Top 11 SAP Specialist Certifications

Certifications for a SAP specialist are important in the job market as they demonstrate a professional level of knowledge and experience with the SAP software. Employers view certifications as proof that an individual has a certain level of expertise and understanding of SAP applications, which is essential for many businesses that use SAP technology. Moreover, certification can help a person stand out among other job seekers who may have similar qualifications but lack the specialized knowledge that comes with certification. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities to work on larger or more complex projects. Ultimately, certifications provide a way for SAP specialists to distinguish themselves from their peers and demonstrate their value to potential employers.

The article reviews the top certifications for SAP Specialists, and explains how they can help to advance a SAP Specialist's career.

What are SAP Specialist Certifications?

SAP Specialist Certification is a program designed to recognize and validate the expertise of individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in SAP software. It is offered by SAP, the world’s largest provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions. The certification program provides recognition for individuals who demonstrate mastery of specific areas within the SAP product portfolio, such as Business Intelligence, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM).

The certification program allows IT professionals to demonstrate their expertise and gain credibility in their field. Certified professionals can use this recognition to differentiate themselves from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions, and it can help them earn higher salaries. Additionally, it can help organizations identify qualified professionals who are knowledgeable about SAP software and can help them achieve their business goals.

Overall, attaining an SAP Specialist Certification demonstrates an individual's commitment to excellence in their profession while providing a valuable asset that will benefit both employers and employees alike. It can be used to open new career opportunities and provide a competitive edge for job seekers.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a SAP specialist certification, make sure to pay close attention to the prerequisites for the exam. This will help ensure that you are adequately prepared and have all the necessary knowledge and skills required to successfully pass the exam.

Related: What does an SAP Specialist do?

Top 11 SAP Specialist Certifications

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

1. SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA Cloud

SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in using the SAP S/4HANA Cloud solution. This certification is designed to validate the skills needed to implement, configure, and use the SAP S/4HANA Cloud solution.

To obtain this certification, individuals must complete a training course on the SAP Learning Hub and pass an exam. The training course typically takes around 40 hours to complete, depending on prior experience with SAP solutions. After completing the training course, individuals can schedule their exam at any of the available testing centers. The cost for the exam is $500 USD.

2. SAP Certified Technology Associate - SAP HANA 2.0

SAP Certified Technology Associate - SAP HANA 2.0 is a certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and technical skills in the area of SAP HANA 2.0, which is the latest version of SAP's in-memory database platform. This certification is designed for technology professionals who have a basic understanding of SAP HANA and want to demonstrate their expertise in the area.

It typically takes around 4-8 weeks to prepare for and pass the exam, depending on an individual’s level of experience with SAP HANA. In order to get certified, one must first register for the exam and then take it at an authorized testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on region but typically ranges from $500-$700 USD.

3. SAP Certified Development Associate - ABAP with SAP NetWeaver 7.5

SAP Certified Development Associate - ABAP with SAP NetWeaver 7.5 is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in developing and maintaining ABAP applications on the SAP NetWeaver platform. This certification is aimed at developers who have experience in developing and maintaining ABAP applications using the SAP NetWeaver platform.

It typically takes around 6 months of preparation to obtain this certification, depending on the individual’s experience level and background knowledge. To get certified, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as ABAP development, debugging techniques, performance optimization, integration technologies, and more. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

4. SAP Certified Application Professional - Financials in SAP S/4HANA for SAP ERP Finance Experts

SAP Certified Application Professional - Financials in SAP S/4HANA for SAP ERP Finance Experts is a certification program offered by SAP that validates the expertise of finance professionals in implementing and configuring the financial modules of SAP S/4HANA. This certification focuses on the technical aspects of configuring, customizing, and managing the financial solutions within an SAP S/4HANA environment.

The duration to get this certification depends on your prior experience with SAP and the amount of time you dedicate to studying for it. It typically takes around 2-3 months to complete the training and pass the exam.

To get this certification, you must first sign up for a training course from an accredited provider. Once you have completed the training, you will need to pass a multiple-choice exam in order to receive your certification. The exam consists of 80 questions and has a passing score of 68%.

The cost of getting this certification varies depending on which provider you choose to take your training from. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 USD.

5. SAP Certified Application Professional - Business Process Integration with SAP S/4HANA

SAP Certified Application Professional - Business Process Integration with SAP S/4HANA is a certification that demonstrates the skills and knowledge required to integrate business processes with SAP S/4HANA. This certification validates the candidate’s ability to configure, deploy and maintain an integrated business process solution based on SAP S/4HANA.

It takes approximately 4-6 months to prepare for this certification, depending on your experience level and familiarity with SAP S/4HANA. The preparation includes attending training sessions, reading the official documentation, and taking practice tests.

To get this certification, you must pass two exams: C_TS460_1909 (SAP Certified Application Professional - Business Process Integration with SAP S/4HANA 1909) and C_TS460_1809 (SAP Certified Application Professional - Business Process Integration with SAP S/4HANA 1809). Both exams are available in English language only.

The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $500-$700 USD per exam.

6. SAP Certified Technology Specialist – Database Administration for Oracle and HANA

SAP Certified Technology Specialist – Database Administration for Oracle and HANA is a certification that validates an individual’s expertise in the installation, configuration, and maintenance of SAP systems running on Oracle and SAP HANA databases. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot complex database environments.

It typically takes between two to three months to prepare for this certification exam. The preparation process involves studying the relevant material from the official SAP documentation as well as hands-on experience with the relevant software.

To get this certification, you must pass the C_TADM55_75 exam. This exam is administered by SAP Education and consists of 80 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 180 minutes. The cost of this exam varies depending on your geographic location but generally ranges from $500-$700 USD.

