Top 11 Zookeeper Certifications

Certifications are important for zookeepers because they provide evidence of their knowledge and experience in animal care. By obtaining certifications, a zookeeper can demonstrate to employers that they have the skills and qualifications necessary to work in this field. Certifications also provide a way for zookeepers to stay up-to-date on best practices, safety protocols, and other relevant information related to their profession. Having certifications can make a zookeeper more attractive to potential employers, as it shows that they are dedicated to their craft and have put in the effort to become certified.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for zookeepers and explain how they can help advance a zookeeper's career.

What are Zookeeper Certifications?

Zookeeper certification is a program that provides formal recognition of an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of zookeeper care. This certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary skills and qualifications to provide high-quality animal husbandry, health care, and safety standards for zoo animals. It also shows employers that a potential employee has the necessary skills to work with exotic or endangered animals.

The certification process requires individuals to pass written and practical examinations. The written exam covers topics such as animal anatomy, nutrition, behavior, and husbandry practices while the practical exam includes hands-on tasks such as cleaning enclosures, providing food and water, handling medical issues, and observing animals for signs of illness or injury.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in the field of zookeeping which can lead to more job opportunities within zoos or other wildlife facilities. Zookeeper certification also provides individuals with a sense of accomplishment as well as a greater understanding of animal welfare standards that must be met when caring for zoo animals. Additionally, employers may be more likely to hire certified zookeepers since they are better equipped to handle any unexpected situations that may arise while working with exotic or endangered species.

Pro tip: When obtaining a zookeeper certification, make sure to research the organization offering the certification and their qualifications. Additionally, it is important to make sure that you have a good understanding of the topics covered in the course before attempting the exam.

Related: What does a Zookeeper do?

Top 11 Zookeeper Certifications

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

1. Apache Zookeeper Certified Administrator (ZCA)

Apache Zookeeper Certified Administrator (ZCA) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in administering Apache Zookeeper clusters. Apache Zookeeper is an open source distributed coordination service used for managing distributed applications and services. The ZCA certification enables organizations to identify qualified administrators who are capable of managing their Apache Zookeeper deployments.

The ZCA certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the candidate’s knowledge of topics such as installation, configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting and performance tuning of Apache Zookeeper clusters. The exam also covers topics such as security, scalability and fault tolerance. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get the ZCA certification, candidates must first register with the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). Once registered, they can then take the online examination which is administered by Pearson VUE. Candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 70% in order to become certified.

The cost of taking the ZCA exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $150 - $200 USD.

2. Apache Zookeeper Certified Developer (ZCD)

Apache Zookeeper Certified Developer (ZCD) is a certification program for developers who develop applications using the Apache ZooKeeper distributed coordination service. It is an industry-recognized certification that validates an individual’s expertise in developing and deploying applications with Apache ZooKeeper. The ZCD certification is administered by the Apache Software Foundation and has been designed to ensure that developers have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of ZooKeeper, its architecture, and its application development capabilities.

The ZCD exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as:

• Understanding Zookeeper concepts and architecture
• Developing applications using the Zookeeper API
• Deploying and managing applications on a production cluster
• Troubleshooting issues related to Zookeeper deployments
• Designing solutions to use Zookeeper effectively

To get certified, you must pass the ZCD exam. The exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and costs $250 USD. You can register for the exam online or by contacting the Apache Software Foundation directly. Once you have registered, you will be given access to study materials and practice exams to help prepare for your test. After successfully passing the exam, you will receive your official ZCD certificate from the Apache Software Foundation.

3. Cloudera Certified Associate in Apache Zookeeper (CCAZ)

Cloudera Certified Associate in Apache Zookeeper (CCAZ) is a certification program offered by Cloudera, Inc. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who are using Apache Zookeeper to manage distributed systems. The CCAZ certification requires that the candidate demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Understanding of Apache Zookeeper architecture and components
• Configuration and deployment of Apache Zookeeper clusters
• Administration of Apache Zookeeper clusters
• Troubleshooting and performance tuning of Apache Zookeeper clusters
• Monitoring and security of Apache Zookeeper clusters

The CCAZ certification exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam fee is $295 USD. To receive the certification, candidates must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their official certificate from Cloudera within 4-6 weeks.

4. Hortonworks Certified Apache Zookeeper Administrator (HCAAZ)

Hortonworks Certified Apache Zookeeper Administrator (HCAAZ) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective Apache Zookeeper administrator. The HCAAZ certification is designed to validate an individual's ability to deploy, configure, manage, and maintain a production-ready Apache Zookeeper cluster. It also covers topics such as security, monitoring, and troubleshooting of Zookeeper clusters.

