Mobile App Developer Certifications: Which are most important?

Certifications that will tell you if App designers are worth their salt

Finding a mobile application developer has never been easier. All it takes is a quick search on a freelance website to find hundreds of app designers who are ready to take on your project at a budget-friendly price. Oh,  – if only life was that easy.

Out of those hundreds of potential candidates, only a handful actually have the qualifications and experience to build a fluid app that works well across multiple operating systems.

Don’t trust your project to a low-cost amateur; you’ll almost certainly wind up wasting your time and money. Instead, look for a developer who has the certifications that match your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most sought-after certs, and why they’re so important:

App Certifications That Convey Talent, Experience and Reliability

Information technology is an expansive and constantly evolving field. There’s a world of difference between a certification in Systems Administration and a certification in Programming and Development.

Plenty of developers offer app creation, website design, e-commerce and a suite of other features, but just because a developer has experience in a particular facet of digital marketing does not necessarily mean that he or she has the qualifications to produce next-level results.

Here are a few certifications you should look for when hiring an app developer:

• Android Certified App Developer;
• MCSD: Windows Store Apps;
• GIAC GMOB;
• MTA Mobile Development Fundamentals;
• MTA Developer;
• Oracle Java ME Mobile Application Developer;
• Mobile Development Institute (MDI); and
• And Java Technology for Wireless Industry (JTWI).

So which certifications are most important? Well, the answer really depends on your specific needs. Although these certifications all relate to app development, each of them conveys a unique skillset.

App Development Certifications

On which operating system will your app be available? What programming language will it use to run? If you want a versatile app that can reach the largest possible audience, then you’d better find a developer with the skills to make it happen.

Android Certified Application Developer

According to a Tom’s IT PRO study that compared job board search results, the most sought-after app developer certification is the Android Certified Application Developer.

Candidates must pass an exam that tests their experience and knowledge of a broad spectrum of topics related to Android application development. According to the Android Application Development guide, this certification demonstrates that a developer can:

• Build a complete Android app.
• Maintain and debug an Android app using various plugins and tools.
• Explain the lifecycle and main components of an Android app.
• Use Android persistent storage techniques
• Utilize Android’s background processing techniques. 

The bottom line: If you want your app to work well on an Android operating system, then find an Android Certified Application Developer.

MCSD: Windows Store Apps

You should find a developer with this certification if you want an app that functions on Windows 8. As Microsoft explains, there are two paths to acquiring this certification: using C# or HTML5. These are different programming languages, but for most companies, it really doesn’t matter which language your developer uses.

Developers with the MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using HTML5 certifications have demonstrated their abilities to:

• Program an app in HTML5 with CSS3 and JavaScript.
• Develop a Windows Store app using JavaScript and HTML5.
• Create an advanced Windows Store App using JavaScript and HTML5.

Developers with the MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using C# certifications have demonstrated their abilities to:

• Program in C#
• Develop a Windows Store app using C#
• Create an advanced Windows Store app using C#.

App Security Certifications

 Is app security a major concern for your business? It better be if users are sharing personal or financial information.

You should never underestimate the ability and willingness of hackers to steal your app users’ data. CIO recommends that you find a developer with a certification in app security.

The CompTIA Mobility+ certification requires specialization in network administration, mobility engineering and app security. Candidates must pass evaluations related to troubleshooting, network infrastructure, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other digital technologies.

Another highly-reccomended certification for app security is The Certified Professional - Mobility (CCP-M) from Citrix. The certification tests candidates’ knowledge of application and mobile device management, IT compliance and security. This is an expensive certification – costing up to $5,000 – so it’s a positive sign that developers are worth their salt.

Finding a top-tier app developer isn’t easy, but doing your research is certainly worth the effort. Hiring an application designer with the right certifications will give you peace of mind and confidence that your project is in good hands.

Image credit: Image by Intel Free Press on Flickr’s Creative Commons

Thanks to Steve Caddick for sharing their advice and opinions in this post.
Steve Caddick is the owner of Web World Promotion. He has more than seven years experience in Web design and digital marketing.