Top 10 Systems Administrator Certifications

Certifications are important for systems administrators in the job market because they provide employers with evidence of a candidate's knowledge and skills. They demonstrate a commitment to professional development and can be used to differentiate candidates from their peers. Certifications also give employers an assurance that the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to handle the job responsibilities. Additionally, certifications can help open doors to new opportunities and may even lead to increased salaries or promotions within an organization.

The article reviews top certifications for Systems Administrators and explains how they can help to advance a Systems Administrator's career.

What are Systems Administrator Certifications?

Systems Administrator Certification is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in managing computer systems. It can be used as a credential for job seekers, as well as an ongoing professional development tool for those already employed in the field.

The certification covers topics such as system architecture, operating systems, networking, storage solutions, virtualization, security best practices, and more. By earning this certification, professionals can prove that they possess the technical skills necessary to successfully manage and maintain complex IT systems.

In addition to providing proof of technical skillset, having a Systems Administrator Certification also shows employers that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies. This demonstrates that they are dedicated to furthering their career in the IT field and are prepared for any challenges that may arise. Additionally, it may provide access to higher salaries or promotions within their current role.

Overall, Systems Administrator Certification helps individuals gain recognition for their expertise in managing computer systems while providing them with opportunities for career advancement within the IT field.

Pro Tip: When considering a systems administrator certification, research the specific requirements and prerequisites for the program. Make sure you have the necessary knowledge and experience in order to successfully complete the certification before investing in it.

Related: What does a Systems Administrator do?

Top 10 Systems Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Systems Administrators today.

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals. It is designed to validate a technician’s knowledge and skills in areas such as hardware, networking, security, troubleshooting and customer service. The certification is vendor-neutral and covers a wide range of technologies.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 and 220-1002. Both tests are 90 minutes long with a maximum of 90 questions each. To become certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 750 out of 900 points.

In order to take the CompTIA A+ exam, you must first register on the CompTIA website and pay the exam fee. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically costs around $200 USD per exam.

It usually takes about three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams. You can use online resources such as practice tests, study guides, and video tutorials to help you prepare for the exams. Additionally, there are many training courses available that can help you gain the knowledge needed to pass the exams.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft-based solutions. It is designed for professionals who have experience working with Windows Server, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, Lync Server, System Center, and other Microsoft server technologies.

It typically takes about six months to complete all of the requirements for the MCSE certification. To get certified as an MCSE you must pass one or more exams from the list of available exams. The cost of each exam varies depending on the type of exam taken and the location where it is taken. Generally speaking, most exams cost between $100-$200 USD.

In addition to passing the required exams, you must also have at least two years of experience working with Microsoft-based solutions in order to become an MCSE. This experience can be either through a job or through self-study and practice. Once you have completed all of these requirements and passed your exams, you will receive your official MCSE certification from Microsoft.

3. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking technologies. It is a foundational level certification that covers the basics of routing and switching, as well as other related topics such as security, wireless, and VoIP. The CCNA certification is valid for three years after which it must be renewed by taking the latest version of the exam.

In order to become CCNA certified, you must pass one of two exams: the 200-301 or 200-125. The 200-301 exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 50-60 questions covering topics such as network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, automation and programmability, security fundamentals, and more. The 200-125 exam is 120 minutes long and consists of 60-70 questions covering topics such as LAN switching technologies, IP routing technologies, WAN technologies, infrastructure services & maintenance, infrastructure security & troubleshooting.

The cost of taking the CCNA exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $250-$400 USD per exam. Additionally there are several training courses available online or in person that can help prepare for the exam. These courses typically range from $500-$2,000 USD depending on which course you choose.

Overall it usually takes around 6 months to study for the CCNA certification if you are studying full time but this can vary depending on your experience level with networking technologies.

4. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program from Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source solutions. The RHCSA certification is designed to validate an individual’s skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is an entry-level certification that demonstrates a candidate's knowledge and experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

It typically takes a few months of studying and hands-on practice to prepare for the exam. Candidates should have experience working with the command line, managing users, configuring networks, and understanding system services such as Apache and Samba.

To become certified as an RHCSA, candidates must pass the RHCSA Exam (EX200). The exam consists of performance-based tasks that are administered in a lab environment. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to complete specific tasks on a given system.

The cost of the exam varies depending on location and delivery method, but it generally ranges from $400-$500 USD.

5. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who work with VMware technologies. This certification is offered by VMware and is recognized worldwide as an industry standard for validating virtualization expertise.

To get VCP certified, you must first attend a VMware authorized training course in order to gain the knowledge necessary to pass the VCP exam. After completing the course, you can then register and take the VCP exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of getting VCP certified varies depending on which training course you choose to take. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD for the training course and $225 USD for the exam itself.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official VCP certification from VMware. This certificate will be valid for two years from the date that it was issued and can be renewed by taking additional courses or exams as needed.

6. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate is an industry-recognized certification for system administrators who have experience managing applications and services on the Amazon Web Services platform. This certification validates a candidate’s ability to deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.

