The best certifications for web developers can help you stand out in one of the most in-demand tech professions in the world. Whether you’re a newcomer to the web development and design industry or looking to solidify your credibility, earning a web developer certification is a game-changer.
Web developer certifications are an excellent alternative for people who want to break into the web development field but do not have time to enroll in a four-year degree program. There are paid and free web developer certifications. If you are trying to decide whether it is worth pursuing a web development certification, this article will be very helpful.
What Is a Web Development Certification?
A web development certification is awarded to web developers after they acquire foundational or in-depth knowledge of coding and web development tools. Web development courses cover various topics such as CSS frameworks, JavaScript, HTML, web design, full stack, front end, and backend development.
It may take weeks or months to become a certified web developer, depending on how many web development projects you have to do and whether you complete the certification through in-person or online courses. When considering a career change at 35, a web development trajectory is a great path to consisder.
How Much Can You Earn With a Web Developer Certification?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for web developers was $77,200 per year as of May 2020, with the tenth percentile earning less than $40,750 and the ninetieth percentile earning an average salary of $146,430. Having a certification in this field will help you get a job in web development more easily.
Why Is Web Developer Certification Important?
Acquiring a web developer certification provides these professionals with a wide variety of benefits. By being an experienced web developer, you will have an edge over your peers, in-depth web development knowledge, excellent coding skills, and better career prospects. Below you will find some reasons why a web developer certification is essential.
It Gives You an Edge Over Your Peers
Earning a professional certification gives you an edge over your peers as you get to showcase your coding skills when applying to web development jobs. It demonstrates to future employers that you like learning new skills and that you’re up for a challenge. Having such a certification makes you more noticeable, credible, and marketable to employers.
You Gain In-Depth Web Development Knowledge
A web development certification is your best bet for gaining in-depth web development knowledge without pursuing a four-year college degree. Although earning a web developer certification takes less time, the value of education is not diminished. It is also a cost-effective way to become a web developer.
It Improves Your Career Prospects
Web developer certification programs equip students with essential technical and soft skills to excel in a variety of specialty areas and leadership roles. These programs will enhance your career prospects and help you advance in the field of web development.
Best Certifications for Web Developers at a Glance
| Certification | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Certified Professional | $180 | No previous experience is required to be a part of this program. However, candidates must pass the exams to become certified. |
| Amazon Web Service Certified Developer | $150 | To be part of this program, you need to have at least one year of professional experience using AWS-based applications and be conversant with one or more high-level programming languages. |
| Certified Software Development Professional | Fees for the exam $390 (members) $485 (non-members) |
To be a part of this program, you need to pass an exam first and, have completed two years of college education in a computer science-related field, and have two years of professional experience. |
| Certified Web Development Professional | $200 | There is no prerequisite to being a part of this program. All you need is the ability and willingness to follow instructions and learn. |
| CIW Web Development Professional | $300 | To be a part of this program, you need to take and pass two certification exams. |
| Microsoft Technology Associate | $150 | To be part of this program, students need to take and pass the exam on their chosen path. |
| Oracle Certified Professional: Java EE 7 Application Developer | $245 | To earn this certification, you need to pass the 1Z0 900 exam. To enroll, it is recommended that you have hands-on programming experience, up-to-date training, and a Java SE certification. |
| Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 11 Developer | $245 | To earn this certification, you must pass the 1Z0 819 exam. |
| Professional Scrum Developer | $200 | To be part of this program, you must pass the Professional Scrum Developer exam. It is recommended that you take a Scrum.org training class before pursuing the certification exam. |
| Zend Certified PHP Engineer | $195 | To be part of this program, you must take and pass Zend’s PHP exam. It is recommended that you have at least intermediate PHP development knowledge or take PHP Fundamentals I, II, and III before joining the program. |
Top Web Developer Certifications: A Closer Look
Adobe Certified Professional
The Adobe Certified Professional certification validates professional-level expertise and technical skills in one or more of Adobe’s digital communication and graphic design products. It prepares candidates for a variety of creative design careers, such as web development and graphic design. There are several Adobe certifications, including product certifications, specialist certifications, and master certifications.
Amazon Web Service Certified Developer
The AWS Certified Developer is one of the best certifications for web developers interested in creating and maintaining AWS-based applications. It equips you with in-depth knowledge about the core AWS service and the underlying AWS architecture. Earning this web developers certification validates your ability to implement cloud initiatives, such as writing and deploying cloud-based applications.
