Top 11 Websphere Administrator Certifications

Certifications for a WebSphere Administrator are important in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage and configure WebSphere applications. Certifications provide recognition of an individual's technical proficiency and also demonstrate their commitment to staying abreast of new technology trends. They also help employers quickly identify qualified candidates and provide assurance that critical systems are being managed by certified professionals. This can lead to increased confidence in the quality of work, greater trust from customers, and improved productivity among team members.

This article reviews the top certifications for Websphere Administrators and explains how they can help to advance a websphere administrator's career.

What are Websphere Administrator Certifications?

Websphere Administrator Certification is an industry-recognized certification program for professionals who manage IBM WebSphere Application Server middleware solutions. This certification validates the skills and knowledge necessary to install, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot WebSphere Application Server in a production environment. The certification also demonstrates that the individual has obtained a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and techniques necessary to effectively deploy and manage WebSphere Application Server solutions.

The benefits of obtaining Websphere Administrator Certification include:

1) Improved job opportunities – Having Websphere Administrator Certification on your resume can help employers identify you as someone with the skills they need to manage their WebSphere application server solutions.

2) Increased technical expertise – Obtaining Websphere Administrator Certification demonstrates that you have obtained a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and techniques necessary to effectively deploy and manage WebSphere Application Server solutions.

3) Enhanced credibility – Having Websphere Administrator Certification indicates that you have taken the time to obtain additional training in this area, which shows dedication and commitment to your profession. This can be seen as an indication of your technical proficiency, which may give you an edge over other applicants when applying for new positions or promotions within your organization.

4) Improved communication – Understanding how WebSphere works helps improve communication between IT staff in different departments, allowing them to better collaborate on projects and share ideas on how best to utilize its features.

Pro Tip: When preparing for a WebSphere Administrator certification exam, be sure to review the official IBM course materials and practice using the WebSphere Application Server administration console. Additionally, take some time to become familiar with common issues and solutions for WebSphere administrator tasks.

Related: What does a Websphere Administrator do?

Top 11 Websphere Administrator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Websphere Administrators today.

1. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V8.5.5

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V8.5.5 is a certification program offered by IBM that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in the administration of WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V8.5.5. The certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, tuning, troubleshooting and security of the product.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for this certification depending on your existing experience and knowledge with the product. To get certified you must pass the C9550-412 exam which is composed of 65 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 90 minutes.

The cost for the C9550-412 exam is $200 USD and must be taken at an authorized Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam provider.

2. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server V9

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server V9 is a professional certification offered by IBM. It is designed to validate the skills of an experienced system administrator in installing, configuring, and managing IBM WebSphere Application Server V9. This certification demonstrates that the individual has the expertise required to maximize performance, scalability, and availability of WebSphere-based applications.

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for this certification exam. The preparation includes studying the relevant materials such as IBM’s Redbooks and other technical documentation, attending training classes or webinars, and taking practice tests.

To get this certification, you must first register for the exam on IBM’s website. Once registered, you can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $200-$250 USD.

3. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Liberty Core V8.5

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Liberty Core V8.5 is an IBM certification that validates a candidate's ability to install, configure, and administer the WebSphere Application Server Liberty Core V8.5 environment. The certification requires a thorough knowledge of the Liberty Core architecture, its components, and how to deploy applications in this environment.

This certification typically takes up to 6 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience and background. To become certified, candidates must pass two exams: C9550-412: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V8.5 Core Administration and C9550-413: IBM WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V8.5 with Liberty Profile Administration.

The cost for each exam is $200 USD (plus applicable taxes) per attempt; however, discounts may be available through various promotions or other offers from IBM.

4. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere MQ V7

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere MQ V7 is a professional certification that demonstrates the holder's expertise in administering and managing IBM WebSphere MQ V7. It validates the skills and knowledge required to install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot WebSphere MQ V7.

The duration of the certification exam is 90 minutes. In order to get certified, you must pass the IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere MQ V7 exam (C2090-619). The exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, management, security and troubleshooting of WebSphere MQ V7.

To get certified, you can purchase an exam voucher from IBM or any authorized reseller. The cost of the voucher depends on your location but typically ranges between $200-$250 USD.

5. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances Firmware V6

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances Firmware V6 is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting the IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances. This certification validates an individual's ability to use the IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances to create secure, reliable, and high-performing services.

It typically takes around 6 months of study and preparation to become certified in this area. To get certified, individuals must pass two exams: C9530-519 (IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances V6.0 Solution Implementation) and C9530-520 (IBM WebSphere DataPower SOA Appliances V6.0 Firmware). Both exams are available through Pearson VUE testing centers.

The cost for the exams vary depending on the country you are taking them in but generally range from $200-$250 USD per exam.

6. IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Process Server V7

IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Process Server V7 is an IBM certification that demonstrates a professional's expertise in installing, configuring, and administering the WebSphere Process Server. It is designed to ensure that professionals have the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the WebSphere Process Server environment.

To get this certification, you must pass one exam: C9550-412: IBM WebSphere Process Server V7.0 System Administration. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 90 minutes.

You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$250 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Process Server V7 certification. This certification is valid for three years from the date of passing your exam.

7. IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Commerce V7 FEP7

IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Commerce V7 FEP7 is an intermediate-level certification designed to demonstrate a professional's skills and knowledge in developing and deploying WebSphere Commerce applications. It is intended for professionals who have experience with the WebSphere Commerce platform and wish to demonstrate their expertise in developing, deploying, and troubleshooting WebSphere Commerce solutions.

This certification requires passing one exam: C9530-519. The exam covers topics such as design principles, architecture, customization, integration, deployment, performance tuning, and troubleshooting of WebSphere Commerce solutions.

To get this certification you must pass the C9530-519 exam. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $200 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. To prepare for the exam you should take advantage of IBM’s training resources including self-paced virtual classes, instructor-led classes, and tutorials available on the IBM website. Additionally there are numerous books available that cover all aspects of WebSphere Commerce development and deployment.

8. IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Message Broker V8

IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Message Broker V8 is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals working with IBM's WebSphere Message Broker technology. This certification demonstrates that the individual has the necessary skills to design, develop, deploy, and maintain applications using WebSphere Message Broker.

The certification requires passing one exam (C2180-273). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as message flow development, message set mapping, exception handling, security, monitoring and performance tuning.

It takes approximately 2-3 months to prepare for this certification depending on the individual's experience level. It is recommended that individuals have at least six months of experience working with WebSphere Message Broker before attempting this certification.

To get certified, individuals must register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers and pay the associated fee. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $200-$250 USD.

9. IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Portal V8

IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Portal V8 is a professional certification program designed to demonstrate the expertise of professionals in developing and deploying web applications with IBM WebSphere Portal. This certification validates the skills and knowledge required to design, develop, deploy, and maintain web applications using WebSphere Portal.

The certification exam consists of 54 questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam is available in both English and Japanese languages. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

To get the IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Portal V8 certification, you must first register for the exam on the IBM website. After registering, you can purchase an exam voucher from IBM or one of its authorized resellers. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your location and currency exchange rate.

Once you have purchased an exam voucher, you will need to schedule your test date at a Pearson VUE testing center. You will also need to bring two forms of identification (one primary and one secondary) with you on test day in order to gain admittance into the testing center.

The cost of taking the IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Portal V8 certification exam is $200 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with purchasing an exam voucher from IBM or one of its authorized resellers.

10. IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Transformation Extender V8

IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Transformation Extender (WTX) V8 is a professional certification offered by IBM. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals in developing, deploying, and managing applications using WebSphere Transformation Extender V8.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours and consists of multiple-choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get certified, you need to register for the exam on the IBM website. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 to $300 USD. You can also purchase additional study materials such as practice tests or online courses to help prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official IBM certificate recognizing your achievement and validating your skills as an IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Transformation Extender V8.

11. IBM Certified Solution Developer –WebSphere Business Modeler Advanced Edition V6

IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere Business Modeler Advanced Edition V6 is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of developers working with IBM WebSphere technology. It is an advanced level certification that requires a minimum of two years of experience developing models using IBM WebSphere Business Modeler.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. To earn the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE, pay the fee, and then schedule your exam date. The cost for the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $200 to $250 USD.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive an email from IBM confirming your certification status and providing instructions on how to access your digital badge and certificate. You may also be eligible for discounts on certain IBM products and services as part of your certification status.

Do You Really Need a Websphere Administrator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. For some, a Websphere Administrator Certificate may be necessary for their job role and could help them advance their career. For others, a Websphere Administrator Certificate may not be necessary and therefore not worth pursuing.

For those considering a Websphere Administrator Certificate, it is important to consider whether or not it is the best option for their particular circumstances. There are other certifications available that may provide more relevant knowledge or skills in the same area. It is also important to consider how much time and money will be invested in obtaining the certificate.

A Websphere Administrator Certificate can demonstrate an individual’s expertise in managing WebSphere applications and can provide a valuable addition to one’s resume. It can also help individuals gain access to better job opportunities, as many employers require certification in order to work with certain technologies. However, it is important to remember that certification alone does not guarantee success; proper experience and knowledge of WebSphere technology is also essential in order to maximize the benefits of having a certificate.

In conclusion, whether or not an individual needs a Websphere Administrator Certificate depends on their particular situation and goals. While it can certainly be beneficial, there are other options available that may be more appropriate for some people based on their specific needs and circumstances.

Related: Websphere Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Websphere Administrator Certifications

Q1: What is Websphere Administrator Certification?

Answer: Websphere Administrator Certification is a globally recognized certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced professionals in the areas of WebSphere Application Server administration, security, performance tuning and troubleshooting.

Q2: How do I become a Websphere Administrator Certified Professional?

Answer: To become a certified professional, you need to pass the IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment V9.0 exam. This exam covers topics such as installation and configuration, security, performance tuning and troubleshooting.

Q3: What are the prerequisites for taking the Websphere Administrator Certification Exam?

Answer: Candidates must have experience with WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment v9.0 or later versions and must be familiar with Java-based application development concepts.

Q4: How long does it take to prepare for the Websphere Administrator Certification Exam?

Answer: Preparation time varies from person to person depending on their existing knowledge of WebSphere Application Server Network Deployment v9.0 or later versions and Java-based application development concepts as well as their ability to learn new material quickly. Generally speaking, it takes at least two months of preparation to pass this exam.

Q5: Is there any cost associated with taking the Websphere Administrator Certification Exam?

Answer: Yes, there is a fee associated with taking this exam which varies by region but typically ranges between $200 - $300 USD.