Top 10 Software Architect Certifications

Certifications for software architects are important in the job market because they demonstrate a specific level of proficiency and knowledge. They show potential employers that an individual has the skills necessary to be successful in a given role. Certifications also help an individual stand out from the competition and validate their experience and qualifications. Additionally, certifications can give individuals access to exclusive job opportunities, as some employers may prefer those with certifications for certain positions. Finally, certifications provide a way for individuals to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in their field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Software Architects and explains how they can help to advance a software architect's career.

What are Software Architect Certifications?

Software architect certification is a professional credential that is designed to help software architects demonstrate their expertise in designing, developing, and managing complex software systems. This certification is offered by various organizations and typically requires passing an exam that covers topics such as system design, architecture principles, coding practices, project management, and more.

Having this certification can be beneficial to software architects in a variety of ways. It provides a way for them to show potential employers that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively design, develop, and manage complex software systems. In addition, it can also help them stand out from other job candidates who may not have this type of specialized training or experience. Furthermore, having this certification can also boost one's confidence when applying for jobs or promotions since it demonstrates their commitment to continuing education in their field.

Pro Tip: When considering software architecture certification, make sure to research the different certifications available and choose one that is tailored to your specific experience level. Additionally, make sure to review the cost and time commitment associated with each certification program before making a decision.

Related: What does a Software Architect do?

Top 10 Software Architect Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Software Architects today.

1. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) is an internationally recognized certification designed to validate the knowledge and skills of software developers. The CSDP certification is awarded by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA) in partnership with the IEEE Computer Society.

The CSDP exam covers topics such as software engineering, software development life cycle, requirements analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance. It also tests a candidate’s ability to apply best practices in software development, as well as their understanding of current trends and technologies in the field.

It typically takes around two to three months to prepare for the CSDP exam. Candidates should use study materials such as textbooks or online courses to become familiar with all necessary concepts and topics. Once ready, they can register for the exam online through the IASA website.

The cost of taking the CSDP exam varies depending on location and currency exchange rates but typically ranges from $150-$250 USD.

2. Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA)

Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in enterprise architecture. It is offered by the Open Group, an international consortium of vendors and users dedicated to open standards and global interoperability. The CEA certification is designed to demonstrate a mastery of the principles, practices, and techniques used in modern enterprise architecture.

The CEA certification requires individuals to pass two exams: TOGAF 9 Part 1 and TOGAF 9 Part 2. The TOGAF 9 Part 1 exam covers the fundamentals of enterprise architecture, while the TOGAF 9 Part 2 exam tests an individual’s knowledge of advanced topics such as security, privacy, scalability, and performance.

It typically takes about 4-6 months to complete the CEA certification process. To get started on your journey towards becoming a Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA), you will need to register for the exams with The Open Group. After registering for the exams, you can purchase study materials from The Open Group or use online resources such as tutorials or practice questions. Once you feel confident enough in your knowledge base, you can then schedule your exams and take them at an authorized testing center near you.

The cost of obtaining the CEA certification varies depending on whether you are taking both parts of the exam or just one part. For both parts of the exam, it costs $1125 USD; however if you only take one part it costs $625 USD.

3. Certified Solutions Architect (CSA)

Certified Solutions Architect (CSA) is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage applications on the AWS platform. The CSA certification demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform.

The CSA exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions that assess an individual's knowledge of the core principles of cloud computing, as well as their understanding of the AWS platform. The exam also covers topics such as security, networking, storage, scalability, elasticity, and cost optimization.

The CSA certification is valid for three years from the date of completion. To maintain your certification status you must pass one recertification exam every three years or take an advanced course in AWS technology.

To get certified as a Certified Solutions Architect (CSA), you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Purchase the CSA Exam voucher from Amazon Web Services

2. Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE

3. Take and pass the CSA Exam

4. Get your certificate from Amazon Web Services

5. Maintain your certification status by passing one recertification exam every three years or taking an advanced course in AWS technology

The cost of taking the CSA exam varies depending on where you are located but typically ranges between $150-$300 USD per attempt.

4. Certified Systems Engineer (CSE)

Certified Systems Engineer (CSE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of systems engineering. The CSE certification is offered by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE).

The CSE certification requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the areas of systems engineering, project management, and risk management. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as systems engineering principles, processes, tools, and techniques; requirements analysis; design and implementation; verification and validation; system integration; operations support; and project management.

It typically takes between one to two years to complete all of the requirements for the CSE certification. This includes completing coursework or attending seminars related to systems engineering, gaining relevant work experience, passing an exam, and submitting a portfolio of your work.

To get the CSE certification you must first apply online with INCOSE. Once you are accepted into the program you will need to complete coursework or attend seminars related to systems engineering. You will then need to gain relevant work experience in the field of systems engineering before taking an exam administered by INCOSE. Finally, you will need to submit a portfolio of your work demonstrating your mastery of systems engineering principles, processes, tools, and techniques.

The cost for obtaining the CSE certification varies depending on which route you take (coursework or seminars), but it typically ranges from $500-$2,000 USD.

5. Certified Enterprise Software Architect (CESA)

Certified Enterprise Software Architect (CESA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the expertise of software architects in enterprise software development. The certification is awarded by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA).

The CESA exam consists of four parts:

1. Architecture Fundamentals

2. Designing Solutions

3. Building Solutions

4. Managing Solutions

The exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete, and is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. The cost of the exam varies depending on location, but typically costs around $500 USD.