The HCAAZ certification consists of two exams: one theoretical exam and one practical exam. The theoretical exam tests an individual's knowledge on Apache Zookeeper architecture, configuration, operations, management, and security. The practical exam tests an individual's ability to deploy, configure, manage, monitor, and troubleshoot a production-ready Apache Zookeeper cluster.

It typically takes between 6-8 weeks to complete the HCAAZ certification program. To get started with the HCAAZ certification process you must first register for the program on Hortonworks' website. Once registered you will receive access to the online training course materials which includes lectures from experts in the field as well as hands-on labs for practicing your skills in a virtual environment. After completing the online coursework you can then take both of the exams required for certification.

The cost of the HCAAZ certification program varies depending on where you are located but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

5. IBM Certified Solution Expert – Apache Zookeeper V9.0 (CSEAZ)

IBM Certified Solution Expert – Apache Zookeeper V9.0 (CSEAZ) is a certification program that validates the expertise of professionals in the installation, maintenance, and support of Apache Zookeeper V9.0. This certification is designed to demonstrate the individual’s ability to install, configure, and manage Apache Zookeeper V9.0 in a production environment.

To obtain the IBM Certified Solution Expert – Apache Zookeeper V9.0 (CSEAZ), an individual must pass two exams: Exam C9020-668: IBM z/OS System Programmer v2 and Exam C9020-669: IBM z/OS System Administrator v2. The exams are offered through Pearson VUE and cost $200 USD each.

The time required to prepare for these exams depends on an individual's experience level with Apache Zookeeper V9.0 and related technologies such as Linux, Java, etc., but generally it takes around 2-3 months of study time to adequately prepare for both exams.

In total, obtaining the IBM Certified Solution Expert – Apache Zookeeper V9.0 (CSEAZ) certification costs $400 USD plus any additional fees associated with taking the exams at Pearson VUE centers or online proctored sessions.

6. Microsoft Azure Certified Solutions Architect – Apache Zookeeper (MCSAAZ)

Microsoft Azure Certified Solutions Architect – Apache Zookeeper (MCSAAZ) is a certification program that enables IT professionals to demonstrate their expertise in deploying and managing Apache Zookeeper on Microsoft Azure. It is designed for experienced IT professionals who have experience with cloud infrastructure, networking, storage, security, and other aspects of the Microsoft Azure platform.

It takes approximately one month to prepare for the MCSAAZ exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that assess your knowledge of Apache Zookeeper and its use on Microsoft Azure. To get certified, you must pass both the written exam and the practical lab exam.

To get the MCSAAZ certification, you must first register for the exam through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD. After passing both exams, you will receive a digital certificate that verifies your status as an MCSAAZ certified professional.

7. Oracle Certified Professional – Apache Zookeeper 12c R2 (OCP-AZ12CR2)

Oracle Certified Professional – Apache Zookeeper 12c R2 (OCP-AZ12CR2) is an Oracle certification that demonstrates a professional’s ability to develop, deploy, and manage applications using Apache Zookeeper 12c Release 2. This certification requires the candidate to have a good understanding of the architecture and components of Apache Zookeeper, as well as its configuration and management.

It typically takes around 30 hours of study time to prepare for the OCP-AZ12CR2 exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and lasts for 120 minutes. Candidates must score at least 65% in order to pass the exam.

In order to get certified, candidates must first register for the exam on Oracle’s website. Once registered, they can purchase a voucher from Oracle or any other authorized vendor in order to take the exam. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where it is purchased from but typically ranges between $200 and $300 USD.

8. Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Apache Zookeeper (RHCSA-AZ)

Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Apache Zookeeper (RHCSA-AZ) is a certification program offered by Red Hat that validates an individual’s ability to manage Apache Zookeeper clusters. This certification requires knowledge and skills related to the configuration, deployment, and administration of Apache Zookeeper clusters.

The RHCSA-AZ certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as cluster configuration, performance tuning, monitoring, security, troubleshooting, and more.

To get the RHCSA-AZ certification you must first pass the associated exam. You can take the exam online or at a Red Hat certified training center. The cost of the exam is $400 USD for online exams and $500 USD for in-person exams.

In order to prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you attend a Red Hat Certified Training course or use self-study materials from Red Hat's website. Additionally, there are many resources available online from third parties to help you prepare for the exam.

9. Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect – Apache Zookeeper (SECA-AZ)

Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect – Apache Zookeeper (SECA-AZ) is a certification program designed to recognize experts in the field of distributed systems and Apache Zookeeper. It is offered by Splunk, a provider of data analytics software.