It typically takes around 3 months of preparation to get the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification. Candidates should have at least one year of hands-on experience with deploying, managing, and operating systems on AWS. They should also be familiar with the core AWS services such as EC2, S3, VPC, ELB, CloudWatch, Auto Scaling Groups etc.

To get this certification you need to pass the exam which consists of multiple choice questions related to system operations on AWS. The exam fee is $150 USD. There are several online courses available that provide training material to help candidates prepare for the exam.

7. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification designed to validate a professional’s knowledge of networking concepts and technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who have at least nine months of networking experience and want to further their career by demonstrating their technical knowledge.

The CompTIA Network+ exam consists of 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions that cover topics such as network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, industry standards and best practices, and more. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must pass the N10-007 exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically costs around $300 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric test centers.

You can prepare for the CompTIA Network+ certification by taking online courses or studying from books or other study materials available online. Additionally, there are practice tests available that can help you gauge your readiness for the actual exam.

8. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is a globally recognized certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of Linux system administrators. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the field of Linux administration, from installation and configuration to troubleshooting and security. LPIC certifications are offered at four levels: LPIC-1, LPIC-2, LPIC-3 and DevOps Tools Engineer.

LPIC-1 is the entry-level certification and covers basic system administration tasks such as installation, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of Linux systems. LPIC-2 focuses on advanced topics such as network services, security, automation and scripting. The highest level of certification is LPIC-3 which covers topics such as virtualization, clustering and high availability. DevOps Tools Engineer is an additional certification that focuses on DevOps tools used in Linux environments.

It typically takes between 6 months to a year to obtain an LPIC certification depending on your experience level with Linux systems. To get certified you will need to pass one or more exams depending on the level you are pursuing. Exams can be taken online or at a testing center near you.

The cost for each exam varies by country but generally ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam.

9. Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V)

Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V) is a certification program from Citrix that validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, configure, and manage virtualized environments using Citrix technologies. This certification is ideal for IT professionals who are looking to demonstrate their expertise in virtualization and cloud computing.

The CCP-V exam takes approximately three hours to complete and covers topics such as XenServer installation and configuration, creating virtual machines, managing storage, networking, security, and high availability. The exam also covers advanced topics such as resource pooling and orchestration.

To obtain the CCP-V certification, you must first pass the associated exam which is available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam is $200 USD. You can find more information about the CCP-V certification program on the Citrix website.

10. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) is a certification program from Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated their ability to successfully implement and manage Microsoft technologies in an enterprise environment. It is designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who work with Microsoft products and technologies.

It typically takes between six months to two years to complete the requirements for MCITP certification, depending on the individual's experience level and the specific certification path they choose. To get MCITP certified, you must pass one or more exams related to a particular technology or product. The cost of each exam varies, but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam.

To prepare for the exams, you can take instructor-led classes or self-study using online resources such as books, practice tests, and video tutorials. You may also need to gain hands-on experience working with the technology before taking the exam. Once you have passed all necessary exams for a particular certification path, you will be awarded your MCITP certification.

Do You Really Need a Systems Administrator Certificate?

A Systems Administrator Certificate can be a valuable asset in the field of Information Technology, but it isn't necessary for everyone. In some cases, the certificate may be required to obtain a certain position or advancement within a company, but most employers look at experience and skill level more than what kind of certification you have.

For those who are looking to get into the IT field, having a Systems Administrator Certificate can provide an edge over other applicants and demonstrate that you have taken the time to learn about the subject. Additionally, some employers may require certification as part of their hiring criteria. However, if you already possess sufficient experience in systems administration, then having the certificate is not essential.

Another reason why some people might choose to pursue a Systems Administrator Certificate is because it can provide them with an advantage when it comes to negotiating salary or job offers. Having the certificate can make an applicant appear more knowledgeable and experienced in their chosen field and therefore more desirable to potential employers.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Systems Administrator Certificate depends on your individual goals and circumstances. If you are just starting out in the IT field and would like to gain an advantage over other applicants, then obtaining this type of certification may be beneficial. However, if you already possess sufficient experience or certifications then having this particular certification may not be necessary.

Related: Systems Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Systems Administrator Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a systems administrator?

Answer: To become a systems administrator, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. You may also need certifications from vendors such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Linux.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a systems administrator?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get certified as a systems administrator will depend on the certification program you choose and the amount of prior experience you have with the technologies covered in the program. Generally, it can take anywhere from several months to over a year to complete the certification process.

3. What are some of the benefits of getting certified as a systems administrator?

Answer: Earning certifications can help demonstrate your proficiency with various technologies and provide evidence that you have the skills necessary for success in this field. Additionally, certifications can open up new job opportunities and potentially increase your salary potential.

4. What is included in most systems administrator certifications?

Answer: Most systems administrator certifications include topics such as system installation and configuration, user administration, network management, security management, troubleshooting techniques, data backup and recovery procedures, scripting languages like PowerShell and Bash, etc.

5. Are there any prerequisites for taking a systems administrator certification exam?

Answer: Yes – many certification programs require that applicants meet certain prerequisites before taking an exam such as having relevant experience with related technologies or passing an introductory level exam first. It is important to check the requirements for each individual certification program before registering for an exam.