What's the best database development certification for your career goals?

1 Oracle Database Certifications

Oracle is a widely used and respected database system, powering many enterprise applications and data warehouses. To work with Oracle databases, you must have proficiency in SQL, PL/SQL, database administration, performance tuning, and data modeling. Oracle offers several certifications for database developers, from associate to master level. Popular certifications include Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate, which validates your ability to write basic SQL queries and manipulate data in Oracle databases. You must pass one exam that covers SQL fundamentals, data definition, data manipulation, data retrieval, and reporting. The Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate certification proves your skills in developing, debugging, and tuning PL/SQL programs. You must pass two exams: one on SQL and one on PL/SQL. The Oracle Database Application Development Certified Professional certification demonstrates expertise in developing advanced database applications using Oracle tools and technologies such as SQL Developer, Application Express, and RESTful services. This certification requires passing two exams: one on SQL and one on Oracle Database Application Development.

2 Microsoft SQL Server Certifications

Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful database platform that supports both relational and non-relational data models. If you want to work with SQL Server databases, you'll need to demonstrate your competence in T-SQL, database design, development, and administration. Microsoft offers several certifications for database developers, depending on the version and role of SQL Server. For instance, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals certification covers the basics of working with data in the cloud using Azure services such as Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Data Lake Storage, and Azure Synapse Analytics. It requires passing one exam that tests your knowledge of data concepts, core data services, and data security and privacy. Additionally, the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate certification validates your skills in analyzing and visualizing data using Power BI. It requires passing one exam that assesses your ability to prepare data, model data, visualize data, and deploy and maintain deliverables. Lastly, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Developer Associate certification proves your expertise in designing, developing, and optimizing Azure SQL databases and data solutions. It requires passing one exam that measures your skills in implementing data solutions, managing and developing data objects, optimizing query performance, and troubleshooting issues.

3 MongoDB Certifications

MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database that provides high performance, scalability, and flexibility for storing and processing large volumes of unstructured data. To work with MongoDB databases, you'll need to become familiar with the MongoDB query language, schema design, data modeling, indexing, aggregation, and security. There are two certifications for database developers available from MongoDB: the MongoDB Certified Developer Associate and the MongoDB Certified Developer Professional. The former certifies your ability to build applications using MongoDB as the backend database, covering topics such as CRUD operations, schema design, data modeling, indexing, aggregation, and security. The latter demonstrates your proficiency in developing complex applications using MongoDB as the backend database and covers topics such as data modeling, performance optimization, replication, sharding, transactions, and data governance.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?