What Is a Java Certification? How to Get One

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

A Java certification from Oracle can help showcase your skills and earn a higher-paying career. Learn which Java certification is a good match for your goals and how to get started.

[Featured Image] A Java software developer sits at their desk and studies for a Java certification exam.

The information technology (IT) company Oracle offers six different Java certification paths for tech professionals. By earning a Java certification, you can develop and demonstrate your skills to potential employers, boost your Java programming abilities, qualify for a higher-paying job, and make your resume stand out. Compare six Java certifications and learn how you can earn one in the article below.

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How to get a certification in Java

To get a Java certification, you must first decide which certification path to follow and meet the necessary requirements to take your chosen exam. You can compare certification paths in the following section. Once you’re confident in the material, it’s time to register by purchasing an exam. Oracle offers Java certifications at various experience levels, as well as preparatory courses corresponding to each exam. You can study on your own or take the opportunity to earn a certificate after studying by enrolling in an online program covering core Java programming concepts.

Is Java certification worth it?

If you're transitioning from a related role, a certification can help demonstrate experience that your previous role may not. You can use certifications to fill the gaps in your resume or increase your competitiveness as a job market candidate. If the cost of a Java certification is an obstacle, you may opt for a more cost-effective credential that includes training, like a Java certificate program.

Java certification paths

Oracle Java certification paths include two at the beginner or associate level and six at the advanced or professional level. To obtain a professional-level certification, you must first complete the corresponding associate-level certification, if applicable.

Associate Java certification paths

  • Java Certified Foundations Associate: This certification path is geared toward students in two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and secondary schools who are either studying computer science or have participated in the Oracle Academy program as well as faculty members teaching foundational Java. Although this is a beginner certification path, you'll need a basic understanding of Java.

Professional Java certification paths

Let’s explore each certification in more detail in the sections below.

1. Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 7 Application Developer (1Z0-900)

Requirements: Recommended prior experience with programming and Java SE

Cost (US): $245 [1]

Exam format: 70 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes

Exam topics: Java EE architecture, business logic using Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs), Java Message Service API, SOAP services, REST services, WebSockets, CDI Beans, concurrency API, and Batch API

Being an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) in Java Enterprise Edition 7 demonstrates your ability to develop and deploy programs using Java EE 7 to future employers. You’ll need prior experience using Java Standard Edition to qualify for this certification. 

2. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer (1Z0-808)

Requirements: Intermediate experience with Java SE 8

Cost (US): $245 [1]

Exam format: 56 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes

Exam topics: Java basics, working with Java data types, operators, decision constructs, arrays, loops, handling exceptions, Java API

The Oracle Certified Associate Java Standard Edition 8 Programmer credential demonstrates your foundational Java skills. To succeed at this certification level, you should have an intermediate knowledge of Java SE 8 along with programming experience. Earning this credential is a prerequisite to attaining Java SE 8 credentials at a professional level. 

3. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer (1Z0-809)

Requirements: Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer

Cost (US): $245 [1]

Exam format: 68 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes

Exam topics: Java classes, advanced Java classes, generics and collections, Lambda built-in Functional Interfaces, Java I/O fundamentals, concurrency, localization

After completing the associate level certification, you can move on to earn an Oracle Certified Professional in Java SE 8 Programmer certification. The professional level demonstrates a more advanced background in Java SE 8 and a proven ability to use Java SE 8 in real-world applications. You can take a more advanced course in Java or gain hands-on experience to prepare yourself for a higher level of certification. 

4. Java Certified Foundations Associate (1Z0-811)

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Java 

Cost (US): $95 [2]

Exam format: 60 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes

Exam topics: Real-world applications of Java, elements of Java, data types, operators, strings, classes, decision statements, looping statements, arrays, debugging

The Java Certified Foundations Associate requires you to understand Java concepts and have practical, hands-on skills with Java. Oracle designed this course for students studying Java or ready to begin careers using Java. 

5. Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 11 Developer (1Z0-819)

Requirements: Advanced knowledge of Java 

Cost (US): $245 [1]

Exam format: 50 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes

Exam topics: Object-oriented approach, data types, exception handling, arrays, collections, streams, Lambda expressions, modular applications, secure coding, localizations

Earning an Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 11 Developer certification demonstrates your professional-level knowledge and skills working with Java SE 11, specifically the changes from version 8. If you currently hold an OCP in Java SE 8, you can take this Java certification to upgrade your skill set to a new version of Java. 

6. Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 17 Developer (1Z0-829)

Requirements: Advanced knowledge of Java SE 17

Cost (US): $245 [1]

Exam format: 50 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes

Exam topics: Controlling program flow such as if/else and switch statements; Java object-oriented approach; handling exceptions; working with arrays, collections, streams, and collections; Java Platform Module system

As an Oracle Certified Professional in Java SE 17, you demonstrate your advanced skills with Java Standard Edition 17. Java SE 17 is a recent edition of Java that Oracle offers as a certified credential, although it released Java SE 20 in March 2023 and Java SE 21 in September 2023. If you currently hold a certification in Java SE 11 or Java SE 8, upgrading to the Java SE 17 certification can help show potential employers that you’re staying current on the newest Java technology. 

Ready to start prepping for a Java certification exam? Get hands-on practice while building your technical communication skills for job interviews with the Object Oriented Java Programming: Data Structures and Beyond Specialization from UC San Diego.

Java certification salary and job outlook 

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is 17 percent from 2023 to 2033 [3]. Although it doesn’t offer insight into Java software developers, Statista reports that Java was the seventh most popular programming language in 2024 [4]. While Java certification may boost your earning power, it also helps you qualify for more advanced or senior programming roles. 

Java certification careers

Java is relevant for several careers in computer technology and software development. Three examples of positions you can pursue with a Java certification include Java software developer, Android developer, and full-stack developer. 

*All salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of June 2025.

Java software developer

Average base US salary (Glassdoor): $110,353 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [3]

Typical education requirements: Bachelor’s degree in an IT-related field to work as a Java software developer

As a Java software developer, you’ll work with a team to design, create, test, and repair software using the programming language. Depending on the size of your team, you may have a specialized role or a broad one. Some typical tasks for Java software developers include testing and debugging code, developing technical designs, and monitoring security. 

Android developer

Average base US salary (Glassdoor): $91,824 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [3]

Typical education requirements: A bachelor’s in an IT-related field to work as an Android developer

As an Android developer, you’ll do a lot of similar tasks to a software developer. The major difference is that you’ll design and create software to run on Android devices that will be available in the Google Play Store. While the official Android app programming language has been Kotlin since 2019, Java was the official language prior to that and remains relevant for developing Android apps today. 

You can earn a Professional Certificate and specialized training from the experts at Meta within eight months with no previous experience:

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Meta Android Developer

Launch your career as an Android app developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career and earn a credential from Meta. No degree or prior experience required to get started.

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Persona (User Experience), Version Control, Javascript, React Native, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Restful API, Mobile Development, UI/UX Research, Git (Version Control System), Android Studio, Interaction Design, Kotlin, User Experience Design, Unix Commands, Data Structures, Usability Testing, Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Android Jetpack, GitHub, Android Development, Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Design Elements And Principles, Wireframing, User Interface (UI) Design, User Experience, User Centered Design, Web Design, Front-End Web Development, Design Research, User Interface (UI), Application Development, Gradle, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Development Environment, Android (Operating System), Virtual Environment, Integrated Development Environments, UI Components, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), JSON, Unit Testing, Node.JS, Functional Design, Computer Programming, Software Testing, Package and Software Management, Web Development Tools, Animations, Responsive Web Design, Cross Platform Development, React.js, HTML and CSS, Web Applications, Event-Driven Programming, iOS Development, Mobile Development Tools, Algorithms, Computer Science, Technical Communication, Software Visualization, Communication, Programming Principles, Pseudocode, Computational Logic, Program Development, Computational Thinking, Test Driven Development (TDD), Software Design Patterns, Integration Testing, User Flows, UI/UX Strategy, Linux Commands, Collaborative Software, Command-Line Interface, Software Development, File Management, Linux, Web Development, Software Development Tools, Software Versioning, SQL, Databases, Data Access, Database Management, Application Programming Interface (API), Debugging

Full-stack developer

Average base US salary (Glassdoor): $96,289 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [3]

Typical education requirements: An IT-related four-year degree to work as a full-stack developer

As a full-stack developer, you’ll help develop software as a versatile professional who can work on both back-end and front-end tasks. Java is a beneficial language for full-stack developers, as well as languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL. In this role, you will likely complete a variety of tasks, such as front-end design, database management, and testing. 

Become a full-stack developer Professional Certificate holder in just five months with IBM's Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate program:

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IBM Full Stack Software Developer

Prepare for a career as a full stack developer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM.


