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Level Up Your Skills: Discover the Top 5 Java Certifications for Developers
We all know that staying on top of our game is essential as developers, and IT certifications can be a powerful tool to help us achieve that. Not only do they push us to learn more and become true experts in our field, but they also serve as a validation of our skills and knowledge.
If you’re looking to level up your career, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog post, we’ll be sharing our top picks for the best Java certifications out there. These certifications cover a wide range of topics, such as Java, Spring, Cloud, Linux, Project Management and more. Whether you’re looking to specialize in a specific area or just want to broaden your skills, there’s something for everyone.
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Importance of Java Certification
Java certifications are valuable credentials that demonstrate an individual’s expertise and proficiency in Java programming. They offer several benefits such as enhancing one’s resume, increasing career opportunities, and improving job performance.
Java certifications help employers to identify competent individuals who possess the skills and knowledge needed for job roles related to Java programming.
These certifications validate an individual’s understanding of Java programming concepts, frameworks, and tools, which are essential for developing high-quality and scalable Java applications.
Furthermore, Java certifications help individuals stay up-to-date with the latest Java technologies and trends, ensuring they have the necessary skills to remain competitive in the job market.
Top 5 Java Certifications for Developers
1. Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP)
Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP) is designed for entry-level Java developers. It provides a solid foundation in the basics of Java programming language and can be used as a stepping stone to more advanced certifications.
This certification covers the fundamental concepts of Java programming, including syntax, data types, flow control, and basic object-oriented programming principles. It also includes a section on working with Java SE 8 and Java SE 11.
The exam is offered in multiple languages and costs $245 USD. The OCAJP certification is valid for 3 years, after which you will need to recertify to maintain your credential.
This certification has two subcategories:
OCAJP8 covers topics such as arrays, exceptions, basic Java, loops, operators, inheritance, and more.
OCAJP11 includes topics like encapsulation, methods, simple Java programs, objects and classes, exceptions, the Java development environment, interfaces, inheritance, modules, operators, and arrays.
Both exams cover Java basics, but OCAJP11 also covers new features introduced in Java 11.
Also read: 15 Common Mistakes Freelance Developers Make And How To Avoid Them
2. Oracle Certified Expert - Web Component Developer (OCEWCD)
OCEWCD is designed for experienced Java developers who want to demonstrate their knowledge of building web applications using Java Server Faces (JSF) and other web technologies.
- This certification covers the following topics:
- Building web applications using JSF, JSP, and other web technologies
- Creating and customizing JSF components
- Implementing navigation and event handling
- Creating and using managed beans
- Implementing validation and error handling
- Working with databases and web services
By earning the OCEWCD certification, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in building web applications using Java, which is a valuable asset for any developer working on web development projects. It can help you to secure a job as a web developer or to move up in your current role.
The exam is offered in multiple languages and costs $245 USD. The OCEWCD certification is valid for 3 years, after which you will need to recertify to maintain your credential.
3. Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA)
Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA) is a highly advanced and prestigious certification for experienced Java developers who want to demonstrate their expertise in designing and developing enterprise-level Java applications.
This certification is intended for experienced Java developers who have a deep understanding of the Java language and platform, as well as experience in designing and developing large-scale Java applications.
- The OCMJEA certification covers the following topics:
- Designing and developing enterprise-level Java applications
- Implementing best practices for secure coding, performance tuning, and scalability
- Understanding and applying design patterns
- Using advanced features of the Java platform
- Understanding and applying the Java EE architecture
The certification is earned by passing a series of exams and a hands-on project. The exams test your knowledge of the Java language, platform, and enterprise architecture.
The hands-on project requires you to design and implement a complex enterprise-level Java application using best practices and advanced features of the Java platform.
The certification process is quite challenging and time-consuming, as well as costly. The OCMJEA certification exams cost $245 USD each, and the hands-on project has an additional cost of $995 USD.
Also read: 7 Books Every Software Developer Must Read Right Now
4. VMware Spring Certificate
VMware Spring is a certification program that focuses on the Spring Framework, a popular open-source framework for building Java applications. The certification program covers various topics related to the Spring Framework and its ecosystem, including Spring Core, Spring MVC, Spring Data, Spring Security, Spring Boot, and more.
By earning this certification, developers can show that they have a deep understanding of the Spring Framework and its ecosystem, as well as the ability to build scalable and maintainable Java applications using the framework. It can also help developers to stay current with the latest technologies and best practices in the field.
- The certification covers a wide range of topics related to the Spring Framework, including:
- Spring Core and Dependency Injection
- Spring MVC and Web Development
- Spring Data and Persistence
- Spring Security and Authentication
- Spring Boot and Microservices
- Spring Cloud and Cloud-Native Development
VMware Spring certification is not free; the cost of the certification exam is $250 USD. But this certification is a valuable investment for Java developers who want to demonstrate their expertise in building Java applications using the Spring framework.
5. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 17
Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 17 Developer certification is a professional-level certification for experienced Java developers. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to develop, deploy and maintain Java applications using Java SE 17.
This certification covers the following areas:
- Java Class Design
- Advanced Java Class Design
- Java Generics and Collections
- Lambda Built-in Functional Interfaces
- Java Stream API
- Java Date/Time API
- Java I/O Fundamentals
- Java File I/O (NIO.2)
- Java Concurrency
- JDBC
- Java JSON and XML
- Java Annotation
- Java Reflection
- Java SE 17 New Features
This certification is ideal for Java developers who have at least two years of experience in developing Java applications and are looking to validate their knowledge and skills. It is also useful for developers who want to advance their careers and gain recognition in the industry.
The certification exam is offered by Oracle and can be taken online. The cost of the exam varies depending on the location but generally ranges between $245 and $295.
Also read: 15 Best Communities That Every Developer Should Join
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FAQs on Java Certifications
Yes, Java certifications are still in demand today. According to Stackoverflow’s survey, it ranks among top 10 programming languages used worldwide and is one of the most popular languages to learn coding.
The benefits of Java certifications are as follows:
- Helps in improving your proficiency in Java
- Helps in up-skilling and cross-skilling
- Helps in pay raise and job change
The most common Java certifications for developers are:
- Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP)
- Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP)
- Oracle Certified Expert – Web Component Developer (OCEWCD)
- Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer
Abhishek Ghosh
