Education Comparisons

The demand for professionals with expertise in data centers has always been growing, with 2024 seeing a significant step up in that need.  Data center certifications provide a pathway for IT professionals to gain specialized knowledge, but with so many certification programs available, comparing the costs can be a bit overwhelming.  Below is a breakdown of most data center certification classes, their associated costs, and what you can expect from each.  Keep in mind that these courses may assume the student already has exposure to the industry, leaving a gap of knowledge for those students to close. 

1. Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP)

The Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) course is designed for existing data center professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of data center design, operations, and management.  This certification is one of the more affordable options, focusing on the general principles of data center management and operations, without most specifics.  The training broadly covers topics such as power and cooling infrastructure, security, and disaster recovery.

While the $2,500 price tag seems steep for a two-day course, it’s relatively standard in the field, and many participants consider this one an entry-level stepping stone toward more advanced certifications.

2. Certified Data Center Design Professional (CDCDP)

The Certified Data Center Design Professional (CDCDP) is for those interested in the physical infrastructure of data centers and is aimed at experienced architects, engineers, and facility designers. This course dives into some of the intricacies of designing data centers, touching briefly on sustainability, energy efficiency, and the use of technology to minimize costs.

At about $4,000 for five days of training, it’s a more significant investment but provides more comprehensive instruction.  For professionals planning to work directly with the construction and maintenance of data centers, this certification is a good value to understand the design processes. The expense also includes study materials and an exam voucher, but it’s worth noting that travel costs for in-person courses are not included.

3. Certified Data Center Manager (CDCM)

The Certified Data Center Manager (CDCM) is a mid-level certification designed for professionals responsible for the operational management of data centers.  It covers more advanced topics like capacity planning, risk management, and financial control.  The CDCM program is priced at around $3,200 for a three-day course, offering a more cost-effective route for those who want to move beyond the basics of data center management.

While $3,200 for three days may seem a bit steep, the course is well-regarded and can open doors to higher-level management roles and responsibilities.  In some cases, employers offer reimbursement or assistance for certifications that directly contribute to their data center’s efficiency, such as this one.

4. Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)

The Accredited Tier Designer (ATD) certification is one recognized certification for data center designers outside of the United States.  This certification focuses on the Uptime Institute’s Tier Standards, which are globally recognized for measuring a data center’s operational sustainability and performance.  As noted, not many data centers, designers, or others in the U.S. and beyond are looking for these certifications, but it does aid for those investing in data centers to setting a standard for something they know little about. 

The cost is higher than most other certifications at around $5,500 for a three-day course, and this price doesn’t include travel expenses, exam fees, or study materials.  However, the ATD certification may hold more prestige and allow the student to consult as a peer reviewer on others’ designs.  

5. Certified Data Center Specialist (CDCS)

The Certified Data Center Specialist (CDCS) is an advanced certification intended for professionals with experience in data center management.  Topics include electrical and mechanical systems, data center best practices, and disaster recovery planning.  The $3,700 price tag is justified by the depth of the course, which offers more critical examples in managing more diverse data center environments; however, this information can be counterintuitive when working with hyperscale or other new data center facilities and systems.

CDCS is rarely set as a necessary credential for more senior-level management positions in data centers, and while the cost may seem high, the potential salary boost post-certification can quickly offset the investment.

6. Certified Data Center Expert (CDCE)

For those aiming for a higher data center certification, the Certified Data Center Expert (CDCE) is an option.  At around $6,000, this certification is one of the most expensive, but it offers expertise for managing large-scale data centers.  The course dives into more advanced data center design, redundancy levels, and critical systems like cooling and electrical setups.

Due to the cost, the CDCE is pursued by professionals already in senior roles, and it's often sponsored by employers if necessary.  The certification can enhance your marketability, but the high upfront cost makes it a substantial investment.

7. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Data Center

While Cisco’s CCNA Data Center certification is on the lower end of the cost spectrum, priced at around $1,200, it’s focus is only relevant for professionals who work with data center networking infrastructure.  The course covers networking concepts, routing protocols, and network security.

CCNA Data Center can be a stepping stone toward more advanced Cisco certifications, and the flexible training format (self-paced or instructor-led) can make it more affordable than some of the other options.

8. Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP)

The Data Center Energy Practitioner (DCEP) certification is focused on energy efficiency in data centers, making it highly relevant as sustainability and efficiency gain a bigger focus for organizations.  The course costs around $2,000 for two days, making it a relatively affordable option, particularly for professionals working in energy management or sustainability roles.  However, the generality of the course may leave students mystified when interfacing with more modern systems and data centers. 

Is the Cost Worth It?

The cost of data center certification classes can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the level of expertise and specialization required.  Certifications like the CDCP are more accessible and provide some foundational knowledge, making it a decent option for experienced newcomers or transitioning into the field.

On the other hand, advanced certifications like CDCE or ATD come with a hefty price tag on top of needing to have industry knowledge and experience to grasp all of the broad concepts.  These certifications are pursued by professionals in senior roles or those managing large-scale data centers on a more as-needed basis.

Data center certifications can be expensive, and usually they are not a necessary investment for advancing in the industry.  The key is to choose the courses that best align with your data center goals and get you more experience and exposure to the industry language, latest systems and operations, and a comprehensive understanding of how they all work together.

Actuals from sites, 2024-10-01:

GroupNameCourseCostTimeLink
Overall:$825-24,4901-11 days 
IDCAInternational Data Center AuthorityDC Infrastructure Specialist$3,2992 days (16 hours)Data Center Infrastructure Specialist Course | IDCA (idc-a.org)
DC Infrastructure Expert$6,9995 days (40 hours)Data Center Infrastructure Expert Course | IDCA (idc-a.org)
DC Engineering Specialist$4,3993 days (24 hours)Data Center Engineering Specialist Course | IDCA (idc-a.org)
DC Expert$12,4908 days (64 hours)Data Center Expert Course | IDCA (idc-a.org)
DC Authority$24,49011 days (88 hours)Data Center Authority Course | IDCA (idc-a.org)
BICSIBuilding Industry Consulting Services InternationalDC Design Consultant$825-4,4802 hour exam/ courseBICSI Data Center Design Consultant certification (DCDC) | BICSI
CNet & UTICNet Training & Uptime InstituteAccredited Tier Designer/ Specialist/ Professional$4,9852 days (16 hours)Data Center Training Courses & Education - Uptime Institute
Certified DC Audit/ Design/ Energy/ Sustainability/ Professional$4,500-9,9995 days (20 hours)Data Center Training Courses & Education - Uptime Institute
Data Center Fundamentals$1,4991 day (8 hours)Data Center Fundamentals (DCF®) - Uptime Institute
AFCOM (and EPI)Association for Computer Operations ManagementCertified DC  Professional$675-3,1652 days (24 hours)CDCP - Certified Data Centre Professional [R22] (02-CDCPR22) (epi-academy.com)
Certified DC Specialist$1,015-4,7503 days (16 hours)CDCS - Certified Data Centre Specialist [R20] (03-CDCSR20) (epi-academy.com)
DC Foundation Certificate$505-2,6302 days (16 hours)DCFC - Data Centre Foundation Course [R22] (01-DCFCR22) (epi-academy.com)
Certified DC Expert$7,9205 days (40 hours)Certified Data Centre Expert (CDCE®) | EPI Training | Upskilled Tech Academy
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