Top 10 Technical Service Engineer Certifications

Certifications for a technical service engineer are important for several reasons. First, certifications help demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for in potential candidates. Having a certification can show employers that the engineer has met industry standards and is competent in their field. Certifications also provide valuable credentials that can make engineers more marketable to employers and can often lead to higher salaries. Additionally, certifications may open up new job opportunities or advancement opportunities within an organization. Finally, certifications can be used as a way to stay current with the latest technologies and trends in the industry, helping engineers remain competitive in the job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Technical Service Engineers and explains how they can help advance a Technical Service Engineer's career.

What are Technical Service Engineer Certifications?

Technical Service Engineer Certification is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, and upgrade technical systems. This type of certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the expertise necessary to work as a technical service engineer in the IT industry.

The benefits of Technical Service Engineer Certification include increased credibility when applying for jobs and promotions, improved job security by demonstrating a higher level of knowledge and experience in technical services, and greater opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, certified professionals can access exclusive resources such as online discussion forums and webinars to stay up-to-date on industry trends and advances in technology. This can be especially beneficial for those who work in fast-paced industries where changes occur quickly.

Certified professionals may also find that they are more attractive to employers because they possess the skills necessary to manage complex projects with fewer errors than those without certification. By taking the time to become certified, individuals are able to prove their commitment to their profession and show their employers that they have invested in their development. Finally, having a Technical Service Engineer Certification can be beneficial when negotiating salaries or seeking higher pay grades due to the increased knowledge base associated with it.

Pro Tip: When considering technical service engineer certification, make sure to research the certifying organization and its requirements thoroughly. In addition, look for programs that offer both in-person and online courses so that you can learn from the best instructors no matter where you are located.

Related: What does a Technical Service Engineer do?

Top 10 Technical Service Engineer Certifications

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

1. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential for entry-level IT professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security. CompTIA A+ certification verifies that individuals have the skills necessary to support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CompTIA A+ certification process, depending on how quickly you can study and complete the exams. The cost of the exam varies by country but generally costs around $200 USD.

To get your CompTIA A+ certification, you must first register for the exam through the CompTIA website or through a testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric. Once registered, you can begin studying for the exam using official CompTIA materials or other resources such as books or online courses. After studying, you must take two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). You must pass both exams to earn your certification.

2. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's skills in designing and implementing solutions based on Microsoft technologies. It is the most recognized and sought-after certification for IT professionals working with Microsoft-based systems.

To obtain the MCSE, individuals must pass seven core exams and one elective exam. The core exams cover topics such as networking, operating systems, security, messaging, and client/server applications. The elective exam covers a specific technology or application area such as database design or web development.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $125-$200 per exam. Most people take between 6 months to 1 year to complete all eight exams required for the MCSE certification.

To get started, individuals should review the list of available exams and determine which ones they need to take to meet their goals. They should also research any prerequisites that may be required for certain exams before registering for them. Finally, they can register for the exams at a testing center or online through a third-party provider such as Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

3. Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) is a professional-level certification from Cisco Systems, Inc. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge required for network professionals working on enterprise networks. The CCNP certification is intended for individuals who have at least one year of networking experience and can demonstrate the ability to work with local and wide area networks, as well as secure them.

The CCNP certification requires passing three exams: Route (300-101), Switch (300-115), and TSHOOT (300-135). Each exam costs $325 USD. The exams are available in both English and Japanese.

It typically takes around six months to complete the CCNP program, depending on how much time you have available to study. To get started, you will need to purchase the official Cisco Learning Materials which include books, practice tests, videos, labs, and other resources. Additionally, it is helpful to join a study group or take an online course to help you prepare for the exams.

The total cost of getting your CCNP certification will depend on what resources you use to prepare for the exams. Generally speaking, expect to spend between $1,000 - $2,000 USD in materials and exam fees.

4. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed by VMware to recognize the technical skills and knowledge of IT professionals who have experience in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware vSphere environments. The VCP certification is valid for three years from the date of issue.

To obtain the VCP certification, candidates must first complete a training course from an authorized VMware training provider. The required training course depends on the version of vSphere being used. After completing the course, candidates must pass an exam to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in using VMware vSphere products.

The cost of obtaining the VCP certification varies depending on the type of training chosen and whether or not you are eligible for any discounts or promotions. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 USD.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in deploying, configuring, and managing Microsoft technologies. It is the first step towards becoming a Microsoft Certified Professional.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the MCSA program depending on the individual’s experience and knowledge. To get the MCSA certification, an individual needs to pass two exams: one exam on Windows Server 2012 or later and another exam on either SQL Server 2012 or later, Exchange Server 2013 or later, SharePoint Server 2013 or later, or Lync Server 2013 or later.

The cost of each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in but typically ranges from $125-$150 USD per exam.

6. CompTIA Network+ Certification

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in networking technologies. It is designed to provide a foundation for a career in network administration and support. The certification covers topics such as network installation, configuration, troubleshooting, security, and best practices.

The CompTIA Network+ exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 720 or higher on a scale from 100-900.

To get the CompTIA Network+ certification, you must first register for the exam at the CompTIA website. You will then be required to pay an exam fee of $329 USD. After registering for the exam, you can prepare by studying from official CompTIA materials or taking an online course or training program from a third-party provider. Once you feel ready to take the exam, you can schedule it at an authorized testing center near you.

Once you pass the exam and receive your certification, it will remain valid for three years before needing to be renewed. To renew your certification, you must either retake the current version of the exam or take a continuing education course offered by CompTIA.

7. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc. that verifies an individual's skills and knowledge in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to configure local storage, deploy and configure network services, manage users and groups, perform security administration tasks, and troubleshoot system issues.

