• Computer programming certifications demonstrate that someone is competent in a specific language, platform or development style. 
• Programming certifications today are as much about development platforms and environments as specific languages. 
• Valuable certifications are tied to well-known companies’ products, such as Microsoft’s Azure, and specific, ubiquitous programming languages like C/C++.
• This article is for IT professionals interested in pursuing programming certifications to further their careers. 

There’s no denying that software runs the world, and underpinning all excellent software is (hopefully) well-written code. Programming skills are considered among the most in-demand career skills in today’s IT environment, so it makes sense to hone and sharpen your programming expertise. 

We’ll examine five worthwhile programming certifications for IT professionals to pursue to enhance their professional development and brighten their job prospects. 

Did you know?: When hiring for a new business, owners and managers tend to outsource programming needs, making programming a valuable freelance skill.

Top 5 programming certifications to pursue

Today’s computer programming certifications are as much about development platforms and environments as specific programming languages. The best programming certifications include an interesting mix of language-focused or language-specific credentials – like C/C++ certifications – and platform-oriented credentials like Microsoft’s Azure Developer Associate certification. 

Here are our top five programming certifications to consider:

1. C and C++ certifications

The programming languages C and C++ have been around for years, making their debut in the 1960s to 1970s (C) and the 1980s to 1990s (C++). Although nearly every college and university in the U.S. offers a C/C++ programming course, the C++ Institute and Pearson VUE decided to carve a niche in this part of the certification landscape by offering the world’s first international C/C++ certifications.

Candidates can choose the C or C++ path and move up the certification ladder from associate to professional to senior. 

• CLE: C Certified Entry-Level Programmer
• CLA: C Programming Language Certified Associate
• CLP:  C Certified Professional Programmer
• CPE: C++ Certified Entry-Level Programmer
• CPA: C++ Certified Associate Programmer
• CPP: C++ Certified Professional Programmer

C++ Institute certifications are good for life because these languages haven’t changed much over the years. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a high demand for such skills. And a C/C++ certification is a perfect stepping stone to many platform- and vendor-specific certs.

C/C++ certification facts and figures

Did you know?: Knowledge of C++ is also helpful when becoming a mobile app developer because it helps provide a framework for working as a software developer in general.

2. Chef-certified badges

As the combination of software development and IT operations (DevOps) becomes the norm to shorten software development timeframes and increase build quality, there’s a strong demand for Chef-certified professionals. Chef currently offers a wide and varied range of learning paths to help educate users about the various technologies underpinning Chef. These broad offerings allow professionals to match skills to emerging technologies and problems.

Currently, Chef offers a Chef Principles Certification Exam to demonstrate knowledge of Chef OSS tools, solutions and products. The exam also aims to provide a wider measuring stick for general DevOps practices. This certification is good for two years. 

Chef facts and figures

3. CSSLP: Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional

Like other (ISC)2 certifications, the CSSLP is a vendor-neutral credential relevant to many programming and development projects. Aimed at software developers, engineers, enterprise IT architects, QA and penetration testers, security specialists, and others, the CSSLP recognizes competency in securing applications throughout the software development lifecycle.

The exam covers all phases of the software development lifecycle, including:

• Secure software concepts
• Requirements
• Design
• Implementation 
• Coding
• Testing 

Candidates should also be up to speed on the eight CSSLP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains, which include:

• Software concepts
• Requirements
• Design
• Implementation/programming
• Testing
• Lifecycle management
• Deployment
• Operations and maintenance, along with supply chain and software acquisition

CSSLP facts and figures

Tip: If the CSSLP isn’t for you, check out our guide on the best InfoSec and cybersecurity certifications of 2023 to help you get ahead in the IT industry.

4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate

Microsoft certifications have seen a accurate shift. Before Microsoft retired its Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certificate in January 2021, it was Microsoft’s prevailing certification for programmers and application developers. With a broad emphasis, MCSD focused on application developers and validated a candidate’s knowledge and the technical skills necessary to build web services, web applications and mobile apps. 

However, Microsoft revamped its certification process and learning paths to focus on employee roles. Following this shift, Microsoft recommended that any MCSD aspirants pursue its Azure Developer Associate certification. This certification is designed for cloud developers who participate in – or are interested in learning more about – cloud development, deployment and maintenance. 

This certification assumes candidates have one to two years of professional experience and familiarity with the Azure command line, an Azure-supported language and Azure PowerShell. 

