Top 10 Software Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for software specialists because they demonstrate that a job candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job. A certification can be used to prove that a specialist has met industry standards and is qualified to work in their field. A certification also shows potential employers that the person has taken the time to learn more about their profession and is committed to continuing their professional development. This can help a software specialist stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of getting hired.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Software Specialists and explains how they can help to advance a software specialist's career.

What are Software Specialist Certifications?

Software specialist certification is a type of professional certification that validates a person’s knowledge and skills in specific software applications or products. It is designed to demonstrate the individual’s proficiency in using the software and their ability to apply that knowledge to solve business problems. Certification can be obtained by passing a series of tests, participating in workshops or completing online courses.

Having a software specialist certification can be very beneficial in many aspects. It shows employers that an individual has the necessary skills and competencies to effectively use the software they are certified in, thus making them more attractive candidates for job openings. Additionally, it can help individuals stand out from other applicants when applying for promotions or higher-level positions. Furthermore, having this certification may also lead to increased wages as companies are often willing to pay more for someone who has demonstrated their expertise through certification. Finally, having this type of certification can show potential employers that an individual is committed to continuing their education and staying up-to-date with new technologies, which is essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

Pro Tip: Software specialist certifications can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in specific areas of software development. Make sure to research the available options to determine which certification is best for you, and keep up with any changes or updates that may be required for maintaining your certification.

Related: What does a Software Specialist do?

Top 10 Software Specialist Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who design, deploy, and manage complex computing environments using Microsoft technologies. This certification is intended for those who work in medium to large organizations and have experience with Windows Server, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, System Center, SQL Server, Lync Server, or Azure.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the MCSE certification exam. Candidates should have at least one year of experience working with Windows Server and other Microsoft products before attempting the exam. Preparation materials include self-study guides, instructor-led training courses, practice tests, and online resources.

To get an MCSE certification, candidates must pass one or more exams that assess their knowledge of designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE testing centers located around the world.

The cost of taking an MCSE exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in but typically ranges from $100-150 USD per exam.

2. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) is a certification program offered by Oracle Corporation. It is designed to recognize individuals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Oracle databases. The OCP certification is highly sought after in the IT industry and can help boost an individual's career prospects.

To become an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), you must pass two exams: one on core database concepts and the other on a specific version of Oracle Database software. The tests are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. Depending on your experience level, it may take several months or more to prepare for the exams.

The cost of the OCP certification varies depending on which version of Oracle Database software you are certified in. Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$300 per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded an official Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) certificate from Oracle Corporation that is valid for three years from the date of issue. After three years, you will need to renew your certification by taking additional exams if required.

3. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the skills of computer technicians and support professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security. The certification is designed to demonstrate competency in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security, troubleshooting, customer service and communication.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. However, this can vary depending on your experience level and the amount of time you are able to dedicate to studying.

To get CompTIA A+ certified you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams are multiple choice/performance based tests with a maximum score of 900 points each. You must pass both exams in order to receive the CompTIA A+ certification.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ Certification exams varies depending on where you take them. Generally speaking, it will cost around $200 USD per exam or $400 USD for both exams combined.

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program offered by Cisco Systems. It is designed to validate an individual's skills in networking and data center technologies, including routing and switching, security, wireless networking, and more. The CCNA certification is valid for three years from the date of completion.

To obtain the CCNA certification, individuals must pass two exams: ICND1 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1) and ICND2 (Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2). Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple-choice questions. The cost for each exam varies depending on the country in which the exam is taken; however, typically each exam costs around $300 USD.

In order to prepare for the exams, individuals can take advantage of self-study materials such as books or online courses. Additionally, some universities offer courses specifically designed to help students prepare for the CCNA exams. It usually takes between six months to one year to study for the two exams if studying full time; however, this may vary depending on an individual's prior experience with networking technologies.

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an internationally-recognized certification in the field of information security. It is administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). The CISSP certification is designed to validate a professional’s knowledge and skills in the areas of security, risk management, and compliance.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for the CISSP exam. To get certified, candidates must pass a rigorous examination that covers a wide range of topics related to information security. This includes topics such as access control, cryptography, network security, application development security, and operations security. In addition to passing the exam, candidates must also have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains tested on the exam.

The cost of taking the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it and whether you are a member of ISC2 or not. Generally speaking, it costs between $699-$899 USD for non-members and $599-$799 USD for members.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. The PMP credential demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, experience, and skills to lead and direct projects.

To be eligible for the PMP exam, an individual must have either a four-year degree or equivalent work experience in project management, plus at least three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. They must also complete 35 hours of formal education in project management topics.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To pass the exam, individuals must score at least a 61%.

To get the PMP certification, individuals must first fill out an application and submit it to PMI for review. Once approved, they can register for the exam through Prometric or Pearson VUE testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not; it costs $405 for members and $555 for non-members.

