Top 11 Windows System Administrator Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a Windows system administrator's job market profile. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has the skills and knowledge required to manage Windows systems effectively and efficiently. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices in the field. Furthermore, certifications can help demonstrate a candidate’s ability to solve problems quickly and accurately, as well as their commitment to learning new technologies as needed. In short, certifications can be an invaluable tool for any Windows system administrator looking to secure a job in today’s competitive market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Windows System Administrators and explains how they can help advance a windows system administrator's career.

What are Windows System Administrator Certifications?

Windows System Administrator Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s ability to install, configure, and manage Windows operating systems. This certification is designed for IT professionals who are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in administering and managing Windows-based systems. With this certification, individuals can prove their knowledge of the latest Windows technologies and gain recognition from peers as well as potential employers.

This certification will help IT professionals by providing them with the skills they need to effectively manage Windows operating systems. It can also improve job prospects by showcasing an individual's knowledge and experience in administering and managing Windows-based systems. Additionally, it can provide a competitive edge when seeking employment or promotion opportunities in the IT industry. Furthermore, it can provide the opportunity to learn more about advanced topics related to Windows technology such as networking, security, scripting, and virtualization. Finally, this certification can provide an individual with credentials that are recognized by Microsoft which may make them eligible for discounts on Microsoft products or services.

Pro Tip: When considering a Windows System Administrator certification, look for one that is vendor-neutral and covers the latest technologies. This will ensure that your certification is relevant and applicable to a wide range of employers.

Related: What does a Windows System Administrator do?

Top 11 Windows System Administrator Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who work with Microsoft-based systems. It is an entry-level certification that validates an individual’s ability to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Windows Server operating systems.

The MCSA certification requires passing two exams: one on Windows Server 2016 or 2019 and another on either Cloud Platform or Networking Infrastructure. The exams are available in both English and Spanish, and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center.

It typically takes between three and six months to prepare for the MCSA exams depending on the individual's prior experience with Windows Server. Most people will need to take a course or use self-study materials such as books, videos, practice tests, and online resources.

The cost of the MCSA certification varies depending on which exam you choose to take but generally ranges from $165 - $200 per exam. An additional cost may also be incurred if you choose to use instructor-led training or other study materials.

2. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge in designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft-based IT solutions. It is the most popular certification for IT professionals who work with Windows Server and other Microsoft technologies.

To obtain MCSE certification, you must pass a series of exams that demonstrate your mastery of the necessary skills. The exams cover topics such as networking, security, virtualization, cloud computing, data management, business intelligence and more. Depending on the specific track you choose to pursue (such as Cloud Platform & Infrastructure or Data Management & Analytics), the required exams may vary. Generally speaking, it takes between 6-12 months to complete all the necessary exams for MCSE certification.

The cost of obtaining an MCSE certification varies depending on which exams you need to take and how many times you need to retake them if necessary. Each exam costs around $165 USD per attempt. You can also purchase practice tests and study materials from various vendors to help prepare for the exams.

In addition to passing the required exams, there are other requirements that must be met in order to become certified as an MCSE. These include having at least one year of experience working with Microsoft technologies and having completed a course from an approved training provider such as Microsoft Learning Partners or Microsoft Virtual Academy.

3. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification for entry-level computer technicians. It is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that covers the basics of computer hardware and software, as well as basic networking concepts. The certification demonstrates competency in areas such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam, depending on your existing knowledge and experience with computers. You can prepare by taking online courses or attending a local training program. Additionally, you can purchase study materials such as practice tests and textbooks to help you prepare for the exam.

To get CompTIA A+, you must pass two exams: 220-1001 and 220-1002. Both exams must be taken at an approved testing center and are offered year round. The cost of the exams varies depending on the testing center but typically ranges from $200 to $300 per exam.

Overall, getting CompTIA A+ certified requires dedication and hard work but is well worth it in terms of career advancement opportunities.

4. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in networking technologies. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers topics such as network architecture, network operations, network security, troubleshooting, and more.

The CompTIA Network+ exam is 90 minutes long and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The passing score for the exam is 720 out of 900 points.

To get CompTIA Network+, you must first pass the CompTIA Network+ exam. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center around the world. The cost for the exam is $329 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from CompTIA which will be valid for three years from the date of issue. To maintain your certification, you must earn continuing education units (CEUs) or retake the exam every three years.

5. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-leading certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and skills in system security, network infrastructure, access control, cryptography, risk management and organizational security. It is designed to provide a baseline of knowledge and skills for IT professionals across all industries.

The certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, application security, access control and identity management, data and host security, cryptography, risk management and more.

To get CompTIA Security+, you must first pass the exam. You can prepare for the exam by taking online courses or attending instructor-led classes. Additionally, there are many study guides available online that can help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of CompTIA Security+ varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $300 USD to take the exam at a testing center or online through CompTIA's website.

6. Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who are working with Microsoft technologies. The MCITP certification program covers a wide range of topics, including Windows Server, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, System Center, and more.

It typically takes six to twelve months to complete the MCITP certification process. To get certified, you must first pass one or more exams that cover the topics included in the MCITP certification program. The exams are offered by Microsoft and can be taken at any authorized testing center. After passing the exam(s), you will receive your MCITP certificate from Microsoft.

The cost of taking an exam varies depending on which exam you take and where you take it. Generally speaking, each exam costs between $100-$200 USD. Additionally, some training courses may be required for certain certifications which may incur additional costs.

Overall, obtaining an MCITP certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in Microsoft technologies and can help boost your career prospects in the IT industry.

7. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully implement, build, troubleshoot, and deploy Microsoft technologies. The MCTS certification requires individuals to pass one or more exams that assess their proficiency in a specific technology.

It typically takes between two and four months of study to prepare for an MCTS exam. The amount of time required depends on the individual's familiarity with the technology being tested, as well as the complexity of the exam itself.

To get an MCTS certification, you must first register for your chosen exam(s) through the Microsoft Certification website. You will then be required to pay the associated fee for each exam before taking it at an authorized testing center. The cost of an MCTS exam ranges from $125 USD to $150 USD depending on which technology you are certifying in.

8. VMware Certified Professional (VCP)

VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is a certification program designed by VMware to recognize IT professionals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully install, manage, and support VMware vSphere environments. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates the expertise of IT professionals who design, deploy, and manage virtualized data centers.

The VCP certification requires candidates to pass two exams: the VMware Certified Professional (VCP) exam and the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) exam. The VCP exam covers topics such as configuring and managing vSphere components, creating virtual machines and templates, configuring networking and storage, troubleshooting vSphere issues, deploying applications in a virtual environment, and more. The VCAP exam focuses on advanced topics such as designing and deploying complex vSphere solutions, monitoring performance, optimizing resource utilization, automating tasks with PowerCLI scripts, managing security policies in a virtual environment, etc.

It typically takes 3-6 months of study time to prepare for the VCP exams. Candidates must also attend an authorized training course from a VMware-approved training provider prior to taking the exams.

The cost of obtaining the VCP certification varies depending on where you take your training course. Generally speaking it can range from $2K-$4K USD including both training fees and exam fees.

9. Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA)

Citrix Certified Administrator (CCA) is a certification program offered by Citrix Systems that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in administering Citrix products. The CCA certification requires the successful completion of one exam, which tests an individual’s understanding of Citrix technologies and their ability to configure, deploy, manage, and troubleshoot them.

It typically takes about 3-4 hours to complete the CCA exam. The exam consists of 60 questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates are required to score at least 70% in order to pass the exam.

To get certified as a CCA, you must first register for the certification program with Citrix Systems. After registering, you will be able to access the online learning materials and practice exams that are available through the Citrix website. Once you have successfully completed all of the learning materials and practice exams, you can then register for and take the actual CCA exam online or at a testing center near you.

