Novell provides certification for technical competence with self-study tests and courses given at National Authorized Education Centers (NAECs). The earlier Enterprise CNE (ECNE), which included WAN expertise, was replaced with the Master CNE, which itself expires in mid-2007. Once a certification can no longer be obtained, people who have successfully completed the exams will not be stripped of that title.

Following are the Novell certifications, which used to be known as NetWare certifications. For example, a CNA used to be a Certified NetWare Administrator. For more information, visit www.novell.com/training/certinfo. See certification.

  CNA (Certified Novell Administrator)
  CNE (Certified Novell Engineer)
  CDE (Certified Directory Engineer)
  CNI (Certified Novell Instructor)
  CLE (Certified Linux Engineer)
  CLP (Certified Linux Professional)
  NAI (Novell Academic Instructor)

• Certification programs help system administrators stand out from their peers while expanding and validating their skills. 
• Certification training and testing help IT professionals earn professional credibility and more power to direct and control their career paths. 
• Numerous certifications are available, but several are exceptionally valued and respected. 
• This article is for system administrators and IT professionals who want to expand their knowledge and professional credibility through certification programs.

System administrators are the glue holding together business operations, ensuring smooth-running IT infrastructures. The role requires in-demand career skills that range from server and client configuration and maintenance to access controls, network services and application resource requirements. SysAdmins may even work with more user-facing products, like directory and name services, network addressing, database services, web and desktop applications, and email. They’re often the company “tech expert” – sometimes at several organizations simultaneously. 

System administrator certifications help IT professionals navigate their career paths, expand their knowledge and demonstrate their expertise to managers and employers. SysAdmin certs may even help you secure managerial and executive level jobs and higher pay.

Tip: If you’re a SysAdmin specializing in database services, consider exploring the best database certifications for database administrators and developers.

Best system administrator certifications

After examining various credentials, we developed this list of our five favorite system administrator certifications for 2022. These certifications are geared toward various experience levels, product interests and skill sets. They can foster your development within system administration, encourage you to explore new areas of expertise, and help you set and achieve career goals. 

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert 

Many businesses operate within Microsoft ecosystems, making Microsoft certifications extremely valuable and sought after. However, Microsoft has overhauled its certification processes in exact years, replacing broad certificates like Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert with a wider variety of role-based certification options divided into the following roles: 

• Data engineer
• Data scientist
• Artificial intelligence engineer
• Security engineer
• DevOps engineer
• Functional consultant
• Developer
• Administrator
• Solutions architect 

Certifications come in beginner, intermediate, and expert levels, based on applicants’ experience. 

Various system administrators may find some Microsoft certifications more advantageous than others. However, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert is the most in-demand certification for a SysAdmin with IT operation experience.  

The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is ideal for someone with extensive experience using Azure to solve problems and make decisions for a business’s tech needs. Candidates must have experience with every level of IT operations as well as DevOps. Candidates will be tested on their knowledge and ability to design solutions for data storage, identity, infrastructure and more using Azure. 

This certification combines elements of system administration, Azure implementation and solutions architect experience. Candidates should have one prerequisite qualification: the Azure Administrator Associate certification.  

Tip: If you have solutions architect experience, check out our list of the best enterprise architect certifications. Credentials at the architect level can lead to some of the highest-paid tech industry positions.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert facts and figures

2. Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator 

Although Oracle is known for its database products and solutions, it also distributes Linux products geared for the enterprise and designed to support cloud environments. Oracle Linux is optimized for various Oracle products and platforms, such as:

• Oracle Exadata Database Machine
• Oracle Exalytics In-Memory Machine
• Oracle Exalogic Elastic Cloud
• Oracle Database Appliance

To support Oracle Linux, the company offers several Oracle Linux System Administrator learning paths. It also provides several standalone Linux administration courses. Oracle’s Linux certifications are considered among the best Linux certifications to earn. We’ll highlight the Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator certification below. 

The OCP Oracle Linux System Administrator certification, currently at version 8, covers many tools and processes. Candidates must be well-versed in:

• Linux file systems
• Control groups
• Container concepts
• Advanced storage administration techniques
• Oracle cluster management 
• Using Ksplice Uptrack commands 

The certification also tests for knowledge of network bonding, task automation, security configuration and more. 

SysAdmins who support Oracle Solaris might also be interested in the Oracle Solaris System Administrator certification, which Oracle offers at the Associate and Professional levels. Oracle also offers a Cloud Database Migration and Integration Professional certificate. 

Professional Oracle Linux 8 System Administrator certification facts and figures

Did you know?: Oracle certifications are vendor-specific certifications to advance your networking career and are frequently sought after by SysAdmins.

