Top 10 IT Certifications for Java Developers in 2023

Hello guys, constant learning is part and parcel of being a programmer, and IT certification has a very important role in your career as an IT professional. There are many tangible and intangible benefits of certifications, first, they encourage you to learn more and become an expert in your fields, and second they provide recognition for your skill and knowledge. If you are a Java developer and wondering which IT certification you can do to take your career to the next level then you have come to the right place. In this article, I am going to share the best IT certifications for Java developers which include different areas like Java, Spring, Cloud, Linux, Project management, and others. You can choose the certification which aligns with your career goal.

For example, if you want to become a senior Java developer then you should aim for Java SE certifications and Spring professional certifications and if you want to go towards Cloud Computing then you should aim for AWS and Cloud certifications, and if you want to become a project manager then you can for PMP certifications.

Many programmers make a goal to learn a new programming language, a new framework, a new library, a new tool, or to get some certifications under the belt to make themselves more valuable. I have shared some of them in the updated The 2023 Java Developer RoadMap, just in case if you need some inspiration.

Coming back to this article, Recently, I received an email from one of my readers who is asking about which Java certification should he do this year? I asked him back, which Java certifications he has done and how much experience he has in the Java field?

His answer was that he hasn't done any certification yet and working in Java for 2 years now. Like many of us, He was also working as a Java Web Developer using standard web stack like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React on the front end and Spring Boot, Hibernate, and Java on the backend.

Since he hasn't done any certification so far, I suggested him to first start with the OCAJP, Oracle Certified Java Programmer Associate, and then go for other Java certification in the hierarchy.

That email also encourages me to write about which certifications Java developers can take in 2023. Well, the answer depends upon your experience, what you are working on, what is your goals, and what other Java certifications you have done so far.

Top 10 Certifications for Java Programmers

Without further ado, here is my list of top 10 certifications Java developers can take in 2023. The list includes mandatory Java certifications like OCAJP and OCPJP but also certifications on Java related technologies like Spring, Scala, Apache Spark, Docker, Kubernetes, and other essential skills expected from experienced Java programmers like Agile, Scrum, Project Management, and Architect level exams.

Top 10 IT Certifications for Java Developers in 2020

The certifications are listed in no particular order, but I recommend Java developers to first pass OCAJP and OCPJP and only then move to other certifications, but that's not a requirement like if you think you are good at Spring, you can go to straight Spring certification, but it looks better in your resume if you have a core Java certification.

1. Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer - OCAJP

This is the first certification Java developer should take, also known as OCAJP or just OCA. It's the first of the two exams, you need to take to become an Oracle certified Java professional.

If you working towards OCAJP 11 this year, I suggest you first take a look at the official exam guide. This will help you to master the foundations of Java and the topics of the Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 11 Programmer Exam (1Z0-819.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

2. Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer - OCPJP

This certification is focused on core Java, and you can take this to distinguish yourself from several other Java professionals who are not certified. If you are aiming for OCAJP and OCAPJP this year,

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

3. Spring Professional Certification

The Spring Professional certification exam is designed to test and validate your understanding of and familiarity with the Spring Framework. If you are a Java Web developer working on Spring technology, then you can take this certification to distinguish yourself as an experienced and capable Spring professional in the Java web development space.

If you decide to give Spring certification in 2023, then Java Spring Framework 4 and Spring Certification course from Udemy is the right place to start with. You can get this course for just $10.99 currently on Udemy's flash sales, which happens every now and then.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

If you need more help, you can also see my blog post about how to crack Spring v5.0 certification in 2023.

4. Oracle Certified Expert - Web Component Developer - OCEWCD

The Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer (OCPEWCD 6) is for Java Web developers specializing in the application of Java Server Pages and Servlet Technologies like Servlet 3.0 to develop Web services and dynamic Web content.

You can for this certification once you become a certified Java developer, I mean, after you passed both OCAJP and OCPJP. You can also take this certification along with Spring because Spring MVC internally rely on Servlet, JSP, and JSF. If you want to start learning Java web technology, like JSF, then Java Server Faces for Beginners is a good course, to begin with.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

5. Apache Spark Developer Certification - HDPCD

Hortonworks University has announced a new hands-on, performance-based certification for Apache Spark on the Hortonworks Data Platform.

This Spark certification exam is designed for developers responsible for developing Spark Core and Spark SQL applications in Scala or Python. Java developers who know Scala can take this exam to distinguish themselves as experienced and capable professionals in the big data workplace.

It's perfect for Java developers who are looking to jump into the Big Data world and want to become Data Scientist in 2023. If you decide to go for this certification, then Apache Spark and Scala Certification Training is an excellent place to start with.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

6. Professional Scrum Master Certification - PSM I

The Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification is universally accepted as one of the most popular Agile certifications that makes you the expertise of Scrum and its application.

It's the right certification for experienced Java professionals who want to become Scrum Master as demands of Scrum masters are going fast, and it's quickly replacing many project management jobs.

Much large organization and Investment banks are now looking for Scrum Masters, who is also a strong Java developer.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

7. Project Management Professional Certification - PMP

The Project Management Professional (PMP) is one of the most reputed, globally recognized professional management courses offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

This course is based on PMBOK Guide Fifth Edition and focuses on 5 processes and 47 knowledge areas, thus enables you to meet the latest business requirements.

If you are an experienced Java developer who wants to move on to the project management space, then this is the right certification for you.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

8. Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions Certification

As an application developer, the most critical challenge for us to keep yourself up-to-date, but at the same time, it's not possible for all of us to be up-to-date on every piece of new technology out there, but cloud computing is not one of them.

Cloud-hosting has changed the way all applications are developed from websites to web applications, to mobile apps, and traditional backend applications as well.

The rapid adoption of the cloud has touched everything, and that's why I also recommend Java developers to learn about cloud technologies like Amazon Web Service (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Microsoft Azure.

Here are some useful links to learn more about this certification:

This certification will give you the necessary foundation you need to develop for clouds, particularly Microsoft Azure. If you decide to go for this certification, the AZ-203 Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions Certification course by Scott Duffy on Udemy is also a good starting point.

9. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam is intended for individuals with experience designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. If you are an experienced Java developer and looking to become a solution architect or software architect, then knowledge of the cloud-based application is a must for you.

Here are some useful resources to learn more and prepare for this certification

This certification will help you to master the art of designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS. If you decide to go for this certification in 2023, then I suggest you check the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate 2023 course by ACloudGuru on Udemy to prepare well.

10. Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect - OCMJEA

And finally, the mother of all Java certifications, the OCMJEA exam. This certification is for enterprise Java architects who are responsible for architecting and designing Java EE compliant applications with an emphasis on making the best use of Java EE features to create flexible, scalable, and secure applications.

Here are some useful resources to learn more and prepare for this certification

If you are a senior Java developer and want to become a software architect or solution architect in your career, this certification can help you to get there.

That's all about some of the best certifications for Java developers. You can aim for these certifications in 2023 to give your career a new boost and find a better job if you are looking for a change. They will not only make you a valuable candidate on a resume but also improve your knowledge and understanding of Java and Spring, the two most essential technologies for Java developers. If you decide to go for any certification, here are some of the useful resources for you

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Thanks for reading this article so far. If you find these certifications useful and valuables, then please share them with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note, and if you passed any of these certifications, you could also share your experience with us.

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