If you’re seeking strategies to enhance your career, you should check into professional certification.
Most sectors provide some level of certification, which will boost your chances of a higher salary, better work prospects, and new career options. This post will go through the most in-demand job credentials and what it takes to obtain them.
What exactly is a certification?
Professional organizations provide certifications to prove that you have the necessary knowledge and abilities to do a job. Typically, you obtain a certificate after completing your degree or gaining experience through an internship, residency, or on-the-job training.
Certification entails fulfilling class requirements and, in most cases, passing an exam. The accreditation is generally only valid for a short time and must be renewed regularly. Before being promoted or given a raise, your employer may need you to obtain certification.
Some vocations require more certification than others. If you need a certificate, it may be determined by your state, company, or the sort of work you want to accomplish. It is not the same as a license given by a government entity that grants legal permission to work in a particular occupation.
The following are 10 in-demand certificates with the highest paying jobs.
1. Certifications in project management
Project management careers remain in great demand, particularly for individuals who have earned the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) qualifications.
The associate-level CAPM is suited for people with less experience in project management but a basic grasp of the topic.
The PMP certification is intended for professionals with more experience. The following are the typical methods to obtaining these certifications:
CAPM specifications
- Have a high school diploma, an associate degree, or the equivalent.
- Completing 1,500 hours of project experience is required.
- Take a 23-hour project management course.
- Pass a 150-question test administered by the Project Management Institute (PHI).
- Pay a charge ranging from $225 to $300.
- PMP prerequisites.
Option one for persons with fewer than four years of college experience:
- Have a high school diploma, an associate degree, or the equivalent.
- Have a total of 7,500 hours of project management experience.
- Complete a total of 35 hours of project management training.
- Pass a 200-question examination.
- Pay a charge ranging from $405 to $555.
Option number two for people with a four-year degree is:
- Get your bachelor’s degree.
- Work 4,500 hours as a project manager.
- Take 35 hours of project management training.
- Pass a 200-question examination.
- Pay a charge ranging from $405 to $555.
2. Certifications for business analysts
Business analysts work with firms to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability by analyzing processes, products, services, and systems.
In addition, they often use data and information technology (IT) resources to assist decision-makers in moving their businesses ahead.
Various business analyst certificates are available, but the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) or the IIBA Agile Analysis Certification have proven popular among professionals in this industry (IIBA-AAC).
The IIBA-AAC is a separate certification that recognizes a business analyst’s capacity to adapt and function in changing situations. What you’ll need to do to get these certifications is as follows:
CBAP specifications
- Completing at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience in the past ten years is required.
- Ensure that at least 900 of those hours cover four of the six BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Subject) Guide knowledge areas.
- Have completed at least 35 hours of professional development in the last four years.
- Please supply two professional references.
- Schedule and pass the 120-question CBAP exam.
- Pay between $350 and $450 plus a $125 application fee.
- Maintain your certification by completing at least 60 hours of continuing education within three years of the date of certification.
- IIBA-AAC specifications.
- In two hours, you must complete an 85-question exam.
- There are no eligibility prerequisites besides two to five years of agile-related expertise.
- Pay a $325 to $450 exam price plus a $125 application fee.
- Certification must be renewed every three years.
3. Certifications for the supply chain
Having an internationally recognized supply chain certification boosts your reputation as a professional and may help you earn higher pay in the future.
When you want to further your career, consider the Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Certified in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD) credentials. The following are the fundamental certification requirements:
CPIM specifications
- Within three years, pass two tests.
- Each test costs between $495 and $690.
- Every five years, the CPIM designation must be renewed.
- CSCP specifications.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
- Have at least one certification that has been accepted.
- At least three years of comparable business experience is required.
- Pass a test that costs between $695 and $969.
- CLTD specifications.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, or
- Have three years of experience in a similar business or
- Have at least one certification that has been accepted.
- Pass a test that costs between $475 and $625.
- Every five years, the CTLD designation must be renewed.
4. Marketing accreditations
Marketing is a competitive business, and certification might help you stand out when looking for a job.
