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Michael Trapp, writing for knowhow-now.com, has composed a list of what he believes will be the hottest certs for 2008. The list is based on job growth, sales of certification training material, and “a little guess work.”

1. MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional)

2. CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)

Trapp reasons that most network administrator jobs right now are IP related and they are in more demand at a higher professional level as compared to Microsoft Certifications.

3. MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer)

Demand for these developers is up over 80% compared to last year. Trapp says there are only a little over 3,000 currently with the certification.

4. SCJP (SUN Certified Java Programmer)

Trapp says that a Java credential is one of the most valuable credentials that a programmer or developer can have, since about 70% of business entities’ development projects are done through J2EE.

5. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

With CISSPs earning $94,070 a year on average, it’s easy to see why Trapp puts this one on the list. (Note that the exam costs $500, lasts up to six hours, and includes 250 multiple choice questions.

6. Comptia A+

By far the most popular entry level certification.

7. Comptia Network +

A good cert to have since the network systems and data communications analyst is ranked Number 2 on the most in demand jobs list.

8. MCTS SQL Server 2005 (The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist)

Trapp thinks SQL Server 2005 is going to be hot next year since many companies are switching to SQL Server 2005.

9. RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer)

RHCE is called the “crown jewel of Linux certifications.” According to a survey by Saugatuck Technology and BusinessWeek Researce Services, about 25% of enterprises will be running mission-critical business applications on the Linux open source operating system by 2009.

10. Comptia Security+

Growth in Security+, which covers topics like communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, access control and authentication, shows no signs of slowing down. According to Trapp, “Comptia’s Security+ Credential is must have in today’s world.”

Toni BowersToni Bowers is the Head Blogs Editor of TechRepublic. She has been in the publishing industry for 20 years, with concentration in IT-related topics. She has edited newsletters, books, and web sites pertaining to software, IT career, and IT management issues.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this blog

Certifications are for... etkinsd@... | 11/13/07
Have to agree uberg33k50 | 11/13/07
Agree and Disargree anh_tuan378@... | 11/13/07
You mis-understood that article Dr Dij | 11/13/07
Very presumptuous of you... uberg33k50 | 11/15/07
Credibility Cybrduck | 12/17/07
Prove IT guillenkma | 11/14/07
Who you mention by "employer"? headmann@... | 11/13/07
in my humble opinion 2WiReD | 11/13/07
Certs Vs Experience -- two way street cfrancum@... | 11/13/07
Yes the principles are the same and if you know them Tony Hopkinson | 11/13/07
Hear, Hear guillenkma | 11/14/07
Ah it's Ben Kingsley time again Tony Hopkinson | 11/13/07
Education is big business jdclyde | 11/13/07
Yep, you can tell this straight off Tony Hopkinson | 11/13/07
Education is big business jdclyde | 11/13/07
OK I heard you the first time :D nt Tony Hopkinson | 11/13/07
But Tony jdclyde | 11/13/07
re: Master's in Software Engineering etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
With that long to come up with a response, Tony Hopkinson | 05/18/08
Why certifications/education are good DadsPad | 11/13/07
The "U" in Education (but not certification, sorry) brent.harmon@... | 11/14/07
So you did the logical thinking course eh ? Tony Hopkinson | 11/14/07
I applaud you donahuej9@... | 12/27/07
Braggart birthdaycake | 11/13/07
Braggart guillenkma | 11/14/07
So wrong. simon@... | 11/13/07
Not so wrong guillenkma | 11/14/07
Umm, OK NickNielsen | 11/14/07
What have you got against Software Engineers? niallf | 11/15/07
We seem to have different definitions of experience Tony Hopkinson | 11/15/07
nothing, i am one etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
College Degree Dosn't always mean Technical Skill nhahaj@... | 11/15/07
totally agree with you etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
College Degree,Certifications, working from bottom to top best DLBPDX | 11/15/07
no, certs are for employers not employees michael.brodock@... | 11/15/07
True to a point Tony Hopkinson | 11/15/07
"my bad" etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
Not really true... ramabrooks@... | 11/15/07
Another one ! Tony Hopkinson | 11/16/07
No offense to you, either, etkinsd... chavespj | 11/18/07
shocked you didn't i? etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
My problem with this list Dr Dij | 11/20/07
What if you work for a living, no time for school? lej_33@... | 11/24/07
education etkinsd@... | 05/18/08
For what it's worth, this topic is getting old and annoying about certs ManiacMan | 12/27/07
Cert Girl all the way... bec@... | 02/17/08
Nope Nimmo | 02/17/08
RE: The ten hottest certs for 2008 bob_76_76@... | 11/14/07
help!! wt is comptia security tosin2ade@... | 11/15/07
Help Comptia + adewalexdavid@... | 11/15/07
RE: The ten hottest certs for 2008 duval.costa@... | 11/15/07
RE: The ten hottest certs for 2008 shawn_h@... | 11/16/07
Excellent I'll remember that. Tony Hopkinson | 11/16/07
Tony Hopkins shawn_h@... | 11/19/07
Leaving aside all the other glaring Tony Hopkinson | 11/20/07
RE: The ten hottest certs for 2008???? bg6638@... | 11/16/07
Really? NickNielsen | 11/18/07
Responding to Clueless in Ohio guillenkma | 11/20/07
Clueless.....NOT bg6638@... | 11/20/07
And when they find this paragon? NickNielsen | 11/20/07
And when they find this paragon act 2 bg6638@... | 11/20/07
ManMan on HP3000 ! Tony Hopkinson | 11/20/07
You got taken Tony Hopkinson | 11/20/07
Self assessment needed....Clueless guillenkma | 11/21/07

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