It typically takes around 40 hours of study time to prepare for the RHCSA exam. The exam itself is a performance-based test that requires hands-on experience with the Linux operating system. Candidates must be able to complete tasks such as configuring local storage, deploying and configuring network services, managing users and groups, performing security administration tasks, and troubleshooting system issues without assistance from documentation or references.

To get the RHCSA certification you must pass a single performance-based exam administered by Red Hat. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but is usually around $400 USD.

The RHCSA certification is valid for three years after which you must retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

8. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage IT services in any organization. The certification requires a minimum of 21 hours of study time and can be completed in as little as two days.

To get certified, individuals must attend a course or take an online course and pass the ITIL Foundation exam. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass, candidates must score at least 65% or 26 out of 40 questions correctly.

The cost for ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider and delivery method chosen. Courses typically range from $400-$800 USD, while online courses are usually cheaper at around $200-$300 USD. The cost of the exam itself is usually included in the course fee.

9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design and deploy applications on the AWS platform. It is one of the most sought-after certifications in the cloud computing industry.

The exam typically takes about 80 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as designing highly available, cost-efficient, fault tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS; selecting appropriate AWS services to design and deploy an application based on given requirements; estimating costs associated with AWS services; identifying appropriate use of AWS architectural best practices; and understanding how to migrate existing workloads to the AWS Cloud.

To become certified, individuals must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Level Exam. This exam can be taken online or in person at an authorized testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

In order to prepare for this certification, individuals should have experience working with distributed applications and knowledge of core AWS services such as EC2, S3, RDS, ELB, Auto Scaling Groups, VPCs, IAM roles/policies etc. Additionally they should have a good understanding of best practices for architecting solutions using these services as well as knowledge of security features available in the AWS platform.

10. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is a certification program for Linux system administrators and developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals in the field of Linux administration and development. LPIC certifications are vendor-neutral, meaning they are not specific to any particular distribution or vendor.

LPIC certifications are divided into three levels: LPIC-1, LPIC-2, and LPIC-3. Each level requires passing an exam that covers topics such as installation, configuration, maintenance, security, networking, scripting, and troubleshooting. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

LPIC-1 certification typically takes around 6 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience with Linux systems. To get certified at this level you must pass two exams: 101 (System Administrator I) and 102 (System Administrator II). These exams cover topics such as installation and configuration of Linux systems; basic network configuration; user management; system security; file permissions; shell scripting; package management; and more.

LPIC-2 certification typically takes around 12 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience with Linux systems. To get certified at this level you must pass two exams: 201 (Advanced System Administration I) and 202 (Advanced System Administration II). These exams cover topics such as advanced network configuration; system performance tuning; system security hardening; storage management; virtualization technologies; web services setup/configuration/administration; system automation/scripting; database administration/configuration/maintenance; email server setup/configuration/administration; DNS server setup/configuration/administration; LDAP server setup/configuration/administration and more.

LPIC-3 certification typically takes around 18 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience with Linux systems. To get certified at this level you must pass two exams: 301 (Enterprise System Administration I) and 302 (Enterprise System Administration II). These exams cover topics such as advanced network configuration including IPv6 & multicast routing protocols; enterprise storage technologies including SAN & NAS solutions ; high availability clustering solutions ; virtualization technologies including KVM & OpenVZ ; web services setup / configuration / administration ; system automation / scripting ; database administration / configuration / maintenance ; email server setup / configuration / administration ; LDAP server setup / configuration / administration ; DNS server setup / configuration / administration ; advanced security hardening techniques ; system performance tuning & optimization .

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

Do You Really Need a Technical Service Engineer Certificate?

No, you do not need a Technical Service Engineer Certificate to be successful in the field of technical service engineering. Although having such a certificate could be beneficial for certain positions, it is not required for most entry-level or even intermediate roles.

Technical service engineers are responsible for providing technical support and guidance to customers and end users, which requires strong problem-solving and communication skills. Having a Technical Service Engineer Certificate may provide some insight into your knowledge of specific software or technology, but employers are more likely to value experience over certifications.

The best way to increase your employability as a technical service engineer is to gain hands-on experience through internships or part-time jobs. This will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and demonstrate them in real-world scenarios. A certificate may make you stand out from other applicants, but it won’t necessarily guarantee success in the job market.

Ultimately, having a Technical Service Engineer Certificate can be helpful when applying for certain jobs, but it isn’t necessary for most positions. Gaining relevant experience and honing your problem-solving and communication skills are far more important when looking for work in this field.

Related: Technical Service Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Service Engineer Certifications

Q1. What is a Technical Service Engineer Certification?

A1. A Technical Service Engineer Certification is a professional certification awarded to those who demonstrate proficiency in the maintenance and repair of complex technical systems. It indicates a high level of knowledge and skill in the field and may be required for certain positions or career paths.

Q2. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Technical Service Engineer?

A2. To become certified as a Technical Service Engineer, you must typically have at least two years’ experience in the field, plus completion of an accredited training program or coursework related to the specific type of equipment you will be working on. You may also need to pass an exam in order to achieve certification.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified as a Technical Service Engineer?

A3. The amount of time required to become certified as a Technical Service Engineer varies depending upon experience, training programs completed, and other factors. In general, it usually takes around two years from start to finish in order to obtain certification.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Technical Service Engineer?

A4: Yes, there are typically prerequisites for becoming certified as a Technical Service Engineer that include having at least two years’ experience in the field and completion of an accredited training program or coursework related to the specific type of equipment you will be working on. Additionally, some certifying organizations may require passing an exam prior to being granted certification status.

Q5: Is there ongoing education required after obtaining my technical service engineer certification?

A5: Yes, most certifying organizations require that holders of their technical service engineer certifications complete continuing education credits or units (CEUs) every year or two in order to maintain their certification status. This helps ensure that engineers remain current on industry trends and best practices related to their profession