Top 11 Technology Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for technology coordinators in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. Certification programs provide an opportunity for individuals to gain the necessary skills to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. They also provide employers with a way to assess potential candidates' skills and competencies. Certifications allow employers to differentiate between applicants, so having certifications can make a candidate more attractive to potential employers. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement and increased salary potential.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Technology Coordinators and explain how they can help enhance a technology coordinator's career.

What are Technology Coordinator Certifications?

Technology coordinator certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s expertise in managing technology programs and initiatives within organizations. It is designed to help technology coordinators develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively plan, implement, and maintain information technology systems. This certification is intended to ensure that those responsible for managing the use of technology in an organization are adequately trained and qualified to do so.

The certification program focuses on five key areas: IT management frameworks, project management, IT infrastructure, software development lifecycle, and service delivery. Through this certification program, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of how to manage complex IT systems, develop successful strategies for implementing new technologies, monitor system performance and maintenance, and design effective solutions for meeting organizational goals. With this knowledge and experience, certified technology coordinators can play a critical role in helping organizations maximize their investments in technology and achieve their desired outcomes.

Pro Tip: To become a certified technology coordinator, make sure you have a strong understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry. Additionally, take advantage of online courses and certifications that can help you stay up-to-date on industry knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Related: What does a Technology Coordinator do?

Top 11 Technology Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Technology Coordinator (CTC)

Certified Technology Coordinator (CTC) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills to effectively manage technology in educational settings. The CTC credential is offered by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

The CTC certification requires applicants to complete an online application, demonstrate their knowledge of educational technology through a written exam, and submit evidence of their experience working with technology in an educational setting. Applicants must also participate in a one-day workshop or webinar on the ISTE Standards for Coaches, which covers topics such as instructional design, assessment, data analysis, and professional development.

The entire process takes approximately three months from start to finish. The cost of the certification is $395 USD for members of ISTE and $495 USD for non-members.

2. Certified Network Administrator (CNA)

Certified Network Administrator (CNA) is a certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of network administration. It is a professional-level certification that requires a thorough understanding of networking concepts, hardware, software, and security.

The CNA exam typically takes between two to four hours to complete. It consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as networking fundamentals, routing protocols, switching technologies, network design and implementation, troubleshooting, and security.

In order to become certified as a CNA, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by the certifying body. These may include having at least two years of experience in the field or completing an approved training program. Once you have met these requirements, you can register for and take the CNA exam.

The cost of taking the CNA exam varies depending on where it is taken and which certifying body administers it. Generally speaking, it costs anywhere from $200 to $400 USD for the exam itself plus any additional fees associated with taking it at a testing center or online proctoring service.

3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification issued by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual's knowledge in the field of information security.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions and takes up to six hours to complete. To receive the certification, applicants must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)² Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). The domains include access control, cryptography, security architecture and design, software development security, telecommunications and network security, business continuity and disaster recovery planning, legal regulations and compliance, and operations security.

In order to take the exam, applicants must first register with ISC2 as a member. The cost for membership is $129 per year. After registering with ISC2, applicants can purchase vouchers from Pearson VUE which allow them to schedule their exams at a testing center. The cost for the exam voucher is $699 USD.

Once you have passed your exam, you will receive your CISSP certification within 4-6 weeks after taking it.

4. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft that recognizes IT professionals who have the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and manage complex computing environments. It is designed for professionals who want to specialize in either server infrastructure, desktop infrastructure, private cloud computing, data platform, or business intelligence.

To get the MCSE certification, you must first pass one or more of the required exams. The number of exams you will need to take depends on which track you choose. For example, if you choose the Server Infrastructure track, you will need to pass three exams: one core exam and two elective exams.

The amount of time it takes to get an MCSE certification varies depending on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to a year or more to complete all of the necessary requirements.

In order to get your MCSE certification, you must register for each exam through Pearson VUE and pay an exam fee for each test taken. The cost of each exam varies but typically ranges between $150 - $200 USD per test.

5. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-recognized certification for entry-level IT professionals. It is designed to validate the skills necessary to work in a variety of IT roles, such as computer support specialist, help desk technician, and system administrator. The CompTIA A+ certification covers topics such as hardware installation and configuration, operating systems installation and maintenance, networking fundamentals, security fundamentals, troubleshooting techniques, customer service principles, and more.

The CompTIA A+ certification exam consists of two parts: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams must be passed in order to earn the certification. The Core 1 exam covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing concepts; while the Core 2 exam focuses on operational procedures such as installing and configuring operating systems, expanding networks beyond a single site or location, security best practices and troubleshooting hardware/software issues.

In order to become certified with CompTIA A+, you will need to pass both exams within three years of each other. It typically takes around six months of studying for most people to prepare for the exams. It is recommended that you have at least nine months of hands-on experience working with computers before attempting the exams.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking it costs around $200 per exam ($400 total).

6. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that provides an understanding of IT service management and the ITIL framework. It is designed to help individuals gain an understanding of the key concepts, processes, and best practices related to IT service management. The certification covers topics such as service strategy, design, transition, operation, and continual service improvement.

The ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes around 20 hours of study time and can be completed in as little as two days. To get certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by AXELOS. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 65% to pass.