3. RHCE: Red Hat Certified Engineer

In the realm of Linux system administrator certifications, Red Hat certifications stand out. Red Hat’s more senior-level certifications are especially popular among IT professionals and the firms that hire them. Those holding the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) credential qualify for highly competitive job roles, including the following:

• Senior Linux administrator
• Senior UNIX administrator
• Senior systems engineer
• Infrastructure systems engineer
• IT analyst 

The RHCE is considered a high-level credential that’s not easy to obtain. Candidates must first obtain the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) credential. The RHCE credential expands the RHCSA’s understanding of automation in multisystem environments. Candidates must then pass an intense, demanding, four-hour, hands-on, performance-based exam. Those who earn the RHCE can go on to earn the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) in Infrastructure credential.

Candidates can choose a path based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. RHCE certification is valid for three years from the date the certification was achieved. To maintain the certification, a credential holder must pass any RHCA test or pass the RHCE certification test again before the end of the three years.

Tip: See our Red Hat certification guide for additional Red Hat professional certifications based on software products, virtualization, storage and cloud-based solutions.

RHCE facts and figures

4. CompTIA Server+

CompTIA certifications, such as the A+ for hardware technicians, Network+ for network admins and Security+ for security specialists, are highly regarded in the computing industry. The CompTIA Server+ certification is no exception. 

Companies such as Intel, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Xerox and Microsoft recommend or require their server technicians to earn CompTIA Server+ credentials.

The Server+ certification test focuses on fundamental, vendor-neutral server-related topics, including:

• Server hardware
• Operating systems
• Storage systems
• Networking
• The IT environment (documentation, diagrams and best practices)
• Security and disaster recovery
• Virtualization 
• Troubleshooting

Individuals seeking positions across the system administration world, including data technician, network administrator, IT technician and data center engineer, can benefit from CompTIA Server+ certification. This certification also provides new IT professionals with an excellent foundation for more specialized certifications.

Candidates for the Server+ certification take one exam: SK0-005. CompTIA recommends that candidates have at least two years of practical experience working with servers and either CompTIA A+ certification or comparable knowledge. This certification also stands out because it does not expire – certification is good for life. 

CompTIA Server+ facts and figures

Did you know?: CompTIA also offers some of the best computer hardware certifications as well as vendor-specific Dell certifications, help desk certifications and more.

5. VCAP-DCV Design 2022: VMware Certified Advanced Professional – Data Center Virtualization Design 2022

VMware certifications are must-have credentials for IT professionals interested in virtualization. With a comprehensive certification program encompassing all skill levels, VMware credentials are recognized globally as the best in their class of professional certifications.  

The latest incarnation of the VMware vSphere product is Version 8. VMware offers five credentials related to the vSphere product:

• Certified Technical
• Certified Professional
• Certified Advanced Professional (Data Center Virtualization Design)
• Certified Advanced Professional (Data Center Virtualization Deploy)
• Certified Design Expert 

VMware also offers a wide range of badges for specific product applications. We’re highlighting the intermediate certification: Certified Advanced Professional – Data Center Virtualization Design. 

Training is required for non-credential holders seeking to obtain the VCAP-DCV credential. VMware offers various training options to meet the training prerequisite: self-paced (on demand), live online and live classroom – some of which include virtual labs. Those possessing a valid VCAP-DCV Design certificate must attend a training course or pass the VCAP-DCV Design exam. 

VCAP-DCV Design 2022 facts and figures

Key takeaway: Earning the best IT certifications, including system admin certs, is an excellent career advancement tool for amassing and validating your skills and knowledge.

Beyond the top 5: More SysAdmin certifications

In addition to the five system administrator certifications we highlighted above, many other certification programs can help further the careers and professional development of IT professionals in system administration.

It makes sense to investigate the plethora of vendor-specific programs available for those who work with systems from companies like Brocade, Dell EMC, HPE, IBM, NetApp and Symantec. Many play into critical system specialty areas, such as storage, security and virtualization, while others offer a broad range of platforms for these and other technology areas. 

Here are some examples:

• IBM Certified System Administrator MQ V9.1: IBM Certified System Administrator MQ V9.1 is for SysAdmins who cover admin activities such as migrating, configuration, availability, performance tuning and problem determination.
• NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA): NCDA is geared toward professionals who manage NetApp data storage controllers running the ONTAP operating system.
• ServiceNow Certified System Administrator: ServiceNow Certified System Administrator is aimed at professionals adept at configuring, implementing and managing ServiceNow systems.