Did you know?: If you’re interested in cloud certifications, consider exploring Google Cloud certifications to enhance your knowledge of cloud security, storage, engineering and more.

Azure Developer Associate facts and figures

5. PCP: Puppet Professional Certification

The Puppet Certified Professional (PCP) first appeared in this roundup in 2017. Founded in 2005 by Luke Kanies, Puppet is best known for its configuration management tool (offered in both open-source and commercial formats) and its automation software. Since its inception, Puppet has grown considerably. Its reach now extends to offices in the U.S. (Portland, Oregon) and the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and the Czech Republic. According to Puppet, more than 40,000 companies worldwide use the Puppet tool and software.

The PCP validates a candidate’s technical knowledge and expertise in administering systems using Puppet. While there are no formal requirements to earn the PCP, successful candidates should understand Puppet documentation and best practices, working with data (developing modules, external sources and data separation), and maintaining OS components.

Candidates should also have hands-on experience using Puppet. The company highly recommends that candidates take the Foundation and Practitioner training courses (or possess equivalent skills) before attempting the exam. The cert does not expire, but exams are updated to match the current version of Puppet software. 

Puppet Professional facts and figures

Beyond the top 5: More programming certifications

Many other certification programs can help further the careers and professional development of IT professionals who work as programmers. Here are a few certs and resources to consider:

• Adobe Experience Cloud certification: The Adobe Experience Cloud certification didn’t make the leaderboard, but it’s still a credential worth pursuing. 
• Vendor-neutral certifications: It also makes sense to investigate the plethora of vendor-neutral certification programs available for those who work with specific programming languages or development platforms, particularly those that are open source. For example, consider the Zend Framework and Zend PHP, Ruby on Rails, and the Ruby Association’s Certified Ruby Programmer
• Programmer training organizations: You can also find offerings from providers like ExpertRating. These and similar organizations offer programmer training and testing on dozens to hundreds of topics, including mobile applications development, Android and iOS, and web programming. 
• Vendor-specific certification programs: Additionally, a careful examination of vendor-specific certification programs with broad developer footprints – such as BMC, IBM, SAS, Oracle (Java programming, OCA, OCP, OCM, OCE and more), Teradata, and Amazon’s AWS – can also open doors for developers and provide ongoing job or contract opportunities. 

Tip: Consider vendor-specific certification programs like SAS certifications and Oracle certifications, and take advantage of free AWS online training resources.

Choosing the right certification

Pursuing the best IT certifications, including programming certs, is an excellent career advancement asset that validates your skills and knowledge.  

Those interested in programming certifications have no shortage of choices, so choose carefully and wisely. IT professionals should carefully determine the technologies used in their work environments and consider the roles they may want to pursue in the future.  

While certifications can be highly beneficial in demonstrating your current state of knowledge, they are also helpful aspirational tools if you are interested in making a career shift. 

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

One of the most potentially lucrative fields in the realm of human resources is that of corporate trainer or training specialist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, corporate training and development specialists earn a median wage of $59,000 while training and development managers can expect median earnings of more than $100,000 with the top tier earning almost $185,000. Depending on the job role, corporate training-related positions are expected to grow between 10 and 11 percent between 2016 and 2026, which is higher than the national average.

Corporate trainers assess organizational learning and training requirements, create training materials and solutions designed to fulfill those needs, and then deliver the training. In addition, corporate trainers evaluate training effectiveness and may perform administrative tasks, including class scheduling and enrollment management, along with monitoring the costs of training. At the managerial level, corporate trainers ensure training programs align with organizational goals, review training and related materials, select the delivery format, and conduct train-the-trainer sessions. Managerial trainers frequently oversee a staff of corporate trainers and may have advanced administrative duties.

Professionals working in corporate training and development environments need a variety of skills ranging from instructional design to change management to organizational leadership. Excellent communication and presentation skills are a plus along with related soft skills and a knowledge of HR environments.

Top 5 certifications, by the numbers

In researching training and development certifications, we found that most employers look for a combination of human resource (HR) and training-based certifications. The following table lists the top five certifications most commonly requested by employers for training and development job roles. The numbers are a snapshot in time and reflect the number of open positions found on the specific day the job search was conducted.

