging, and performance optimization.

To get the certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 70-778: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Microsoft Power BI and Exam 70-779: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Excel. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam is $165 USD.

The time it takes to get the certification depends on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it may take anywhere from one to three months to prepare for the exams if you are already familiar with RPG programming concepts. If you are new to RPG programming, it may take longer than three months to prepare for the exams.

In addition to passing both exams, you must also have at least five years of professional experience working with IBM i (AS/400) systems in order to be eligible for this certification.

The total cost of getting certified in RPG Programming from Microsoft will depend on your location and the number of times you need to retake an exam if necessary. In general, however, it can range between $330-$495 USD depending on your situation.

4. RPG Programming Certification from Oracle

RPG Programming Certification from Oracle is a professional certification that demonstrates a programmer’s proficiency in the RPG programming language. The certification is designed to validate the skills of experienced RPG programmers who are already familiar with the language and its syntax.

The certification exam consists of two parts: Part 1 covers basic concepts such as variables, data types, control structures, and functions. Part 2 covers more advanced topics such as arrays, subroutines, triggers, and embedded SQL. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and requires a passing score of at least 70%.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam on Oracle’s website. You will then need to purchase an exam voucher (which costs $125 USD) and schedule an appointment to take the test at a Pearson VUE testing center. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your certificate in the mail within six weeks.

The cost of getting certified in RPG Programming from Oracle includes both the cost of the exam voucher ($125 USD) and any additional fees associated with scheduling an appointment at a Pearson VUE testing center.

5. RPG Programming Certification from SAP

RPG Programming Certification from SAP is a certification program designed to help IT professionals develop their skills and knowledge in the field of RPG programming. This certification is offered by SAP and is recognized globally as a proof of expertise in the field.

The certification exam covers topics such as RPG programming language, database design, application development, debugging, performance tuning, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get certified, individuals must first register with the SAP Learning Hub and purchase the appropriate course materials for their chosen module. Once registered, individuals will be given access to an online learning platform where they can access course materials such as lectures, practice tests, tutorials and more. After completing all course materials and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, individuals will receive their official RPG Programming Certification from SAP.

The cost of the certification program depends on which module you choose to take. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for each module plus additional fees for any required textbooks or other resources needed for completion.

6. RPG Programming Certification from Sybase

RPG Programming Certification from Sybase is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of RPG programmers. The certification is offered by Sybase, an SAP company, and is designed to demonstrate a programmer’s proficiency in programming with the RPG language.

To receive the RPG Programming Certification from Sybase, a candidate must pass two exams: the RPG Programming I exam and the RPG Programming II exam. Both exams are administered online and can be taken at any time. The exams cover topics such as database access, program design, debugging techniques, error handling, and more.

The cost of taking both exams is $150 USD per exam or $300 USD for both exams combined. This fee includes access to practice tests and study materials that can help prepare candidates for their exams. It also covers the cost of taking the actual exams and receiving your certification once you have passed them both.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you spend studying for each exam and how quickly you are able to complete them. Generally speaking, most people who take both exams can get certified within 1-2 months.

7. RPG Programming Certification from AS/400

RPG Programming Certification from AS/400 is a certification program offered by IBM to demonstrate proficiency in the RPG programming language. This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of experienced RPG programmers who are working on the AS/400 platform.

The certification consists of two exams: one for basic RPG programming and another for advanced RPG programming. The basic exam covers topics such as data types, file manipulation, and interactive processing; while the advanced exam covers topics such as embedded SQL, service programs, and debugging techniques.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete both exams. To get started, you must first register with IBM's Professional Certification Program (PCP). After registering, you can purchase the course materials needed to prepare for the exams. You will also need to schedule your exams with an authorized testing center.

The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on where you take the tests and how many courses you take to prepare for them. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1000 USD to obtain this certification.

8. RPG Programming Certification from Progress Software

RPG Programming Certification from Progress Software is a certification program designed to help developers demonstrate their expertise in the RPG programming language. It is available for both traditional RPG and ILE (Integrated Language Environment) RPG. The certification requires developers to pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of the language, its syntax, and associated development tools.

The certification process typically takes around two hours, depending on the individual's experience and familiarity with the language. To get certified, developers must register with Progress Software and take the online assessment. After passing the assessment, they receive a certificate that can be used to demonstrate their proficiency in RPG programming.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the type of license purchased. For a single user license, it costs $199 USD; for a multi-user license, it costs $299 USD.

9. RPG Programming Certification from CA Technologies

RPG Programming Certification from CA Technologies is a certification program designed to help IT professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to effectively program in RPG. The certification is offered by CA Technologies, a leading provider of enterprise software solutions.

