Certification paths

VMware certification allows for the flexibility to find the path that suits your needs, because there are different paths based on different technologies, as indicated by the following diagram:

Figure A.1: Different areas of VMware certification

The four main paths are as follows:

• Data Center Virtualization (DCV): These certifications are designed to gauge your level of skill in designing, installing, and managing VMware vSphere environments in real-world environments.
• Network Virtualization (NV): These certifications are designed to gauge your level of skill in designing, installing, and managing VMware vSphere environments in real-world environments.
• Cloud Management and Automation (CMA): These certifications are designed to gauge your level of skill in designing, installing, and managing VMware vSphere environments in real-world environments.
• Desktop and Mobility (DM): These certifications are designed to gauge your level of skill in designing, installing, and managing a VMware Horizon with View environment deployed on a VMware vSphere implementation.

There are other paths, but they are limited to only one level of certification, or to the same badges (like the VSAN badge).

Certification levels

In each path described previously, there are different certification levels, based on your skills, roles, and knowledge level.

There are three main levels, as follows:

• Professional (VCP): This first level demonstrates the ability to install, configure, and manage a specific set of VMware's products or solutions. This level is designed for IT professionals that install, configure, manage, and optimize VMware solutions.
• Advanced (VCAP/VCIX): This second level demonstrates the ability to manage and troubleshoot (for the admin path) or design (for the design path) a specific set of VMware's products or solutions. The advanced levels are for those that design and build VMware Solutions (VCAP Design) and manage and optimize VMware solutions (VCAP Deployment).
• Expert (VCDX): This high level of VMware certification demonstrates the ability to plan and design complex VMware-based projects. The highest level of certification, VCDX recognizes IT professionals that design, build, and manage VMware solutions and systems.

The following diagram displays the different levels as a pyramid, with the most important level at the top:

 

Figure A.2: Different levels of VMware certification

Which level should you choose? It depends on your skills and your role, but you do have to start with a VCP certification. For more information on the different purposes for the different levels of certification, see https://searchvmware.techtarget.com/Which-VMware-certifications-are-right-for-you.

In the past, there was also a lower level, the Associated level (VCA), but it no longer exists. Also, VCA is not mandatory for reaching the VCP. This entry-level certification is ideal for new IT professionals, as well as for executives making decisions about VMware solutions. There is still one VCA certification, but on a specific path, without any higher certifications.