Professional certifications can be the key to opening up new prospects, whether you’re trying to change careers or develop in your existing one. Professionals with credentials typically make 15% more than their non-certified counterparts, per recent studies.
What is a certification?
Certifications are given by professional associations to verify that you possess the particular information or abilities required to do a job. After completing your coursework or gaining experience through an internship, residency, or work experience, you usually receive a certification.In order to become certified, one must fulfil certain requirements and typically pass an exam. Typically, the credential has a limited validity period and needs to be updated on a regular basis.
Before promoting you or giving you a rise, your employer might demand that you obtain certification.Certain professions have a higher prevalence of certifications than others. Depending on your state, potential employer, and the kind of work you want to do, you could require a certification. It differs from a licence, which is granted by a government organisation and grants the right to practise a certain profession.
Licenses, certifications, and certificates
By earning different professional qualifications, certifications, or licenses, you can broaden your educational and career opportunities. Despite their similar sounds, the names have distinct meanings and purposes.
Licenses: State governments utilise licenses to grant you the right to work in a particular profession. Typically, they need an exam along with documentation of training and work history. For instance, you are licensed by the state to practise medicine, teaching, plumbing, or electrical work.
Certifications: A certification attests to the fact that you possess the professional knowledge and training required by particular associations, businesses, or independent organisations. They serve as industry norms and could be necessary to progress in your profession. For instance, an accounting firm can mandate that its accountants hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. Certifications may need to be renewed every few years and often include both educational and exam components.
Certificates: A certificate may attest to the completion of curriculum for an educational or occupational program. They do not certify your employment in a certain industry or occupation, nor are they equivalent to academic degrees. For instance, finishing a management training course could earn you a certificate.
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10 in-demand certification type and corresponding occupations
Discover the 10 in-demand certification types that employers are seeking as well as how to obtain them. Please be aware that Indeed is not associated with any of the businesses or organisations featured in this article.
- Certifications in project management
Project management jobs are still in great demand, particularly for those with the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credentials.For those who have a strong grasp of the field but less experience managing corporate projects, the associate-level CAPM is the best option. PMP certification is only for more experienced professionals. The general procedures for obtaining these certificates are as follows:
CAPM specifications
- You must be a holder of high school diploma, associate’s degree, or its equivalent.
- Finish 1,500 hours of project-related work or Attend a 23-hour course in project management.
- Pass the Project Management Institute’s (PHI) 150-question test.
- Pay a $225 to $300 charge.
PMP specifications
For people who have completed fewer than four years of college, option one:
- Have a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, or something similar.
- have 7,500 hours of project management experience.
- Finish the 35 project management education hours.
- Get through a 200-question test.
- Pay between $405 and $555 in fees.
- Those with a four-year degree have the second option: Be a bachelor’s degree holder.
- 4,500 hours spent overseeing projects.
- Take part in a 35-hour course on project management. Get through a 200-question test.
- Pay between $405 and $555 in fees.
- Certifications in the supply chain
Possessing a globally recognised supply chain accreditation boosts your professional credibility and could lead to future pay increases.Becoming a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), or Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD) are options for career advancement.The following are the prerequisites for certification:
CPIM specifications
- Within three years, pass two tests.
- Each exam costs between $495 and $690.
- Every five years, maintain your CPIM designation.
CSCP specifications
- Have an undergraduate degree or its equivalent.
- possess a minimum of one valid certification.
- three years or more of relevant business experience.
- Pass an examination that costs $695 to $969.
CLTD specifications
- hold an undergraduate degree or its equivalent.
- possess three years of relevant work experience.
- possess a minimum of one valid certification.
- Successfully complete a $475–$625 exam.
- Every five years, keep the CTLD designation.
- Certifications in marketing
When looking for a job in the competitive field of marketing, a certification can show your expertise. Facebook, Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and numerous more companies provide certificates in social media and marketing analytics. While some can cost as much as $2,500, others are free.Although the prerequisites for each certification vary, the overall certification procedure is as follows:
- whole training course.
- Pass a test and pay the necessary amount.
- Certifications for business analysts
In order to increase productivity, profitability, and efficiency, business analysts analyse systems, services, products, and processes. To assist decision-makers in advancing their businesses, they usually leverage data and information technology (IT) resources.Although there are a number of business analyst qualifications, practitioners in this industry have tended to choose the IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC) or the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). A business analyst’s capacity to adjust and function in dynamic settings is indicated by the IIBA-AAC, a stand-alone certification. In other to achieve these certification,these process needs to be completed:
CBAP specifications
- Get at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience in the last ten years.
- Make sure that four of the six BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) Guide knowledge categories are covered in 900 of those hours.
- Earn at least 35 hours of professional development credits within the preceding four years.
- Give two references from your work life.
- Make an appointment for your CBAP exam and complete the 120 questions.
- In addition to a $125 application fee, pay $350 to $450.
- To maintain your certification current, you must obtain at least 60 continuing education credits within three years after the certification date.
IIBA-AAC specifications
- In two hours, finish an exam with 85 questions.
- Other than having two to five years of expertise with agile, there are no eligibility requirements.
- In addition to the $125 application cost, pay an exam fee ranging from $325 to $450.
- Every three years, renew your certification.
