What is an SAP certification?

A Systems Applications and Products (SAP) certification in software proves that an individual has software administration, database management, and business training skills. This certification is administered by Systems Applications and Products (SAP).

SAP certifications can be obtained on a stand-alone basis or as part of a specific software-related degree program.

SAP is a globally recognized business platform, making the certification a key credential for certain professionals. The platform is utilized in various functional fields, including:

• Financial Accounting and Controlling (FICO)

• Production Planning (PP)

• Materials Management (MM)

SAP certification has a myriad of courses and modules. The eligibility for candidates depends on the specific SAP course and the skill level a candidate already possesses.

Candidates should have strong backgrounds in one, some, or all of the following areas:

• Computer Science

• Business Administration

• Finance, Accounting

• Human Resources

• Information Systems

• Operations Management

• Systems Engineering

The Technical SAP certification focuses more on computer programming and also module customization.

There are three different levels of SAP certifications:

• Associate SAP certification for beginners

• Specialist SAP certification, which focuses on a specific role or integration component

• Professional SAP certification for professionals who are most advanced in their specialization

Business analysts also benefit from certain SAP certifications, as some have a good combination of functional and technical skills.

Here are some common and in-demand SAP certifications:

• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA for Financial Accounting Associates

• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA Sourcing and Procurement

• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA Sales

• SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP Analytics Cloud

• SAP Certified Associate - SAP Activate Project Manager

• SAP Certified Application Associate - Business Process Integration with SAP S/4HANA

In most cases, candidates who obtain SAP certification can advance their careers faster than those that do not have the certification. Nearly 70% of companies listed on the Forbes 500 operate on SAP ERP.

Candidates can complete the courses to earn SAP certification within three to six months. If a candidate is familiar with SAP technology, they might be able to learn fast and take the certification test earlier than others with less knowledge.

The SAP certification exam is known to be very difficult, and candidates not familiar with the software may have to take the exam more than once to garner a passing grade.