In order to obtain the CESA certification, you must pass all four parts of the exam with a score of 70% or higher. You must also have at least 3 years of experience in enterprise software architecture, as well as a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field. Additionally, you must be an active member of IASA and agree to abide by its Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Azure Solutions Architect (MCSE:Azure SA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Azure Solutions Architect (MCSE:Azure SA) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing solutions on Microsoft Azure. This certification requires individuals to have hands-on experience with Azure services and the ability to design and implement secure, reliable, and cost-effective cloud solutions.

The MCSE:Azure SA certification requires passing two exams: AZ-300 and AZ-301. The AZ-300 exam focuses on the skills required to architect a solution for Microsoft Azure, including topics such as identity management, data storage options, virtual networks, high availability, scalability, disaster recovery, security and monitoring. The AZ-301 exam focuses on the skills required to deploy and manage solutions in Microsoft Azure. Topics include deploying applications using DevOps processes; creating serverless computing solutions; configuring messaging services; integrating cloud services with existing IT infrastructure; managing identities; securing resources; migrating workloads to the cloud; and more.

It typically takes around 3 months of study time to prepare for both exams. It is recommended that individuals have at least 6 months of experience working with Azure before attempting these exams.

The cost of each exam is $165 USD per attempt.

7. Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA)

Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA) is a certification program designed to recognize the skills and expertise of experienced Java EE architects. It is a professional-level certification that validates an individual’s ability to design and develop complex enterprise applications using the latest Java EE technologies.

To become an Oracle Certified Master, Java EE Enterprise Architect, individuals must complete two exams: 1Z0-807: Java Enterprise Edition 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master Exam and 1Z0-865: Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 6 Web Services Developer Certified Expert Exam. Both exams are offered by Oracle University.

The entire process typically takes about three months to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level and study habits. The cost of the certification varies depending on which exam package you purchase from Oracle University. The cost for both exams can range from $700-$2,000 USD.

8. TOGAF 9 Certified

TOGAF 9 Certified is a certification program that provides industry recognition of an individual’s knowledge and understanding of The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). TOGAF is a framework for enterprise architecture that helps organizations create and maintain architectures to support their business objectives.

The TOGAF 9 Certified program has two levels: Level 1 (Foundation) and Level 2 (Certified). To become certified at either level, you must pass the corresponding exam. The Foundation exam covers basic concepts, principles, and terminology of the TOGAF standard. The Certified exam tests your knowledge and understanding of the more advanced aspects of TOGAF.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for the exams, depending on your prior experience with enterprise architecture. You can prepare for the exams by reading through the official TOGAF 9 documentation or taking an online course or training class.

The cost of taking the exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 to take both exams together.

9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates an individual’s expertise in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. It is designed for experienced IT professionals with at least two years of hands-on experience in designing and deploying cloud architectures on AWS.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions, which are based on real-world scenarios. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points. The exam typically takes around 130 minutes to complete, but can take up to 180 minutes if needed.

To get AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, you must first pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. After passing this exam, you can register for the Professional level exam through the AWS Certification portal. The cost of taking the Professional level exam is $300 USD.

10. IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Computing Architecture V1

IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Computing Architecture V1 is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are responsible for designing, developing, and deploying cloud computing solutions. The certification is targeted at individuals who have experience in planning, designing, and building cloud-based solutions.

The IBM Certified Solution Architect – Cloud Computing Architecture V1 certification consists of one exam (C9020-668). The exam covers topics such as cloud computing fundamentals, architecture principles, design considerations, deployment models, security and compliance requirements, service management principles, and more.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $200 USD. To obtain the certification you must pass the C9020-668 exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers worldwide.

Do You Really Need a Software Architect Certificate?

The simple answer is no, you do not need a software architect certificate to be a successful software architect. However, having a certificate can certainly provide you with an advantage over other applicants in the job market. Certification demonstrates that you have taken the time and effort to learn and understand the fundamentals of software architecture, as well as its various tools and technologies. It also gives employers confidence that you are knowledgeable about current trends in the field and have the necessary skills to succeed in this role.

That being said, it is important to remember that certification alone does not guarantee success as a software architect. While having a certificate may help you stand out from other applicants, it is important to possess other qualities such as problem-solving skills, communication abilities, leadership capabilities, experience with complex systems, and an understanding of customer needs. These attributes will ultimately determine your success in the role of a software architect.

In conclusion, while having a software architect certificate may give you an edge over other applicants in the job market, there are many other qualities that are essential for success in this field. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether obtaining a certification is worth their time and money.

Related: Software Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Architect Certifications

1. What is a software architect certification?

A software architect certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the design, development, and maintenance of complex software systems. It is typically awarded by an independent organization and requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam.

2. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a software architect?

The benefits of becoming certified as a software architect include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, improved credibility among employers, and greater recognition in the industry. Additionally, having a certification can help to distinguish yourself from other applicants and demonstrate your commitment to staying current with industry trends.

3. What types of certifications are available for software architects?

There are several different types of certifications available for software architects, including Certified Software Architect (CSA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect (MCSA). Each certification has its own set of requirements that must be met in order to earn it.

4. How long does it take to obtain a software architect certification?

The amount of time it takes to obtain a software architect certification will vary depending on the type of certification you are pursuing and the level at which you are applying for it. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to several years to complete all requirements necessary for obtaining a particular certification.

5. Is there any experience required before applying for a software architect certification?

Yes, most certifications require some form of prior experience or knowledge in order to be eligible for application. Depending on the specific type of certification you are seeking, this experience may include work as an IT professional or even previous coursework in areas such as computer programming or database management systems.