Certifications in the technology industry can help show hiring managers the verified credentials of qualified candidates. Of the many certifications available, Java certifications are common and internationally accepted credentials candidates might choose to obtain. Becoming more knowledgeable about these various qualifications can help you select the ones most closely align with your career and learning goals.
A Java certification is a qualification that validates your knowledge and expertise as a Java practitioner. Java is a globally recognized programming language and computing platform that IT professionals use to build and maintain different systems, sites, and applications. It's a common system integral to many projects and innovative software solutions.
The Oracle Corporation provides the Java platform and regularly produces, maintains, and supplies the various credentials that can elevate your career. Every qualification course provides content with specific expertise and knowledge, allowing you to choose the proper one to fit your current needs and capabilities. These two certification levels are currently available:
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Oracle Certified Associate: This level is for beginner or novice Java users, usually those students currently in university, college, or secondary academia. The associate level supplies users with the platform's fundamentals, including the skills and knowledge vital for using basic Java languages and performing problem-solving solutions.
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Oracle Certified Professional: This is an intermediate to advanced level path designed for practitioners who possess a working knowledge of Java and how to operate its programming language effectively. This certification level seeks to improve your performance and code clarity, including methods for using new Java features and reducing development times.

Benefits of Java Certification Courses
There are many benefits of earning a Java certification, such as:
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New skills: The primary benefit of earning a Java certification is learning and developing new skills. This helps you expand your capabilities, making you a more reliable and knowledgeable Java practitioner.
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Competitive advantage: Although Java is a widely used software development tool, not everyone possesses the credentials to verify their knowledge. Earning one or several Java accreditations can differentiate you from other professionals in your field.
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Job opportunities: Some employers may add position requirements for Java knowledge or Java certification. Earning qualifications can help expand your job opportunities to positions with these requirements.
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Increased confidence: When you complete a Java credential, your quality and productivity can improve as your confidence in your Java skills increases. This career development can motivate you to expand your skills and work performance further.
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Formal validation: After you earn your qualification, you gain documentation of your accomplishment. This proves your expertise and commitment to professional development.
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Higher pay: A Java credential can prove your Java capabilities and provide your employer with evidence of your current job skill level. You may be able to leverage your qualification and expertise to negotiate for a higher wage or salary.
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Updated skills: Earning a Java certification is a viable opportunity to expand your current skill set. You can learn new techniques, strategies, tools, and methods to implement into your current workflow, helping to optimize and streamline your productivity.
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Promotion: If you're seeking a promotion in your current employment, earning a new certification may help you achieve that goal. Some leadership or senior positions require specific credentials, and getting one may increase your chances of qualifying.
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Mentor-level knowledge: After becoming a highly skilled Java user, you can share your knowledge. You can use your expertise to teach online and in-person classes to aspiring Java developers, helping to increase your credibility in the industry.
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Top Java Certification Courses Online
The best Java certification course online will depend on your needs, but the ones listed here cover a good range. Some are for beginners, others are for more advanced Java programmers. Organizations and industries consider certifications as proof of knowledge, especially when the certifications are from a recognized body or firm.
Aspirants and professionals looking for possibilities in the Java development domain can avail themselves of many benefits through the certifications mentioned in this article. There are six levels of Oracle Java Certification based on job roles, skills, and responsibilities.
Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer OCAJP
It is the preliminary and most basic certification provided by Oracle for Java. It helps you understand Java programming and build a foundation in Java and other general programming concepts. There are two subcategories in this certification –
- OCAJP Java Standard Edition 8 (OCAJP 8) and
- OCAJP Java Standard Edition 11 (OCAJP 11)
OCAJP8 comprises topics like:
- Creating and Using Arrays
- Handling Exceptions
- Java Basics
- Using Loop Constructs
- Using Operators and Decision Constructs
- Working with Inheritance
- Working with Java Data Types
- Working with Methods and Encapsulation
- Working with Selected classes from the Java API

OCAJP11 comprises topics like:
- Applying Encapsulation
- Creating and Using Methods
- Creating Simple Java Programs
- Describing and Using Objects and Classes
- Handling Exceptions
- Java Technology and the Java Development Environment
- Programming Abstractly Through Interfaces
- Reusing Implementations Through Inheritance
- Understanding Modules
- Using Operators and Decision Constructs
- Working with Java Arrays
- Working with Java Primitive Data Types and String APIs
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Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer OCPJP
It is a professional-level certification program provided by Oracle for Java developers. It verifies the candidates' knowledge and professional expertise. Using this certification, aspirants and other hard-core Java programmers can distinguish themselves from those Java professionals who are not certified. It comes in the second level of Oracle's Java Certification list. There are two subcategories of this certification –
- OCPJP Java Standard Edition 8 (OCPJP 8) and
- OCPJP Java Standard Edition 11 (OCPJP 11)
This certification is preferable if someone has professional experience with Java or has worked in Java technology for some years. OCPJP8 comprises topics like:
- Advanced Class Design
- Building Database Applications with JDBC
- Concurrency
- Exceptions and Assertions
- Generics and Collections
- Java Class Design
- Java File I/O (NIO.2)
- Java I/O Fundamentals
- Java Stream API
- Lambda Built-in Functional Interfaces
- Localization
- Use Java SE 8 Date/Time API
OCPJP11 comprises topics like:
- Annotations
- Built-in Functional Interfaces
- Concurrency
- Database Applications with JDBC
- Exception Handling and Assertions
- Functional Interface and Lambda Expressions
- Generics and Collections
- I/O (Fundamentals and NIO.2)
- Java Fundamentals
- Java Interfaces
- Java Stream API
- Lambda Operations on Streams
- Localization
- Migration to a Modular Application
- Parallel Systems
- Secure Coding in Java SE Application
- Services in a Modular Application
Get an advanced certification in Java programming to improve your career prospects.
Oracle Certified Expert - Web Component Developer OCEWCD
It is an intermediate-level course offered by Oracle for Java web developers. The Oracle Certified Expert Web Component Developer is for web developers who want to write web applications using Java. Through this course, they can prove their expertise in developing web apps using JSP and Servlet technologies. It verifies your expertise in Servlet 3.0 and helps in creating dynamic Web content and Web services.
It comprises topics like:
- Understanding Java EE Architecture
- Managing Persistence using JPA entities and Bean Validation
- Implementing business logic using EJBs
- Using Java Message Service API
- Implement SOAP Services using JAX-WS and JAXB APIs
- Creating Java Web Applications using Servlets and JSPs
- Implementing REST Services using JAX-RS API
- Creating Java Applications using WebSockets
- Developing Web Applications using JSFs
- Securing Java EE 7 Applications
- Using CDI Beans
Oracle Certified Professional Java Application Developer (OCPJAD)
It is an advanced-level course offered by Oracle for Java application developers. The Oracle Certified Professional Java Application Developer (OCPJAD) is for software developers who want to write different applications and automation tools using Java. Through this course, developers can prove their expertise and abilities to develop and deploy applications through Java Enterprise Edition 7. OCPJAD is ideal for desktop application developers, frontend + backend app developers, software engineers, and application architects.
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It comprises topics like:
- Creating Batch API
- Developing CDI Beans
- Concepts of Concurrency
- Creating Java Applications with Web-Sockets
- Creating Java Web Applications with JSPs
- Developing Java Web Applications with Servlets
- Developing Web Applications with JSFs
- Implementing Business Logic with EJBs
- Performing REST Services with JAX-RS API
- Implementing SOAP Services with JAX-WS and JAXB APIs
- Java EE 7 system architecture
- Java EE 7 Security Techniques
- Java Message Service API
- Managing Persistence with JPA Entities and Bean-Validation
Improve your salary as a Java developer by earning advanced certification in Java.
Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA)
Large-scale development and service firms have different critical applications and systems to develop, manage, and maintain. Such systems require full-stack developers and specialized professionals with proven skills. Such organizations and MNCs hire only highly experienced professionals and specialists who can supervise the extensive operation, architect the defects, and define & develop systems as per requirements. The Oracle Certified Master Java Enterprise Architect (OCMJEA) is one of the most prestigious Java certifications a Java developer can achieve.
It comprises topics like:
- Architect Enterprise Applications through Java EE
- Developing Applications for the Java EE 6
- Developing Applications for the Java EE 7
- Developing Applications with Java EE 6 on WebLogic Server 12c
- Java Design Patterns
- Java EE 6: Develop Business Components with JMS & EJBs
- Java EE 6: Develop Database Applications with JPA
- Java EE 6: Develop Web Services with JAX-WS & JAX-RS
- Java EE 7: New Features
- Java SE 7: Develop Rich Client Applications
- Java SE 8: Programming
- Java SE 8 Fundamentals
- Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Using UML, etc.
Java is an evergreen programming language and is here to stay, at least for the next few decades. A vast community of professionals and entry-level aspirants enjoy the benefit of this pure object-oriented, class-based, multi-paradigm, high-level programming language. Java Certification requires proper training.
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