Top 11 Vmware Engineer Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a VMware engineer’s professional development and career. They provide employers with evidence that the engineer has the skills and knowledge to work with their products, as well as demonstrate a commitment to staying up to date on the latest technology. Certifications also help engineers stand out in the job market by providing proof of expertise and showing potential employers that they have taken the initiative to learn about their field. Additionally, certifications often come with access to exclusive networking opportunities and events, which can be invaluable for career growth.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Vmware Engineers, providing an overview of how they can contribute to a vmware engineer's career.

What are Vmware Engineer Certifications?

VMware engineer certification is a professional certification that certifies an individual's skills in designing, configuring, and managing VMware-based solutions. This certification is designed to demonstrate the ability to deploy and manage virtualized environments using VMware products. It also ensures that certified engineers have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide effective support for customers running VMware-based solutions.

The certification is beneficial for both employers and individuals as it demonstrates technical expertise in deploying and managing VMware solutions. For employers, having a VMware-certified engineer on staff ensures they have someone with the knowledge necessary to keep their virtualized environment up and running smoothly. For individuals, obtaining this certification can be beneficial for career advancement as it shows potential employers that they possess the necessary skills to manage virtualized environments. Additionally, certified engineers are often given priority when it comes to job opportunities within the field of virtualization technologies.

Pro Tip: When preparing for a VMware engineer certification exam, make sure to thoroughly review the material covered in the course and practice using the tools and technologies you'll be tested on. Additionally, take advantage of any study guides or practice tests available to ensure you're well-prepared before taking the exam.

Related: What does a Vmware Engineer do?

Top 11 Vmware Engineer Certifications

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

1. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program offered by VMware that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge needed to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot VMware vSphere environments. This certification is designed for IT professionals who are looking to demonstrate their expertise in virtualization technologies.

It takes approximately three months of preparation to get the VCP certification. To become certified, you must first complete a VMware-authorized training course and then pass the associated exam. The cost of training varies depending on the type of course chosen. The exam fee is $250 USD for each attempt at the VCP exam.

2. VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)

VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) is a certification program from VMware that validates an individual’s advanced-level knowledge of VMware products and solutions. It is designed to demonstrate expertise in the design, implementation, and management of VMware technologies.

To obtain a VCAP certification, individuals must first pass a qualifying exam for the specific technology track they are pursuing. This exam tests their knowledge of concepts related to the technology, as well as their ability to apply those concepts in real-world scenarios. After passing the qualifying exam, candidates can then take the VCAP Design or VCAP Deployment exam depending on which track they are pursuing.

The amount of time it takes to get a VCAP certification depends on how quickly you can study and prepare for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one month to six months or more to complete all requirements for a VCAP certification.

In order to get a VCAP certification, you must first register with VMware and purchase an exam voucher from them. The cost of each voucher varies depending on which track you are pursuing, but typically ranges from $250-$400 USD per exam.

3. VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX)

The VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is the highest level of certification offered by VMware. It is a validation of an individual’s expertise in designing and deploying complex virtualized data center solutions using VMware technologies. The VCDX certification requires an individual to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting VMware-based solutions.

In order to become a VCDX, an individual must pass three exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV), the VMware Certified Advanced Professional 6 – Data Center Design (VCAP6-DCD), and the VCDX Design Defense exam. The VCP6-DCV is a prerequisite for the VCAP6-DCD exam, so it must be completed first.

The entire process from start to finish can take anywhere from several months to over a year depending on how quickly you are able to complete each step. In addition to passing the exams, applicants must also submit a design document that outlines their solution for review by the VCDX panel. This document will be evaluated against industry best practices and standards as well as technical requirements set forth by VMware.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which exams you choose to take and whether or not you need additional training materials or resources. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,000-$2,500 USD for all three exams plus any additional training materials/resources you may need.

Overall, becoming a VCDX is no easy task but it is certainly worth it if you are looking to gain recognition as an expert in virtualization technologies and demonstrate your skillset with potential employers or clients.

4. VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX)

The VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in deploying and managing VMware solutions. It is the highest level of technical certification offered by VMware and requires extensive knowledge and experience with virtualization technologies.