Vendor-neutral certification programs also offer a variety of interesting and potentially valuable credentials. For example, Linux Professional Institute certifications are well known and widely recognized in IT shops and operations that depend on Linux servers to handle their workloads. 

Tip: Tech professionals may also want to consider certifications in adjacent fields, including big data certifications, starter cybersecurity certifications and project management certifications.

Job board search results (in alphabetical order by certification)

The following chart shows the results of an informal job search we conducted to supply you an idea of the relative frequency with which our top five certifications appear in genuine job postings. While all the certifications are popular, the CompTIA Server+ stands out as the clear favorite.

* When searching for VCP – Data Center credentials, we found most job descriptions didn’t indicate a specific version.

Although employers tend to pay SysAdmins less than some of their IT peers, such as network engineers and enterprise IT architects, a career in system administration is still worth pursuing. SimplyHired reports $79,283 as the national average salary for system administrators, with a range of $49,718 to $136,224. Indeed.com similarly reports that $76,942 is the average base salary for system administrators, while senior system administrators can expect an average salary of around $92,803.  

Building a dynamic IT skill set

IT systems are dynamic. They grow with companies and change with evolving technology. Therefore, it’s important for system administrators to nourish their skills. Certifications and training show you’re qualified to handle the responsibilities of your desired position while demonstrating your willingness to learn and grow. 

As you move through your career in system administration, you may want to branch into new specialties or software. Fortunately, in addition to receiving certifications, you can access many excellent courses and educational resources to help you continue to grow in your field. 

Ed Tittel and Kim Lindros contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.

• For many IT professional aspirants, technical support or help-desk positions remain a traditional entry point into the field. 
• Help-desk certifications tend to focus on technical support skills and specific vendors or overarching help-desk functions and job roles. 
• Valuable certifications include proprietary certs from companies like Apple and Microsoft and broader learning-path certifications from companies like CompTIA and ITIL. 
• This article is for IT professionals interested in pursuing help-desk certifications to further their careers.

Technical support and help-desk positions are traditional entry points for IT professionals navigating their career paths. Earning a respected help-desk certification can help IT professionals stand out, validate valuable knowledge and skills, and demonstrate their willingness to learn to employers and hiring managers. 

Help-desk certifications tend to focus on two areas: overarching help-desk functions and job roles or technical support skills with an emphasis on specific vendor platforms or products.

We’ll highlight help-desk certifications that fit both categories while also considering employer preferences and specific in-demand career skills these certifications help verify. 

Did you know?: Some organizations incorporate the best live chat apps into their help-desk offerings to quickly track and resolve issues.

Top help-desk certifications for IT professionals

Some organizations staff help-desk positions to meet support requirements for specific vendor products, platforms, and tools. Others want team members with an excellent general technical background and an understanding of IT operations, practices and procedures. 

Consider the following well-regarded help-desk certifications and determine which ones best suit your needs and career path. 

1. CompTIA A+2023

CompTIA A+ is an excellent entry-level certification for those entering the IT help-desk and hardware support professions. More than 1 million people have earned this credential, and its popularity with IT professionals and employers remains high. 

CompTIA A+ is one of CompTIA’s core credentials; it’s an ideal foundational certification for candidates pursuing a wide range of other IT certifications. (Visit CompTIA’s career path planning tool to see its versatility.) The A+ is well-known and respected in various IT circles; the Department of Defense recognizes it, and it’s a service technician requirement for many enterprise-level companies, including Dell, HP and Intel.

A+ credential holders are support technicians — either in-house or field techs — who can take on the following responsibilities:

• Install, configure, and maintain PCs, laptops, printers and mobile devices.
• Dig into PC and mobile operating systems to configure and troubleshoot those systems.
• Perform basic networking tasks.

In April 2022, CompTIA launched a new CompTIA A+ credential (CompTIA A+ 2023). In this iteration, candidates can expect to find the following updates:

• Greater emphasis on security
• Increased reliance on software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications for remote work, data management, and scripting 
• Focus on a range of operating systems beyond Microsoft systems 

The new test addresses nine core competencies:

1. Harware. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses identifying, using and connecting hardware devices and components.
2. Operating systems. CompTIA A+ 2023 focuses on installing and supporting Windows OS and system configuration and troubleshooting for macOS, Chrome OS, Linux and Android.
3. Networking. CompTIA A+ 2023 explores networks and connection types like TCP/IP, Wi-Fi, and SOHO.
4. Software troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses troubleshooting software for PCs, mobile devices and application security support.
5. Troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses troubleshooting network and real-world device issues.
6. Security. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses identifying and protecting against device and network security vulnerabilities.
7. Mobile devices. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses installing and configuring mobile devices.
8. Virtualization and cloud computing. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses virtualization and cloud computing elements, including setting up client-side virtualization and understanding different cloud computing concepts.
9. Operation procedures. CompTIA A+ 2023 addresses demonstrating and following best practices for communication, safety, and environmental factors.

