Blockchain Certification: Which To Choose?

Research estimates the global blockchain market at $17.46 billion in 2023 and predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 87.7 percent by 2030 [1]. Applications of blockchain technology have grown to include nearly every economic sector, from financial services and supply chains to health care, manufacturing, and entertainment. If you want to qualify for a role as a blockchain professional, certificate programs and certifications can be a great way to elevate your skill set and resume. The following article explores benefits, requirements, and options for earning blockchain industry credentials.

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Blockchain certification vs. blockchain certificate

A blockchain certification verifies that you've passed an exam in a specialized area or technology, such as . It may or may not include exam preparation. In contrast, a blockchain certificate demonstrates that you've successfully completed training or education. Both can be used to showcase your skills and understanding of blockchain technology to potential employers.

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Is a blockchain certification worth it?

If you need to demonstrate your expertise in an area that your professional experience does not adequately show, you might use a certification to fill those gaps in your resume. Remember that a certification typically does not include training but may be available on a case-by-case basis. You'll generally need to study on your own to prepare to pass a certification exam. If you need to obtain training or gain hands-on experience while earning credentials, a blockchain certificate program may better align with your goals.

Read more: Blockchain in Cryptocurrency: Beginner Guide and Career Outlook

Should you get certified?

Earning a blockchain certification may be of interest to software engineers and IT professionals who want to transition into blockchain development roles. If you’re not a tech professional, blockchain courses are available that don’t have programming prerequisites. With plenty of emerging opportunities in blockchain, having some prior knowledge may offer you an advantage if your company begins to incorporate the technology. Generally, earning a blockchain certificate may be worth it if you're interested in the following concepts and tasks:

• Creating smart contracts

• Understanding data structures and network protocols

• Want to secure data and ensure privacy

• Designing application programming interfaces (APIs) to mesh blockchain solutions with existing applications

Looking to master the basic concepts required to enter the blockchain industry? Consider enrolling in the beginner-friendly on Coursera. In about two months, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of key terms, implementation challenges, and use cases within your industry.

Blockchain certifications

Depending on your interests, career goals, and learning preferences, you can choose from several available blockchain certifications and blockchain certificate programs. First, we'll compare five blockchain certifications offered by the Blockchain Council. Afterward, we'll compare three blockchain certificate programs.

1. Certified Blockchain Developer

Cost: $299

For who: Blockchain developers; blockchain architect; blockchain consultant; blockchain project manager; We3 developer; Ethereum developer

Description: The Certified Blockchain Developer certification covers blockchain concepts and practical applications, including Ethereum, IPFS, Hyperledger, and R3 Corda. Getting certified validates your expertise in blockchain development, distributed ledger systems, smart contract programming, and more. Consider this program if you’re interested in blockchain, want to become an expert, or expand your skill set.

2. Certified Blockchain Architect

Cost: $349

For who: Software architect; software developer; blockchain expert; entrepreneurs; DevOps and network engineers

Description: Topics that are covered in the Certified Blockchain Architect certification include designing, developing, and implementing blockchain solutions. This certification validates your knowledge of blockchain architecture, system design, network security, and more. The program is catered to professionals who can implement and design scalable and protected solutions in blockchain.

3. Certified Smart Contract Auditor

Cost: $349

For who: Smart contract auditor; smart contract developer; blockchain developer; blockchain consultant

Description: The Certified Smart Contract Auditor certification caters to coding and non-coding professionals who want to learn more about smart contract auditing. Topics covered include fundamentals of smart contract auditing, DeFi attacks, and compliance. You’ll learn about the best practices and principles for developing and deploying smart contracts.

4. Certified Blockchain Expert

Cost: $249

For who: Blockchain researchers; software engineers; data scientists; tech professionals

Description: The Certified Blockchain Expert certificate focuses on the impact of blockchain and how it’s used in businesses. Some of the program’s blockchain modules include mining, security and privacy, use cases, and more. Consider the Certified Blockchain Expert if you’re interested in how blockchains are used in different sectors.

5. Certified Smart Contract Developer

Cost: $299

For who: Developers; Ethereum developer; We3 developer; blockchain, crypto, and metaverse related jobs; anyone interested in blockchain

Description: Professionals who become Certified Smart Contract Developers verify their understanding and ability to create smart contracts with Solidity on blockchain platforms. This certification covers smart contract topics like development, architecture, and security measures. Learners can also gain hands-on experience with seven projects that are included.

Blockchain certificate programs

With certificate programs, you’ll learn key concepts and how to practically apply them. General topics you can expect to study include cryptography, smart contract development, cybersecurity, data structures, and programming languages like C, C++, JavaScript, Python, and Solidity. Use the following list to compare blockchain certificate programs:

1. Blockchain developer certificate

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Description: If you're a software developer eyeing a transition into blockchain development, you might consider enrolling in the University of Buffalo's Blockchain Specialization. This intermediate-level certificate program focuses on key technologies such as smart contracts and how to craft innovative application models.

2. Blockchain security certificate

Cost: Free

Description: You can earn a shareable certificate for completing this free Blockchain Security course on Coursera, offered by the InfoSec Institute. In as little as eight hours, you'll grasp blockchain security concepts such as consensus algorithms and secure smart contract development.

3. Blockchain technology certificate

Cost: Included with $59/mo Coursera Plus subscription

Description: If you're searching for a certificate in general blockchain technology, the Blockchain Revolution Specialization introduces learners to the seven design principles of blockchain technology and foundational tech terms like proof-of-work and public key cryptography. Since this certificate program is beginner-friendly, it's a good place to start for anyone with or without programming expertise.

Benefits of blockchain certification

Blockchain’s ability to organize and trace data doesn’t only apply to technology and finance. The sectors that may benefit from this emerging technology are continuously growing, including law enforcement, software security, real estate, and more. With so many potential blockchain applications, there are a growing number of high-paying career opportunities available. Below are some roles in blockchain technology and their annual average salaries in the US:

*All base salaries are sourced from Glassdoor as of October 2024.

• Blockchain developer: $145,000

• Blockchain architect: $187,000

• Smart contract auditor: $93,000

• Smart contract developer: $107,000

• Crypto analyst: $151,000

• Cryptocurrency trader: $119,000

• Blockchain software engineer: $183,000

• Blockchain consultant: $123,000

Read more: How to Find the Right Crypto Job for You

How to prepare for blockchain certification exams

Besides learning the material and meeting the requirements for the certification, several other strategies are available to help you prepare for tests, such as: 

• Networking with colleagues who have obtained their certification

• Attending webinars 

• Participating in discussion and study groups

• Joining work or social groups dedicated to learning about your preferred specialization

• Taking extra courses to fill any knowledge gaps 

Start earning blockchain credentials today on Coursera.

The beginner-friendly Blockchain Revolution Specialization on Coursera is an excellent place to start, whether you're new to the field or transitioning from a related role. In about two months, you'll be able to recognize blockchain technology applications in your field and prepare yourself for blockchain certifications.