Job Site Search Results

ATD:  Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

The ATD Certification Institute (ATD CI) is the credentialing arm of the Association for Talent Development (ATD). Its premier talent development and training credential is the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP). The CPLP validates a candidate’s skill across six foundational competencies (personal, interpersonal and business skills, technology literacy, global mindsets and industry knowledge) along with 10 additional areas of expertise, or AOEs. AOEs include knowledge management, managing learning programs, learning impact evaluation, learning technologies, training delivery, instructional design, performance improvement, change management, coaching and integrated talent management.

To earn the CPLP, candidates must pass both a knowledge-based and skills exam. exam fees are $900 for members and $1,250 for nonmembers (fee includes both exams). In addition, candidates must possess either five years of full-time experience working in talent development or four-years’ talent development experience plus an additional year of college in a talent development related field or four years’ experience plus completion of an ATD Master Series program.

HRCI:  Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

The most requested certification in the job board numbers was the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). PHR professionals are implementers. It’s the PHR team member who understands the logistics involved to turn plans into reality and implement organization programs (or training) and solutions. PHR responsibilities may be localized to a departmental level rather than the entire corporate organization.

To earn the credential, candidates must pass a single exam plus meet one of the following education and experience requirements:

• A high school diploma plus four years of professional HR experience
• A bachelor’s degree plus two years of professional HR experience; or
• A Master’s degree plus one year of professional HR experience.

The exam fee is $395 with an additional $100 application fee. Some 60 recertification credits are required during a three-year period to maintain the credential.

HRCI:  Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Coming in at the number two slot is HRCI’s Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The SPHR targets senior practitioners who are well versed in all facets of HR. SPHR credential holders are typically engaged in planning, designing, and creating policies, goals, and programs at the organizational level.

To earn the SPHR, candidates must pass a single exam plus meet the prerequisite education and experience requirements. The exam fee is $495, and there’s an additional $100 application fee. To fulfill the prerequisite requirements, candidates must possess a:

• Master’s degree plus four years of HR experience; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of HR experience; or
• High school diploma plus seven years of HR experience

As with the PHR, 60 recertification credits are required during a three-year period to maintain certification.

SHRM:  Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a global leader in HR competencies. It currently offers two credentials: the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), which is geared to entry-level professionals, and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), which targets senior practitioners. Both credentials are well recognized by employers and made the top five list. SHRM validates skills against eight competencies in three target areas:

• Leadership – including ethical practices and leadership and navigation
• Interpersonal – targeting communication skills, managing relationships and effectiveness in working with global cultures
• Business – targeting critical evaluations, business acumen and consultative skills

To earn the SHRM-CP credential, candidates must pass a single exam plus meet the prerequisite experience requirements. The exam fee is $300 for SHSRM members and $400 for nonmembers. This includes a $50 non-refundable application fee. Experience requirements are tied to three factors:  the amount of education a candidate possesses, the amount of direct HR-related experience possessed and if the degree was in an HR-related field.

• No degree: Candidates who do not possess either a bachelor’s or Master’s degree but who have been a part of an HR-related program need three years’ experience in an HR role. Candidates who have not studied in an HR program must possess four years’ HR experience.
• Bachelor’s degree: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an HR-related field need one year of HR experience, but those with non-HR degrees must have a minimum of two years in an HR-related role.
• Master’s degree or higher: Candidates with a graduate level degree in an HR-related field are only required to be currently employed in an HR-role to gain the credential while those who possess graduate degrees in non-HR fields must possess at least one-year of HR experience.

Sixty professional development units (PDUs) during a three-year cycle are required to maintain the credential.

SHRM: Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

Also making an appearance in the top five list is SHRM’s Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). This credential targets senior-level HR professionals who exemplify leadership and can influence and implement organization goals.

As with the SHRM-CP credential, the SHRM-SCP requires candidates to pass a single exam and possess the required prerequisite education and skills. exam fees are $300 for members and $400 for nonmembers. Because this is a senior-level credential, the experience requirements are more stringent than are required for the SHRM-SCP.

• No degree:  Six years of experience is required if the candidate has participated in an HR-related program while seven years of experience is required for those who have not been involved in an HR-related program.
• Bachelor’s degree: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in an HR-related field take four years of experience while those with a non-HR related degree need five years.
• Master’s degree: Candidates who possess a graduate degree in an HR-related field need a minimum of three years’ experience in an HR role while those with a graduate degree in another field must possess at least four years’ experience.

As with the SHRM-CP, 60 PDUs are required every three years to maintain credential currency.

What Else?

