Top 10 Technical Advisor Certifications

Certifications are essential for a technical advisor in the job market as they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks. Certifications provide evidence that an individual has met certain standards and requirements, which can be beneficial in helping them stand out from other applicants. Certifications also show employers that the individual is committed to continual learning and development, which can be an attractive quality when hiring new staff. Additionally, certifications may give an individual access to resources or specializations in their field that are not available to those without certifications.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Technical Advisors and explains how they can help to advance a technical advisor's career.

What are Technical Advisor Certifications?

Technical advisor certification is a form of professional recognition that is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in specific areas of technology. This certification can be obtained through the completion of an accredited technical advisor program, which typically includes courses in topics such as computer hardware and software, networking, programming, troubleshooting, and other related fields.

Having this certification can be beneficial for those looking to advance their careers in technical support or IT-related fields. It serves as proof that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in the given field and is qualified to provide advice and guidance on technical matters. Having this certification may also help an individual stand out from other potential job candidates when applying for positions within the IT industry. Additionally, it may help increase one’s salary potential as employers often recognize certifications as evidence of knowledge and skill.

Pro Tip: When considering a technical advisor certification, it is important to ensure that the program you choose is accredited by an industry-recognized body and provides comprehensive training. Additionally, look for a certification that offers continuing education courses to stay abreast of the latest technologies and best practices in your field.

Related: What does a Technical Advisor do?

Top 10 Technical Advisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Technical Advisors today.

1. Microsoft Certified Technical Advisor (MCTA)

Microsoft Certified Technical Advisor (MCTA) is an advanced certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of technical expertise in Microsoft products and technologies. The MCTA certification is intended for IT professionals who are experienced in the design, implementation and maintenance of Microsoft solutions.

The MCTA certification requires passing two exams: one on Windows Server and one on System Center. The exams can be taken at a local testing center or online. To become certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher. Exam fees vary by country but typically range from $125 to $250 USD per exam.

In addition to passing the two exams, candidates must also complete an online application form and provide proof of experience in working with Microsoft products and technologies. Candidates must also demonstrate knowledge of current industry trends and best practices related to the use of Microsoft products and technologies.

The entire process usually takes about three months from start to finish, although it may take longer depending on your availability for taking the exams and completing the application form.

The cost for the MCTA certification varies by country but typically ranges from $500 to $1000 USD depending on the number of exams taken and other factors such as travel costs for taking the exam at a local testing center.

2. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification offered by Cisco Systems. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking technologies, such as routing, switching, wireless, and security. The CCNA certification is the entry-level credential for Cisco certifications and is a prerequisite for higher-level certifications such as the CCNP and CCIE.

The CCNA exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and covers topics such as network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies, IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies, WAN technologies, infrastructure services, infrastructure security, and infrastructure management.

To get the CCNA certification you must first pass the 200-301 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Exam. This exam consists of 60-70 multiple choice questions that cover the topics listed above. You can take this exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online with ProctorU.

The cost of taking the CCNA exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $300-$400 USD.

3. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for computer service technicians. It is the most popular certification for entry-level IT professionals, and it is also a prerequisite for many higher level certifications. CompTIA A+ certifies that the holder has the knowledge and skills to install, configure, diagnose, maintain, repair, secure and troubleshoot desktop and laptop computers as well as mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

It takes approximately 200 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. The exam consists of two parts: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Each part has 90 multiple choice questions, with a total time limit of 90 minutes.

To get CompTIA A+, you must pass both exams within one year of each other. You can register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 to $300 per exam.

CompTIA A+ is a valuable credential that demonstrates technical proficiency in computer hardware and software support. It is highly recommended by employers in the IT field, so having this certification can give you an edge in the job market.

4. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in networking. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructure. It also covers topics such as network technologies, installation and configuration, media and topologies, security, and network troubleshooting.

The exam for CompTIA Network+ takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on the testing center you use but typically ranges from $200 - $300 USD.

To obtain the certification you must pass the CompTIA Network+ exam with a score of 720 or higher on a scale of 100-900 points. To prepare for the exam you can take online courses or self-study using books or other resources available online.

5. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an internationally recognized certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed for individuals who are looking to gain knowledge and skills in service management best practices.

The ITIL Foundation Certification consists of a two-day course, which covers the five core disciplines of ITIL: Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation, and Continual Service Improvement. The course also includes topics such as service lifecycle management, service level agreements, and incident management.

To get certified in ITIL Foundation, you will need to attend an accredited training provider’s two-day course and pass the associated exam. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam you must score at least 65%.

The cost of attending an accredited training provider’s two-day course can vary depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $1,000 - $1,500 USD.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The MCSE certification is designed to demonstrate your ability to design and implement solutions across multiple technologies, both on-premises and cloud-based.

To become an MCSE, you must pass one or more exams related to the technology you want to specialize in. For example, if you want to become an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics, you must pass two exams related to data management and analytics.