In order to achieve VCIX certification, an individual must first pass two or more VMware Certified Professional (VCP) exams, depending on the track chosen. The VCP exams are typically 5-hour long exams that cover topics such as installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and security of a specific version of VMware products. Once the individual has passed the required VCP exams, they can then take a VCIX exam which is 8-hours long and covers advanced topics such as architecture design, performance optimization, automation, and troubleshooting.

It typically takes several months to prepare for the VCIX exam due to its length and complexity. However, some individuals may be able to complete it in less time if they have prior experience with virtualization technologies.

The cost of taking the VCIX exam varies depending on the track chosen but generally ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD.

5. VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)

VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) is a certification offered by VMware that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in virtualizing data centers. It is designed to demonstrate the ability to design, deploy, configure, optimize and troubleshoot vSphere environments.

In order to obtain the VCP-DCV certification, candidates must first attend a required training course from an authorized VMware Training Provider. After completing the course, they must pass two exams: one on vSphere fundamentals and one on the specific version of vSphere being used. Once these exams have been successfully completed, candidates can apply for the VCP-DCV certification.

The cost of obtaining the VCP-DCV certification varies depending on the type of training course taken. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 USD for a five-day course or $1,500-$3,000 USD for a three-day course. Additionally, there are exam fees associated with taking both exams which range from $125-$250 USD each.

It typically takes around four to six weeks to complete all requirements for obtaining the VCP-DCV certification once a training course has been completed.

6. VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)

The VMware Certified Professional – Network Virtualization (VCP-NV) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals in designing, deploying, and managing network virtualization solutions based on VMware NSX technology. It is a vendor-neutral certification that proves an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage NSX environments.

It typically takes about two months to complete the VCP-NV certification process. To get certified, individuals must first complete a course or training program from an authorized VMware training partner. After completing the course or training program, individuals must pass both an online exam and a hands-on lab exam. The online exam covers topics such as networking fundamentals, data center virtualization concepts, and NSX architecture and components. The hands-on lab exam requires candidates to demonstrate their skills in configuring and troubleshooting NSX networks using real world scenarios.

The cost of the VCP-NV certification varies depending on which training provider you choose. Generally speaking, it costs between $2,000-$3,000 USD for the entire certification process including the cost of the course or training program as well as the exams.

7. VMware Certified Associate – Cloud (VCA-Cloud)

VMware Certified Associate – Cloud (VCA-Cloud) is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals working with VMware vCloud Suite products. It is designed to validate the basic understanding of cloud computing concepts, as well as the ability to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot these products.

The VCA-Cloud certification consists of one exam: VMware Certified Associate – Cloud (2V0-31.20). The exam is 90 minutes long and contains 50 questions. It covers topics such as cloud fundamentals, virtualization technologies, cloud architecture, public cloud services, and vCloud Suite components.

To get the VCA-Cloud certification, you must first pass the 2V0-31.20 exam. This can be done online or at a Pearson VUE testing center. The cost of the exam is $125 USD.

It typically takes about two weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an email from VMware with instructions on how to access your certification credentials and digital badge via their Certification Manager portal.

8. VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility (VCP-DTM)

The VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility (VCP-DTM) certification is a professional level certification that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting VMware Horizon 7.x environments. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, manage, and optimize a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environment using the Horizon suite of products.

To obtain the VCP-DTM certification, individuals must first complete a required training course from an authorized VMware Training Partner or take part in a self-paced online course. After completing the required training course, individuals must then pass the VCP-DTM exam to earn their certification. The exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 120 minutes.

The cost for the VCP-DTM certification varies depending on which training course you choose to take. Most courses range from $1,000-$2,500 USD for classroom instruction or $400-$700 USD for self-paced online courses. Additionally, there is a fee of $225 USD for taking the VCP-DTM exam. The total cost for obtaining the VCP-DTM certification can range from $1,625-$3,425 USD depending on your chosen training option.

9. VMware Certified Design Associate (VCDX-DA)

The VMware Certified Design Associate (VCDX-DA) is a professional certification that validates a candidate’s expertise in designing and deploying VMware vSphere solutions. It is the highest level of certification available for those who design and implement virtualization solutions using VMware technologies.