The cost of taking the CCA exam varies depending on where it is taken. In most cases, it costs around $200 USD for a single attempt at taking the exam.

10. Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is a certification program offered by Red Hat, Inc., a major provider of open source software and services. The RHCSA certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. It is the most popular and widely recognized Linux system administration certification available.

The RHCSA exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and covers topics such as installation and configuration of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, managing users and groups, configuring network services, setting up storage, managing security, troubleshooting, and more.

To get the RHCSA certification you must pass the EX200 exam. This exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online with proctored exams. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $400-$500 USD.

11. Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is an industry-recognized certification program that focuses on Linux system administration and engineering. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who work with the Linux operating system. The LPIC certification is offered in four levels, each with its own set of exams that must be passed in order to obtain the certification.

Level 1 requires passing two exams: LPIC-1 101 and LPIC-1 102, which cover topics such as installation and configuration of a Linux system, basic networking, security, and user management. Level 2 requires passing two additional exams: LPIC-2 201 and LPIC-2 202, which cover topics such as system maintenance, shell scripting, network services, web services, email services, file sharing protocols, and more advanced security concepts.

Level 3 requires passing three exams: LPIC-3 301, LPIC-3 302, and one elective exam from a list of available options. These exams cover topics such as virtualization technologies, storage management systems, advanced networking concepts, security auditing techniques, software development tools for Linux systems administrators and more.

Finally Level 4 requires passing three additional exams: LPIC-4 401; 402; 403; 404; 405; 406; 407; 408; 409; 410; 411; 412 or 413. These exams cover topics such as high availability clustering technologies for Linux systems administrators and enterprise automation solutions for large scale deployments.

It typically takes several months of studying to prepare for each level of the certification exam depending on your experience level with Linux systems administration. You can find study materials online or attend instructor led training courses if you prefer a more structured approach to learning the material.

The cost of taking each exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $100 - $200 USD per exam.

Do You Really Need a Windows System Administrator Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. A Windows System Administrator Certificate is not necessary to become a Windows System Administrator. However, if you are looking to advance your career, obtaining a certificate may be beneficial.

A certificate in Windows System Administration provides formal recognition of your knowledge and skill in the subject matter. It can also provide an edge over other job candidates who may not have such certification. Depending on the program, courses may include topics such as Windows Server installation and configuration, Active Directory, Group Policy, scripting and automation with PowerShell, troubleshooting and performance optimization, and more.

In addition to providing formal recognition of your knowledge and skill set, having a certificate can give employers confidence that you are competent in the field. It can also open doors for networking opportunities with other professionals in the same field or related fields.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you decide to pursue a Windows System Administrator Certificate. If you are already working as a system administrator or plan on doing so in the future, it would be wise to consider it as an option for furthering your career goals.

Related: Windows System Administrator Resume Examples

FAQs About Windows System Administrator Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Windows System Administrators?

Answer: Microsoft offers three certifications for Windows System Administrators: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows Server 2016, MCSA: Cloud Platform, and MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure.

2. How much does it cost to take a certification exam?

Answer: The cost of taking a certification exam varies depending on the type of exam and the country in which you take it. Generally speaking, exams range from $100-$500 USD.

3. What is the difference between an MCSA and an MCSE certification?

Answer: The MCSA certification is focused on server administration while the MCSE certification focuses on cloud platform and infrastructure.

4. How long does a Windows System Administrator certification last?

Answer: Certifications are valid for two years from the date you pass the exam. After that, you must recertify to maintain your credentials.

5. How do I prepare for a Windows System Administrator certification?

Answer: You can prepare for a Windows System Administrator certification by taking classes or self-study courses, attending conferences or workshops, reading books or blogs about system administration topics, and completing practice tests or labs to get hands-on experience with the technology you will be tested on.