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VMware is the undisputed industry leader in virtualization technologies, creating strong demand for IT professionals who can help organizations leverage VMware products and services. VMware's certification program is designed to build and validate the knowledge and skills needed to use its technologies effectively.
This certification guide covers everything you need to know to earn VMware certifications. It includes information about VMware certifications, exam costs, career options, and how to study for VMware certification exams with expert training providers like Koenig Solutions.
VMware certifications aim to prepare IT professionals to work with VMware products in various environments. VMware offers several certifications to help IT pros continue to develop and hone their virtualization skills through comprehensive VMware classes online certification programs.
VMware used to offer four levels of certification for virtualization professionals. However, VMware recently changed its exam structure to focus on "role-based" certifications. This allows IT professionals to focus on the specific skills they'll need in their role. Let's look at what VMware certifications used to look like and how they appear now.
VMware Certified Associate (VCA): This entry-level certification was aimed at learners new to virtualization. It was replaced with VCTA certifications for each role-based category.
VMware Certified Professional (VCP): Designed for IT professionals who install, configure, manage, and optimize VMware solutions. This certification level is mainly geared toward systems administrator and engineer roles. The VCP still exists but is now offered for each role-based category.
VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP): An advanced-level certification path aimed at professionals who design and build VMware Solutions (VCAP Design) and manage and optimize VMware solutions (VCAP Deployment). VCAP is still offered, but each role-based category has several different versions.
VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX): This is an expert-level certification for IT professionals who design, build, and manage VMware solutions and systems. It is mainly geared toward architects. While the original test was retired, there are still VCDX certs in each role-based category.
VMware has now broken its certifications out by job role, with each category offering several certifications. The role-based categories are:
Data center virtualization: Gauges your ability to design, install, and manage VMware vSphere in the real world.
Network virtualization: Tests your ability to design, implement, and manage an NSX environment.
Cloud management and automation: Proves your skill in installing, configuring, and optimizing VMware Aria for cloud solutions.
End-user computing: Tests your ability to manage digital workplace solutions using VMware Workspace One and Desktop Management solutions using VMware Horizon.
Security: Validates your experience and understanding of VMware security solutions and ability to provide support for VMware security features.
Application Modernization: These specialist certifications measure skills in various areas, such as knowledge of specialized frameworks and administrator knowledge of emerging technologies like Kubernetes and containers.
Each role-based certification category has multiple levels, which can vary by discipline. In addition to the role-based certs, VMware offers several specialist and skill certifications.
The VMware Data Center Virtualization certifications validate your knowledge and expertise with VMware vSphere solutions, including virtual machines, networking, and storage. VMware offers five certificate levels in Data Center Virtualization. In order of expertise, they are:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - Data Center Virtualization 2024 (VCTA-DCV)
VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization 2024 (VCP-DCV)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Data Center Virtualization Design 2024 (VCAP-DCV Design)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Data Center Virtualization Deploy 2024 (VCAP-DCV Deploy)
VMware Certified Design Expert - Data Center Virtualization 2024 (VCDX-DCV)
Jobs Associated with Data Center Virtualization Certifications:
Entry-level virtualization administrators
Virtualization technicians
Virtualization administrators
System engineers
Solution architects
Design Architects
The VMware Network Virtualization certifications verify your ability to configure, deploy, and manage virtualized networking and security services, specifically NSX environments. VMware offers five levels of certifications, including:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - Network Virtualization 2024 (VCTA-NV)
VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization 2024 (VCP-NV)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Network Virtualization Deploy 2024 (VCAP-NV Deploy)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Network Virtualization Design 2024 (VCAP-NV Design)
VMware Certified Design Expert - Network Virtualization 2024 (VCDX-NV)
The VCTA certification is designed for professionals newer to networking, while the VCP and above are for more advanced learners, including those at the engineer and architect levels.
Jobs Associated with Network Virtualization Certifications:
Network administrator
Advanced support staff
Virtualization administrator
Network virtualization architect
VMware's cloud management and automation certificates validate your knowledge of cloud management and automation using VMware tech, including Aria. The VCTA tests foundational understanding, while the higher-level certs test your ability to design, build, and deploy solutions.
VMware Offers Seven levels of Certs in Cloud management, Including:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - Cloud Management and Automation 2024 (VCTA-CMA)
VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Management and Automation 2024 (VCP-CMA)
VMware Certified Professional - VMware Cloud 2024 (VCP-VMC)
VMware Certified Professional - Cloud Operations 2024 (VCP-CO)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Cloud Management and Automation Deploy 2024 (VCAP-CMA Deploy)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Cloud Management and Automation Design 2024 (VCAP-CMA Design)
VMware Certified Design Expert - Cloud Management and Automation 2024 (VCDX-CMA)
Jobs Associated with Cloud Management and Automation Certifications:
Cloud administrator
Cloud technician
Virtual infrastructure administrator
Cloud Architect
Solutions Architect
The certifications for this category gauge your skill and expertise in designing, installing, and managing solutions using VMware Workspace One and Horizon. VMware offers seven certification levels for this category.
VCTA aims to test entry-level skills, while the higher-level certifications test your ability to design and optimize solutions using VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE solutions, App Volumes, and Unified Access Gateway.