Two exams are still required to earn the credential:

• Core 1 exam. The Core 1 (220-1101) test focuses on cloud computing and virtualization, hardware, network technology and mobile devices. 
• Core 2 exam. The Core 2 (220-1102) test covers operating system installation and configuration, security, operational procedures and troubleshooting software.

The previous version of the A+ test was launched in January 2019 and retired in October 2023. If you’re starting preparations for the CompTIA A+ exam, ensure you’re studying for the latest test version.

Did you know?: CompTIA certifications are part of a broader iterative roadmap. For example, A+ leads to CompTIA’s Network+ certification, which opens into a wider range of certifications for cybersecurity, administration and more.

CompTIA A+ facts and figures

Tip: When you’re ready to move beyond fundamental networking tasks, consider additional certifications to advance your networking career and achieve titles like network specialist, network administrator or network technician.

2. Apple Certified Support Professional

If you’re a fan of MacBooks and all things Apple, the Apple Certified Support Professional certification is a must. Targeting IT professionals who support Macs, iPhones and iPads in business, this certification validates a candidate’s knowledge and the technical skills necessary to support these platforms and Mac products. 

To earn the certification, candidates must pass the Apple Device Support exam. While the test has no prerequisites, Apple encourages all aspirants to view the free Apple Device Support tutorials. Additionally, Apple encourages people to have hands-on experience supporting Apple devices with at least 30 to 60 hours of preparation experience. 

The Apple Certified Support Professional is also an excellent starting certification for moving deeper into the Apple space, as it’s a prerequisite to earning the Apple Certified IT Professional certification. As Apple devices become more common in enterprise environments, demand for Apple knowledge may also increase. 

Apple certifications are increasingly popular, especially as Macs become more common in enterprise environments and companies switch from PC to Mac. Apple continues to demonstrate high-quality customer support by preparing in-house support professionals to help their organizations support Apple computers. 

Check out Apple’s Training and Certification page and select the certification of your choice for more info. 

Apple Certified Support Professional facts and figures

Tip: To further shore up your Apple device skills, consider pursuing the AppleCare Hardware Certification program, which is among the best computer hardware certifications around.

3. HDI-CSR: HDI Customer Service Representative

The HDI-CSR certification is designed for IT professionals in call or support centers. Candidates typically have the following talents: 

• Excellent soft skills that facilitate effective communication and listening
• Technical skills to assess customer needs
• The ability to troubleshoot and quickly resolve issues
• The ability to manage challenging customer interactions 

HDI highly recommends training for the HDI-CSR via an online course, virtual classroom or self-study. The training course contains four units that cover the Topics below:

• The IT professional’s role in the support center
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Maximum effectiveness

To obtain the HDI-CSR, candidates must pass one test that focuses on one of the following categories:

• Leadership (10 percent)
• Policy and strategy (10 percent)
• People management (10 percent)
• Resources (10 percent)
• Process and procedures (55 percent)
• Performance results (5 percent)

The HDI Learning Center administers the test online, and it must be completed within six weeks of purchase.

Of all the help-desk certifications we’re highlighting, HDI’s offerings are probably the best-known and most respected of their kind in the industry. Anyone interested in career advancement in this fast-growing area of IT should dig into HDI’s certification credentials, especially at management levels. 

HDI offers a complete multi-tiered certification program that includes:

Other credentials of interest include:

HDI-CSR facts and figures

Did you know?: If you’re considering parlaying a technical position like a help-desk job into a career in IT management, it’s essential to work on your organizational, project management and people skills.

4. ITIL 4 Foundation

ITIL is an industry-accepted framework for managing IT service delivery. ITIL defines a service lifecycle model for processes and activities during the design, development, delivery, and support of IT services. Axelos, a U.K. company, develops best practices, maintains ITIL, and administers the ITIL certification program.

The ITIL Foundation is the entry-level certification in the ITIL scheme, which also includes Managing Professional, Strategic Leader and Extension Module certifications. At the Foundation level, an individual understands key concepts, terminology, roles, and core processes involved throughout the ITIL service lifecycle. 

Although the ITIL Foundation training and examination syllabus specifically includes a service desk component, the entire ITIL Foundation certification lends itself well to the help-desk industry.

