Top 11 SAS Programmer Certifications

Certifications are a key way for SAS programmers to prove their proficiency in the programming language. They demonstrate that the programmer is knowledgeable and experienced in using SAS, which is attractive to potential employers. Certifications also help set SAS programmers apart from others in the job market, making them more competitive and increasing their chances of landing a job. Additionally, certifications provide an incentive for SAS programmers to keep up with the latest developments in the language and stay current on best practices. Finally, having a certification can also lead to higher salaries and better career opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for SAS Programmers and explain how they can contribute to a sas programmer's career growth.

What are SAS Programmer Certifications?

SAS Programmer Certification is a professional certification program offered by SAS, a leader in the analytics industry. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in using SAS software to analyze data and develop predictive models. The certification includes completing specific courses and passing exams related to the use of SAS software.

The benefits of SAS Programmer Certification include providing job seekers with a competitive edge when applying for jobs that require expertise in SAS software, as well as providing employers with assurance that their employees possess the necessary skills to effectively use SAS software for data analysis and predictive modeling. Additionally, individuals who hold this certification can command higher salaries than those without it, as employers recognize its value.

For those interested in pursuing a career in data analytics or predictive modeling, having SAS Programmer Certification is essential for job success. It provides tangible evidence of an individual’s skillset and serves as proof that they are knowledgeable about the use of SAS software. Furthermore, it allows individuals to stay current on the latest developments in the field of analytics, since they must stay up-to-date on new versions of the software released by SAS in order to maintain their certification status.

Pro Tip: Before taking a SAS Programmer Certification exam, brush up on your skills by taking practice tests and review materials. This will help you to better understand the topics covered in the actual certification exam and increase your chances of success.

Related: What does an SAS Programmer do?

Top 11 SAS Programmer Certifications

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

1. SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program offered by SAS Institute. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who use SAS software to create, manage and analyze data. The certification covers topics such as data management, programming concepts, data manipulation, data analysis and reporting.

The certification exam takes approximately four hours to complete, including an optional tutorial and survey questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. You can take the exam at any authorized Pearson VUE testing center or online through the SAS website.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you are located. In the United States, it costs $180 USD for each attempt at the exam. Other countries may have different fees associated with taking the exam.

2. SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced SAS programmers. It is designed to demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency in the use of SAS software.

The certification exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within three hours. The exam covers topics such as data manipulation, data analysis, macro programming, and SQL processing. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 70%.

To become certified, you must first register for the exam with SAS Institute Inc., either online or by phone. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but typically costs around $250 USD.

Once registered for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online practice test. This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the actual certification exam and can be taken as many times as necessary until you feel confident in your abilities.

After passing the certification exam, you will receive an official certificate from SAS Institute Inc., which can be used to demonstrate your expertise in using SAS software.

3. 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 offered by SAS. It is designed to help professionals gain the skills necessary to apply advanced analytics techniques, including regression and modeling, to business problems. This certification validates a professional’s ability to use the SAS software suite for predictive analytics and data mining.

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

You can register for the exam through the SAS website or through an authorized testing center in your area. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from $200 - $400 USD.

4. SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9

SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9 is a certification that demonstrates proficiency in the use of SAS software for clinical trials programming. It is designed for professionals who have experience with SAS software and need to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field of clinical trial programming.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least one year of professional experience using SAS software for clinical trials programming.

To obtain the certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

5. SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14

SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14 is a certification program that validates an individual's expertise in predictive modeling and data mining. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge of the concepts, techniques, and tools used in predictive modeling and data mining.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and covers topics such as data preparation, model building, validation, deployment, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that require the candidate to apply knowledge of SAS Enterprise Miner 14 to solve real-world problems.

To get certified in SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14, you must first register for the exam on the SAS website. After registration, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your exam and prepare for it. You can then take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Pearson VUE OnVUE.

The cost of the SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 14 certification exam is $180 USD (plus applicable taxes).

6. SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9 is a professional certification that validates the ability to use SAS Data Integration Studio to access, transform and manage data in an enterprise environment. It demonstrates proficiency in extracting and loading data from various sources, transforming data using the powerful SAS programming language, and managing the process flow of complex data integration jobs.

To get this certification, you must pass an exam which consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as creating and managing metadata, accessing and transforming data, understanding job design concepts, debugging jobs, troubleshooting errors, optimizing performance, and developing test plans.

The cost of the exam is $180 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

7. SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS Viya 3.4

SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS Viya 3.4 is a professional certification that validates an individual’s skills in using the SAS Viya 3.4 platform for big data analytics. This certification demonstrates proficiency in creating and managing SAS Viya objects, running and interpreting analyses, and understanding the security features of SAS Viya.

To get this certification, you need to pass two exams: SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS Viya 3.4 Exam A (exam number A00-415) and SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS Viya 3.4 Exam B (exam number A00-416). Both exams are computer-based and take approximately 90 minutes each to complete.