The RPG Programming Certification consists of two exams: RPG I and RPG II. Each exam takes approximately three hours to complete and covers topics such as database design, coding techniques, debugging, and performance tuning. To obtain the certification, candidates must pass both exams with a score of 70% or higher.

Candidates can register for the certification exams online or through their local CA Technologies office. The cost of the certification varies depending on the country in which it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $150 to $200 USD per exam.

In addition to passing the exams, candidates must also meet certain prerequisites before taking them. These include having at least two years of experience programming in RPG and an understanding of basic computer concepts such as memory management, operating systems, networking protocols, and security principles.

Once certified, IT professionals will have demonstrated their proficiency in programming with RPG and will be able to use their knowledge to create efficient applications that are secure and reliable.

10. RPG Programming Certification from Infor Global Solutions

RPG Programming Certification from Infor Global Solutions is a certification program designed to help IT professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to work with RPG programming language. This certification is focused on the IBM i operating system, which is used by many businesses for their ERP systems.

The certification program consists of two courses: Introduction to ILE RPG Programming and Advanced ILE RPG Programming. The Introduction course covers topics such as data types, control structures, file operations, and debugging techniques. The Advanced course focuses on topics such as subprocedures, embedded SQL, service programs, and debugging techniques.

The program takes approximately four months to complete. To get certified in RPG Programming from Infor Global Solutions, you must successfully complete both courses and pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of the certification program varies depending on your location. Generally, it costs around $1,500 USD for both courses plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Do You Really Need a RPG Programmer Certificate?

No, you do not need an RPG Programmer Certificate to become a successful RPG programmer. While having a certification may give you an edge over other applicants in the job market, there are many ways to demonstrate your knowledge and skills without one.

First, employers will often look at your past experience with programming languages and systems when considering you for a position. If you have worked with RPG systems before, this should be enough to show that you know what you're doing. It's also important to be able to explain how your experience applies to the job in question. Showing that you understand the specific requirements of the job and can effectively use your skills to meet those needs is more valuable than simply having a certification.

Second, it is possible to learn the basics of RPG programming on your own or through online classes or tutorials. With some patience and dedication, anyone can learn how to write code in any language. This is especially true for RPG programming since there are plenty of resources available online for free or at low cost that can teach beginners everything they need to know about the language and its applications. You can also choose to take a course from an accredited institution if desired, but this isn't always necessary depending on what kind of job you're applying for.

Finally, employers value soft skills just as much as technical expertise when looking for new hires. Being able to work well with others, communicate effectively, and solve problems creatively are all important qualities that can help make up for any lack of formal training or certification in a given field. Demonstrating these abilities during an interview or on-the-job test will go a long way towards convincing potential employers that you have what it takes to be successful in their organization without needing an official certificate.

In conclusion, while having an RPG Programmer Certificate may give applicants an advantage over others who don't have one, it is by no means essential for becoming a successful RPG programmer. Employers will take into account other factors such as past experience with similar systems and soft skills when making hiring decisions so demonstrating these qualities is just as important as having a certificate when applying for jobs in this field.

Related: RPG Programmer Resume Examples

FAQs About RPG Programmer Certifications

Q1: What is an RPG programmer certification?

A1: An RPG programmer certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the RPG programming language. It also shows that they have the necessary skills to develop and maintain applications using this language.

Q2: How do I become an RPG programmer?

A2: Becoming an RPG programmer requires a combination of education, experience, and training. You should start by earning a degree in computer science or another related field. Then, gain experience working with the language through internships or other hands-on experiences. Finally, you can pursue a certification program to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the language.

Q3: What are some benefits of getting certified as an RPG programmer?

A3: There are several benefits of becoming certified as an RPG programmer. These include increased job opportunities, higher pay, better career prospects, improved technical skills and knowledge, and more recognition from employers. Additionally, being certified can help you stand out among other applicants when applying for jobs.

Q4: Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an RPG programmer certification?

A4: Generally speaking, most certifying bodies require applicants to have at least two years of programming experience with the language prior to taking the exam. Additionally, many certifications require applicants to complete courses or training programs related to the specific version of the programming language they will be tested on.

Q5: How long does it take to become certified as an RPG programmer?

A5: The amount of time it takes to become certified as an RPG programmer depends on several factors such as how much experience you already have with the language, how quickly you learn new concepts and techniques, and how often you practice coding tasks related to the language. In general though, it typically takes anywhere from six months up to two years depending on all these factors.