The cost for the ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $300-$500 USD.

7. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). PMP is one of the most sought-after certifications for project managers and is recognized around the world. It demonstrates that you have the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to be an effective project manager.

The PMP certification process typically takes about 6 months to complete, depending on your level of preparation. To be eligible for the PMP exam, you must have at least 4500 hours of project management experience and 35 hours of formal education in project management topics. You must also pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions.

To get your PMP certification, you must first register with PMI and pay the application fee. Once your application is approved, you will receive a voucher that allows you to take the exam at a testing center near you. After passing the exam, you will need to submit a copy of your credentialing documents to PMI in order to receive your official certificate.

The cost of getting your PMP certification varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of PMI. For non-members, it costs $555 for the application fee plus $405 for the exam fee ($960 total). For members, it costs $405 for the application fee plus $405 for the exam fee ($810 total).

8. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals gain the skills and knowledge needed to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-sized routed and switched networks. The CCNA certification is one of the most popular certifications in the world and is highly sought after by employers.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the necessary coursework and pass the exam required for certification. To become certified, you must first register with Cisco's Learning Network website and then purchase an official study guide or attend a training class. After studying for the exam, you will need to take a two-hour written test that will cover topics such as routing protocols, switching technologies, IP addressing schemes, network security principles, and other related topics.

The cost of taking the CCNA exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD. Additionally, if you choose to take a training class or purchase a study guide it can add additional costs to your overall expenses.

9. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program offered by VMware that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in the design, implementation, and management of VMware vSphere-based virtualized data centers. It is designed to be the industry standard for virtualization professionals.

To become a VCP, you must complete an authorized training course from an approved VMware Education Provider and pass the associated certification exam. The training courses typically take 3-5 days to complete and cost between $2,000-$4,000 depending on the provider.

Once you have completed your training course, you can register for the VCP exam through Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $250 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your VCP certification which is valid for two years. To maintain your certification status, you must either pass a new version of the VCP exam or attend a one-day recertification course every two years.

10. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The certification is available for both the Windows and Mac versions of these programs.

The MOS certification process takes approximately 4-6 months to complete. To get certified, you must pass a series of exams that test your knowledge and skills in the specific application(s) you are seeking certification for. The exams can be taken online or at an authorized testing center.

The cost to become certified varies depending on which exam(s) you take and how many you take. Each exam costs between $75-$150 USD, so it is important to plan ahead when budgeting for the certification process.

In addition to passing the exams, there are also other requirements for becoming MOS certified such as having a valid email address and agreeing to the terms of use for the Microsoft Office Specialist program.

11. Google Cloud Platform Certification

Google Cloud Platform Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in deploying and managing applications, services, and infrastructure on Google Cloud Platform. It is recognized by employers around the world as a valuable credential for cloud professionals.

The certification process typically takes about 3-4 months to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level and how much time they are able to dedicate to studying. To get certified, an individual must pass two exams: the Associate Cloud Engineer Exam and the Professional Cloud Architect Exam. The Associate Cloud Engineer exam focuses on fundamental cloud concepts, while the Professional Cloud Architect exam covers more advanced topics such as design and implementation of applications, services, and infrastructure on Google Cloud Platform.

The cost of each exam varies based on region but generally ranges from $100-200 USD per exam. Additionally, there are several online courses available that can help prepare for the exams at an additional cost.

Do You Really Need a Technology Coordinator Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a Technology Coordinator Certificate to be successful in the field of technology coordination. However, having one can certainly give you an edge over your competition and demonstrate that you have a commitment to learning and developing your skills in this area.

A Technology Coordinator Certificate will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the technologies used in today's workplace and how to effectively coordinate them. You'll learn about different types of networks, computer systems, software applications, security protocols, and more. You'll also gain valuable experience in project management and problem-solving techniques that can be applied in any technology-related job. Additionally, the certification may open up opportunities for promotions or higher-level positions within your organization or industry.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Technology Coordinator Certificate depends on where you are in your career and what type of job you're looking for. If you're already employed as a technology coordinator or have plenty of experience working with technology-related tasks, then it may not be necessary for you to pursue this certification. However, if you're just starting out or want to move up into a more technical role within your organization or industry, then having this certification could make all the difference.

Related: Technology Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Technology Coordinator Certifications

1. What certifications are available for technology coordinators?

Answer: Technology coordinators can pursue certifications from organizations such as CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco and Apple. These certifications cover topics such as networking, security, software engineering, cloud computing and more.

2. How do I become certified as a technology coordinator?

Answer: To become certified as a technology coordinator you need to complete the relevant certification course or exam offered by the provider of your choice. The requirements for each certification vary so it is important to research the specific requirements before beginning the process.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified technology coordinator?

Answer: Becoming a certified technology coordinator can help you stand out in a competitive job market and open up new career opportunities. It also demonstrates your knowledge of the latest technologies and your commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends.

4. How much does certification cost?

Answer: The cost of certification varies depending on which provider you choose and which type of certification you pursue. Generally speaking, most certifications range from $100 - $500 USD depending on the provider and complexity of the course or exam material required to pass the certification test.

5. Is there ongoing support available after I become certified?

Answer: Yes, many providers offer ongoing support after you become certified including access to webinars, tutorials and other resources to help you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to technology coordination.