Top 10 Technical Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for technical specialists because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. This can help them stand out from other job applicants who lack such credentials. Furthermore, certifications can give employers more confidence in the specialist's skills and abilities, as they are proof that the person has received formal recognition of their expertise. Additionally, certifications may be required by some employers or organizations to work in certain positions or roles. Finally, having certifications can open up new career opportunities and potentially lead to higher salaries or promotions.

The article reviews top certifications for Technical Specialists and explains how these certifications can contribute to a technical specialist's career growth.

What are Technical Specialist Certifications?

Technical specialist certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in a particular area of technology. It is typically obtained by taking an exam or completing a course of study, and it can help individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field.

Technical specialist certifications are important for many reasons. They demonstrate to employers and clients that an individual has the necessary skills and knowledge needed to perform specific tasks related to their field. This can give them an advantage over other applicants when seeking employment or contracts. Having a technical specialist certification also shows that an individual is committed to staying up-to-date on industry trends and developments, which can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career. Finally, having this type of certification may even open up opportunities for higher pay or promotions within their current organization.

Pro Tip: If you're considering obtaining a technical specialist certification, make sure to research the requirements and prerequisites thoroughly. Additionally, check to see if the organization offering the certification is accredited or recognized by any reputable organizations in your field. Finally, be sure to take advantage of any study materials or practice exams that are available.

Related: What does a Technical Specialist do?

Top 10 Technical Specialist Certifications

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

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification developed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of information security.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions and takes up to 6 hours to complete. Candidates must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

To get certified, individuals must first pass the CISSP exam. The exam fee is $699 USD for members and $999 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, candidates must submit their application to ISC2 for review. Once approved, they will receive their official CISSP certification.

In addition to passing the exam, candidates must also agree to abide by ISC2's Code of Ethics and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements in order to maintain their certification status.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the techniques used by malicious hackers and how to protect against them. CEH is one of the most sought after certifications for information security professionals, as it provides a comprehensive knowledge base on ethical hacking and penetration testing.

CEH requires a minimum of five years of experience in IT Security or two years of experience with a valid EC-Council certification. The exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. Candidates must score at least 70% to pass the exam.

The cost for CEH certification varies depending on the country, but typically ranges from $500 - $1000 USD. The cost includes an exam voucher, access to online study materials, and an official certificate upon passing the exam.

In order to obtain CEH certification, candidates must complete both the training course and pass the examination. The training course can take anywhere from 10 days to several months depending on how quickly you wish to progress through it.

3. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program that validates an individual’s skills in designing, implementing, and managing IT solutions based on Microsoft technologies. The MCSE certification is designed to demonstrate the expertise of IT professionals who have hands-on experience with Microsoft products and services.

It typically takes around six months to complete the requirements for the MCSE certification. To get the certification, individuals must pass at least one exam from each of the five categories: Networking Systems, Client Operating Systems, Server Operating Systems, Messaging and Security. Once these exams are passed, individuals must also pass a “capstone” exam which tests their overall knowledge of Microsoft technologies.

The cost of obtaining an MCSE certification varies depending on the number of exams taken and the type of training materials used. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500 to $3000 USD to obtain an MCSE certification.

4. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program developed by Cisco Systems that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in networking. It is the second level of the Cisco Career Certification Program, which includes four levels: Entry, Associate, Professional and Expert. The CCNA certification covers topics such as IP addressing, routing protocols, switching technologies, network security, and wireless technologies.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to get the CCNA certification. To get it you need to pass two exams: ICND1 (100-105) and ICND2 (200-105). You can also opt for a single exam option – CCNA 200-125 which covers both ICND1 and ICND2 topics.

The cost of the CCNA exam varies depending on your location but usually ranges from $250 to $300 USD per exam.

5. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is a certification program that certifies individuals in the basics of computer hardware and software. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates a technician’s competency in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting.

It typically takes around 90 hours of study 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 minutes to complete and contains 90 multiple choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 750 on each part.

To get certified with CompTIA A+, you must first purchase the exam voucher from CompTIA or an authorized reseller. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200 - $300 USD. You can then register for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you or online through their website.

Once you have passed both parts of the exam, you will receive your official CompTIA A+ certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

6. Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

Amazon Web Services Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates an individual’s expertise in designing and deploying applications on the AWS platform. This certification is designed for experienced IT professionals who have a deep understanding of the AWS platform and can design and deploy scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and secure applications on the AWS platform.

It typically takes around three to six months to prepare for this certification depending on your experience level. To get certified, you must pass two exams: the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam and the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam. The associate exam covers basic knowledge of the AWS platform while the professional exam covers more advanced topics such as designing distributed applications, implementing security best practices, and troubleshooting complex architectures.

The cost of taking these exams varies depending on where you take them. In most cases, it costs $300 USD per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees. You can also purchase practice tests and study materials from third-party vendors at additional cost.

7. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's skills in virtualization and cloud technologies. It is offered by VMware, a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing solutions. The VCP certification is the most widely recognized certification for IT professionals working with VMware products.

To become a VCP, individuals must first pass an exam that covers the fundamentals of virtualization and cloud computing. After passing the exam, they must complete a course or training program that covers the specific version of VMware products they are using. This can be done through self-study or instructor-led courses. Once completed, individuals must submit proof of their training to VMware along with their exam results to receive their VCP certification.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on the individual's experience level and how much study time they are willing to commit. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 4-6 months to complete all requirements for the VCP certification.

The cost of becoming a VCP varies depending on which version of VMware products you are using and where you obtain your training materials from. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2000 USD for all required materials and exams fees.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification that validates an individual's skills in managing and deploying systems using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This certification is designed to prove that the individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform essential system administration tasks on Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems.

The RHCSA exam typically takes about 2-3 hours to complete. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and performance-based items that require you to demonstrate your ability to perform tasks on a live system.

To get certified as an RHCSA, you must first pass the RHCSA Exam (EX200). You can take this exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online. To prepare for the exam, you should study the official Red Hat course material, attend a training class, or use self-study materials such as books or online tutorials.

The cost of the RHCSA Exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of the exam you choose. The standard price for taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center is $400 USD, while online exams are generally cheaper at around $250 USD.

9. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. PMP certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills to successfully manage projects of any size, scope, and complexity.

To get PMP certified, you must have a minimum of three years of project management experience and 35 hours of project management education or training. You must also pass the PMP exam, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers five core areas: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing.

The PMP exam takes approximately four hours to complete. After passing the exam and meeting all other eligibility requirements, you will receive your PMP Certification within 4-6 weeks.

The cost for the PMP Exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members it is $405 USD for non-members it is $555 USD.

10. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC-1/2/3)

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is a vendor-neutral certification program that focuses on the Linux operating system. LPIC is divided into three levels: LPIC-1, LPIC-2, and LPIC-3.

LPIC-1 is the entry level certification, which covers basic Linux administration tasks such as installation and configuration of the operating system, setting up user accounts, managing software packages and services, and basic networking. It requires passing two exams: Exam 101 and Exam 102.

LPIC-2 is an intermediate level certification that builds on the knowledge gained in LPIC-1. It covers more advanced topics such as security, network services, email services, web services, scripting and automation tools. It requires passing two exams: Exam 201 and Exam 202.

LPIC-3 is an advanced level certification that covers enterprise networking topics such as virtualization, clustering, storage management and directory services. It requires passing two exams: Exam 301 and Exam 302.

It usually takes around 6 months to a year to get certified for each level of LPIC depending on your experience with Linux systems administration. To get certified you need to register for the exams at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers (depending on your location). The cost of each exam varies depending on the testing center but typically ranges from $150-$200 per exam.

Do You Really Need a Technical Specialist Certificate?

Yes, if you are looking to work in a technical field, a Technical Specialist Certificate can be an invaluable asset. With the increasing demand for specialized skills and knowledge in the workplace, having a certificate that demonstrates your expertise can open up many opportunities for advancement.

The Technical Specialist Certificate provides employers with proof of your ability to analyze and solve complex problems as well as provide technical support. The program also helps you develop valuable transferable skills, such as communication and problem-solving techniques, which are essential for any successful career. In addition, the certificate provides an opportunity to network with other professionals in the industry. This can help you stay abreast of current trends and technologies in your field.

Overall, having a Technical Specialist Certificate can give you an edge over other job applicants when it comes to landing a job or promotion in a technical field. It demonstrates that you have the necessary qualifications and skills necessary to excel in this type of position. Furthermore, it shows employers that you take your education seriously and are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest technology and trends in the industry.

Related: Technical Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is a Technical Specialist Certification?

A1. A Technical Specialist Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a person’s level of expertise in a specific technology or field. The certification typically involves passing an exam and/or completing a course of study related to the technology or field.

Q2. How do I become certified as a Technical Specialist?

A2. To become certified as a Technical Specialist, you must first meet the eligibility requirements of the certifying organization, which may include having a certain amount of work experience and/or educational background in the field. You will then need to pass an exam and/or complete any necessary coursework required by the certifying organization.

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

A3. The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Technical Specialist depends on several factors, including your current knowledge and skills in the field, how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exam, and any other requirements set by the certifying organization. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to become fully certified as a Technical Specialist.

Q4. What benefits do I get from becoming certified as a Technical Specialist?

A4. Becoming certified as a Technical Specialist can provide numerous benefits, such as increased job opportunities, higher salaries, greater credibility with employers and clients, improved career mobility, and enhanced technical knowledge and skills.

Q5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification as a Technical Specialist?

A5: Yes, many certifying organizations require ongoing continuing education credits in order for individuals to maintain their certification status over time. This may involve taking additional courses or attending conferences related to your particular specialty area in order to keep up with new developments and advancements in the field.