Candidates can take a three-day training course through an Accredited Training Organization (ATO) or Accredited Trainer (using the Axelos Find a Trainer web page) and take the test at the end of the course. Alternatively, they can self-study for the test and take it at an ITIL Examination Institute. 

ITIL Foundation facts and figures

Tip: ITIL Foundation certification can also help you establish an enterprise IT architect career. ITIL certs are considered among the best enterprise architecture certifications to advance your IT career.

5. Microsoft 365: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

Microsoft certifications now have a role-based approach. According to the Microsoft Training and Certification Guide, certs are available for five primary focus areas: Azure, Dynamics 365, Microsoft 365, Power Platform and Security. 

Our pick for the most helpful certification for help desk professionals is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate. The credential validates the following skills:

• Deploying, installing and configuring the Windows operating system
• Configuring and managing storage and connectivity for devices 
• Maintaining the Windows operating system
• Protecting any associated devices and all data within those devices
• Establishing identity and access management 
• Establishing and managing configuration profiles and compliance policies
• Protecting, maintaining, and managing devices
• Managing applications

To earn the credential, candidates must pass two exams:

• Windows Client (Exam MD-100) 
• Managing Modern Desktops (MD-101). 

Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

Beyond the top 5 help desk certifications

In addition to the help-desk credentials we’ve highlighted, various outlets offer other tech support certification offerings. Here are some to consider:

• Ed2Go. Ed2Go (part of Cengage Learning, a major publisher of community college textbooks) offers a certificate program called Help Desk Analyst: Tier 1 Support Specialist. The program is part of business, computer science and information technology curricula at community colleges, universities, four-year colleges and private higher-education companies that offer IT training programs.
• RCCSP Professional Education Alliance. For help-desk professionals in leadership roles, RCCSP Professional Education Alliance offers the Help Desk Team Lead training and certification program. The two-day training program specifically targets professionals in leadership and management roles. Topics covered include escalation and conflict management, help-desk processes and best practices, people management, coaching, and quality assurance. 

In the help-desk certification arena, the more you look around — and the more specific a target you choose — the more options you’ll find. Outside the credentials we’ve highlighted, proceed with caution.

Key takeaway: The technology field changes rapidly. New certifications arise, and existing ones are retired frequently. When pursuing help-desk certifications or any of the best IT certifications, ensure they address technologies with long shelf lives that will continue to be in demand.

Choosing the right certification

Selecting the right help-desk certification often means deciding or determining the best technology to focus on. For example, professionals working in environments with heavy Apple or Microsoft usage will likely benefit from those proprietary training paths. In contrast, generalists can find valuable information from HDI, ITIL or CompTIA paths. 

Ultimately, help-desk professionals should remember that skills from any certification will be transferable across roles. 

Jeremy Bender contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.

Certification now follows a rolling model for applications and approvals. If you have questions after reviewing this website, please contact cert@nullesa.org or 202-833-8773.

The period of certification lasts for 5 years, retroactive to the first day of the month the application was approved and expiring on final day of the same month 5 years hence. ESA staff will communicate with you about your status beginning at least 60 days prior to expiration, and will additionally remind you to submit your CEU data on a regular basis.

If you currently hold a certification from pre-2021 and will expire the next June from now, you should recertify in the spring of the year your certification expires; if your certification expired in the previous June, you may still recertify or upgrade.

We allow 2 years’ grace periods to recertify or upgrade, but you will be required to pay a penalty fee if your certification has lapsed beyond that grace period. All recertifications at all levels (except Emeritus) cost $25 for ESA Members and $50 for non-members. 

Starting in 2022, the penalty fee is the cost of recertification for each year of lapse, with the first 2 years waived if you recertify within 2 years. In other words:  

0 yr lapsed: $25 for recertify 

1 yr lapsed: $25 for recertify (1 yr of back recertification fees waived)  

2 yr lapsed: $25 for recertify (2 yr of back recertification fees waived)  

3 yr lapsed: $75 for recertify  

4 yr lapsed: $100 for recertify 

Candidates for certification must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree in ecology or a related science. Completed undergraduate or graduate coursework must include the following, totaling 42 semester credit hours. Full requirements include areas of coursework and should include some core topics.

Certified Ecologist and Senior Ecologist certification holders who hold that status for at least 10 consecutive years and are no longer working full-time may upgrade to each level’s respective Emeritus/ta designation. Contact cert@nullesa.org to learn more.

