21 Engineering Certifications To Consider Pursuing

Updated March 10, 2023

One way for engineers to continue learning about their specific field is by getting certifications in areas that pertain to the work they do. Obtaining a certification can also help you get a promotion, a higher salary or a new job. If you're considering advancing your engineering career with the help of a certification, it's helpful to look at some of the options that are available to help you determine which is the right choice for you. In this article, we explain why engineering certifications are important and list 21 engineering certifications for you to consider pursuing.

Why are engineering certifications important?

Engineering certifications are important because they verify your level of knowledge in a specific area of engineering. They can show employers your willingness to advance your current abilities, as well as your interest in learning new skills. They can also keep you up to date with advancements in the industry. Certifications may also help you distinguish yourself from other candidates during the application process. This can allow employers to see that you've taken professional development to advance your skills.

9 engineering certifications

Here are nine engineering certifications to consider that can increase your knowledge in your industry and provide potential career advancements:

1. Petroleum Engineering Certification (PEC)

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) offers the PEC certification which verifies that you have the technical knowledge required to work as a petroleum engineer. To obtain the PEC certification, candidates should have an undergraduate degree in an engineering field, four years of experience as an engineer and a membership with the SPE. They offer study materials to prepare for the exam, and you can renew your license yearly to keep it active.

2. Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE)

This certification recognizes chemical engineers who have taken part in professional development in recent years. It provides participants with an outlet to improve their skills in the industry and recognizes their interest in developing additional competencies in chemical engineering. The American Institute of Chemists requires interested candidates to have a bachelor's degree in a major that's closely related to chemical engineering. They then complete 300 certification units (CUs) in three calendar years from the time they've submitted their application. There are four categories candidates can use to achieve their CUs, including:

Group A: Continuing education
Group B: Publications, reports and presentations
Group C: Professional society participation
Group D: Other professional activity

3. Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC)

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) offers the SEMC certification. This is a popular certificate among computer engineers, as it displays your willingness to improve your competency in various areas of computer engineering. To take the certification exam, candidates should have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a closely related field and four years of relevant experience. The exam is three hours long and contains 160 questions related to the 11 following competency areas:

Software requirements
Software design
Software construction
Software testing
Software maintenance
Software configuration maintenance
Software engineering management
Software engineering process
Software engineering models and methods
Software quality
Software engineering economics

4. Cisco Certified Network Professional in Service Provider Operations (CCNP SP Operations)

The CCNP SP Operations certificate demonstrates a candidate's skills to manage and improve service provider networks. This certificate shows that a candidate can discover and isolate network performance issues and develop proactive measures using operations management processes. The CCNP SP Operations certification consists of a core exam and a service provider concentration exam of your choice, depending on your area of expertise. There are no prerequisites to take the exam, but many interested candidates usually have three or more years of work experience in a related position.

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification shows future employers your ability to design, implement and manage a high quality cyber security system. The certification also enables you to become an ( ISC)² member, which provides you with networking opportunities and extra educational tools. This certification is ideal for candidates who are looking to become security systems engineers, network architects, security managers, IT directors and chief information security officers.

To become CISSP certified, (ISC)² requires candidates to have five years of paid experience in at least two of the eight domains covered in the exam. The domains on the test include:

Security and risk management
Asset security
Security architecture and engineering
Communication and network security
Identity and access management
Security assessment and testing
Security operations
Software development security

6. Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) offers the CQE certification, which is ideal for engineers with a working knowledge of service and product quality. Although ASQ doesn't have any prerequisites for obtaining this certificate, it prefers that candidates are proficient in statistics and quality engineering. Once they've registered, candidates have up to one year to review the material before taking their exam. There are seven sections that the certification reviews, including:

Management and leadership
Quality system
Product and process design
Product and process control
Continuous improvement
Quantitative methods and tools
Risk management

7. Associate Software Developer Certification

This IEEE certification recognizes candidates that display an understanding of the basic processes of software design, construction and testing. It focuses on four key knowledge areas, including software requirements, software design, software construction and software testing. There are no prerequisites for registering and applicants have one year to complete the exam to gain their certification.

8. Aerospace Engineering Certificate

Undergraduate students interested in the design and performance of aerospace systems, such as helicopters, aircraft, rockets, space vehicles and satellites, can obtain an Aerospace Engineering Certificate from Duke University. The program provides a detailed exposure to the engineering basics required in the aerospace industry. Students take seven upper-level courses to earn the certificate and choose their electives based on their future career goals.

9. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

Obtaining CRE certification can demonstrate to others that you're able to improve the durability and reliability of a system or product, as well as the quality of its safety standards. ASQ requires candidates to have eight years of paid work experience in one or more areas of the body of knowledge sections. In addition, three of those years need to have been in a decision-making role. To prepare for the exam, ASQ offers study material and practice test questions. The computer-based exam is 165 questions long and usually takes over four hours to complete.

12 more engineering certifications

Below are 12 more engineering certifications that might interest you:

Engineer in Training Certification (EIT)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certified Audio Engineer (CEA)
Certified Technical Professional (CTP)
Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
Certified Planning Engineer (CPE)
HVAC Master Specialist
Electromagnetic Compatibility Designer Engineer
Board Certified Environmental Engineer
Key Accountant Certification Program
Certified Agile Developer (CAD)
EPA Operators Safety Certification (EPA)

Please note that none of the organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.