Top 10 Technical Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for a technical coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers value. Certifications provide proof of technical competency and can provide an edge over other applicants who lack the same credentials. Additionally, certifications can be useful for career advancement as they open up new opportunities to move into higher-level positions or positions in different industries. Certifications also allow technical coordinators to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies, which is increasingly important in today's fast-paced environment.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Technical Coordinators and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Technical Coordinator Certifications?

Technical coordinator certification is an industry-recognized credential that verifies a person's expertise in the technical aspects of coordination and management. It demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage complex projects and operations. Technical coordinators are responsible for ensuring that project objectives are met while managing the processes, resources, and technologies involved.

Certification provides a formal recognition of a technical coordinator's experience and knowledge in their field. It also shows employers that they have the necessary skills to effectively manage projects and operations. With certification, technical coordinators can demonstrate their commitment to excellence and prove their value to employers.

In addition to providing validation of technical coordinator skills, certification can also help advance career opportunities by increasing job marketability. Certified technical coordinators may be able to negotiate higher salaries or receive promotions faster than non-certified individuals. Certification also provides access to additional resources such as conferences, workshops, and training opportunities which can further enhance a professional's knowledge base.

Pro tip: Before pursuing a technical coordinator certification, make sure you have experience in the field and understand the basics of the technology involved. Taking an introductory course or doing some research on the technology can help prepare you for certification exams and provide a better understanding of the material.

Related: What does a Technical Coordinator do?

Top 10 Technical Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Technical Coordinator (CTC)

Certified Technical Coordinator (CTC) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively coordinate technical projects. This certification is ideal for project managers, business analysts, and other professionals working in technical fields.

The CTC certification requires applicants to have at least three years of professional experience in technical project coordination or management. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as project management principles, processes, tools, and techniques; risk management; quality assurance; and communication.

The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The cost of the exam is $405 USD for members of PMI ($555 USD for non-members).

To prepare for the exam, PMI recommends taking a CTC prep course or studying from their official guidebook. Additionally, there are many online resources available to help you prepare for the exam.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will be awarded your CTC certification which is valid for three years. To maintain your certification status you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) over that period.

2. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a credential awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most sought-after certification for project managers and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the principles, processes, and tools of project management.

The PMP certification requires applicants to have a minimum of 4500 hours of project management experience, as well as 35 hours of formal project management education. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

To get the PMP certification, you must first submit an application to PMI. Once your application is approved, you can register for the exam. The cost for the exam varies depending on whether or not you are a PMI member. For non-members, it costs $555; for members, it costs $405.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your PMP certificate in about 6 weeks. To maintain your certification status, you will need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a designation given to individuals who have completed the training and certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance. The CSM certification is designed to provide individuals with an understanding of the fundamentals of Scrum, including its values, principles, roles, artifacts, and processes.

The CSM certification process typically takes two days and consists of a combination of lectures, group activities, simulations, and discussions. During this time, participants will learn how to apply Scrum in their own organizations and become certified as a Certified Scrum Master.

In order to become a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), one must first attend an authorized two-day course taught by an accredited trainer. After completing the course, participants must pass an online exam in order to receive their certification. The cost for the two-day course typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD depending on the location and instructor. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the online exam such as registration fees or exam fees.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is designed for IT professionals who are looking to gain expertise in deploying, building, and managing complex IT infrastructures.

The MCSE certification requires passing five exams, which cover topics such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, SQL Server, System Center Configuration Manager, SharePoint Server, and Office 365. The exams must be taken within a certain time frame; typically 18 months.

To get the MCSE certification you will need to pass all five exams with a score of 700 or higher. You can prepare for the exams by taking online courses or attending instructor-led classes. There are also many books available to help you study for the exams.

The cost of the MCSE certification varies depending on how you choose to prepare for the exams. Online courses typically cost around $500-$1000 while instructor-led classes usually range from $2000-$3000. The cost of the actual exam is around $150 per exam or $750 total for all five exams.

5. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is a globally recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals. It is an entry-level certification that demonstrates competency in computer hardware and software installation, configuration, maintenance, security, troubleshooting and more.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. This includes studying material from textbooks or online courses, taking practice tests, and gaining hands-on experience with computers.

To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams cost $226 USD each. The total cost of becoming CompTIA A+ certified is approximately $452 USD.

Once you have passed both exams, you will receive your official CompTIA A+ certificate in the mail within four to six weeks.

6. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ Certification is an industry-recognized certification for IT professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to troubleshoot, configure, and manage wired and wireless networks. The certification is designed to provide a broad range of foundational skills in networking technologies, including network security, network design, network operations, and network troubleshooting.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ exam. This includes studying textbooks or online materials, as well as taking practice tests or attending instructor-led training courses.

To get CompTIA Network+ certification you must pass the CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-007. The exam consists of 90 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. A passing score of 720 out of 900 points is required to receive the certification.