• Professional experience accrues as soon as the minimum education requirements are met (typically with an appropriate bachelor’s degree). Professional experience during graduate studies shall be counted the same as any other professional experience regardless of whether it was undertaken during a degree program such as a master’s or doctoral program.
• For recertifications, courses completed as part of a graduate degree program (or outside a degree program) may be counted toward continuing education in the appropriate category.
• If courses during graduate training are used to satisfy the minimum education requirements, professional work experience may be counted after the last such course is successfully completed.
• Provide an appropriate explanation of time spent in full-time employment (e.g. if working through school, during a gap year, etc.) in your application.
• Length of experience will be evaluated only up to the application submission date.

Continuing Education

Please note that beginning 2021, all newly certified ecologists are required to complete 44 continuing education units over 5 years to be eligible for recertification or upgrade. Currently certified ecologists will be permitted to recertify or upgrade per their original requirements up to 2025; beginning with 2026, all recertifications and upgrades will require having met the CEU requirements. The ESA Board of Professional Certification approved this framework in January 2021.

Certified ecologists should report their CEU as they are earned, or at least on an annual basis. You can see how to do so here.

Interpretive leeway will be given to participants to identify suitable professional development opportunities per the requirements. ESA is partnering with other scientific organizations and training bodies to recommend opportunities for CEU in addition to the content that ESA provides — see the directory. Participants are encouraged to share ideas with staff as well.

All ecologists certified by ESA shall conduct their activities in accordance with the ESA Code of Ethics and with the highest standards of professional conduct and personal honor. 

Application Materials

You can review the full application requirements here.

Here are additional details about the requirements for each certification level.

Ecologist in Training

Associate Ecologist

Ecologist

Certified Ecologist Emeriti

Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist Emeriti

Training

In preparation for completing your FERPA certification, please review the FERPA training materials.

Certification

To complete a certification, please register for your certification here: www.eventreg.purdue.edu/webcert.

Click on the arrow on the right side of the Enterprise Certifications box in order to choose the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act/FERPA.

Once registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation from webcert@purdue.edu with a link to D2L Brightspace (https://purdue.brightspace.com). Log in to D2L Brightspace using your Purdue Career Account.

Once in D2L Brightspace, under My Courses select the FERPA course, read announcements, click on the “Content” tab on the top ribbon, select the FERPA Certification Training Materials for review and then select the FERPA quiz.

Please note that you may retake the quiz as many times as needed to achieve 100%.  You will be required to achieve 100% before certification will be complete.

For questions regarding FERPA, please contact ferpa@purdue.edu or 765-496-0509.

For questions regarding the use of D2L Brightspace, please contact itap@purdue.edu

Reminder

You will receive an e-mail notification reminder when your certification is close to expiration.

Microsoft's Skills 2000 aims to close the gap.
Nancy Lewis, general manager for Worldwide Training and Certification at Microsoft Corp., believes that vendors need to "pull together" and take the lead in closing the skills gap. For Lewis, "goal number one," is to attract more people to the industry, and "goal number two," is to train those workers. To help move things along, Microsoft recently launched the Skills 2000 program, a multimillion dollar, two-year effort designed to help close the skills gap with outreach, education, and training initiatives.

The company also pumped $75 million into the Microsoft Authorized Academic Training Program (AATP), which trains students at the high school, vocational, community college, and university levels in disciplines such as network management, systems administration, and computer programming. According to Microsoft, more than 100,000 students at 500 schools in 38 states will receive AATP training by the end of the 1998 academic year.

Sign up for Cisco's shop class for the 21st century.
Joining the training effort, Cisco, a leading vendor of network products such as routers and hubs, is sponsoring a nationwide program that will enable high school and college students to earn certification as Cisco Certified Networking Associates. In 1997, Cisco established 57 Networking Academies in high schools and junior colleges in seven states, and the company expects to have more than 400 academies in all 50 states by the fall semester of 1998. Cisco describes the effort as the equivalent of a shop class for the 21st century. Students in the program will learn the skills necessary to design and manage computer networks. Cisco is contributing approximately $18 million in curriculum, equipment, and resources to launch the program.

According to Cisco regional managers Steve Armstrong and Kevin Givens, strong interest in the program has come from the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and Archbishop Carroll High School. In Maryland, Baltimore's Washington High School now hosts a Cisco academy, and Givens is working with the schools in Prince George's Co., Montgomery Co., and Baltimore City to establish Networking Academies in those counties.

In addition, Cisco is teaming up with the Virginia Community Colleges System (VCCS) to start regional academies on 23 campuses throughout the state by the fall semester of 1998. These regional academies will support local academies in Virginia high schools. Armstrong and Givens believe there are approximately 30 schools in the District that could potentially host Cisco Networking Academies.

