If anyone wants a list of Database related certifications, I created a list.
A couple of things first….
In my list below I have tried to list the certification that is most relevant to a Database Developer, Data Engineer or a Database Administrator role. Most vendor certifications are now role based focused (rather than being strictly SQL based) and centered around the vendor’s cloud-based product features. I’ve also included a few vendor neutral certifications and a few from educational websites (that may not fit the strict definition of a certification) in my list as well.
Feel free to add any comments or list any certifications or vendors I may have missed.
I also want to highlight that certifications and statements of accomplishments are two different things.
Certifications are acquired through testing agencies such as PersonVue or Kryterion, where you are administered a proctored exam with strict identity verification and exam rules. Upon successful completion you receive a digital badge as a method for validating your credential. Credly is the biggest issuer for creating, issuing, and managing digital credentials. Historically you would go to an authorized testing center to take the exam, but with COVID these exams are now online, and the proctoring takes place via webcam.
Statements of accomplishments do not have such strict guidelines and are issued after completing a course (such as completing an Udemy or Datacamp class). Most of these are auto filled forms that you can easily print and look great taped to your refrigerator. I often see educational websites marketing certifications, but these do not fix the strict rules of a certification. I have listed a few of these (from W3 Schools and Datacamp) as well as you may find them beneficial.
On to the list…
Microsoft has unfortunately sunsetted its SQL Developer focused certifications (70-761 and 70-762) and is focusing on role-based cloud certifications.
- DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
- Exam DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure
- Exam DP-300: Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions
Amazon offers the following database certification.
And let’s not forget about Google and their cloud platform.
Oracle has numerous certifications ranging from high availability to administration to development. Here are a couple that I recommend. The 1Z0-149 is absurdly difficult, btw.
- Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification (1Z0-071)
- Oracle Database PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (1Z0-149)
Oracle also offers MySQL certifications as it purchased Sun Microsystems in 2010.
MySQL is free and open-source software under the terms of the GNU General Public License, and is also available under a variety of proprietary licenses. MySQL was owned and sponsored by the Swedish company MySQL AB, which was bought by Sun Microsystems (now Oracle Corporation).
MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that was initially developed as a fork of MySQL by the original developers of MySQL. It was created in response to concerns over Oracle’s acquisition of MySQL in 2010 and its potential impact on the open-source nature of the MySQL project.
MariaDB offers a database administrator exam, but not a developer exam.
PostgreSQL is a free and open-source relational database management system emphasizing extensibility and SQL compliance. Because it is open-source, there are no vendor certifications, but there is a company called EDB that offers solutions, training, and certifications for PostgreSQL. Their certifications appear to be focused on the DBA side.
DB2 is a set of relational database products offered by IBM that traces its root all the way back to the 1970s. Currently IBM appears to be withdrawing many of its DB2 certifications and issuing new certification exams. The following appears to be the only DB2 exam currently offered, which is more DBA focused.
Databricks offers an associate and professional level data engineering certifications. These are great resources for understanding the product features.
Snowflake is a fully managed multi-cluster shared data architecture platform that capitalizes on the resources of the cloud. The SnowPro Core certification highlights the product features the best.
Teradata (formed in 1979) provides cloud database and analytics-related software, products, and services.
MongoDB is a source-available cross-platform document-oriented database program. Classified as a NoSQL database program, MongoDB uses JSON-like documents with optional schemas. MongoDB is developed by MongoDB Inc. and licensed under the Server Side Public License which is deemed non-free by several distributions.
It appears MongoDB offers certifications tailored to various languages like C#, Java, Python and Node.js.
SAP HANA (High-performance ANalytic Appliance) is a multi-model database that stores data in its memory instead of keeping it on a disk. There are a number of HANA certifications that you can choose from. The following appears to be the most SQL focused.
Below are a few vendor neutral certifications that you may be interest in.
CIW Database Design Specialist
CIW has vendor neutral IT certifications focusing on web professionals, but it does offer a Database Design Specialist certification. This certification focuses on concepts such as the relational model, relational algebra, design, modeling, and the SQL language. The study guide for the exam is a great encapsulation of many database concepts that we should all know.
The Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) is a non-profit (501(c)(6)) institution for professional certification in the Computer engineering and Information technology industry. It was founded in 1973 by 8 professional computer societies to promote certification and professionalism in the industry, lower the cost of development and administration of certification for all of the societies and act as the central resource for job standards and performance criteria.
Here are a couple of their certifications that may be of intetest
Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) is a globally recognized Data Management Certification program run by DAMA International.
This exam is centered around DMBOK and is geared more towards Data Management and Data Governance.
Below are a few educational websites that advertise certifications, but these (most probably) do not meet the stricter guidelines of the above certifications. Regardless, they may be a good option for students beginning their learning path.
W3Schools is a freemium educational website for learning coding online. Initially released in 1998, it derives its name from the World Wide Web but is not affiliated with the W3 Consortium. W3Schools offers courses covering all aspects of web development.
DataCamp is an online learning platform that helps students build data skills at their own pace.
You have reached the end! Happy coding!