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Object-Relational Mapping, Cloud Computing, Cloud Computing Architecture, Jupyter, Node.JS, Software Architecture, Full-Stack Web Development, Application Deployment, Server Side, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Kubernetes, Software Development Life Cycle, React Redux, Restful API, Prompt Engineering, Django (Web Framework), Git (Version Control System), Cloud Services, Istio, Engineering Software, Command-Line Interface, Docker (Software), Containerization, OpenShift, DevOps, YAML, Cloud-Native Computing, Microservices, CI/CD, Scalability, Virtualization, Python Programming, Unit Testing, Flask (Web Framework), Code Review, Web Applications, Programming Principles, Development Environment, IBM Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Debugging, API Design, Cloud Infrastructure, Serverless Computing, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Emerging Technologies, Cloud Storage, Cloud Security, Cloud Management, Infrastructure As A Service (IaaS), Virtual Machines, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Solutions, Cloud Hosting, Cloud Technologies, Cloud Development, Cloud Platforms, GitHub, Collaborative Software, Version Control, Open Source Technology, Software Engineering, Software Development Methodologies, Integrated Development Environments, Application Development, Software Documentation, Software Design, Unified Modeling Language, Systems Development, Agile Methodology, Program Development, Software Design Patterns, Software Development Tools, Relational Databases, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Authentications, Authorization (Computing), Model View Controller, SQL, Cloud Applications, Database Management, Content Management, Responsive Web Design, Database Design, UI Components, Databases, API Gateway, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Structures, Pandas (Python Package), NumPy, Web Scraping, File Management, Data Import/Export, Data Manipulation, Application Programming Interface (API), Computer Programming, Data Analysis, Javascript, Scripting, Browser Compatibility, Web Development, Communication, Software Engineering Tools, Problem Solving, Verbal Communication Skills, Algorithms, Professional Development, Relationship Building, Software Testing, Interviewing Skills, Professionalism, Software Development, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI, DevSecOps, Natural Language Processing, Data Ethics, Application Security, Test Automation, Back-End Web Development, Package and Software Management, JSON, JavaScript Frameworks, Middleware, Computer Science, Web Servers, React.js, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), User Accounts, HTML and CSS

Prepare for certification with a Java programming course on Coursera

Looking to land a role as a Java developer? Earn credentials with IBM through the Java Developer Professional Certificate program on Coursera. You'll develop your first apps in Java and learn in-demand cloud deployment skills in as little as three months.

Or, prepare for your Java certification by solidifying your object-oriented programming (OOP) skills with the Object Oriented Java Programming: Data Structures and Beyond Specialization, offered by UC San Diego, focusing on using Java to solve complex problems.

IBM

professional certificate

IBM Java Developer

Prepare for a career as a Java developer. Gain the in-demand skills and hands-on experience to get job-ready in 3 months. No prior experience required.

4.8

(187 ratings)

8,225 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 3 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Database Design, Containerization, Version Control, Software Architecture, Cloud-Native Computing, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Software Development Life Cycle, Microservices, Restful API, Prompt Engineering, Hibernate (Java), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Git (Version Control System), Software Design, Development Environment, Java Programming, Engineering Software, Docker (Software), GitHub, Database Management, Collaborative Software, DevOps, Web Applications, Command-Line Interface, Open Source Technology, Agile Methodology, CI/CD, Continuous Integration, Scrum (Software Development), Kubernetes, Cloud Infrastructure, Postman API Platform, Agile Software Development, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Cloud Development, Cloud Applications, Software Development Methodologies, Continuous Delivery, Agile Project Management, Software Engineering, Integrated Development Environments, Application Development, Software Documentation, Python Programming, Unified Modeling Language, Systems Development, Program Development, Programming Principles, Software Design Patterns, Software Development Tools, Application Security, Apache Maven, Model View Controller, Application Frameworks, Authorization (Computing), Java, Authentications, Application Programming Interface (API), Javascript, Scripting, Browser Compatibility, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Web Development, Responsive Web Design, Communication, Software Engineering Tools, Problem Solving, Verbal Communication Skills, Algorithms, Professional Development, Relationship Building, Software Testing, Interviewing Skills, Code Review, Professionalism, Cloud Computing, Software Development, Spring Boot, NoSQL, SQL, Relational Databases, Object-Relational Mapping, Back-End Web Development, Query Languages, Database Development, Data Access, Databases, Front-End Web Development, User Story, HTML and CSS, Database Application, Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Full-Stack Web Development, User Requirements Documents, Software Design Documents, Large Language Modeling, Generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, DevSecOps, Natural Language Processing, Data Ethics, Test Automation, File Management, Data Structures, Data Management, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Design, Software Installation

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Software Engineering, Interactive Data Visualization, Problem Solving, Computer Programming, Algorithms, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Data Analysis, User Interface (UI), Java, Performance Tuning, Data Structures, Debugging, Software Design, Java Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Unit Testing, Cryptography, Encryption, Software Testing, Development Testing, Software Documentation, Data Processing, Integrated Development Environments, Statistical Analysis, Theoretical Computer Science, Statistical Methods, File Management, Web Servers, Programming Principles

Article sources

1. 

Oracle. “Oracle Technology Exam Subscription, https://shop.oracle.com/apex/product?p1=oracleuniversity&p2=examsubscriptions&p3=oracletechnologyexamsubscription&p4=&p5=.” Accessed June 23, 2025.

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