Facebook, Google Analytics, Hootsuite, and many more companies provide social media and marketing analytics certification. Some are free to use, while others might cost up to $2,500.
While each certification has its own set of standards, below is a broad overview of the certification process:
- Finish the training program.
- Pass a test and pay any applicable fees.
5. Trade certificates for skilled workers
Those working in the skilled crafts frequently earn more after obtaining certification in their field. For example, HVAC technicians, carpenters, and welders study their art as apprentices and receive a significant boost after passing a test to obtain their journeyman qualification.
While each profession has its own set of standards, below is a broad overview of the certification process:
- Complete a three-to five-year apprenticeship program with a company or union.
- Earn a diploma or certificate from a trade school, technical school, or community college.
- You must pay an exam fee.
- Pass both the written and practical exams.
- Depending on the occupation, maintain licensure (in some states).
6. Certifications in human resources
If you work in human resources (HR), consider obtaining a certification that tells future employers that you took the time to achieve this distinction. In addition, those with HR qualifications are sought after by recruiters because they have exhibited leadership.
While there are various HR certifications, recruiters often look for applicants with the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential.
When wanting to further your career, keep these titles in mind. The following are the exam eligibility conditions for each designation:
The qualifications for PHR certification:
- At least four years of experience as an HR professional, at least two years as a bachelor’s degree-holding HR professional, or at least one year as a master’s degree-holding HR professional.
- SPHR certification prerequisites.
- At least seven years of experience as an HR professional, five years as an HR professional with a bachelor’s degree, or four years as an HR professional with a master’s degree.
7. Sales accreditations
Many sales professionals opt to further their careers by pursuing further training and certifications through specialized programs.
For example, Challenger Sales, Spin Selling, and Sandler Training are all sales tactics that necessitate learning and adopting procedures to assist sales professionals in reaching their objectives.
Certifications assist salespeople in keeping ahead of their competitors and building on prior experiences, in addition to increasing their persuasive abilities and broadening their sales expertise. The following are the most prevalent sales certification requirements:
- Register for the seminars and courses that interest you.
- To gain certification, you must pay the appropriate fees.
- Participate in web-based courses and pass online exams.
8. Accounting accreditations
The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualifications are two of the most prominent accounting certifications in demand.
Accountants with the CPA qualification may do a wide range of responsibilities while making a good living by preparing taxes and representing customers who must file reports with the IRS.
A CFA is a globally recognized certification in finance and investment, and it is ideal for individuals aspiring to be controllers or CFOs. The following are the prerequisites for CPA and CFA certifications:
Certification requirements for CPAs
- Have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
- Pass all four parts of the standard CPA test administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
- Meet the state’s education and work experience criteria.
- CFA certification prerequisites.
- Have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
- Enroll in the CFA program and pay the application cost.
- Pass all three levels of the CFA test sequentially.
- Comply with the professional work experience criteria.
9. Certifications for computer networks
A computer networking certification validates your abilities and understanding in the sector.
For example, computer network engineers and administrators in high demand frequently have the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) credentials, which demonstrate their degree of knowledge and experience in the area.
In addition, of course, there are several credentials issued by various firms from which to obtain computer networking certifications. Here’s what you’ll have to do:
CCIE certification prerequisites
- Schedule and pass the exam’s written component.
- If you do not schedule and pass the lab section of the test within three years, you will be required to repeat the written portion.
- The written test costs $450, while the lab exam costs $1,600.
- Certification requirements for CCNP.
- Have the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification.
- Concentrate on a CCNP path.
- Pass the test that corresponds to your CCNP route.
- For the exam, you must pay a cost of $300.
10. Certifications in health care
Some in-demand medical jobs are certificate-based and provide progression opportunities. For example, consider becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), dental assistant, surgical technician, or paramedic if you want to gain industry-specific skills. The following are some general principles for being certified in one of these programs:
- Enroll in a medical career program.
- Comply with all program criteria.
- Make an appointment for your exam.
- Pay any test costs that are due.
- Pass the exam and become certified.
- Renew your certification as needed.
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