Top 11 Senior Php Developer Certifications

Certifications are important for senior PHP developers in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge about specific programming languages, frameworks, and technologies. Certifications also indicate that the developer is committed to continuing their education and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Employers often view certifications as a sign of professionalism, which can help them make an informed decision when hiring a senior PHP developer. Additionally, certifications can give potential employers confidence in the developer’s ability to work on their projects, as they know that the individual has proven themselves in their field.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Senior PHP Developers, and explain how they can help to advance a Senior PHP Developer's career.

What are Senior Php Developer Certifications?

Senior PHP Developer Certification is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced PHP developers. It is offered by various IT organizations and provides an official recognition of a developer's knowledge and experience in developing, managing, and deploying web applications using the PHP programming language. This certification is aimed at professionals who have at least three years of experience in working with PHP development projects.

The Senior PHP Developer Certification will help experienced professionals demonstrate their expertise in the field of web development, giving them an edge over other applicants when applying for positions in the industry. It can also help employers identify qualified personnel more easily, as they will know that these individuals have been certified as having a certain level of knowledge and experience in the field. Additionally, it may provide an opportunity for developers to further advance their career prospects by demonstrating their advanced technical abilities and qualifications.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a Senior PHP Developer Certification, be sure to take the time to learn and understand the principles of object-oriented programming (OOP) and design patterns. OOP is essential for developing efficient, reliable, and maintainable code, while design patterns provide a framework for structuring code. Understanding these concepts will help you make the most of your certification and gain a competitive edge in the job market.

Related: What does a Senior Php Developer do?

Top 11 Senior Php Developer Certifications

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

1. Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Zend Certified PHP Engineer is a certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of experienced PHP developers. It is administered by Zend Technologies, the creators of the popular open-source scripting language, PHP. The certification is intended to demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of PHP programming, including object-oriented programming, database integration, web services, and security.

The exam for Zend Certified PHP Engineer consists of 70 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as security, database integration, object-oriented programming, web services, and more. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To become a Zend Certified PHP Engineer, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through the Zend website. The cost for taking the exam is $195 USD.

Once you have passed the exam successfully, you will receive an official certificate from Zend Technologies and be listed on their website as a certified engineer. Additionally, you will receive access to exclusive resources such as training materials and discounts on related products and services.

2. Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer

Oracle Certified Professional, PHP Developer is a professional certification program offered by Oracle. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in developing applications with the Oracle Database and PHP. This certification validates an individual's ability to design, develop, and deploy web-based applications using the Oracle Database and PHP.

The duration of this certification program depends on the individual's experience and knowledge. Generally, it takes around three months to complete all the required exams and obtain the certification.

In order to get this certification, individuals must first pass two exams: 1Z0-888 (Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals) and 1Z0-889 (Oracle Database 12c: Advanced PL/SQL). Both of these exams are available online or in a classroom setting. After passing these two exams, individuals must then pass an additional exam specific to their chosen specialization (PHP). The exam for PHP is 1Z0-890 (Oracle Database 12c: Developing Web Applications with PHP).

The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on the country you are located in. Generally, it costs around $300 USD for all three exams combined.

3. MySQL Database Administrator Certification

MySQL Database Administrator Certification is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in managing and maintaining MySQL databases. It is administered by Oracle, the company that owns MySQL.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as database design, query optimization, security, backup and recovery, performance tuning, replication, and more. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam typically takes two hours to complete.

In order to take the exam, you must first register with Oracle and pay the associated fee (currently $245 USD). Once registered, you can purchase an exam voucher which will allow you to schedule your test at any Pearson VUE testing center. You can also purchase practice exams to help prepare for the real thing.

Once you have passed the exam and received your certification, it is valid for three years from the date of issue. After this time period has expired, you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Web Applications

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Web Applications is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in developing, deploying and managing web applications on the Microsoft platform. The MCSE: Web Applications certification validates that an individual has the ability to develop, deploy and manage web applications using Microsoft technologies such as ASP.NET, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and SQL Server.

It typically takes about 6-12 months of study and preparation to get the MCSE: Web Applications certification. To get certified, you must pass three exams: Exam 70-480 (Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3), Exam 70-486 (Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications) and Exam 70-487 (Developing Windows Azure and Web Services).

The cost of each exam is $165 USD. Therefore, the total cost for all three exams is $495 USD.

5. Symfony Certified Developer

Symfony Certified Developer is a certification program created by the Symfony project. It is designed to recognize developers who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the Symfony framework. The certification consists of a three-hour online exam, which covers topics such as Symfony architecture, configuration, security, and performance optimization.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the exam. Preparation includes studying the official documentation, attending webinars and workshops, and completing practice exams.

To get certified, you must register on the Symfony website and pay the fee for the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location, but it typically ranges from $150-$250 USD. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, you will receive an invitation to take it at a specified date and time.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess your knowledge of Symfony components and features. After completing the exam, you will receive feedback on your results within 48 hours. If you pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will be awarded a certificate indicating that you are now a Symfony Certified Developer.

6. Magento Certified Developer Plus

Magento Certified Developer Plus is a certification program offered by Magento to recognize experienced developers who have demonstrated their expertise in the Magento platform. It is the highest level of certification available from Magento, and it requires a significant investment of time and effort to achieve.

To become a Magento Certified Developer Plus, you must first pass the Magento Certified Professional Developer exam. This exam covers topics such as database structure, product management, order management, payment methods, shipping methods, and more. The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete and costs $260 USD. Once you have passed this exam, you can then take the Magento Certified Developer Plus exam. This exam covers topics such as customizing themes and layouts, performance optimization techniques, debugging techniques, creating custom modules, and more. The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and costs $260 USD.

