Certifications by career path
Start from the job you want. Each path lists the certifications that build its skills, in a sensible order.
IT Career Paths
Eighteen career paths across support, networking, cloud, cybersecurity, data, AI and project management. Each path lists the certifications that build the skills for that role, in the order most people take them. Pick the job you want and follow its path.
Support and Systems
Keep people, devices and servers running.
- Help Desk Support Specialist 4 certifications
- Systems Engineer 4 certifications
- Systems Administrator 4 certifications
- Linux Administrator 2 certifications
Networking
Design, build and run the networks everything depends on.
- Network Administrator 5 certifications
- Network Engineer 4 certifications
- Network Architect 4 certifications
Cloud
Move, secure and operate workloads in the cloud.
- Cloud Architect 4 certifications
Cybersecurity
Defend systems, find weaknesses and lead security teams.
- Cybersecurity Manager 4 certifications
- Penetration & Vulnerability Tester 3 certifications
- Security Engineer 3 certifications
- Security Architect 3 certifications
- Security Analyst 3 certifications
Data
Turn raw data into reports, models and decisions.
- Data Analyst 1 certification
- Data Scientist 2 certifications
- Database Administrator 2 certifications
Artificial Intelligence
Use, build and secure AI in real work.
- AI Career 4 certifications
Project Management
Deliver technology projects on time and on budget.
- IT Project Manager 1 certification
Project Management Certification
Certifications for people who plan, run and deliver projects, from associate level up to programme and portfolio management. Programmes are delivered with pmpractitioner.org. Start at associate level if you are new, or go straight to professional if you already lead projects.
Associate
Start here: core knowledge and the language of the field.
Professional
For people already doing the work who want to lead it.
Specialist
Go deep on one discipline such as risk, scheduling or analysis.
Expert
Run programmes and portfolios across the organisation.
Scrum Certification
Certifications for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, Kanban practitioners and agile leaders. Programmes are delivered with scrumintelligence.org. Choose by the role you want: running the team, owning the product, or leading agile change.
Associate
Start here: core knowledge and the language of the field.
Professional
For people already doing the work who want to lead it.
Ethical Security Certification
Certifications for ethical hackers, penetration testers and security professionals who protect systems by thinking like attackers. Programmes are delivered with theethicalsecurity.com. Start with the fundamentals, then move to hands-on testing and specialist levels.
Associate
Start here: core knowledge and the language of the field.
Professional
For people already doing the work who want to lead it.
- Certified Professional AI Audit Plus
- Certified Professional AI Risk Plus (Beta)
- Certified Professional AI Security Management Plus
- Certified Professional Application Security Engineering Plus
- Certified Professional Data Privacy Engineering Plus
- Certified Professional Digital Forensics Plus
- Certified Professional Incident Handling Plus
- Certified Professional Information Security Management Plus
- Certified Professional IT Governance Plus
- Certified Professional Penetration Testing Plus
- Certified Professional Risk and Controls Plus
- Certified Professional Threat Intelligence Plus
ISO Certification
Certifications for people who implement, manage and audit ISO management systems, from foundation to lead auditor. Programmes are delivered with isodesk.org. Choose the standard your organisation works with and the role you play in it.
Foundation
First steps into the field.
Associate
Start here: core knowledge and the language of the field.
- Certified ISO 10002 Complaints Practitioner Plus
- Certified ISO 14001 Internal Auditor Plus
- Certified ISO 14064-1 GHG Practitioner Plus
- Certified ISO 19011 Management System Auditor Plus
- Certified ISO 22301 Internal Auditor Plus
- Certified ISO 22316 Resilience Practitioner Plus
- Certified ISO 31000 Risk Practitioner Plus
Professional
For people already doing the work who want to lead it.
- Certified IMS Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 13485 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Plus
- Certified ISO 14001 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 20121 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 21001 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 22000 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Plus
- Certified ISO 22301 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 28000 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 30401 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 37001 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 37301 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 39001 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 41001 Lead Implementer Plus
- Certified ISO 44001 Lead Implementer Plus
Six Sigma Certification
Certifications for people who improve processes and quality with Lean Six Sigma, from Yellow Belt to Black Belt. Each level adds deeper problem-solving and data skills. Start with Yellow or Green Belt, then move up as you lead improvement projects.