7. SAP Certified Integration Associate – Process Orchestration

SAP Certified Integration Associate – Process Orchestration is a certification program offered by SAP that validates the technical knowledge and skills of integration professionals in the area of process orchestration. The certification focuses on the ability to configure, deploy, monitor, and troubleshoot SAP Process Orchestration solutions.

It takes around 8-10 hours to complete the certification exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can be taken online or at an authorized testing center. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 60%.

The cost for the SAP Certified Integration Associate – Process Orchestration certification varies depending on your location. In general, it costs around $400 USD.

8. SAP Certified Application Professional – Logistics Execution and Warehouse Management with EWM 9.0

SAP Certified Application Professional – Logistics Execution and Warehouse Management with EWM 9.0 is a certification program for SAP professionals who have expertise in the design, configuration, and implementation of SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) 9.0. This certification demonstrates a professional’s knowledge of the functionality and features of EWM 9.0, as well as their ability to configure and implement it in an organization’s logistics environment.

The certification exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 180 minutes. The passing score is 67%. To get certified, you must first complete the required training course for EWM 9.0, which is available through SAP Education or authorized partners. Once you have completed the training course, you can register for the certification exam at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on your region but typically ranges from $500 to $700 USD.

9. SAP Certified Development Professional – ABAP with NetWeaver 7.5

SAP Certified Development Professional – ABAP with NetWeaver 7.5 is a certification program designed to recognize the expertise of experienced ABAP developers who have extensive knowledge and experience in developing complex applications using the SAP NetWeaver platform. It is a professional-level certification that demonstrates your ability to develop, maintain, and troubleshoot ABAP programs in an SAP NetWeaver environment.

The certification requires passing two exams: one exam on ABAP programming fundamentals and another on the SAP NetWeaver development platform. The exams are offered by SAP Education and administered through Pearson VUE testing centers. The cost of each exam is $500 USD.

It typically takes several months to prepare for the exams, depending on your prior experience with ABAP and SAP NetWeaver development. You can find study guides and practice tests online to help you prepare for the exams. Once you pass both exams, you will receive your official certificate from SAP Education.

10. SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Intelligence with BW 7.5 on HANA

SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Intelligence with BW 7.5 on HANA is a certification that validates the knowledge and skills of professionals in developing, implementing, and managing SAP Business Warehouse (BW) solutions powered by SAP HANA. It demonstrates the ability to use SAP HANA-optimized data models and tools to create reports and analyze data.

The exam duration is 180 minutes and consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. To obtain this certification, you must pass the C_BW4HANA_75 exam which costs $500 USD for each attempt.

To prepare for this certification, you can take online courses or attend instructor-led training sessions offered by SAP Education. You can also access e-learning materials from the SAP Learning Hub subscription service or read books related to the topic. Additionally, practice tests are available online to help prepare for the exam.

11. SAP Certified Technology Consultant – Solution Manager 7.1

SAP Certified Technology Consultant – Solution Manager 7.1 is a certification program for professionals who have expertise in implementing, configuring, and managing SAP Solution Manager 7.1. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of consultants in order to ensure that they can deliver successful implementations of the software.

It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to get certified depending on the individual’s level of experience and knowledge. To get certified, candidates must first register with SAP and then complete two exams: one written exam (C_SM_71) and one practical exam (C_SM_71_P). The written exam covers topics such as solution design, system configuration, process integration, application lifecycle management, monitoring and operations, technical operations, and more. The practical exam requires hands-on experience with the software in order to demonstrate mastery of its features.

The cost for the certification varies depending on where you take the exams but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

Do You Really Need a SAP Specialist Certificate?

An SAP specialist certificate is an important credential for any aspiring professional in the field of enterprise resource planning (ERP). This certification demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to work with the SAP ERP software. However, whether or not you need a SAP specialist certificate depends on your individual circumstances.

If you are looking for a job in the ERP field, having a SAP specialist certificate can be a major asset. Employers often prefer to hire candidates who have completed this certification as it shows that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to work with their systems. Additionally, having a certification may also give you an edge over other applicants who do not have one.

On the other hand, if you already have experience working with ERP systems, then a SAP specialist certificate may not be necessary. If you can demonstrate your proficiency in using these systems through previous projects and job experience, then employers may not require that you obtain this certification. However, if you want to stand out from other applicants or demonstrate your commitment to your field of work, then obtaining this certification may be beneficial.

Overall, whether or not you need a SAP specialist certificate depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. If you are looking for employment in the field of ERP systems and want to stand out from other applicants, then obtaining this certification can be very beneficial. On the other hand, if you already have experience working with these systems and can demonstrate your proficiency without needing additional credentials, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain this certification.

Related: SAP Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About SAP Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is a SAP Specialist certification?

A1. SAP Specialist certifications demonstrate an individual’s competency in specific areas of SAP software. These certifications are designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals working with SAP solutions, and provide them with the recognition they need to advance their careers.

Q2. What types of SAP certifications are available?

A2. There are several different types of SAP certifications available, including Associate, Professional, and Expert levels in various functional and technical areas such as Sales & Distribution, Financial Accounting & Controlling, Human Resources, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Manufacturing Execution Systems, and more.

Q3. How do I become certified in SAP?

A3. To become certified in SAP you must first register for the appropriate exam or exams on the official website (https://training.sap.com/certification). You will then need to complete the necessary training courses or self-study materials associated with each exam before sitting for the exam itself.

Q4. What is the cost of a SAP certification?

A4: The cost of a SAP certification can vary depending on which type of certification you are pursuing and where you take your exam. Generally speaking most exams range between $400-$500 USD per exam.

Q5: How long is my certificate valid for?

A5: Certificates remain valid indefinitely provided that you remain compliant with any applicable recertification requirements set forth by the issuing body (SAP).