Staying up to date is critical if you want to stay at the top of your game. As the famous quote goes, “Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.” Since DevOps is a constantly evolving field with advanced tools, technologies, and processes, those who want to maximize their potential must be equipped with up-to-date knowledge and the most recent certifications, which can also validate their expertise in front of employers and help them stay ahead of the curve. To assist you in your DevOps journey, we have developed a list of some of the top certifications available, so you may select the best DevOps certification that aligns with your educational background, technical ability, and professional goals.
What is a DevOps certification, and why is it valuable?
A DevOps certification is a respected accreditation that verifies your expertise in DevOps tools and technologies and validates your understanding of industry standards. Most recruiters hire people with DevOps certifications because it demonstrates their tenacity and preparation to go through rigorous training to qualify for the certification exam, after which they are certified, as well as their commitment to staying current on industry trends and advanced tools.
By qualifying for a DevOps certification, you can expect the following benefits:
1. Validation of your DevOps expertise
2. Potential for higher salary benefits
3. Allows you to stand out from your peers due to increased credibility
4. Current knowledge of market developments and best practices.
5. Provides an opportunity to connect with DevOps experts around the world
6. Opportunity for advancements in career
The best DevOps Certifications for career advancement
Well, the best DevOps certification for you is the one that opens doors to a myriad of opportunities while putting your career on an upward trajectory. DevOps certifications span from the most fundamental ones that cover a broad range of topics to the most advanced ones that help you in mastering a specific DevOps tool or technology.
1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer certification is best suited for DevOps engineers with at least two years of experience managing, maintaining, and deploying AWS infrastructure
Therefore, it helps one gain advanced knowledge about AWS cloud platforms. It validates one’s technical proficiency in configuring, operating, and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform and affirms your ability to create secure, compliant, and scalable solutions.
- Exam Duration: 3 hours
- Cost: $300
- Validity: 3 years
- Exam Name: AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional exam (DOP-C02)
- Question format: 75 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions.
- The exam has the following domains:
-SDLC Automation
-Configuration Management and IaC
-Resilient Cloud Solutions
-Monitoring and Logging
-Incident and Event Response
-Security and Compliance
2. Docker Certified Associate (DCA) CertificationÂ
Docker Certified Associate (DCA) is a high-demand certification for DevOps engineers who want to demonstrate their expertise in utilizing Docker’s container technology. The exam improves your understanding of Docker and enables you to install, manage, and operate containerized applications more efficiently. Professionals with a minimum of 6 to 12 months of Docker experience can take the DCA exam, and the following topics are covered in the exam:
-Orchestration
-Image Creation, Management, and Registry
-Installation and Configuration
-Networking
-Security
-Storage and Volumes
- Exam Duration: 90 mins
- Cost: USD $195 or Euro €200
- Validity: 2 years
 3. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) Exam
The Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification was co-developed by the Linux Foundation and the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). This certification is best suited for Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and other IT professionals who want to advance their careers in cloud engineering and Kubernetes management.
A CKA certification verifies your proficiency with both fundamental installation techniques and the configuration and management of Kubernetes clusters fit for production. You will be able to demonstrate your proficiency in Kubernetes troubleshooting, cluster architecture, installation, and configuration, Kubernetes services and networking, Kubernetes Pods, Deployments, and Replica Sets.
The CKA test assesses your abilities in the following areas:
-Storage
-Troubleshooting
-Workloads & Scheduling
-Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
-Services & Networking
- Exam Duration: 2 hours
- Cost: $395 (exam only) or $595 (course + exam)
- Validity: 3 years
4. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
The AZ-400 certification is meant to assess a DevOps engineer’s ability to design, implement, and manage DevOps processes utilizing Microsoft Azure cloud toolsets. The Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification challenges you to consistently blend people, processes, and technology to develop valuable products and services that fulfill end-user goals and company objectives. To be eligible for the certification, you must first be certified in either the Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104 or the Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate AZ-204.
- Cost: $165 USD
The exam measures your technical competency in various aspects, such as:
-Develop an instrumentation strategy
-Develop a Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) Strategy
-Develop a security and compliance plan
-Manage source control
-Facilitate communication and collaboration
-Define and implement continuous integration
-Define and implement continuous delivery and release -management strategy
5. Puppet Certified Professional Exam
Puppet is a system management tool that is used for automating and managing server configuration in a software delivery cycle. It is a very valuable credential to hold as employers need professionals with Puppet expertise to employ DevOps practices in an organization. To qualify for the exam, one must have knowledge of how to create fundamental modules and manage system infrastructure using Puppet IT automation software, as well as possess the necessary experience or pass the Getting Started With Puppet and Puppet Practitioner courses.
The exam covers the following topics in detail:
-Classifications
-Troubleshooting
-Module Authoring, including Puppet Forge
-Key Concepts, such as abstraction and idempotence
-Puppet language
-Bolt and Orchestrator actions, Puppet Tasks
-Puppet environments
-Administration of the Puppet infrastructure architecture
- Exam Name: Puppet Professional 2019 Certification
- Exam format: 60 multiple-choice questions on a computer. QuestionMark proctors the exam online.
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: $200 USD
- Product versions tested: Open-source Puppet 6.16.0 or later and Puppet Enterprise 2019.8 or later
- Languages Offered: English only
 6. Postgraduate Program at Caltech CTME in the field of DevOps
This course allows you to obtain a Caltech CTME Post Graduate Certificate from the prestigious California Institute of Technology, which is offered in conjunction with the digital platform, Simplilearn. The nine-month curriculum trains professionals in advanced tools such as Puppet, SaltStack, and Ansible, which aid in self-governance and automated management at scale. The program offers live seminars conducted by industry professionals, access to hands-on projects and integrated labs, and career advice from Simplilearn experts.
The DevOps Post Graduate Program has a well-designed and extensive curriculum that includes the following study path:
- Induction for Caltech PGP DevOps program
- PG DO – DevOps Certification Training
- PG DO – Configuration Management with Ansible and Terraform
- PG DO – Docker Certified Association Certification Training
- PG DO – Certified Kubernetes Administrator Training
The program is designed for working professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds. To be eligible, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with an average of at least 50%; however, a degree in a field closely connected to computer science is advantageous.
Also Read: Why Should You Prefer Joining DevOps Course?
