Top 10 VBA Developer Certifications

Certifications are a great way for VBA developers to showcase their technical skills and demonstrate their knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Certifications can help a VBA developer stand out in the job market and prove their expertise to potential employers. They also show employers that the applicant is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in the industry. Additionally, certifications can provide an edge over other applicants who may not have formal qualifications or experience in the field.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the best certifications for VBA developers and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are VBA Developer Certifications?

VBA Developer Certification is a certification program that is designed to help individuals demonstrate their skills and expertise in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) development language. VBA is used to create custom applications and automate tasks within Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio and Project.

The VBA Developer Certification Program is offered by Certiport, an authorized Microsoft Learning Partner. It consists of two exams: one that covers core concepts in VBA programming and one that focuses on developing solutions with VBA. The exams are designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of the language and how it can be applied to solve real-world problems. Upon successful completion of both exams, candidates earn the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential in VBA Development.

Having a VBA Developer Certification can help individuals demonstrate their expertise in developing custom applications using the VBA language which can lead to job opportunities or promotions within their current organization. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for employers to recognize an individual’s ability to develop innovative solutions using the powerful tools available within Office applications. Having this certification also shows potential employers that a candidate has invested time and energy into professional development which demonstrates commitment and dedication to their career path.

Pro Tip: Consider getting certified in VBA development. Certification will demonstrate your expertise and provide recognition of your knowledge and skills, which can help you stand out amongst other developers. Additionally, certification can open up new opportunities for career advancement.

Related: What does a VBA Developer do?

Top 10 VBA Developer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to VBA Developers today.

1. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Expert Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Expert Certification is an industry-recognized certification that validates a person’s skills in Microsoft Excel. It demonstrates that the holder has the advanced knowledge and skills needed to create, manage, analyze and share data using the powerful features of Microsoft Excel.

The certification requires passing two exams: MOS Excel 2016 Expert Part 1 and MOS Excel 2016 Expert Part 2. The exams cover topics such as creating formulas, analyzing data with PivotTables and PowerPivot, automating tasks with Macros, and integrating data from multiple sources.

It usually takes about three months to prepare for the certification exams. There are many resources available online to help you study for the exams including official Microsoft training courses and practice tests.

The cost of the certification varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $100 to $200 USD for both exams. The cost includes registration fees as well as any additional materials you may need to purchase such as textbooks or practice tests.

In order to get certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points. Once you have passed both exams, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft acknowledging your achievement.

2. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Access Expert Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Access Expert Certification is a professional certification program that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in using the Microsoft Access database application. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Access to create, manage, and analyze data.

In order to obtain the MOS Access Expert certification, individuals must pass two exams: Exam 77-885: Microsoft Access 2010 and Exam 77-886: Microsoft Access 2016. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $150 each.

The exams cover topics such as creating tables, queries, forms, and reports; managing databases; working with macros; customizing the user interface; importing/exporting data; and troubleshooting issues with Access. Each exam consists of approximately 40 questions that must be completed within 90 minutes.

To prepare for the exams, individuals can take advantage of online resources such as practice tests, tutorials, and study guides available from Microsoft or third-party providers. Additionally, there are instructor-led training courses available from Microsoft or other vendors that provide hands-on experience with Access.

Once both exams have been passed successfully, individuals will receive their MOS Access Expert certification which will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Word Expert Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Word Expert Certification is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s expertise in using Microsoft Word. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the features and functions of Microsoft Word, including creating and formatting documents, working with tables and graphics, mail merge, collaboration tools, and automating tasks.

The MOS Word Expert Certification requires passing two exams: Exam 77-726: Word 2016 Core and Exam 77-727: Word 2016 Expert. The Core exam tests basic knowledge of word processing while the Expert exam focuses on more advanced topics such as creating custom forms, collaborating with others on documents, and creating macros.

The exams can be taken at a local testing center or online through Pearson VUE. The cost for each exam is $150 USD. The total cost for both exams is $300 USD.

It typically takes about 6 hours to complete both exams. However, it may take longer depending on the individual’s knowledge level and preparation time. To prepare for the exams, individuals should review the official Microsoft Office Specialist study guide as well as practice with sample questions from other sources such as online tutorials or practice tests.

4. Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) in Visual Basic 6.0

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) in Visual Basic 6.0 is a certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in developing applications using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. It is designed to demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to create Windows-based applications using the Visual Basic programming language.

The MCPD certification requires passing three exams: Microsoft Exam 70-175, Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0; Microsoft Exam 70-176, Analyzing Requirements and Defining Microsoft .NET Solution Architectures; and Microsoft Exam 70-177, TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 - Application Development Foundation.

It typically takes about six months of training and preparation to pass all three exams. The cost of each exam varies, but generally ranges from $125-$200 per exam. In addition to the cost of the exams, you may also need to purchase study materials or enroll in a training course in order to prepare for the exams.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): App Builder is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of an individual to develop Windows Store apps using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. It also demonstrates an individual’s ability to design and build applications that leverage Microsoft Azure cloud services.

To get the MCSD: App Builder certification, you must pass two exams: Exam 70-480: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3, and Exam 70-486: Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications. Depending on your experience level, it may take between three to six months of preparation to pass these exams.

The cost for each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in. Generally speaking, the cost for each exam is around $150 USD.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded with the MCSD: App Builder certification from Microsoft. This certification shows employers that you have the skills necessary to develop modern web applications using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript technologies as well as leveraging Microsoft Azure cloud services.

6. CompTIA A+ VBA Developer Certification

CompTIA A+ VBA Developer Certification is a professional certification for individuals who have the skills and knowledge to develop, maintain, and troubleshoot Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) solutions. This certification is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting applications that use VBA.