Certified Software Development Professional
This professional certification by the IEEE Computer Society equips web developers with extensive knowledge in software requirements, design, construction, and testing. You will need to sit and pass a three-hour exam covering 160 questions in the aforementioned areas to earn this certification. Students have one year to complete the course and take the exam. The fee for re-taking the assessment is $125.
Certified Web Development Professional
Mark Lassof’s web development certification covers a unique curriculum that teaches students to build dynamic and professional websites. It is one of the best web developer certifications to validate a web developer’s PHP, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML competency. If you are seeking a certification that equips you with a broad knowledge of web development and design, the Certified Web Development Professional certification is worth considering.
CIW Web Development Professional
The CIW Web Development Professional program combines and integrates the technical skills of backend programming languages and front end scripting languages to provide all the skills needed by a professional web developer. To earn this certification, candidates must take and pass both the JavaScript specialist and database design specialist exams which cost $150 each.
Microsoft Technology Associate
The MTA certification is an entry-level credential that validates fundamental technology knowledge and skills for job seekers and students interested in a career in technology. MTA exams are designed to assess and confirm someone’s proficiency in essential technical concepts used by web developers, IT, and database professionals. It is the preferred path to MCP exams, such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer and Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate.
Oracle Certified Professional: Java EE 7 Application developer
Candidates who hold this Java EE 7 certification have demonstrated proficiency in building applications using Java EE 7. The certification is designed for software engineers, architects, and backend and front end web developers who handle business logic and use the Java EE 7 technology to develop web-based UIs. To earn this certification, you will need to sit a 110-minute Java EE 7 Application Developer exam and achieve a score of 66 percent or more.
Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 11 Developer
The Java SE Developer certification is one of the best web development certifications. It validates a broad and thorough knowledge of Java programming and coding practices and uses of Java SE 11 features. Some of the areas covered include modularity, object orientation, and functional programming using streams and lambda expressions. Candidates must sit a 90-minute exam with a passing score of 68 percent.
Professional Scrum Developer
The Professional Scrum Developer (PSD) certification assesses your proficiency in building complex software products using Scrum. To earn the certification, you have to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the role of a Scrum developer. This is achieved through a rigorous and exhaustive 60-minute Professional Scrum Developer assessment with a passing score of 85 percent.
Zend Certified PHP Engineer
This certification is designed for PHP professionals. It is identical in concept to the Sun Certified Java Programmer and Microsoft Certified Professionals certification programs. The Zend Certified PHP Engineer designation demonstrates mastery of PHP basics, functions, data format, and types, web features, object oriented programming, security, strings and patterns, databases and SQL, arrays, and error handling.
Free Web Development Certifications Worth Your Time
- Google Developers Certification. Google offers some of the best certifications for web developers for free, including the Associate Android Developer and TensorFlow Developer certifications. Web developers who earn the Google Developers Certification can include its digital mark in their email signature and embed it in sites such as Twitter and LinkedIn.
- CS50 Introduction to Computer Science Certification. Harvard University’s CS50 is one of the most popular paths to becoming a web developer and taking on programming-related roles. Over three million programmers have pursued this certification.
- freeCodeCamp certifications. There are currently 11 certifications offered by freeCodeCamp to boost your career prospects as a web developer.
Are Web Developer Certifications Worth It?
Yes, web developer certifications are worth it, especially if you’re just starting out your web development career. They validate your competency, give you an edge over your peers, and make you stand out to employers.
The best certifications for web developers will provide you with the skills you need to succeed in the technology industry. However, if you cannot afford to attend the comprehensive courses that provide these qualifications, you can always find free web developer certifications online.
Best Certifications for Web Developers FAQ
How long it takes to become a web developer with zero coding experience will depend on the path you choose to pursue. Some people acquire web development skills through a four-year college program, while others choose to attend coding bootcamps which last six months to one year on average.
Web designers are graphic artists responsible for designing the visual appearance, layout, and usability of a website. They possess a combination of creative and technical skills. An experienced web developer is a programmer responsible for building and maintaining a website’s core structure. They translate design concepts into functional websites using coding languages such as Python, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML.
Full stack developers are web developers who are proficient in both backend and front end web development. Full stack web development encompasses project management, user experience (UX) design, computer programming, and client communication.
Backend web development focuses on a website’s logic, data, system, and structure. Front end web development comprises a site’s visual aspects – what users see and interact with. The backend and front end development are combined to create visually appealing and interactive websites.
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