Keeping Up with Changes to the VMware Certification Program

The VMware certification program has experienced some churn over the last year, most recently to update certifications based on vSphere 5 to vSphere 6, which was released in March 2015. The roadmaps for both the version 5 and version 6 certifications are shown below. Because the version 6 program is still in transition, not all of the listed certifications are available as of this writing (blue exam numbers indicate that the cert is available, gray exam numbers indicate the the cert is in progress).

VMware Version 5 and Version 6 certification roadmaps

One of the notable changes that began with version 5 certs was a focus shift from products to job roles. Notice that both roadmaps include job roles in the left column (Solution Design Architecture, Implementation, Administration and Business IT). The certs are also categorized as Data Center Virtualization, Cloud Management & Automation, Network Virtualization and Desktop & Mobility.

Another major change between version 5 and version 6 certs is VMware that VMware is dropping the highly popular VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) and replacing it with the VMware Certified Implementation Expert (VCIX). From another perspective, the Advanced Professional 5 will become the Implementation Expert 6. Folks who have already achieved their VCAP5 Administration (VCAP5-DCA) or Design (VCAP5-DCD) certification need only take one VCIX6 exam (when available) to get their version 6 credential.

Tip: To help credential holders understand how to migrate their version 4 or version 5 certification(s) to version 6, the web page for each available version 6 cert has a Migration Paths tab.

If you're looking to acquire a VMware certification in the near future, be aware that some version 5 certs have deadlines for taking an exam or submitting an application. For example, the VCDX-DCV cert requires a few prerequisite certs as well as a data center virtualization design, but you need to apply to defend your design by August 25, 2015.

Here are some other tidbits you should know about VMware certifications and exams:

? VMware certifications typically require training in order to sit for the associated exam. You can preview VMware On Demand courses (called a Sneak Peek) before purchasing a course to get a feel for the content and exercises.

? If you're heading to VMworld 2015, being held in San Francisco in August/September 2015, you can save 50 percent on select certification exams by purchasing an exam voucher at the same time you register for the conference.

Aside from the VMware Certification web pages, you can get a lot of good cert information by browsing the VMware Community forums as well as the VMware Education and Certification Blog.