Top 10 SAS Developer Certifications

Certifications for SAS developers can be very important in the job market as they demonstrate a commitment to the software and a high level of technical competence. Certified professionals are viewed as having a higher level of knowledge, experience, and expertise than non-certified professionals. Employers may view certified developers as more reliable and trustworthy. Additionally, certifications can give an edge when competing for jobs against other candidates who may not have any certifications. Having certifications can also open up opportunities to work on specific projects that require certain technical capabilities or specialized knowledge.

This article reviews the top certifications for SAS Developers and explains how they can help advance a SAS Developer's career.

What are SAS Developer Certifications?

SAS Developer certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional's expertise in the SAS programming language. It validates a programmer’s ability to develop and maintain applications using SAS software, as well as the ability to interact with relational databases and other data sources. With this certification, individuals demonstrate their knowledge of the software, which can help them stand out from the competition when seeking job opportunities or promotions.

This certification is beneficial for those who want to work with data and analytics, as it provides recognition for one’s skills in SAS programming. It also shows employers that an individual is knowledgeable about the software and can apply it in various scenarios. Furthermore, having this certification can open up more job opportunities since many employers are increasingly looking for candidates who possess this skill set. Additionally, those who have earned a SAS Developer certification often earn higher salaries than those without it due to their higher level of expertise. Finally, having the credential can help individuals stay current on new technologies and trends in the field of data analytics.

Pro Tip: When studying for a SAS Developer Certification, create a study plan and set aside ample time to review the material. Make sure to focus on the areas you are weakest in, and practice as much as possible with real-world scenarios to ensure that you are prepared for the exam.

Related: What does an SAS Developer do?

Top 10 SAS Developer Certifications

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

1. SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program offered by SAS Institute, Inc. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in programming with the SAS language. The certification is intended for individuals who are already familiar with the fundamentals of the SAS language and have experience using it to create data sets, analyze data, and generate reports.

To become a certified base programmer for SAS 9, you must pass a two-hour exam that covers topics such as:

• Data manipulation techniques
• Basic syntax
• Data set options
• Procedures
• Output delivery system
• Macro facility
• Debugging techniques
• SQL processing
• Accessing external files
• Reading and writing raw data files

The exam is available through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $180-$200 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from SAS Institute confirming your achievement.

2. SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification that proves expertise in the advanced programming techniques used to access, transform, and analyze data using the SAS 9 software. This certification is designed for experienced SAS programmers who have mastered the fundamentals of SAS programming and are looking to demonstrate their advanced skills.

The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and includes 70 multiple-choice questions. To get certified, you must pass this exam with a score of at least 65%. The exam fee is $180 USD.

To prepare for the exam, you can take an official course from SAS or review the self-study materials available on their website. You should also practice your coding skills by completing hands-on exercises and studying sample questions from previous exams.

3. SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 13

SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 13 is a certification program offered by SAS Institute. It is designed to help data professionals demonstrate their expertise in predictive modeling and analytics using the SAS Enterprise Miner 13 software. The certification is a comprehensive exam that tests an individual’s knowledge of predictive modeling, data mining, and analytics.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To get certified, individuals must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. The cost of the certification exam varies depending on the country where it is taken, but generally ranges from $200 - $300 USD.

In order to take the exam, individuals must register through the SAS website. After registering, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online testing system. Individuals must also create a MySAS profile in order to access their test results and any additional resources needed for study or review.

Once certified, individuals will receive a digital copy of their certificate as well as an official seal that can be used on resumes and other professional documents.

4. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling

SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling is a certification program designed to demonstrate your ability to use the SAS system for data analysis. This certification requires that you have a basic understanding of statistical concepts and the ability to apply them using the SAS System.

The exam is three hours long and consists of multiple-choice questions. The topics covered include linear regression, logistic regression, generalized linear models, time series analysis, forecasting, experimental design, and multivariate analysis.

To get this certification, you must pass the SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling exam. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Pearson VUE's website. To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you take a course in regression and modeling using SAS 9 or review relevant material from the SAS Institute’s Learning Paths website.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $200 USD.

5. SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9

SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who develop and maintain clinical trials applications using SAS software. The certification exam covers topics such as data management, programming techniques, analysis, reporting, and validation.

The certification exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get the SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programming Using SAS 9 certification, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $180 USD. After registering for the exam, you will be able to select a date and time that works best for you to take it.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an email notification from Pearson VUE confirming your successful completion of the certification program along with instructions on how to access your digital badge and certificate.

6. JMP Statistical Discovery Software from SAS Certification

JMP Statistical Discovery Software from SAS Certification is a powerful data analysis software that helps you explore, visualize and analyze data. It provides an intuitive interface for users to quickly understand their data. With JMP, you can easily identify patterns, trends and relationships in your data.

JMP is available as part of the SAS Certification program. To get access to JMP, you will need to purchase a SAS Certification program subscription. The cost of the subscription depends on the level of certification you are pursuing (Foundation, Advanced or Professional). The subscription also includes other tools such as SAS Studio and Base SAS.

It typically takes about three months to complete the certification process and receive access to JMP. During this time, you will have access to training materials, practice exams and online support from SAS experts. Upon successful completion of the certification program, you will be granted access to JMP Statistical Discovery Software from SAS Certification.

The cost of the certification program depends on which level of certification you are pursuing; however, it typically ranges from $1,000-$3,000 USD depending on the package purchased.

7. SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9 is a certification program that validates an individual's skills in designing, building, testing, and deploying data integration solutions using the SAS Data Integration Studio. It is designed for professionals who develop data integration jobs and transformations using SAS software.

It typically takes about four to six months of preparation to get certified. During this time, individuals should review the official course materials and practice their skills on the software. Additionally, they can take advantage of online resources such as tutorials and study guides to help them prepare for the exam.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To get certified, individuals must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $180 to $250 USD per attempt.

8. SAS Certified Big Data Professional

SAS Certified Big Data Professional is a certification program offered by SAS Institute. It is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to leverage the power of big data and analytics in their organizations. The certification covers topics such as data management, data exploration, predictive modeling, machine learning, and more.

The certification exam typically takes about four hours to complete. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of experience working with SAS software or equivalent experience in order to qualify for the exam.

To get certified as a SAS Certified Big Data Professional, candidates must first register for the exam online at the SAS Institute website. Once registered, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. Candidates must then pass an online proctored exam that consists of multiple-choice questions and practical exercises.

The cost of the SAS Certified Big Data Professional certification exam is $250 USD (or local currency equivalent).

9. Advanced Analytics Professional with SAS Viya 3.5

Advanced Analytics Professional with SAS Viya 3.5 is a certification program designed to demonstrate your expertise in using the latest version of SAS Viya, the world's leading analytics platform. The program is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills needed to use SAS Viya 3.5 for advanced analytics tasks, such as predictive modeling, machine learning, text mining and more.

The program consists of four courses: Introduction to SAS Viya 3.5, Advanced Analytics with SAS Viya 3.5, Machine Learning with SAS Viya 3.5 and Text Mining with SAS Viya 3.5. The courses are self-paced and can be completed in approximately 20 hours total.

To get started with Advanced Analytics Professional with SAS Viya 3.5, you must first purchase a license from the SAS website or from an authorized reseller. Once you have purchased a license, you will receive access to the four courses that make up the program along with additional resources such as e-books and webinars to help you succeed in your studies.

The cost of Advanced Analytics Professional with SAS Viya 3.5 varies depending on where you purchase it from but typically ranges between $1,000-$2,000 USD for a single user license or $3,000-$4,000 USD for multiple users or teams of users who need access to the same materials at once.

10. Machine Learning with Python Using Jupyter Notebooks on the IBM Cloud

Machine Learning with Python Using Jupyter Notebooks on the IBM Cloud is a service that allows users to quickly and easily create, train, and deploy machine learning models. It provides an easy-to-use environment for data scientists to work with their data, build models, and deploy them into production. The IBM Cloud platform provides access to powerful computing resources such as GPUs and CPUs to help speed up the training of machine learning models.

It takes only a few minutes to get started with Machine Learning with Python Using Jupyter Notebooks on the IBM Cloud. All you need to do is sign up for an account on the IBM Cloud website and then create a project. Once your project is created, you can launch a Jupyter notebook instance from the “Create” tab in your project dashboard. You will be able to start coding right away using either Python or R language.

The cost of using Machine Learning with Python Using Jupyter Notebooks on the IBM Cloud depends on the type of hardware used for training and deploying your model. Generally speaking, it costs around $0.50 USD per hour for CPU usage and around $2 USD per hour for GPU usage. Additionally, there are other costs associated with storage space, memory usage, etc., which vary depending on your needs.

Do You Really Need a SAS Developer Certificate?

The decision to pursue an SAS Developer Certificate is a very personal one and depends on a variety of factors. While having a certificate may provide certain advantages in the job market, it is not always necessary.

For those who are considering a career in data analytics or software engineering, obtaining an SAS Developer Certificate may be beneficial. Having this certification can demonstrate expertise and knowledge to potential employers, as well as provide opportunities for further professional development. Additionally, the training and certification process helps to ensure that professionals have the skills and knowledge to work with SAS software effectively.

However, whether or not an individual needs an SAS Developer Certificate will also depend on their level of experience with the software and what they plan to do with it. For example, if someone has been using SAS for years and is comfortable working with it without any formal training, then they may not need this certificate. On the other hand, if someone has little experience with SAS but plans to pursue a career in analytics or software engineering where this type of certification could be beneficial, then obtaining it may be worth considering.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs an SAS Developer Certificate will depend on their own goals and experience with the software. It is important to weigh all factors carefully before making such a decision.

Related: SAS Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About SAS Developer Certifications

Q1: What is a SAS Developer Certification?

A1: A SAS Developer Certification is an industry recognized credential that validates your skills and knowledge in the development of analytics solutions using SAS software. It demonstrates to employers that you have the necessary expertise to develop data-driven solutions for their organizations.

Q2: How do I become certified?

A2: To become certified, you must pass the appropriate SAS Developer certification exam. You can find more information about the exams and how to register for them on the SAS Global Certification website.

Q3: How long does a SAS Developer Certification last?

A3: A SAS Developer certification is valid for two years from the date of completion. After two years, you will need to re-take the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

Q4: What are some of the benefits of becoming a certified SAS Developer?

A4: Becoming a certified SAS Developer is beneficial for both job seekers and employers alike. For job seekers, it provides validation of your expertise and skills, giving you an edge over other applicants when applying for positions related to analytics or data science. For employers, it helps ensure that they are hiring qualified individuals who are capable of developing data-driven solutions using SAS software.

Q5: Is there any cost associated with obtaining a certification?

A5: Yes, there is a cost associated with taking a SAS Developer certification exam. The cost varies depending on which exam you take and where you take it (in person or online). You can find more information about pricing on the SAS Global Certification website.