Novell has opened a novel foundation.
Novell Inc., the Orem, Utah-based vendor of networking software, is also sponsoring a program for training workers in network administration. Novell recently sponsored a program at Ballou High School in the District that offered students networking courses and career support. The project, carried out in conjunction with the Foundation for Educational Innovation, proved so successful that Novell donated $100,000 worth of software to help expand the program to surrounding schools.

Novell operates 1,450 training centers around the world, with an additional 420 high schools, community colleges, and universities throughout the United States offering Novell training. According to David Marler, director of business development for Novell Education, schools in Michigan, Florida, and California are now working on plans to deploy Novell's Certified Novell Administrator (CNA) program. According to Novell, approximately 25,000 students nationwide will take the CNA course as part of the high school curriculum during 1998.

B.S. holders are top guns at entry-level.
At the university level, says Dr. Lloyd Griffiths, dean of the School of Information Technology and Engineering at the Northern Virginia campus of George Mason University, "the way colleges are teaching [technology] is changing dramatically." For example, at George Mason, students from all departments, including liberal arts majors, will soon be able to select a minor in IT by taking 17 credit hours of technology course work. This new approach "came at the request of industry," Griffiths notes, partly because of the realization that "there are a lot of [technology-related jobs] that don't need a Ph.D. in computer science."

The most solid path for ensuring a long and successful career in high technology is to complete a four-year bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering. According to Griffiths, students who graduate with four-year technical degrees are snapped up by employers as soon as they graduate. Thanks to the overwhelming demand for high-tech workers, most computer science and engineering college grads can pick and choose from numerous entry-level offers, select a work culture that works for them, and negotiate great benefits.

Many companies, such as CDSI, begin wooing students with paid internships that bring them into the company even before they graduate. "We focus on the computer science and business departments," at the University of Maryland for entry-level workers, says Hollister. "We try to get interns from both of those groups" because CDSI has divisions that focus on IT solutions and business application solutions, he says. Even so, it's tough hanging onto the grads once their internships are over and graduation approaches. "The offers these interns are getting are outstanding," says Hollister, recalling one student who had seven job offers prior to graduation.

In addition, regional technology groups, such as the High Technology Council (HTC) of Maryland and Virginia's Northern Virginia Technology Council are leaning on local legislatures to do more to promote high-tech education and training in the schools. HTC, for example, is cosponsoring a tuition release bill in Maryland that would provide free tuition for technology courses at community colleges and universities in exchange for a commitment from the student to work in a Maryland company after graduation.

A shrewd business professional looks for ways to move up (or over) to Excellerate their salary, benefits and job opportunities. One way to reach that goal is by getting a business certification.

It’s tricky to nail down what constitutes a “business certification.” Think about the sheer number of lines of business (LOBs) in U.S. companies, and that most LOBs can have multiple associated certifications. To narrow our focus, we looked at general business and management credentials, as well as customer resource management, supply chain, sales and purchasing certifications. Although most of the certifications we selected are vendor-agnostic – not tied to a specific system or application – we researched several credentials from SAP, SAS and similar companies that specialize in business applications.

These are the certifications we examined:

• Certified Associate in Project Management
• Certified Business Analysis Professional
• Certified Supply Chain Professional
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Planning and Consolidation
• Salesforce Certified Administrator
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing
• Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Whether you’re just starting out in a professional track or have been at it for a while, you should find one or more of the certifications described in this article of interest and value.

Top 8 certifications, by the numbers

The following table lists the top business-related certifications based on the number of open positions on a single day that call for the certification specifically. This isn’t a scientific analysis in which every job description is examined (especially when the numbers reach into the hundreds or thousands); it’s just an overall glance at search numbers as of Dec. 23, 2020.

Job site search results

The following sections provide details on the top business certifications according to job site searches, as well as other certifications from their various organizations.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has been around since 1969, helping business workers develop careers in project management, mainly through professional development and certifications.

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is ideal for up-and-coming project managers. You need to show proof of a high school diploma, associate degree or global equivalent. The single test has 150 questions, costs $225 for PMI members or $300 for nonmembers, and is available through Pearson VUE. By the time you take the exam, you need to have attained 1,500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of project management education. The certification is valid for five years, and you must retake the test to maintain the credential.

PMI has other certifications aimed at the business community, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP) and PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

If you’re interested in analyzing business needs and coming up with solutions, take a look at the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The CBAP is an advanced certification aimed at managers and leaders with more than five years of business analysis experience. More precisely, you need at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience over the last decade, and 900 of those hours must directly relate to four of the six BABOK Guide knowledge areas. On top of that, you need at least 35 hours of professional development credits (earned over the last four years), plus two references.