The cost of the CompTIA Network+ exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD.

7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program developed by Cisco Systems that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in networking. It is the entry-level certification for those looking to pursue a career in networking.

The CCNA certification requires individuals to pass one exam, which typically takes about 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as routing and switching, network security, IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, wireless networking, and more.

To get the CCNA certification, you must first register for the exam with Cisco. You can register online or through your local Pearson VUE testing center. After registering for the exam, you will need to study for it using materials provided by Cisco or other third-party vendors. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CCNA certificate from Cisco.

The cost of the CCNA exam varies depending on where you take it and what type of materials you use to prepare for it. Generally speaking, however, the cost ranges from $250-$300 USD.

8. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an internationally recognized certification that provides a comprehensive overview of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to help IT professionals understand the principles, processes, and best practices of service management.

The certification requires a minimum of 21 hours of study and covers topics such as service strategy, service design, service transition, service operations, continual service improvement, and the ITIL Service Lifecycle. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes.

To get certified, you must pass the ITIL Foundation exam which can be taken online or in-person at an accredited examination center. The cost for the exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official ITIL Foundation Certificate which is valid for three years. After this period has expired, you can renew your certification by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

9. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals learn the Lean Six Sigma methodology and principles. The program focuses on teaching the skills necessary to identify, analyze, and improve processes within an organization. It also provides an understanding of how to use data-driven decision making to make improvements in operational efficiency.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes around three months to complete, depending on the individual's learning style and pace. The program consists of two phases: classroom instruction and project work. During the classroom phase, participants will learn about Lean Six Sigma fundamentals such as process improvement tools, problem solving techniques, and data analysis methods. They will also gain hands-on experience with real-world case studies and simulations. During the project phase, participants will apply their knowledge by completing a project that involves identifying areas of improvement within their organization and creating action plans for implementing those improvements.

To get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must pass both a written exam and an oral presentation of their project work. The exam covers topics such as process mapping, statistical analysis methods, problem solving techniques, and other aspects of the Lean Six Sigma methodology.

The cost of obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification varies depending on where you take the course and what type of materials are included in your package (e.g., textbooks or online resources). Generally speaking, it can range from $1,000-$2,500 USD for self-study courses or up to $4,000 USD for instructor-led courses.

10. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a certification from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design and deploy applications on the AWS platform. It is designed for individuals who are experienced in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. It validates an individual’s ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge of how to architect and deploy secure and robust applications on AWS technologies.

It typically takes around 10-12 hours of study time to prepare for the exam, depending on your experience with AWS services. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can take up to 2 hours to complete.

To get the certification, you must pass the exam by achieving a minimum score of 720 out of 1000 points. You can register for the exam through the AWS website or through an authorized training provider such as A Cloud Guru or Linux Academy.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from $150 - $300 USD.

Do You Really Need a Technical Coordinator Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not necessarily need a technical coordinator certificate to be successful in the field. However, having one can certainly help you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate your knowledge of the profession. A technical coordinator certificate is an official document that states that you have acquired certain skills and knowledge related to the technical coordination of a project or team. It shows that you have a comprehensive understanding of the processes and procedures associated with the role.

Having a technical coordinator certificate can also give employers confidence in your abilities as it demonstrates that you have taken the time to learn about the role and specialize in it. For those who are new to the field, this type of certification can provide guidance on how to best manage projects and teams. In addition, having a certificate may make it easier for employers to trust your capabilities as they know that you have received formal training in this area.

In conclusion, while having a technical coordinator certificate is not absolutely necessary for success in this profession, obtaining one can definitely be beneficial for those looking to stand out from the competition and show their expertise in the field.

Related: Technical Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Coordinator Certifications

1. What qualifications are required to become a Technical Coordinator?

Answer: To become a Technical Coordinator, you must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field and experience in the specific technology or industry you are working with. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates who have certification in the specific technology or industry.

2. How do I get certified as a Technical Coordinator?

Answer: To become certified as a Technical Coordinator, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited certifying body. Additionally, some certifications require completion of courses and/or on-the-job experience.

3. How long does it take to become certified as a Technical Coordinator?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Technical Coordinator depends on the specific certification you are seeking and your level of experience with the technology or industry. Generally, most certifications can be completed within 3-6 months if you devote enough time and effort to studying for the exams.

4. Is there any cost associated with getting certified as a Technical Coordinator?

Answer: Yes, there is typically a fee associated with taking the exam necessary to obtain certification as a Technical Coordinator. Additionally, if you need to take courses in order to gain additional knowledge or skills related to the certification, there may be additional costs associated with those courses.

5. What types of jobs can I apply for after becoming certified as a Technical Coordinator?

Answer: After becoming certified as a Technical Coordinator, depending on your specific area of expertise, you could apply for technical support roles such as customer service representative, system administrator, network engineer, software developer or project manager among others.