In order to become VCDX-DA certified, candidates must pass two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) exam and the VMware Certified Design Expert – Data Center Virtualization (VCDX-DCV) exam. The first exam tests knowledge of vSphere 6.0, while the second focuses on designing and deploying virtualized data centers using vSphere 6.0 technologies.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for both exams, depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying each week. To get started, candidates should review the VCP6-DCV Exam Guide and the VCDX-DCV Exam Guide from VMware’s website. Additionally, there are many resources available online that can help with preparation such as practice tests, study guides, and video tutorials.

The cost of taking both exams varies depending on your location; however, it typically costs around $400 USD for both exams combined.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be eligible for the VCDX-DA certification and will receive an official certificate from VMware acknowledging your achievement.

10. VMware vRealize Operations Manager: Install, Configure, Manage [v6] (VMOM6C)

VMware vRealize Operations Manager (VMOM6C) is a software-defined operations management solution for virtual and cloud environments. It provides predictive analytics and proactive automation to help customers reduce IT costs, improve performance, and ensure availability of their IT infrastructure.

VMOM6C can be installed in less than an hour, depending on the size of the environment. To get started, customers need to download the VMware vRealize Operations Manager installer from the VMware website. The cost of the product depends on the number of nodes being monitored and managed.

Once installed, VMOM6C can be configured to monitor and manage physical servers, virtual machines, storage devices, applications, networks, and other components in your environment. It provides real-time visibility into resource utilization across all layers of your infrastructure stack so you can identify potential problems before they become costly outages or performance issues. It also offers automated capacity planning capabilities that allow you to optimize resource utilization while ensuring service levels are met. In addition, it provides intelligent recommendations for proactive remediation actions that can help you avoid costly outages or performance issues.

11. VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [v6] (VSOS6C).

VMware vSphere: Optimize and Scale [v6] (VSOS6C) is a 5-day course designed to teach advanced virtualization concepts and skills. It covers topics such as resource management, performance optimization, scalability, availability, automation, and business continuity. This course is suitable for experienced system administrators who want to learn how to use the latest version of VMware vSphere to optimize their virtualized environment.

The course can be taken either in-person or online. The in-person version takes place at a VMware authorized training center over five days. The online version consists of self-paced modules that can be completed at any time.

To take the course, you must have an active MyLearn account with VMware and register for the course on the MyLearn portal. The cost of the course depends on whether you are taking it in-person or online; however, both versions usually cost around $4,000 USD.

Do You Really Need a Vmware Engineer Certificate?

Yes, a VMware engineer certificate is beneficial for anyone looking to become a professional in the cloud computing industry. The certificate demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to work with virtualized environments, as well as the ability to design and manage complex network infrastructure. With this certification, employers are more likely to hire you for positions related to virtualization, such as system administrators or IT engineers.

Having a VMware engineer certificate can also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in the field. Employers want to see that you have the skills and experience needed to handle their virtualized environment, so having this certification will certainly give them confidence in your abilities. Furthermore, if you're already working in the cloud computing industry but don't yet have a VMware engineer certificate, then taking one can open up new opportunities for advancement within your organization.

In short, there are many benefits of having a VMware engineer certificate. Not only does it demonstrate your expertise in virtualized environments and network infrastructure, but it also shows potential employers that you are capable of handling complex tasks related to cloud computing. Moreover, it can be used as a stepping stone towards further advancements in your career path.

Related: Vmware Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Vmware Engineer Certifications

Q1. What certifications are available for VMware Engineers?

A1. The VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is the most popular certification for VMware engineers. There are also several advanced certifications such as the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), and the VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX).

Q2. How do I become certified as a VMware Engineer?

A2. To become certified as a VMware engineer, you must first pass the associated exam with a minimum score of 300 points out of 500. You must then complete an approved training course and submit your application to be certified.

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

A3. It typically takes around six months to complete all of the requirements necessary to become a certified VMware engineer, including passing the exam, completing an approved training course, and submitting your application for certification.

Q4. What type of job roles can I expect after becoming a certified VMware Engineer?

A4. After becoming a certified VMware engineer, you may be able to pursue job roles in system engineering, network engineering, virtualization engineering, IT security engineering, or other related positions within the IT field.

Q5. Does my certification ever expire?

A5: Yes, certifications do eventually expire and need to be renewed every two years in order to remain valid and up-to-date with current technology trends and best practices in the industry.