Once they pass the exam, individuals will need to maintain their credentials by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through attending conferences, taking classes or workshops related to project management topics, teaching classes about project management topics, writing articles related to project management topics, etc.

7. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with VMware technologies. The VCP certification is offered by VMware, a leading provider of virtualization software.

The VCP certification is divided into two levels: VCP-DCV (Data Center Virtualization) and VCP-NV (Network Virtualization). To obtain a VCP certification, you must first pass an exam that tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts related to VMware's products and services. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 300 out of 500 to pass.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on the individual's experience level. For those with no prior experience, it can take up to six months or more to complete all the required training courses, exams, and hands-on labs necessary for certification. For those who have some experience working with VMware technologies, it may take less time.

To get certified, individuals must first register for an exam at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. After registering for the exam, individuals can purchase study materials from VMware or other third-party vendors to prepare for the exam. Once they are ready, they can schedule their exam date at one of the authorized testing centers.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which level you are pursuing and which vendor you use for study materials. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $250-$400 for the exam itself plus additional fees for any study materials purchased from third-party vendors.

8. Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who are responsible for deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Citrix products in their organizations. The CCA certification is offered by Citrix Systems, Inc., a leading provider of virtualization and networking solutions.

The CCA certification is an entry-level credential that demonstrates a basic understanding of Citrix technologies and how to administer them. It covers topics such as deploying and configuring XenApp, XenDesktop, NetScaler Gateway, Provisioning Services, StoreFront, and other related components.

It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the CCA exam depending on your experience level. To get certified you must pass the CCA exam which consists of 65 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam fee varies by country but typically costs around $200 USD.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also have at least 6 months of hands-on experience with Citrix products prior to taking the exam.

9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed to validate an individual's technical skills and experience in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to effectively design, deploy, and operate applications on the AWS platform.

To get this certification, you must pass one exam: the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple answer questions that assess your knowledge of core AWS services, such as EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, IAM, CloudWatch, etc. You will also be tested on your understanding of design principles for building secure and reliable applications on the AWS platform.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $150 USD. To prepare for the exam you can take instructor-led training courses or self-study with online resources from AWS. Additionally, there are various practice exams available online to help you prepare for the real thing.

10. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program from Red Hat, Inc. that validates a system administrator’s skills in managing and configuring Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is designed to test the knowledge and skills of an experienced system administrator who has already earned the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification.

The RHCSA exam consists of two parts: a hands-on lab exam and a multiple-choice exam. The hands-on lab exam requires the candidate to perform specific tasks on a live system, while the multiple-choice exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of Linux commands, configuration files, and other topics related to system administration.

It typically takes around six months of study and practice to prepare for the RHCSA exam. Candidates should have at least one year of experience administering Linux systems before attempting the certification.

To get certified as an RHCSA, candidates must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost for taking the exams varies depending on location but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD per part.

Do You Really Need a Software Specialist Certificate?

Yes, in many cases a software specialist certificate can be an invaluable tool for those looking to enhance their skills and advance their career. In today's competitive job market, having a certification on your resume can help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and experience in software development.

A software specialist certificate can provide you with the opportunity to learn new techniques, stay up-to-date on industry trends, and gain valuable experience that employers are looking for. It can also help you develop essential problem-solving skills, build relationships with other professionals in the field, understand project management processes, and work within a team environment. Depending on the type of certification program chosen, it may also cover topics such as coding languages, databases, software architecture or design patterns.

In addition to providing valuable technical skills and knowledge, a software specialist certificate can also give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. Employers often look favorably upon those who have taken the initiative to obtain additional qualifications beyond what is required for entry-level positions. A certification may also open up more opportunities for advancement by demonstrating your commitment to developing your career in the field of software development.

Overall, obtaining a software specialist certificate can be beneficial for those looking to increase their value in the workplace or move up within their current organization. With its combination of both technical and soft skills training it is an invaluable resource that is sure to pay dividends down the road.

Related: Software Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Software Specialist Certifications

1. What are the Benefits of Software Specialist Certifications?

Answer: Software Specialist Certifications provide a variety of benefits, including increased job security and higher salary potential, as well as improved knowledge and understanding of software development and related technologies.

2. How Do I Become Certified in Software Specialization?

Answer: To become certified in software specialization, you must pass an exam or series of exams administered by a recognized certification provider such as Microsoft or CompTIA.

3. What Types of Software Specializations Are Available?

Answer: There are many different types of software specializations available including web development, database management, mobile application development, network engineering, and more.

4. What Is the Cost for Certification?

Answer: The cost for certification varies depending on the type of certification being sought. Generally speaking, most certifications range from $500 to $2000 USD.

5. How Long Does It Take to Become Certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the individual and their level of experience with the subject matter. Generally speaking, most certifications can be achieved within 6 months to 1 year with dedicated study time and practice exams.