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Database professionals know one way to set yourself apart from other applicants is through certifications. There are many companies hiring database professionals as the demand for database admins continues to escalate.
Database certifications show other employers that you are an expert in your field as well as display necessary soft skills, such as work ethic and career management.
Are you interested in taking your career to the next level? Since 90% of people do their research online before committing to a purchase or other decision, we have compiled a list of the 10 top database certifications to help kick off your search:
See more: Data Storage Job Market Trends
1. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate (OCA)
This certification level ensures that professionals understand the fundamental database administration concepts that are needed in order to compete in today’s emerging data market.
What skills will you learn?
For this certification you will learn the latest Oracle Database skills in depth and when to implement them. Some of these skills include preventative controls, Oracle audits, and multitenancy.
Requirements
First, you must pass at least one Oracle Database SQL exam in addition to the certification exam.
Time commitment
Preparing for the certifying exam can take anywhere from a few days to a few months.
Cost
Each exam costs $245, but the course prep material is free on Oracle University.
2. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Professional (OCP)
The Oracle Certified Associate certifications for Oracle Database 12c include the most important skills professionals need to know for daily operations and database maintenance in 2022.
What skills will you learn?
This certification builds on the skills learned in Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) certification. This includes learning how to develop and deploy backups as well as recovery and strategies for cloud databases.
Requirements
First, you must be an Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Associate. Then, applicants should consider taking either of these courses to prepare for the certification exam:
- Oracle Database 12c: Backup and Recovery Workshop
- Oracle Database 12c: Managing Multitenant Architecture
There are other courses available, but Oracle only requires two. Certification is verified after passing the exam.
Time commitment
The exam itself only takes about two hours, but the preparation varies from a few weeks to nearly six months.
Cost
$245 exam cost, and $2,400 per required course.
3. Oracle Database 12c Administrator Certified Master (OCM)
OCM is a challenging certification that is held by only the highest level database admins. These skilled and experienced database experts are among the most knowledgeable database professionals in the world.
What will you learn?
In preparation for the Oracle certified master exam, you learn how to perform complex database activities such as performance management and Clusterware.
Requirements
Applicants must have completed at least two Oracle database courses.
Time Commitment
The exam itself is a multi-day event that includes hands-on demonstrations as well as oral and written exams.
Cost
Exam: $2,500; courses: $2,400 each.
See more: Oracle Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) Review
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
Candidates for the Azure Data Fundamentals certification need knowledge of how core data concepts are implemented, while utilizing the data services from Microsoft Azure.
What will you learn?
You will learn fundamental data concepts that can be used to prepare for other role-based certifications on Azure, although it is not required.
Requirements
A basic familiarity with data concepts such as relational and non-relational data as well as data workloads.
Time Commitment
Preparing for the exam typically takes a few weeks to a few months and the exam is 90 minutes long.
Cost
Exam: $165; online preparatory courses: free.
5. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
It’s recommended that candidates for this Microsoft certification have at least six months of experience administering Azure to ensure a strong understanding of the core Azure services and governance.
What will you learn?
You will learn how to implement, manage and monitor different database functions, such as identity, storage, computing, governance, and virtual networks.
Requirements
- Knowledge of configuring and managing virtual networks
- Knowledge of deploying Azure resources
- Understand how to manage and implement data storage
Time Commitment
At least six months of hands-on experience and a 90-minute exam.
Cost
Exam: $165; online preparatory courses: free.
6. Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
This certification is made specifically for database administrators and IT professionals that have extensive experience working with SAP systems and in industrial roles.
What will you learn?
You will learn how to seamlessly migrate and maintain SAP workloads on Azure. You’ll also learn how to design and implement an infrastructure that is capable of supporting robust SAP workloads.
Requirements
- SAP certifications
- Azure Administrator Associate certification is recommended
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is recommended
Time Commitment
Preparing for the exam typically takes six to eight weeks, but this certification requires intimate knowledge of both SAP and Azure, and acquiring this knowledge can take much longer.
Cost
Exam: $165; online preparatory courses: free.
7. IBM Certified Database Administrator DB2 11.1 for Linux UNIX and Windows
This is an intermediate-level certification that was built for those that are comfortable with the DB2 technology and already possess the skills that are needed for daily operations who are ready to enhance their knowledge base.
What will you learn?
You will learn about designing, implementing, and managing a DB2 server in addition to security, utilities, and business rules implementation.
Requirements
Pass two exams:
- Exam C2090-600: IBM DB2 11.1 DBA for LUW
- Certifying exam
Time Commitment
It can take a few weeks to prepare for this exam, which is 90 minutes long.
Cost
Exam: $200. Preparatory courses cost anywhere from $1,200-2,500.
8. IBM Certified Administrator Netezza Performance Server V11.x
This is an advanced certification for experienced database administrators who have a deep understanding of the Netezza Performance Server.
What will you learn?
You will build on your knowledge of tasks related to administration, monitoring, security, implementation, and configuration.
Requirements
According to IBM, here are the requirements:
- Linux and shell scripting
- ANSI SQL
- database security
- parallel environments
- IBM Netezza Performance Server architecture
Time Commitment
The exam is 90 minutes long, but it can take years of experience to obtain the skills that are required.
Cost
Exam: $200. Preparatory courses cost anywhere from $1,200-2,500.
9. Teradata Database Administration: Vantage Advanced SQL Engines
Teradata partners and customers who have experience working with the Teradata Database can expand their technical and hardware knowledge with this certification.
What will you learn?
This course covers how to develop and implement databases, users, roles, profiles, and how to use system accounting functions.
Requirements
- Understanding of the Teradata database
- 56749 – Teradata Factory Express: Vantage Advanced SQL Engine is recommended
Time Commitment
This class takes five, 4.5-hour days to complete.
Cost
The price is $2,250 for the entire course and certification
10. MongoDB Database Administrator
Recognized by professional institutions worldwide, MongoDB certifications show employers that you have knowledge of building, supporting, and securing MongoDB infrastructure.
What will you learn?
You will learn about performance philosophies, application and server administration, and disaster monitoring.
Requirements
Only general coding knowledge is required:
- Basic database concepts
- Fundamentals of system programming
- Basic JavaScript programming
- Software development fundamentals
Time Commitment
The exam is 90 minutes, but preparation can take weeks to months.
Cost
The exam costs $150 and online courses at MongoDB University are free.
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