While they didn’t make the top five list, we found other interesting related certifications. The International Society for Performance Improvement’s (ISPI) offers the Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) for professionals interested specifically in performance improvement. For professionals who don’t meet the requirements for the CPLP, ATD offers an Associate Professional Talent Development (APTD) credential along with a Master Trainer Program credential that allows professional to focus on a particular area of interest.

Several universities offer professional development courses in executive coaching and corporate training. Some of the examples we found included an Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies and leadership coaching courses from the Harvard University Extension School of Professional Development. Dale Carnegie Training also offers a Corporate Training Certificate program.

ISA certification and certificate programs offer a standards-based learning approach to critical Topics within the automation industry. Certificate programs increase professional recognition and validate specific knowledge areas such as safety and cybersecurity, while certification programs provide an objective, third-party assessment and confirmation of your skills and experience.

Benefits for Individuals

• Documents education, knowledge, and experience
• Provides an objective, third-party assessment of skill level
• Provides a tangible way to validate industry experience
• Increases preparation for additional job responsibilities

Benefits for Employers

• Recognizes automation professionals with the appropriate credentials and helps accelerate workforce development
• Provides hiring and promoting qualifications for managers
• Promotes safety and efficiency
• Improves productivity and increases ROI by impacting mission-critical decisions

Certification Programs

ISA offers the following certification programs. When you earn ISA certification, you will receive a digital badge and can be listed in the ISA credential directory, which is accessable to anyone via our member community platform, ISA Connect.

Earning an ISA certification demonstrates your mastery of working with a standardized body of automation knowledge. By verifying your expertise with ISA—the global leader in automation education and training—you can showcase your automation proficiency to employers and stand out among your peers. These programs leverage the Automation Competency Model, which outlines the core skills needed to excel in today's automation environments.

Certificate Programs

ISA certificate programs are designed to increase knowledge and skills across a broad range of Topics including cybersecurity, safety instrumented systems, automation project management, and many others. We offer certificate programs based on industry-developed job performance criteria and IEC adopted standards.

Support of the Control Systems Engineer (CSE) License Program

ISA supports the Control Systems Engineer (CSE) License, a specialized Professional Engineering (PE) license recognized in the United States for engineers working in automation and control. ISA offers training courses and review materials to help engineers prepare for state boards' exams held each October. Learn about the CSE Licensure Preparation Program.

Product Certification and Conformance

For over 75 years, ISA has been developing international standards for the industrial automation and control systems industry. Currently, ISA runs two conformity programs based on third-party conformity assessment and/or certification.

Together, these programs establish that a product meets expectations regarding safety, security, performance, and other essential criteria. For more information or questions about product certification and conformance programs, please contact Andre Ristaino.

Blockchain courses and certifications can play an important role in helping individuals gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology and its applications. By completing these courses, individuals can develop technical skills, stay current with industry developments, enhance their career opportunities and increase their earning potential.

Here are seven blockchain courses and certifications for beginners.

INE’s Blockchain Security

INE’s Blockchain Security course is an online course offered by Internetwork Expert (INE) that provides a comprehensive overview of the security aspects of blockchain technology. The course covers various Topics such as consensus algorithms, cryptography, network security, smart contract security, and blockchain attacks and defenses.

Related: What is a smart contract security audit? A beginner’s guide

This course is available as a monthly or annual subscription. The course is suitable for security professionals, developers and anyone interested in learning about blockchain security and how to secure blockchain solutions. There are seven modules in the course, as follows:

• Blockchain security fundamental
• Blockchain security advanced concepts
• Blockchain risk management
• Blockchain audits
• Vulnerabilities and vulnerability remediation
• Blockchain platform security considerations
• Course review

Throughout the course, students will be exposed to hands-on projects, case studies and real-world examples that help reinforce the concepts covered in each section. The course is modular, allowing students to learn at their own pace and revisit Topics as needed.

Certified Enterprise Blockchain Professional (CEBP)™

Certified Enterprise Blockchain Professional (CEBP)™ is a professional certification program offered by 101 Blockchains, an industry-leading provider of training and research in the area of enterprise blockchain. The course is organized week by week into the following Topics and can be completed in four weeks:

• Blockchain technology fundamentals
• Enterprise blockchain platforms
• Blockchain in trade finance
• Blockchain applications and use cases

The CEBP™ certification is intended for professionals involved in the development, implementation and management of blockchain solutions in their organization. It demonstrates the individual’s expertise in the field of blockchain and can enhance their career opportunities and marketability. The overall cost of the certification course is $399.