The seven certifications in end-user computing include:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - End-User Computing 2024 (VCTA-EUC)
VMware Certified Professional - Desktop Management 2024 (VCP-DTM)
VMware Certified Professional - Digital Workspace 2024 (VCP-DW)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Desktop Management Design 2024 (VCAP-DTM Design)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - End-User Computing 2024 (VCAP-EUC Design)
VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Desktop Management Deploy 2024 (VCAP-DTM Deploy)
VMware Certified Design Expert - End-User Computing 2024 (VCDX-EUC)
Jobs Associated with End-User Computing Certifications:
End-user computing administrators
End-user computing consultants
Advanced support staff
Senior Administrator
End-user computing architect
VMware offers two security-focused certifications. Earning these certs proves you have a deep understanding of VMware's security solutions and can provide (at least) entry-level support for the security features in NSX-T Data Center, Workspace ONE, and Carbon Black Cloud.
The Two security Certifications are:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - Security 2024 (VCTA-SEC)
VMware Certified Professional - Endpoint and Workload Security 2024 (VCP-EWS)
Job Roles Associated with Security Certifications Include:
Entry-level security administrators
Security technicians
The application modernization certificates test your skills in specialized areas, such as emerging tech like Kubernetes and containers. There are currently two certificates in this area, including:
VMware Certified Technical Associate - Application Modernization 2024 (VCTA-AM)
VMware Certified Professional - Tanzu for Kubernetes Operations 2024 (VCP-TKO)
The jobs associated with these certs vary by topic. However, they're ideal for any professional, including cloud administrators and platform operators, who want to be at the forefront of VMware tech.
All VCTA, VCP, and VCAP exams are now charged a flat fee of USD $250.00. The cost of VCDX includes two different fees — a $995 application fee plus a panel defense cost of $3000 for in-person defenses or $995 for remote defenses.
Exam costs can also vary based on location, currency, and whether they are proctored or taken remotely.
Remember, exam costs aren't the only expense associated with getting certified. Between training materials, lab equipment, and travel and lodging (for VCDX), earning VMware certifications can be quite an investment.
Recertification is widely recognized in the IT industry as essential to professional growth. If your skills are not current, your certification loses value. Staying current with your certifications enhances your credibility and demonstrates a commitment to learning, your career, and your organization.
VMware has significantly revised its certification policy, making VCP certifications permanent and removing the need for periodic expiration and renewal. Certifications do not expire; however, it is recommended to stay current with the latest version when available.
However, VMware does recommend recertifying or earning the next level of certification every few years due to the rapidly changing nature of the IT industry.
Regardless of your option, recertifying keeps your VMware knowledge up to date.
Demand for IT professionals with virtualization skills continues to grow as increasing numbers of organizations take advantage of the increased efficiency, availability, and cost savings of virtualizing IT resources. VMware is one of the leading providers of virtualization products and solutions. Getting certified in VMware technologies can boost value in almost any IT career.
According to a recent Skillsoft survey of 2,557 IT professionals, the VMware Certified Professional in Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) is among the 15 top-paying IT certifications at US $138,349.17.
Depending on professional experience, an employee who holds a VCP certification can earn anywhere from $82,000 to $118,000 (USD) annually. VCP roles include Senior Systems Administrator, IT Manager, and Systems Engineer.
Employees with VCAP certification can earn between $119,631 and $157,264 (USD) annually. VCAP holders are typically seen in roles such as IT Architect, IT Director, and Senior Technical Consultant.
VCDX holders, on the other hand, can earn up to $180,000 (USD) per year. They are typically seen in the roles of chief architect, virtualization architect, and solutions architect.
Investing in VMware certification and training provides the foundations needed to leverage virtualization technologies. As you work through VMware certifications, you can specialize in technologies like storage, networking, and virtualization, which can help you specialize in your IT career.
Koenig Solutions offers a variety of training resources for learners who are interested in pursuing VMware certification. Below, you'll find a list of VMware training certification courses that Koenig Solutions offers:
VMware vSphere Training: VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V8] - comprehensive training for VCP-DCV certification preparation
VMware NSX Training: VMware NSX: Install, Configure, Manage [V4.0] - specialized network virtualization training
VMware Cloud Training: VMware Cloud Foundation: Deploy, Configure, Manage [V5.0] - cloud management and automation skills
VMware Horizon Training: VMware Horizon: Deploy and Manage [V2024] - end-user computing certification preparation
VMware Workspace ONE Training: VMware Workspace ONE: Deploy and Manage [V2024] - digital workspace management
VMware Carbon Black Training: VMware Carbon Black Cloud: Endpoint Standard [V2024] - security certification preparation
VMware Aria Training: VMware Aria Suite: Install, Configure, Manage [V8.10] - automation and operations management
Koenig Solutions provides expert VMware classes online certification program options that help you learn VMware virtualization training courses more efficiently, retain information longer, and gain practical, hands-on experience. In addition to watching training videos, you can reinforce core IT practices and concepts with built-in quiz questions, simulated practice exams, and customized VMware virtual labs.
The training approach helps you learn more effectively through:
Expert Instructors: Industry-certified VMware professionals with real-world experience
Flexible Learning Options: Live online training, classroom sessions, and customized corporate programs
Hands-On Labs: Practical experience with current VMware technologies
Comprehensive Coverage: Training aligned with current VMware certification exam objectives
Global Presence: Training centers worldwide including locations in major cities
Whether you're pursuing VMware certified professional credentials or exploring advanced specializations, Koenig Solutions provides the comprehensive training foundation needed to succeed in your VMware certification journey.
Aarav Goel has top education industry knowledge with 4 years of experience. Being a passionate blogger also does blogging on the technology niche.
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