The SECA-AZ certification is intended for experienced professionals who have expertise in distributed systems, Apache Zookeeper, and Splunk products. The certification validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage distributed systems using Apache Zookeeper and Splunk products.

The certification consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on lab assessment. The online exam covers topics such as distributed system architectures, Apache Zookeeper concepts and features, and Splunk product knowledge. The hands-on lab assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to configure and manage distributed systems using Apache Zookeeper and Splunk products.

The entire process takes approximately 8 weeks from start to finish. Candidates must first register for the online exam via the Splunk website. Once they have passed the online exam, they will be invited to take part in the hands-on lab assessment at one of Splunk’s authorized training centers.

The cost of the SECA-AZ certification is $1,500 USD for the online exam plus any additional fees associated with taking part in the lab assessment at an authorized training center.

10. VMware vSphere 6 Foundations Exam – Advanced Administration of Apache Zookeeper (VCP6-DCV-AAAZ)

VMware vSphere 6 Foundations Exam – Advanced Administration of Apache Zookeeper (VCP6-DCV-AAAZ) is a certification exam that tests the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in administering Apache Zookeeper in a VMware vSphere 6 environment. It is designed to validate the ability to install, configure, manage and troubleshoot Apache Zookeeper clusters on VMware vSphere 6.

The exam takes about 90 minutes to complete and contains 60 questions. The exam is available in both English and Japanese. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

In order to get certified, you must first pass the VCP6-DCV Foundation Exam and then pass this advanced administration exam. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or through VMware’s website. After registering, you will be given access to an online practice test which will help you prepare for the actual exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from VMware.

11. WSO2 Certified Integration Specialist – Apache Zookeeper 5x (WCSIS-AZ5x).

WSO2 Certified Integration Specialist – Apache Zookeeper 5x (WCSIS-AZ5x) is a certification program that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in using Apache ZooKeeper to build distributed applications. This certification is designed for professionals who are looking to demonstrate their expertise in developing distributed applications using Apache ZooKeeper.

The WSO2 Certified Integration Specialist – Apache Zookeeper 5x (WCSIS-AZ5x) exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as the architecture of Apache ZooKeeper, its components, how to install and configure it, how to use the API, and how to develop distributed applications using it. The exam also includes topics related to troubleshooting, performance tuning, security, and best practices.

It typically takes around two hours to complete the WCSIS-AZ5x exam. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center. To take the exam online, you need to register with WSO2 Certification Program and pay the registration fee. The cost of taking the WCSIS-AZ5x exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from USD $100 - $200.

Do You Really Need a Zookeeper Certificate?

No, you do not need a zookeeper certificate to work as a zookeeper. While many zoos and other animal care facilities may prefer to hire individuals with a zookeeper certification, it is not required by law in most places. Many zookeepers get their start without any formal training or credentials and learn on the job by working with experienced professionals.

Having said that, pursuing a zookeeper certificate can be beneficial for those looking to advance in the field. A certification can help demonstrate your knowledge of animal husbandry and care, which can make you more competitive when applying for positions at certain facilities. Additionally, some states require zookeepers to obtain a license before they are allowed to practice. In these cases, having a zookeeper certificate is essential if you want to work legally in the field.

In short, if you’re interested in becoming a professional zookeeper but don’t have any formal training or credentials yet, there’s no need to worry – you can still get started in the field without one. However, if you wish to take your career further and become an expert in animal care, obtaining a zookeeper certificate may be worth considering.

Related: Zookeeper Resume Examples

FAQs About Zookeeper Certifications

Q1. What is a Zookeeper Certification?

A1. A Zookeeper Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of zookeeping. It is offered by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and requires completion of a comprehensive exam and successful completion of a three-year apprenticeship program.

Q2. What are the benefits of obtaining a Zookeeper Certification?

A2. Obtaining a Zookeeper Certification provides individuals with enhanced job security, increased professional credibility, increased salary potential, and greater opportunities for promotions within their field.

Q3. How long does it take to complete the Zookeeper Certification process?

A3. The entire process typically takes approximately three years to complete including the apprenticeship program and passing the comprehensive exam.

Q4. Is there any additional training required for Zookeeper Certifications?

A4. Yes, additional training may be required depending on the individual's current level of knowledge and experience in their field as well as their specific duties at their place of employment.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Zookeeper Certification?

A5: Yes, all applicants must have at least two years of experience working with animals in captivity or related fields as well as successfully complete both written and practical examinations administered by AAZK before they can become certified zookeepers.