VMware Certifications

VMware offers world-class certifications designed to validate and recognize IT professionals with the technical capabilities and real-world experience needed to effectively install, manage, deploy and support VMware products and solutions. VMware certifications are available in two areas of virtualization: Datacentre and Desktop. Each specialty is broken down into three distinct certification levels reflective of skill and competency level.

Datacentre Virtualization

• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP)
• VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX)

Desktop Virtualization

• VMware Certified Associate (VCA-DT)
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP-DT) – coming soon!
• VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP-DT) – coming soon!

VMware Certified Professional

Becoming a VMware Certified Professional (VCP) is your first step toward gaining expertise in virtual infrastructure and the industry recognition that follows. This certification is designed to teach you what you need to successfully install, manage and deploy VMware vSphere 4. A VMware authorized instructor-led course is required.

VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4

Getting Started
There are various paths to VCP4 based on your experience. Chose your path and complete the three validation components:
Attend the required VMware authorized courses appropriate for your experience
Gain hands-on experience with VMware vSphere
Pass the VCP4 Exam

Required Coursework
One of the following VMware courses are required for the VCP certification:

1. VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V41]
   (The 4-day version of this course VMware vSphere: Install Configure, Manage [V4] taken before December 31, 2010 still meets requirements.)
2. VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting [V4x]
3. VMware vSphere: Bootcamp [V41]
4. VMware vSphere: What′s New [V4]
   (This instructor-led course fulfills the course requirement only for candidates who have already completed VCP3 coursework or upgrading from VCP3 to VCP4. The self-paced course does not meet the certification requirements.)

VCP Benefits
VMware Certified Professional benefits include: recognition in the industry, distinction for partners, credential that consulting clients can trust, use of “VMware Certified Professional” logo on business cards and websites, and complementary license of VMware Workstation.

VMware is no longer granting the VCP certification on VMware Infrastructure 3. VMware IT Academy students already on the VCP3 track must complete their examinations by December 31, 2010.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional

Upon accomplishing VMware Certified Professional on VMware vSphere 4 (VCP4) you are eligible to pursue our intermediate level certification: VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP). Available in Datacentre Administration (DCA) and/or Datacentre Design (DCD), this program is appropriate for VCP4s that are ready to further enhance their skills with the virtual infrastructure and add new, industry-recognized credentials to their list of accomplishments.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacentre Administration

The VCAP4-DCA is directed toward System Administrators, Consultants and Technical Support Engineers who can demonstrate their skills in VMware vSphere and VMware vCenter technologies in relation to the Datacentre, as well as their knowledge of application and physical-infrastructure services and their integration with the virtual infrastructure.

Become a VCAP4-DCA
To achieve VCAP4-DCA, you must complete two core validation components:

1. Be a VMware Certified Professional 4 (VCP4)
2. Pass the VCAP4-DCA exam

Recommended Courses
The following VMware courses are recommended for VCAP4-DCA exam preparation but are not required:

VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Manage for Performance [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Manage and Design for Security [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Automation with vSphere PowerCLI [V4x]

VCAP Benefits
VMware Certified Advanced Professional benefits include: recognition in the industry, use of the "VMware Certified Advanced Professional" logo on business cards and websites, discounted admission to VMworld, and invitations to participate in select beta classes and exams.

VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 – Datacentre Design

The VCAP-DCD is directed toward IT Architects and Consulting Architects who are capable of designing VMware solutions in a multi-site, large enterprise environment.  They have a deep understanding both of VMware core components and their relation to storage and networking, and also of Datacentre design methodologies. They also possess knowledge of applications and physical infrastructure, as well as their relationship to the virtual infrastructure.

Become a VCAP4-DCD
To achieve VCAP4-DCD, you must complete two core validation components:

• Be a VMware Certified Professional 4 (VCP4)
• Pass the VCAP4-DCD exam

Recommended Courses
The following VMware courses are recommended for VCAP4-DCD exam preparation but are not required:

VMware vSphere: Design Workshop [V4x]
DRBC Design - Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Fundamentals

VCAP Benefits
VMware Certified Advanced Professional benefits include: recognition in the industry, use of the "VMware Certified Advanced Professional" logo on business cards and websites, discounted admission to VMworld, and invitations to participate in select beta classes and exams.

VMware Certified Design Expert

VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) is the highest level of VMware certification. This elite group is comprised of design architects highly-skilled in VMware enterprise deployments and the program is designed for veteran professionals who want to validate and demonstrate their expertise in VMware virtual infrastructure.

VMware Certified Design Expert on vSphere 4

1. Become a VCDX4 Be a VMware Certified Professional on vSphere 4 (VCP4)
2. Pass the VMware Certified Advanced Professional on vSphere 4 - Datacentre Administration (VCAP4-DCA) Exam
3. Pass the VMware Certified Advanced Professional - Design (VCAP4-DCD) Exam
4. Submit a VCDX4 Application that is accepted
5. Successfully present and defend a VMware vSphere based virtual infrastructure design and implementation plan

VMware no longer requires qualifying exams to be taken in a specific sequence. However, required exams must be passed before the submitting the VCDX4 Application

Recommended Courses
The following VMware advanced courses are recommended for VCDX certification preparation but are not required:

VMware vSphere: Design Workshop [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Troubleshooting [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Manage for Performance [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Manage and Design for Security [V4x]
VMware vSphere: Automation with vSphere PowerCLI [V4x]

VCDX Benefits
VMware Certified Design Experts benefits include: recognition in the industry, press release support, profile featured in the VCDX Directory on VMware.com, VCDX Plaque, VCDX logo wear, use of "VMware Certified Design Expert" logo on business cards and websites, discounted admission to VMworld, and invitation to participate in select beta classes and exams.

VMware Certified Associate 4 - Desktop

Get Recognized for your Ability to Increase Efficiency, Reliability and Availability

VMware offers world-class Desktop certifications designed to validate and recognize individuals with the technical capabilities and real-world experience needed to increase efficiency, reliability, and availability when delivering desktops from the Datacentre as a managed service.

The VMware Certified Associate 4 – Desktop (VCA4-DT) is the first step toward gaining expertise in desktop virtualization and earning the respect and recognition that comes with being VMware Certified. The exam is designed for Desktop System Administrators who seek to demonstrate their ability to manage, monitor and troubleshoot desktop deployments and VMware View components, as well as their knowledge of adjacent, complementary technologies to VMware solutions.

Getting Started
VMware Education recommends the listed courses in preparation for the VCA4-DT exam but there are no course requirements in order to take the exam.

Requirement
Pass the VCA4-DT exam

Recommended Courses
The following VMware courses are recommended for VCA4-DT exam preparation but are not required:

VMware View 4.5 Fundamentals
VMware View: Install, Configure, Manage [V4.5]