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Best software engineer certifications
Software engineer certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an software engineer to employers. However, not all software engineer certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a software engineer are Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and Oracle Certified Associate - Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA).
Below is a list of the best software engineer certifications. Obtaining an software engineer certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
20 best certifications for software engineers
20 best software engineer certifications
1. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)
This professional competency certification requires successful completion of Certificates of Proficiency in twelve key knowledge areas: Software Engineering Requirements, Software Engineering Design, Software Engineering Construction, Software Engineering Testing, Software Engineering Maintenance, Software Engineering Configuration Management, Software Engineering Quality, Software Engineering Processes, Software Engineering Models & Methods, Software Engineering Management, Software Engineering Project Management, Software Engineering Economics and the successful completion of two advanced applied modules.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
A Certified ScrumMaster helps project teams properly use Scrum, increasing the likelihood of the project's overall success. CSMs understand Scrum values, practices, and applications and provide a level of knowledge and expertise above and beyond that of typical project managers. CSMs act as "servant leaders," helping the rest of the Scrum team work together and learn the Scrum framework.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
3. Oracle Certified Associate - Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA)
Oracle 9i Database Administrator Certification combines training, experience, and testing to ensure that you have a strong foundation and expertise in Oracle9i Database techniques, including backup and recovery, performance tuning, and administration. Oracle9i Database provides efficient, reliable and secure data management for high-end applications such as high-volume online transaction processing (OLTP) environments, query-intensive data warehouses, and demanding Internet applications.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
4. Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Fnd Applications (MCTS)
Candidates work on a team in a medium-sized or large development environment that uses Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Developer, Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, or Microsoft Visual Studio 2008. Candidates should have at least two to three years of experience developing Web-based, Windows-based, or distributed applications by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0, the .NET Framework 1.1, the .NET Framework 2.0, or the .NET Framework 3.5. Candidates should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
5. Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)
Microsoft Certified Application Developers (MCADs) use Microsoft technologies to develop and administer applications and deploy and implement web back-end data solutions. Join the community of developers who are leveraging the power of .Net.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)
The IEEE Computer Society is proud to offer professional certification for software development professionals. The program is intended for experienced software development and software engineering professionals.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Engineer In Training Certification (EIT)
The EIT Certification, which is formally known as the Engineer In Training Certification, is simply a document, a number, granted by the individual’s state engineering board after they pass the Engineer In Training Exam. The Engineer in Training Exam (EIT Exam) is the first of two exams you will take as you move towards obtaining your Professional Engineering License (PE). This exam, which you may also hear referred to as the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (FE Exam), is developed and administered in all states (and a number of locations outside the US) by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The FE Exam is offered to eligible students year-round in four different testing windows.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
8. Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
Targeted towards systems engineers with five or more years of systems engineering work experience
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) certification program is developed specifically for experienced information security managers and those who have information security management responsibilities. The CISM certification is for the individual who manages, designs, oversees and/or assesses an enterprise's information security (IS). The CISM certification promotes international practices and provides executive management with assurance that those earning the designation have the required experience and knowledge to provide effective security management and consulting services. Individuals earning the CISM certification become part of an elite peer network, attaining a one-of-a-kind credential. The CISM job practice also defines a global job description for the information security manager and a method to measure existing staff or compare prospective new hires.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
10. ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL)
The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at anyone linvolved in software testing. The Foundation level qualification is also appropriated for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
11. Certified Software Manager (CSM)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
12. Associate Android Developer Certification
Accelerate your move toward a career in mobile app development. Learn to build simple Android apps with our Android Basics in Kotlin training — no programming experience necessary. Then, take the Associate Android Developer Certification exam to gain recognition for your skills as a developer
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
13. Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
Our AAPM Global Board of Standards issues the CPE Certified Planning Engineer - Board Certification to qualified applicants who have met our commission requirements of: Education, Training, Experience, Industry Knowledge, Ethics, and Continuing Education.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
14. Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Component Developer
This certification is geared toward experienced developers of Java technology applications. Certified individuals should have the knowledge and skills to quickly build web applications suited to any Java EE 6 application server using JSP and servlet technologies. They should be familiar with the current methods for analyzing, designing, developing, and deploying web applications with Java technologies and have some experience in constructing and deploying the small-to-medium scale web applications found in intranet and low-volume commercial sites.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
15. Object-Oriented Software Engineering Certified Professional
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
16. IBM Certified Data Engineer - Big Data
This certification is intended for IBM Big Data Engineers. The Big Data Engineer works directly with the Data Architect and hands-on Developers to convert the architect's Big Data vision and blueprint into a Big Data reality. The Data Engineer possesses a deep level of technical knowledge and experience across a wide array of products and technologies. A Data Engineer understands how to apply technologies to solve big data problems, and has the ability to build large-scale data processing systems for the enterprise. Data engineers develop, maintain, test and evaluate big data solutions within organizations. They provide input on the needed hardware and software to the architects.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
17. Certified Professional in Python Programming 1 Certification (PCPP1)
Certified Professional in Python Programming 1 certification shows that the individual is proficient in the more advanced use of classes and features of object-oriented programming. The scope of certification also includes graphical user interface programming, networking and using RESTful APIs, as well as working with selected library modules allowing to interact with SQLite databases (the sqlite3 module), create and process XML files (the xml module), read, write and process csv files (the csv module), create and process log messages from Python programs (the logging module), and manage configuration files (the configparser module). Finally, the certification covers the best practices, standardization, and coding conventions used in the Python Language. Becoming PCPP1 certified ensures that the individual is fully acquainted with all the advanced means provided by Python 3 and related technologies to enable her/him to advance her/his career as a professional Python developer.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
18. Sun Certified Web Component Developer for Java 2EE (SCWCD)
This certification is for developers specializing in the application of JavaServer Pages and servlet technologies used to present Web services and dynamic Web content.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
19. Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
CEM, which stands for Certified Energy Manager®, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated high levels of experience, competence, proficiency, and ethical fitness in the energy management profession. Each CEM candidate must meet one of the following criteria. A four-year engineering degree and/or P.E., with at least three years experience in energy engineering or energy management.A four-year business or related degree, with at least five years experience in energy engineering or energy management.A two-year technical degree, with eight years experience in energy engineering or energy management.Ten years or more verified experience in energy engineering or energy management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
20. Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE)
The purpose of the certification program is to recognize chemists and chemical engineers who have a certain basic level of education and/or experience and who have participated in professional career development and continuing education during the immediate past one to three years.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a software engineer?
