Back End Developer Certifications

Certifications and certificate programs can be essential in demonstrating mastery of back end development. While certificates are typically completion-based programs, with certification, the student sits for a third-party exam to show their proficiency in a subject. 

Certification usually requires a predetermined level of on-the-job experience and knowledge sufficient to earn the designation. Some course providers offer certification exam prep, but this does not always mean they administer the exam itself.

New back end development professionals often benefit by enrolling in a comprehensive certificate program instead. Such comprehensive courses offer essential training in a concise timeframe. Consider researching junior or entry-level Back End Developer roles in your area before committing to a certification track.

What is a Back End Developer?

Back End Developers work on the server or back end side of a website. While the front end of a website is what users engage with, the back end applications are behind the scenes. These can include complex programs, data storage, and third-party Application Programming Interfaces or APIs.

Back end development entails creating a website’s application processes, database, and server. Full Stack Developers are those who can perform front and back end development tasks. Though some development professionals do one or the other, the demand for Front End, Back End, or Full Stack developers depends on location, industry, skill sets, and related factors. Read on to learn more about back end development professionals.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Back End Developer?

New development students wonder whether they need a degree to become Back End Developers. It’s understandable—many computer science professionals hold one or more degrees from colleges or universities. Some entry-level job postings list a degree requirement or even years of experience.

However, the lack of a degree should not dissuade someone from considering a new career as a Back End Developer. Depending on the company, the industry, and even the specific role, an entry-level or junior development role does not necessarily require a degree. In other cases, an industry-specific degree or demonstrated ability to do the job can suffice.

Many students new to back end development qualify for their first positions by gaining a certificate of completion from a comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program from a respected course provider. These in-depth courses typically comprise a series of training modules covering programming languages like JavaScript or Python, code editors like Visual Studio Code, or databases like MongoDB.

If you think a career in back end development will be your goal, compare and contrast a few such certificate programs. You might qualify for a new position within a few months or even weeks and get the job you want—and your company might even reimburse your tuition if you decide to go back to school.

Do Certifications Matter for Back End Developers?

As in many other aspects of the back end development career track, the short answer is it depends.

Large organizations sometimes have internal or external requirements, such as a certain number of certified staff on their payroll. This varies by industry, the organization’s size, and other factors. However, a possible requirement like this does not justify getting a certification that might or might not be useful.

However, a Back End Developer applying to a smaller company might benefit from possessing a particular certification. For example, cybersecurity professionals often obtain certain professional certifications. If an employee is the sole Back End Developer at a company, they will be responsible for multiple aspects of network security. A designation like CompTIA+ might make a candidate stand out in a crowded field.

More likely for back end development requirements are certifications like the SAP Certified Associate - Back End Developer - ABAP Cloud. This designation shows the holder has ABAP and SAP skills. However, such certifications are rarely required for entry-level development roles.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

When new development students start their educational journey, many are confused about whether they need a certificate or certification to get a job. The first order of business is understanding the difference between the two.

Online searches don’t always make it clear. Search for Back End Developer certification, and the results may include both multiple certificate programs and certifications.

A certification is a benchmarked credential, typically earned through a standardized exam. By contrast, a certificate of completion is like a diploma from a course provider.

Further complicating the matter, some colleges and universities offer certification training as well as their standard bachelor’s and master’s programs.

As a result, a search for certifications is more effective if it includes specifics. For example, a Back End Developer might want to sit for the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer - Associate designation. Searching for this certification will yield more targeted results and fewer certificate programs.

How to Get Certified as a Back End Developer

Getting certified for a back end development career means different things to different people. Although some organizations view certification designations as essential, others welcome entry-level developers based on a certificate of completion from a respected course provider.

Those who prefer to specialize in an area like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud should look for certifications from these companies. For a certificate of completion, consider a development certificate program from Noble Desktop. If you graduate from one of these courses, you do not need to retake it. However, some course providers, including Noble Desktop, allow you to retake it for up to a year at no additional charge.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Back End Developers

Certifications for development pros vary, and what works for one organization may be irrelevant to another. Consider the following alternatives:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer - Associate - Cloud developer and IT roles are appropriate for this certification, which requires sitting for a 2-hour+ exam. Topics include developing and deploying apps and using CI/CD workflows.
• Certified Web Professional - Web Developer - The certified web professional (CWP) designation is open to members of the International Web Association (IWA). Check their website for more information.
• SAP Certified Associate - Back End Developer - ABAP Cloud - Developers who work with the high-level ABAP programming language and SAP software may benefit from this targeted certification.

Noble Desktop offers certificates for multiple tracks applicable to development careers. Featured topics include Python, JavaScript, and Django REST, to name a few. Top options include:

• JavaScript Development Certificate - The JavaScript Development Certificate provides appropriate training for Front End, Full Stack, or JavaScript Developers. This immersive program covers everything from developing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to the MERN tech stack—MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js. Applicants must be comfortable coding HTML/CSS before enrollment.
• Python Developer Certificate - Noble’s Python Developer Certificate program combines a 60-hour unit on Python web development with Django REST with a 30-hour Python Programming Bootcamp. The in-depth certificate covers automation, GitHub, SQL, and URL dispatchers as participants gain expertise in designing complex web apps. As in the JavaScript Development Certificate program, students should be familiar with HTML and CSS.
• Python Web Development with Django - The 60-hour Python Web Development with Django is a highly-reviewed standalone course for applicants comfortable coding HTML/CSS. The curriculum introduces object-oriented programming concepts, working with Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and back end development with Django REST. Students can save by taking the course as part of the Python Developer Certificate program.