It typically takes anywhere from 6 months to 1 year of study and preparation before taking the necessary exams. In addition, some employers may require additional experience working with the technology for which you are seeking certification.

The cost of obtaining an MCSE certification varies depending on the number of exams required for your chosen specialization. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD per exam.

7. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification offered by VMware, Inc. that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in virtualization technologies. It is the industry-leading certification for IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in working with VMware products and solutions.

To become VCP certified, individuals must pass a VMware-authorized course and exam. The course typically takes three to five days to complete, depending on the level of complexity and the number of modules covered. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 USD. After completing the course, individuals must pass a proctored exam with a score of 300 or higher to become certified. The cost of the exam is usually around $250 USD.

In addition to passing the course and exam, candidates must also agree to abide by VMware’s code of conduct and comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to their use of VMware products and services. Once certified, VCPs are required to maintain their certification status through continuing education activities such as attending conferences or taking additional courses related to virtualization technologies every two years.

8. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing and deploying applications on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills required to design, deploy, and maintain applications on AWS. The certification covers topics such as designing highly available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS.

It typically takes around two months to prepare for the exam. Preparation involves studying the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam Guide, taking practice tests, and reviewing any other relevant materials. Additionally, individuals can take online courses or attend instructor-led training sessions to gain more knowledge about AWS services.

To get the certification, individuals must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and is administered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The exam fee is $150 USD per attempt.

9. Google Cloud Platform – Professional Cloud Architect

Google Cloud Platform – Professional Cloud Architect is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, developing, and managing applications on the Google Cloud Platform. It certifies individuals to design, develop, manage, and maintain robust, secure, highly available applications on the Google Cloud Platform.

The certification exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes about 2 hours to complete. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

To get certified as a Professional Cloud Architect, you must first have experience working with GCP technologies for at least one year. You must also pass the Professional Cloud Architect exam by scoring at least 80% or higher. After passing the exam, you will receive your official certification from Google.

Once certified as a Professional Cloud Architect, you can demonstrate your expertise in designing and managing applications on GCP to employers and clients alike. You will also be able to access exclusive resources such as discounts on GCP services and invitations to exclusive events hosted by Google.

10. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise open source solutions. The RHCSA certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of system administrators who are responsible for Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. This certification requires system administrators to demonstrate their ability to configure local storage, deploy and manage network services, create and manage users and groups, manage security policies, troubleshoot system issues, and more.

It typically takes between 4-6 months of self-study or classroom training to prepare for the RHCSA exam. In order to obtain the certification, candidates must pass an online exam that covers topics such as installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems; user administration; file management; network configuration; package management; security settings; and troubleshooting.

The cost of the RHCSA exam varies depending on the country in which you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for the exam voucher plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Do You Really Need a Technical Advisor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and the situation. Generally speaking, a Technical Advisor Certificate is not necessary and may not be beneficial for some people. However, for those who are interested in pursuing careers in technology or engineering, a Technical Advisor Certificate can be an invaluable asset.

A Technical Advisor Certificate can provide individuals with specialized skills and knowledge that are needed to be successful in their field. It also allows them to demonstrate their expertise to potential employers and clients, which can help them stand out from the competition. Additionally, having a certificate may open up job opportunities in higher-level positions or even lead to promotions within an organization.

The decision whether or not to pursue a Technical Advisor Certificate should be made based on individual needs and goals. For those who are already well-versed in their particular area of technology or engineering, they may find that they do not need a certificate in order to secure employment or advance their career. On the other hand, if someone is just starting out and looking for ways to differentiate themselves from other applicants, then obtaining a Technical Advisor Certificate could be beneficial. Ultimately, it is important for individuals to assess their own skill level and determine what path is right for them before deciding whether or not obtaining a certificate is worth the effort and investment.

Related: Technical Advisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Advisor Certifications

Q1. What is a Technical Advisor Certification?

A1. A Technical Advisor Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and experience in providing technical advice to businesses and organizations. The certification is granted by professional organizations or industry associations, such as the American Society for Quality (ASQ) or the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC).

Q2. What are the requirements to become certified?

A2. The requirements to become certified vary depending on the certifying organization, but typically include having a minimum of two years of relevant experience in the field, passing an examination, and submitting letters of recommendation from current or former employers.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified?

A3. The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on a variety of factors, including the certifying organization, how quickly you can complete required coursework or exams, and other requirements outlined by the organization. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to several years to complete all requirements for certification.

Q4. What are some benefits of becoming certified?

A4. Becoming certified as a Technical Advisor provides numerous benefits that can help further your career in this field, including increased credibility with employers and clients, improved job opportunities with higher salaries and better benefits packages, greater recognition within your industry and access to specialized resources and support networks from professional organizations or associations like ASQ or IMC.

Q5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining certification?

A5: Yes – most certifying organizations require that technical advisors maintain their certification through ongoing education activities such as attending conferences or taking additional courses related to their expertise area in order to stay current with best practices and technological advancements within their field.