The best software engineer certification is Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC). The Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC) is awarded by the IEEE Computer Society. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this software engineer certification:
- To become a certified Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC), you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for software engineers?
The most in-demand software engineer certification is Certified Scrum Master based on all active job postings. Having this software engineer certification will give you access to more software engineer jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a software engineer career and salary?
The Certified Scrum Master certification will help you to secure a senior software engineer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior software engineer's average salary is $104,228 whereas software engineers make an average salary of $100,260.
The most common combination of software engineer certifications include: Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and Oracle Certified Associate - Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA).
Online courses for software engineers to earn certifications
1. Software Engineering Immersive (Full-time)
Meet the global demand for technical problem-solvers by developing your coding skills to create full-stack web applications across multiple frameworks, incorporating functionality from third-party APIs, executing software engineering projects in an Agile development workflow, and more...
2. Data Science Immersive (Full-time)
Harness the power of data science to solve the world’s most challenging problems by developing your skills in predictive modeling, pattern recognition, data visualization, wrangling massive data sets, forecasting trends, and informing strategy across diverse industries like public policy, robotics, and FinTech...
3. Programming for Data Science with R
Prepare for a data science career by learning the fundamental data programming tools: R, SQL, command line, and git...
4. Full Stack Web Developer
Design and develop modern web applications.Students will also learn how to deploy a Flask-based web application to the cloud using Docker and Kubernetes...
5. Full Stack Web Development with C# OOP, MS SQL & ASP.NET MVC
Web development with C#, ASP.NET MVC, MS SQL, C# OOP. All gathered for full stack web development in one course!...
6. ASP.NET MVC: Complete Practical Guide (.NET 7) C# Web Dev
The best ASP.NET MVC Course providing practical real world example of creating ASP.NET MVC Website with Entity Framework...
7. Data Science (Part Time)
Create robust predictive models with statistics and Python programming. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex machine learning problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
8. Python Programming (Part Time)
Gain fluency in Python — the world's fastest-growing major programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build web and data science applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
9. Android Kotlin Developer
Master Android app development with Kotlin, a modern programming language that enables developers to be more concise and productive. Build professional apps for the world's most popular mobile platform using Android Studio and Kotlin...
10. Artificial Intelligence for Trading
Complete real-world projects designed by industry experts, covering topics from asset management to trading signal generation. Master AI algorithms for trading, and build your career-ready portfolio...
11. C#.NET Core 7 with MS SQL Complete Beginner to Master 2023
Learn API Development with C# .NET Core 7 and MS SQL Server from Mac, Linux or Windows!...
12. Rest Api's in Asp.Net and C#
Build REST Api's With Asp.Net , Entity Framework and C#...
13. Front-End Web Development (Part Time)
Start building responsive websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — a versatile skill set with powerful applications in a variety of design, marketing, and other tech-adjacent roles. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
14. JavaScript Development (Part Time)
Gain fluency in JavaScript — the world's most popular programming language — and start leveraging its versatile capabilities to build rich, interactive websites and applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
15. Data Engineer
Learn to design data models, build data warehouses and data lakes, automate data pipelines, and work with massive datasets...
16. iOS Developer
Master the Swift programming language, and create a portfolio of iOS apps for iPhone and iPad to showcase your skills!...
17. Building an Enterprise Application with ASP.NET Core MVC
Full-Stack MVC Web Application with ASP.NET Core 3.0, ASP.NET Core 2.2 & Entity Framework Core...
18. Build ASP.NET Core Web API - Scratch To Finish (.NET 7 API)
Use C# and Build an ASP.NET Core Web API with Entity Framework Core, SQL Server, Authentication & Authorization .NET 7...
19. React Development (Part Time)
Expand your JavaScript programming skills, and boost your profile at work — and on the job market. Learn to build sophisticated, scalable web applications. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
20. Intro to Coding
Discover if coding is a career fit for you In this free, two-hour livestream, explore the building blocks of the web — HTML and CSS — and learn how you can apply these programming languages to develop your own simple sites. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to write your first line of code!...