The cost of the two exams is $180 USD each, so it will cost a total of $360 USD to become certified as a SAS Certified Big Data Professional Using SAS Viya 3.4. You can register for the exams at Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com/sas).

8. JMP Software Certification Exam

JMP Software Certification Exam is a certification exam offered by SAS Institute, Inc. It is designed to test the knowledge and skills of individuals who use JMP software for data analysis. The exam covers topics such as basic JMP functions, data manipulation, statistical analysis, and report creation.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

You can register for the exam online at the SAS website. The cost of the exam is $150 USD. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your virtual proctoring session. During this session, you will be asked to provide proof of identity and answer a few security questions before taking the exam.

Once you have completed the exam, you will receive your results within 24 hours via email from SAS Institute. If you pass the exam, you will be issued a digital certificate that verifies your successful completion of the JMP Software Certification Exam.

9. JMP Clinical Software Certification Exam

The JMP Clinical Software Certification Exam is a comprehensive exam designed to test your knowledge and skills in the use of JMP Clinical software. The exam covers topics such as data management, analysis, reporting, and visualization. It also covers topics related to clinical trial design and management.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 70%.

To get the certification, you must first register for the exam with SAS Institute Inc., which is the company that produces JMP Clinical software. You can do this online or by phone. After registering, you will be emailed a link to an online testing center where you can take the exam.

The cost of taking the JMP Clinical Software Certification Exam is $200 USD.

10. JMP Genomics Software Certification Exam

The JMP Genomics Software Certification Exam is a comprehensive test designed to assess the proficiency of users in the use of JMP Genomics software. It is administered by SAS Institute, Inc., and is available for anyone interested in demonstrating their expertise in this powerful software.

The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as data manipulation, analysis, and visualization. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken online or at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on the location and format chosen.

In order to obtain certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive an official certificate from SAS Institute, Inc. that verifies their mastery of JMP Genomics software.

The cost of the JMP Genomics Software Certification Exam depends on where you take it and how you take it. If you take it online, it costs $100 USD; if you take it at a testing center, it costs $150 USD.

11. JMP Pro Software Certification Exam

The JMP Pro Software Certification Exam is a certification program offered by SAS Institute Inc. to validate the knowledge and skills of individuals who use JMP Pro software. The exam covers topics such as data exploration, data analysis, and visualization. It is designed to measure an individual’s ability to effectively use the features and functionality of JMP Pro software.

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data management, statistical methods, graphics, scripting, and more. It is administered through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam through the Pearson VUE website and pay a fee of $200 USD. After registering for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online practice exam which will help you prepare for the actual exam. Once you have completed the practice exam successfully, you can then take the actual certification exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you. Upon successful completion of the certification exam, you will be awarded a digital badge that can be displayed on your LinkedIn profile or other social media sites.

The cost of taking the JMP Pro Software Certification Exam is $200 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with registering for and taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Do You Really Need a SAS Programmer Certificate?

No, you do not need an SAS Programmer Certificate to become an SAS programmer. Many employers value the certification as a way to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field, but it is not required. It is possible to learn the necessary skills and gain experience without having a certificate.

There are many resources available online to help someone learn the basics of SAS programming. These include tutorials, webinars, and online courses. Additionally, many organizations offer workshops or seminars which provide hands-on experience and guidance from industry experts. With enough dedication and hard work, it is possible to become proficient in SAS programming without obtaining a certificate.

However, the SAS Programmer Certification does have advantages that should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to pursue it. Having a certificate demonstrates knowledge of the language and can give job seekers an edge over other applicants who lack one. It also helps build credibility with potential employers who may view the certification as evidence of expertise in the field. Furthermore, it can provide valuable networking opportunities with professionals in related fields or industries.

In conclusion, while having an SAS Programmer Certificate is not necessary for becoming an SAS programmer, there are several benefits associated with obtaining one that should be considered when making this decision.

Related: SAS Programmer Resume Examples

FAQs About SAS Programmer Certifications

1. What are the requirements to become a SAS Certified Programmer?

Answer: To become a SAS Certified Programmer, you must pass the SAS Base Programming for SAS 9 exam and have six months of experience working with the Base SAS programming language.

2. How much does it cost to become a certified SAS programmer?

Answer: The cost of taking the exam varies based on location and format, but typically ranges between $180 and $250 USD.

3. How long does it take to become a certified SAS programmer?

Answer: It can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for the exam depending on your familiarity with the language and how much time you can dedicate to studying.

4. What type of jobs can I get with a SAS certification?

Answer: With a SAS certification, you could qualify for roles such as data analyst, data scientist, business analyst, or statistician in various industries such as healthcare, finance, marketing, retail, etc.

5. How often do I need to renew my certification?

Answer: Your certification is valid for three years from the date of passing the exam and will need to be renewed by retaking the same exam or any higher-level certification exams offered by SAS.