Once you have passed both exams with a score of at least 70%, you will be awarded the prestigious title of “Magento Certified Developer Plus”. As a certified developer plus, you will be recognized as an expert in the field of ecommerce development on the Magento platform. You will also gain access to exclusive resources such as webinars and forums where you can network with other certified developers plus and share best practices for developing on the platform.

7. Laravel Certified Developer

Laravel Certified Developer is a certification program offered by Laravel, the most popular PHP framework. It is designed to validate and recognize developers who have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop applications using the Laravel framework.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a project review. The online exam covers topics such as routing, authentication, models, controllers, views, migrations, and more. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete the exam.

To get certified, developers must first register for the program on the official Laravel website and pay a fee of $99 USD. After registering, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access and take the online exam. Once they have passed the exam with a score of 80% or higher, they will be asked to submit their project for review by one of Laravel’s certified reviewers. If their project meets all criteria set forth in the review process, they will receive their certificate via email within 7 days of submission.

The cost for Laravel Certified Developer is $99 USD.

8. WordPress Certified Developer

WordPress Certified Developer is a certification program for developers who want to demonstrate their expertise in developing WordPress-based solutions. It is an official certification from Automattic, the company behind WordPress.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on project. The online exam covers topics such as coding standards, security, performance optimization, and best practices for building custom themes and plugins. The hands-on project requires developers to build a custom theme or plugin from scratch using the WordPress API.

The entire certification process takes about four months to complete. During this time, applicants must complete the online exam and submit their project for review by Automattic’s team of experts. Once approved, applicants will receive their official WordPress Certified Developer badge and certificate.

The cost of the program varies depending on the country you are located in but typically ranges between $500-$1000 USD.

9. Drupal 8 Certified Developer

Drupal 8 Certified Developer is a certification program offered by the Drupal Association that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in developing and maintaining Drupal 8 sites. To become a certified developer, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge of Drupal 8 core and contributed modules. The exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, site building, module development, security, performance optimization, and more.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To get the certification, you must score at least 75% on the exam. The cost for taking the exam is $150 USD. Once you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate from the Drupal Association that proves your expertise in Drupal 8 development. Additionally, your name will be added to a list of certified developers on the official website.

10. Joomla! 3 Advanced Extension Development Certification

Joomla! 3 Advanced Extension Development Certification is a professional certification program designed to help developers and web professionals demonstrate their expertise in developing advanced extensions for the Joomla! 3 content management system. The certification requires an extensive knowledge of the Joomla! 3 framework, as well as a thorough understanding of how to use the various components, plugins, modules and other features available within the system.

The certification process typically takes between four and six weeks to complete. During this time, applicants will be required to complete several exams that cover topics such as creating custom extensions, integrating third-party extensions into Joomla!, troubleshooting issues with existing extensions and more. Once all exams have been completed successfully, applicants will receive their official Joomla! 3 Advanced Extension Development Certification.

To get certified, applicants must first register for an account on the official Joomla! website. They can then purchase a certification package which includes access to all necessary study materials and exam fees. The cost of the package varies depending on which country you are located in but typically ranges from $150 - $300 USD.

11. CakePHP Certified Developer

CakePHP Certified Developer is an official certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of developers who use CakePHP, an open source web application framework written in PHP. The certification exam tests a developer’s ability to create applications using CakePHP.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as: installation, configuration, routing, controllers, models, views, helpers, components, plugins and more. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

To get the certification you must first register for the exam with the CakePHP Certification Program. After registering you will receive an email with instructions on how to take the exam. You can take the exam online or at a local testing center.

The cost of the CakePHP Certified Developer Exam is $150 USD per attempt.

Do You Really Need a Senior Php Developer Certificate?

No, you do not need a senior PHP developer certificate in order to be a successful web developer. While such a certification may be beneficial in some cases, it is by no means necessary or required. Many professionals in the field have been able to work successfully without any type of formal certification.

The best way to become an experienced and successful web developer is to gain hands-on experience working with the technology and frameworks related to the position. This could come from working on personal projects, taking online courses, attending industry events and conferences, participating in meetups, or even getting a job as a junior developer. Doing so will help you hone your skills and develop a deeper understanding of the language.

In addition to gaining experience through these methods, it can be helpful to stay up-to-date on current trends and technologies related to PHP development. Doing so will allow you to keep your skills sharp and ensure that you are always up-to-date with industry standards.

Ultimately, having a senior PHP developer certificate is not necessary for success in this field; however, having an appropriate level of knowledge and experience is essential for those wanting to pursue careers in web development.

Related: Senior Php Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Senior Php Developer Certifications

Q1: What is a Senior PHP Developer Certification?

A1: A Senior PHP Developer Certification is a specialized certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in developing applications using the PHP programming language. It is designed to validate the knowledge and experience of senior-level developers who are proficient in creating high-performance, scalable web applications.

Q2: What topics are covered in the Senior PHP Developer Certification?

A2: The Senior PHP Developer Certification covers topics such as database design, object-oriented programming, security best practices, working with APIs, and more. Candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of these topics through both written exams and practical assessments.

Q3: How do I become a certified Senior PHP Developer?

A3: To become a certified Senior PHP Developer, you must pass all required exams and assessments. You will also need to have at least two years of experience developing web applications with the PHP language.

Q4: How long does it take to complete the Senior PHP Developer Certification?

A4: The time it takes to complete the certification depends on your existing experience level and how quickly you can study for and pass the required exams and assessments. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from four weeks to six months or more to complete the certification process.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for taking the Senior PHP Developer Certification?

A5: Yes, there are prerequisites for taking the certification. Candidates must have at least two years of experience developing web applications with the PHP language as well as knowledge of database design, object-oriented programming concepts, security best practices, working with APIs, etc.