To earn the CEBP™ certification, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam (20 multiple-choice questions) that covers Topics such as blockchain architecture, cryptography, consensus algorithms and smart contracts, among others. The exam is designed to test the individual’s knowledge of the concepts and their ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Certified NFT Professional (CNFTP)™

The Certified NFT Professional (CNFTP)™ is a certification program offered by 101 Blockchains that focuses on the concept of nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and provides a comprehensive understanding of the technology and its applications.

The program likely covers a range of modules related to NFTs, including:

• Blockchain fundamentals
• Token fundamentals
• NFT fundamentals
• NFT use cases
• NFT benefits
• NFT challenges and risks
• How to get started with NFTs
• How to create your first NFT collection
• Trading NFTs

This certification course is valid for a lifetime at the price of $179. By completing the Certified NFT Professional (CNFTP)™ certification program, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in nonfungible tokens and their potential applications, making them more competitive in the job market. The certification can also help individuals stay up to date with the latest developments and trends in the NFT space.

Certified Blockchain Expert (CBE)

Certified Blockchain Expert is a professional certification offered by the Blockchain Council. It is designed to verify the skills and knowledge of individuals in the field of blockchain technology. The course features various modules, including:

• Introduction to course
• Origin of blockchain technology
• Introduction to blockchain
• Tokenize everything
• Blockchain ecosystem
• Blockchain mining
• Transactions UTXO vs. account model
• Security and privacy
• Other consensus mechanisms in blockchain
• Blockchain solutions - steps and measures
• Use-cases of blockchain
• Other use-cases of blockchain

This self-paced course is available for $179. To earn the CBE certification, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam (conducted for a total of 100 marks) with 60 or more marks. The exam covers Topics such as blockchain architecture, cryptography, consensus algorithms, smart contracts and other related topics. The exam is designed to test the individual’s understanding of the concepts and their ability to apply that knowledge in practical scenarios.

Blockchain Specialization

The Blockchain Specialization is a series of courses offered by Coursera in partnership with the University of Buffalo and the State University of New York. The specialization covers the fundamental concepts and technologies behind blockchain and how they are used to build secure, decentralized applications.

There are four courses in this specialization, namely:

• Blockchain basics
• Smart contracts
• Decentralized applications (Dapps)
• Blockchain platforms

Each course includes a mix of video lectures, quizzes and hands-on projects to help learners apply their knowledge and develop practical skills. The Blockchain Specialization is intended for professionals and students interested in learning about blockchain technology and its applications. Completing this specialization can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in the field of blockchain technology and enhance their career opportunities.

Blockchain A-Z™: Learn How To Build Your First Blockchain

Blockchain A-Z™: Learn How To Build Your First Blockchain is a course offered by Udemy that teaches the basics of blockchain technology and how to build a blockchain from scratch. The course is designed for individuals who are new to blockchain and want to learn how it works and how to create a blockchain solution. The course costs $74, includes 14.5 hours of on-demand video and includes modules like:

• How to build a blockchain
• How to create a cryptocurrency
• How to create a smart contract

Related: A step-by-step beginner’s guide to creating your first cryptocurrency token

The course includes video lectures, quizzes and hands-on projects to help learners apply their knowledge and develop practical skills. By completing this course, individuals can gain the knowledge and abilities necessary to work in the field of blockchain technology and Excellerate their employment options.

Blockchain – Principles and Practices

Blockchain – Principles and Practices by Pluralsight is an online course that provides an introduction to the concepts and practices of blockchain technology. The course covers the basics of blockchain, including its history, architecture, consensus algorithms and security.

It also explores various use cases for blockchain in various industries, such as finance, supply chain and healthcare. To access this course, users must have a Pluralsight membership, which is about $29 per month or $299 per year. Free access to this course is also available with a 10-day free trial. The table of contents of this course is organized as follows:

• Course overview
• Introduction
• Understanding the cryptographic principles used with the blockchain
• Storing transactions in blocks
• Applying proof of work
• Maintaining consensus
• Course summary

The course is designed for those new to blockchain technology, but it may also be helpful for those who want to deepen their knowledge and expertise in this field. Individuals can learn the underlying principles of blockchain and how the technology can be applied to real-world scenarios by completing this course.