- Certifications in human resources
A certification that demonstrates to prospective employers that you have taken the effort to obtain this credential is something to think about if you work in the human resources (HR) industry. Because they have shown to be leaders, recruiters look for candidates with HR certificates. Although recruiters look for applicants with the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential, there are other forms of HR certifications as well. When seeking to advance your job prospects, take into account these designations. The prerequisites for exam eligibility by designation are as follows:
Conditions for PHR certification
- a minimum of four years of human resources experience.
- a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in human resources.
- a minimum of one year of experience as an HR professional with a master’s degree.
Qualifications for SPHR certification
- a minimum of seven years of human resources experience.
- A bachelor’s degree or more and at least five years of experience working as an HR professional.
- A master’s degree and a minimum of four years of experience working in human resources.
- Certifications in sales
Many salespeople decide to enrol in specialised programs intended to advance their careers in order to obtain further training and certifications. For example, Sandler Training, Spin Selling, and Challenger Sales are all sales strategies that call for studying and putting into practice strategies that assist salespeople in reaching their objectives.In addition to improving their ability to persuade others and broadening their understanding of sales, certificates enable individuals to maintain an advantage over their peers and build on prior experiences. The most typical prerequisites for sales certifications are as follows:
- Sign up for the courses and seminars you want.
- To become certified, you must pay the appropriate fees.
- Engage in online leuture and answer online tests.
- Certifications in accounting
The titles of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) are among the most sought-after accounting credentials.CPA-designated accountants are capable of a wide range of accounting duties, such as creating business tax returns, preparing government audits, defending customers before the IRS, bookkeeping, and financial planning. In the finance and investment industry, a certified financial advisor (CFA) is widely respected and is a good fit for people seeking senior and executive roles in asset, risk, and investment management. In addition to your typical accounting responsibilities, the CMA designation demonstrates your proficiency in corporate financial management.The prerequisites for the CPA, CFA, and CMA certifications are as follows:
Requirements for CPA certification
- You must be a holder of undergraduate degree or its equivalent.
- Pass the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ standard CPA exam by passing each of the four sections.
- Comply with the state’s requirements for work experience and education.
Requirements for CFA certification
- Possess an undergraduate degree, or a comparable degree.
- Pay a fee and enrol in the CFA program.
- Complete the CFA test by passing each of the three levels.
- Meet the prerequisites for professional work experience.
Requirements for CMA
- certification hold a valid certification or a bachelor’s degree.
- having two years or more of job experience.
- Enrol in the CMA program following your Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) membership.
- Make it through the two-part CMA exam.
- Certifications in computer networks
Obtaining a computer networking certification attests to your expertise in the subject. The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications attest to the level of experience and expertise that in-demand computer network engineers and administrators possess. To obtain computer networking certifications, you can, of course, choose from a variety of certificates provided by numerous organisations. What you must do is as follows:
Qualifications for CCIE certification
- Plan for and complete the exam’s written section.
- You will have to retake the written component of the exam if you don’t schedule and pass the lab portion within three years.
- For the written exam, pay $450, and for the lab exam, pay $1,600.
Qualifications for CCNP certification
- Be certified as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or CCIE.
- Focus on a CCNP path. Pass the test that is necessary for your CCNP path.
- A $300 exam fee must be paid.
9. Certifications in healthcare
A number of highly sought-after medical occupations allow career progression and are certificate-based. Consider a career as a paramedic, dental assistant, surgical tech, or licensed practical nurse (LPN) if you want to gain skills relevant to the sector. To become certified in one of these programs, follow these general guidelines:
- Enrol in a program for medical careers.
- fulfil all program requirements.
- Set up a meeting for the necessary test.
- Pay any exam costs that are required.
- Learn to become certified after passing the test.
- As needed, renew your certification.
- Certifications for skilled trades
A certification in their chosen field sometimes enables those working in the skilled crafts to make more money. For instance, welders, carpenters, and HVAC mechanics all begin their careers as apprentices before earning their journey-level qualification and a sizable rise upon passing an exam. Although the qualifications for each profession vary, the overall certification procedure is as follows:
- Finish an apprenticeship program run by a trade union or company that lasts three to five years.
- Obtain a degree or certification from a community college, technical school, or trade.
- Exam fees must be paid.
- Make it through a written and practical test.
- Depending on the profession, keep your licence current (in some states).
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know which certification is right for me?
Research your industry, speak to mentors, and identify certifications that align with your career goals and skills.
2. Are certifications worth the cost?
Yes, certifications often lead to higher salaries, better job opportunities, and career advancement. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis specific to your field.
3. How long does it take to earn a certification?
The timeline varies depending on the certification. Some can be earned in weeks, while others may take months or even years.
4. Do certifications expire?
Many certifications require periodic renewal, typically every 2–5 years, through exams, continuing education, or professional experience.
5. Can I earn certifications online?
Absolutely! Many certifications offer online training, exams, and resources, making it convenient to learn and prepare remotely.
Conclusion
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, there’s probably a certification that’s right for you. Take the time to research, plan, and invest in the certifications that will help you reach your full potential.
Call to Action:
Investing in professional certifications is one way to safeguard your future in a competitive job environment. Take the first step now and investigate the chances that are awaiting you, whether you’re working towards your first certification or adding another to your portfolio.
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