The CBAP test has 120 multiple-choice questions, based on scenarios and case studies, and is available through PSI. The test costs $325 for IIBA members or $450 for nonmembers, and a $125 application fee is required. To maintain the CBAP, credential holders must earn at least 60 continuing development units within three years of achieving certification.

The IIBA offers related credentials, such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) and Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA).

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

APICS is all about supply chain management. As part of its goal to develop qualified operators, supervisors and leaders, it offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and a few other certifications. The CSCP covers supply chain concepts and technology, plus strategies for end-to-end operations, from provider to company to consumer.

To earn the CSCP, you need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least one other approved certification, and at least three years of related business experience. You also need to pass an test that costs $695 to $965, depending on your APICS membership status.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI is among the most recognized and sought-after certifications for both business and IT. The requirements are stiff. Option one requires a high school diploma, associate degree or global equivalent; 7,500 hours of experience leading projects; and 35 hours of project management education. Option two is a four-year degree, 4,500 hours leading projects and 35 hours of project management education. [Read related article on our sister site Business News Daily: Best Project Management Certifications]

You must pass a 200-question test to earn the PMP, which is available through Pearson VUE. The test costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for nonmembers. You maintain the PMP certification by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. 

SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM

Are you SAP savvy? SAP, a European multinational software program, stands for “systems, applications and products.” The software is used by companies around the world to manage business operations and customer relationships across several lines of business, including human resources, marketing, sales, manufacturing and supply chain.

The SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM recognizes a consultant’s skills in understanding and using SAP CRM software, including how it integrates with other SAP solutions like NetWeaver. SAP recommends that candidates have a combination of experience and training before sitting for the certification exam; training courses are available if needed. The test has 80 questions and costs $571. You can take the test through the SAP Certification Hub.

Salesforce Certified Administrator

If you’ve ever worked with or considered using a customer relationship management (CRM) platform, you’ve likely heard of Salesforce. From help desk and lead management to sales and customer service, Salesforce is an all-in-one CRM platform that scales with a business’s needs as it grows. The platform has become so popular since its launch in 1999 that it’s considered an industry leader and won our best pick for enterprise CRM usage.

If you’re looking to leverage the platform at an administrative level, Salesforce offers a certification program to increase your knowledge of the platform. The program requires you to take several classes and workshops before completing a proctored credential exam. The classes and test typically cost a few thousand dollars.

Salesforce suggests that anyone seeking this certification should already have a decent handle on the platform, since the certification seeks to build upon their understanding of existing features and functions. Once you complete this program, the company also offers the Advanced Administrator certification to further your knowledge of the platform.

HubSpot Inbound Marketing

HubSpot is a CRM platform that helps businesses handle their marketing, sales and help desk needs. While the platform covers various specialties, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification teaches how to use content creation, social media and other inbound marketing methods to your advantage.

This is a free certification course comprising seven lessons, complete with 34 videos and eight quizzes, that takes slightly over four hours in all.  

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle is a leading cloud database software company that helps apply the nebulous digital concept to numerous business functions. More than 2.2 million people have earned their Oracle Certified Professional credentials, and our initial research found over 2,000 job openings for the designation.

With numerous certification paths spanning the platform’s cloud-based and on-premises software and hardware solutions, Oracle offers free learning courses in a wide range of specialties. Once you’re ready for an exam, you must purchase a voucher at prices ranging from $95 to $245. These vouchers are good for six months, giving you enough time to hone your skills with the Oracle platform before committing to a test.

What else?

The American Purchasing Society is the membership organization behind the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM), Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP), Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing (CPDW), and Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC) programs.

If your career involves the creation, use, retrieval and disposal of business records, check out the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), Certified Records Analyst (CRA) and Certified Records Manager (CRM) programs.

On the global front, the Institute of Management Consultants offers the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification, and NASBITE’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) focuses on global business management and marketing, supply chain management, and trade finance.

Finally, the Business Relationship Management Institute has two certifications: the Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP) and Certified Business Relationship Manager (CBRM).

Andrew Martins contributed to the writing and research in this article.

What is course certification?

The purpose of the USATF course certification program is to produce road race courses of accurately measured distances.

For any road running performance to be accepted as a record or be nationally ranked, it must be run on a USATF-certified course. In addition, the certification program is very important to the average road racer, as well as those of exceptional speed. Most runners like to compare performances run on different courses, and such comparisons are difficult if course distances are not reliable. No one can truly establish a personal best if the course distance is not accurate.

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