SAP certifications are a major plus for professionals who want to prove they know their stuff when it comes to enterprise resource planning (ERP) and related business solutions. If you're a developer, analyst, administrator, or consultant, getting an SAP certification can really boost your career and show you're a pro in the field.
Like Oracle, IBM, and other enterprise-centric companies, SAP’s technology is also pretty widespread: the company has more than 440,000 customers in over 180 countries and upwards of 21,000+ SAP partner companies around the world. Through SAP training and certification, specialists in any department, ranging from human resources to finance to sales, will be better able to learn the ins and outs of the various modules.
What Are SAP Certifications?
SAP certifications are official stamps of approval from SAP, given to people who can show they're skilled in specific SAP solutions and roles. These certifications confirm your abilities and knowledge, so employers know you can handle SAP projects and implementations effectively. You can learn more about SAP skills on the SAP Learning website.
Certification Levels
- Associate: This level is for people who are new to SAP solutions. It covers the basics.
- Specialist: This level builds on the associate level, focusing on specific roles or parts of SAP solutions.
- Professional: This is an advanced certification for people with lots of experience and a deep understanding of SAP solutions.
Types of SAP Certifications
SAP offers a wide variety of certifications for different roles and SAP solutions (seriously, there are a ton of them, from broad-based to highly specialized—you can check out the full list on SAP’s website). Here are some key ones:
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA System Administration: Shows you can manage and set up SAP S/4HANA systems.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA Project Systems: Focuses on managing projects within the SAP S/4HANA environment.
- SAP Certified Associate – Project Manager – SAP Activate: Highlights project management methods specifically for SAP implementations.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition, Sales: Covers sales processes in the SAP S/4HANA Cloud environment.
- SAP Certified Professional – SAP Enterprise Architect: An advanced certification for designing and implementing SAP solutions.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP Billing and Revenue Innovation Management: Confirms your expertise in managing subscriptions and billing.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA Portfolio and Project Management: Covers portfolio and project management in SAP S/4HANA.
- SAP Certified Associate – Database Administrator – SAP HANA: Focuses on database administration for SAP HANA.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP Fiori Application Developer: Shows you can develop applications using SAP Fiori.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Financial Accounting: Covers financial accounting in SAP S/4HANA Cloud.
How to Get SAP Certified
Getting SAP certified involves a few important steps:
- Choose Your Certification: Pick the certification that fits your career goals and current skills.
- Prepare for the Exam: Use SAP's Learning Journeys, which provide structured learning paths for each certification.
- Purchase Exam Attempts: You can buy individual exam attempts or get a subscription like the SAP Learning Hub, which includes multiple attempts and other resources.
- Schedule and Take the Exam: You can schedule exams online, and they are usually proctored to ensure fairness.
- Maintain Your Certification: Keep your certification current by completing yearly assessments, especially if you have an active SAP Learning Hub subscription.
Cost of SAP Certification
The cost of SAP certifications depends on how you choose to pay:
- Individual Exam Purchase: Prices range from $150 to $600 per attempt.
- SAP Learning Hub Subscription: An annual subscription gives you access to learning materials, four exam attempts, and assessments to stay certified.
Consider what works best for your learning style and certification goals.
How Long Is SAP Certification Valid?
As of April 2024, SAP certifications are good for one year. To keep your certification active:
- With SAP Learning Hub Subscription: Complete short, yearly assessments to extend your certification.
- Without Subscription: Retake the full certification exam each year.
Staying up-to-date ensures your skills match the latest SAP developments and practices.
Best SAP Certifications for Beginners
If you're new to SAP, consider starting with:
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA System Administration: Great for understanding system setup and management.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP Fiori Application Developer: Focuses on developing user-friendly applications.
- SAP Certified Associate – SAP S/4HANA Cloud, Financial Accounting: Provides insights into financial processes within SAP.
These certifications provide a strong base for further specialization.
Career Impact of SAP Certification
An SAP certification can really boost your career:
- Increased Job Opportunities: Certified professionals are often preferred for roles that require SAP skills.
- Higher Earning Potential: Certifications can lead to higher salaries and better compensation.
- Enhanced Credibility: Shows you have validated skills, making you a trusted expert in SAP projects.
Investing in certification shows you're serious about professional growth and continuous learning.
Conclusion
SAP certifications prove your skills and commitment in the world of enterprise solutions. By choosing the right certification, preparing well, and staying current, you'll set yourself up for long-term success in enterprise tech.