The CompTIA A+ VBA Developer Certification requires passing two exams: CompTIA A+ 220-1001 and 220-1002. The exams cover topics such as hardware components, operating systems, networking concepts, security principles, troubleshooting techniques, and customer service skills. To become certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher on each exam.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ VBA Developer Certification exams depending on your experience level and study habits. You can prepare by taking online courses or self-study using textbooks or other resources. It is also recommended that you take practice tests to help you gauge your progress in preparation for the actual exam.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ VBA Developer Certification depends on where you take the exam. Most testing centers charge around $300 per exam but some offer discounts if you register early or purchase a bundle package with multiple exams included. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with purchasing textbooks or other study materials needed to prepare for the exam.

7. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer II

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer II is a certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of experienced Java developers. It is an intermediate-level certification that requires a minimum of two years of experience with the Java language, and covers topics such as core language features, object-oriented programming, advanced class design, generics and collections, lambda expressions, functional interfaces, inner classes, concurrency utilities, JDBC API fundamentals and more.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Java SE 8 Programmer II exam. This includes studying the official Oracle training materials as well as taking practice tests to ensure you are ready for the real exam.

To get certified as an OCP Java SE 8 Programmer II you must pass the 1Z0-809 exam. This exam consists of 80 multiple choice questions which must be completed in 150 minutes or less. The cost of this exam is $245 USD.

8. CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification

The CIW JavaScript Specialist Certification is a professional-level certification that validates an individual’s ability to develop interactive web applications using JavaScript. This certification is suitable for web developers, software engineers, and IT professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the use of JavaScript.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the exam. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as the fundamentals of JavaScript, object-oriented programming concepts, DOM manipulation and events, AJAX and JSON, debugging techniques, and more.

To get certified you must pass the CIW JavaScript Specialist Exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam can be taken online through Pearson VUE or at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $125-$175 USD.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive an official certificate from CIW that proves your proficiency in JavaScript development.

9. Adobe Certified Expert: Dreamweaver CS6

Adobe Certified Expert: Dreamweaver CS6 is a certification program offered by Adobe which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 software. The certification validates an individual’s ability to create and manage web content, design websites, and develop applications with Dreamweaver CS6.

To get certified as an Adobe Certified Expert: Dreamweaver CS6, you must pass the Adobe Certified Expert: Dreamweaver CS6 exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that assess your knowledge and skills related to creating web pages and applications with Dreamweaver CS6. You will be given 90 minutes to complete the test.

The cost of taking the exam is $180 USD. You can take the exam at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Adobe acknowledging your accomplishment as an Adobe Certified Expert: Dreamweaver CS6.

10. Zend Certified Engineer PHP 5

Zend Certified Engineer (ZCE) is a certification program for PHP 5 developers, created and administered by Zend Technologies. It is designed to validate the skills of experienced PHP developers who are already familiar with the language and its features. The certification is based on an exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge of the PHP language, including object-oriented programming, security, web services, and more.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, a candidate must have at least six months of professional experience in developing applications with PHP 5 or later versions.

To get certified as a ZCE, you must first register for the exam online at Zend's website. You will then need to pay the fee associated with taking the exam (which varies depending on your location). Once you have registered and paid for your exam, you will receive an email confirmation containing instructions on how to schedule your test date. You can take the test at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.

The cost of taking the ZCE Exam varies by region but generally ranges from $195 to $245 USD plus applicable taxes.

Do You Really Need a VBA Developer Certificate?

No, you do not need a VBA Developer Certificate to become a successful VBA developer. The most important thing for any developer is experience, and the best way to gain this experience is through practice and hands-on learning. Many employers understand that a certificate can demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and proficiency in a language or skill set, but they also recognize that real-world experience is the best indicator of an individual’s capability as a developer.

In addition, many employers value the ability to quickly learn new technologies, which means having an open mind and being able to adapt quickly to changing trends in software development. A certificate may be helpful in demonstrating your knowledge of specific topics related to VBA development, but it doesn’t necessarily prove that you can apply that knowledge effectively or think creatively when faced with challenging problems.

Overall, while a VBA Developer Certificate may be useful in some cases, it is not essential for success as a developer. Employers are more concerned with finding people who have the right skillset and attitude than those who simply possess a certificate.

Related: VBA Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About VBA Developer Certifications

Q1: What is a VBA Developer Certification?

A1: VBA Developer Certification is a certification program that verifies knowledge and experience in developing applications using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). It provides recognition for professionals who have mastered the design, development, and implementation of VBA solutions.

Q2: What are the prerequisites for obtaining a VBA Developer Certification?

A2: Prerequisites for obtaining a VBA Developer Certification include having at least one year of professional experience with Microsoft Office applications, plus two years of experience in programming with Visual Basic or related languages. In addition, applicants must demonstrate their ability to develop and debug complex VBA programs.

Q3: How long does it take to obtain a VBA Developer Certification?

A3: The time required to obtain a VBA Developer Certification depends on the individual’s prior experience and level of knowledge. Typically, it takes between three months to one year to complete the certification process.

Q4: What are the benefits of getting certified as a VBA developer?

A4: Benefits of becoming certified as a VBA developer include improved job prospects, higher salaries, increased credibility among peers and employers, and access to new opportunities within the IT field. Additionally, certification can help individuals stay current with industry trends and technology advancements.

Q5: How much does it cost to get certified as a VBA developer?

A5: The cost of getting certified as a VBA developer varies depending on the provider offering the certification program. Generally speaking, most certification programs range from $150-$500 USD.