10 BEST SQL Certifications in 2024 to Boost Your Career

Review and comparison of top SQL Certifications along with details. Understand the importance, advantages, and roles that demand SQL skills:

Structured Query Language or SQL is a programming language used by teams or people associated with data, data warehouses, or Business Intelligence.

Not only limited to Software engineers or developers, often team members in the role of Business Analyst, or Business Intelligence developers are expected to possess good working knowledge of SQL.

SQL is a language that is used to perform various operations, like fetching, inserting, updating, or deleting data from one or multiple tables and/or databases. It can be as simple as inserting a row in a single table to more complex ones like performing operations, fetching data across multiple tables using complex JOIN queries, etc.

Is it Worth Doing the SQL Certification

There are various SQL certifications available and most of them are vendor or platform-specific as there are a lot of different platforms or companies having specific products or suites of products like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle SQL, and others with open source platforms like MariaDB, MySQL, etc.

In totality, it’s always good to have relevant certifications in your profile, which enable you to stand out from the crowd and at least help you secure an interview for the relevant company and role. A lot of companies and recruitment teams are screening resumes based on the certifications/skills that an individual has.

Having relevant certifications, in addition to knowledge about the subject, helps you achieve and gives you more power to negotiate compensation as well as other attributes regarding the role that you are applying for.

Suggested Reading => How and where to List Certifications on a Resume

Importance of SQL Certification

SQL is ubiquitous and is used in almost all organizations in one form or another. Even if you are a backend or frontend developer, knowing SQL is always considered a plus, as it helps you to understand the overall product, data flow, basic queries as well as database organization.

For Data professionals, these certifications are an absolute must-have, but it’s really important to have a basic understanding of SQL for a general Software developer.

Some of the advantages of having a SQL certification are:

• Helps you to stand out in the crowd for job openings where certification is desirable or preferred.
• Hints at a candidate’s willingness or proactiveness to learn new things and acquire appropriate skills.

Roles That Demand SQL Skills

SQL is a programming language that helps you work with all things data – Be it modeling the databases, creating database structure and data warehouses as well as writing simple and complex queries to get relevant data in the most performant approach.

With the advent of Machine Learning and Data Science, SQL’s demand is further increased as this is one of the most basic building blocks for any data source (However these days a lot of NoSQL based data sources exist, but the core concepts remain the same)

So, now let’s see some of the roles that demand SQL skills:

1. Business Analysts: Commonly known as BA are usually helping clients to leverage most of the data, scope out requirements around database optimization, data analytics, ETL queries, etc.
2. Data Scientists: Help organizations analyze data with the help of complex queries and determine useful information and trends from 100s to 1000s of GBs of data.
3. Database Administrator: Usually known as DBAs, manages databases and related software for storage, organization, and efficient access to data. Hence, good hands-on experience with advanced SQL skills is desired for this type of role.

Also Read =>>  Popular SQL Interview Questions and Answers

Factors to Consider While Choosing the SQL Certification

With the advent of multiple database solutions and multiple vendors, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with the pace of development and learn the relevant tools and technologies.

A couple of points that should be kept in mind when choosing the SQL certification should be:

1. It should be relevant to the tools that you are using in your project. For example, if you are mostly working with Oracle-based database tools, you should consider doing certifications like Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate as a beginner-level certification.
2. It should also be relevant to your role – For example, if you are a backend or frontend Software developer, you should consider doing a beginner certification rather than any advanced or Database Administration related certifications as they would add barely any value to your profile as well as won’t be very relevant to your day to day work.
3. Third, as a general-purpose certification, prefer doing it for popular vendors like Microsoft and Oracle which are more commonly accepted.

 List of the Best SQL Certifications

Here are the most effective and recognized SQL Certifications:

1. Coursera – Managing Big Data with SQL
2. Enterprise DNA
3. INE’s SQL Fundamentals
4. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
5. Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification
6. EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification
7. Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification
8. Teradata Certification – Associate 2.3 Exam
9. Udemy – The Complete SQL Bootcamp
10. SQL from A to Z in MS SQL Server
11. Codecademy – Learn SQL
12. LinkedIn Learning – Advanced SQL for Data Scientists

Comparison Table of Popular Certificates for SQL

Let’s try to compare some of the most accepted SQL certifications and their pros and cons, along with other comparison points.

Let’s discuss the top available courses with some more details.

#1) Coursera – Managing Big Data with SQL

This course is part of the Excel to MySQL Series and covers topics around analytic techniques. It serves as an introductory course for using the RDBMS system in business analysis, mostly around Big Data.

Features:

• Learn how to use Entity Relationship diagrams for displaying data structure and various relationships between tables/fields.
• How to execute and implement Big Data collection.
• Use sample data and collections and get an understanding by actual coding exercises on simulated data to get a thorough understanding.

Course Details

Duration: 32 hours
Level: Intermediate
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: The video-on-demand course along with exercises.

Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Earn a certificate on course completion.

Cost: Approx $96 to enroll for 3 months with Coursera, which is around 9 hours/week for the course duration.

#2) Enterprise DNA

There are a ton of SQL courses on Enterprise DNA. However, if I have to choose one, then I would recommend the course titled – SQL Fundamentals: Getting Started with Database Querying.

Features:

• Learn how to analyze data and create insights with SQL.
• Learn how to maximize the potential of data assets and use data to make better decisions.
• Learn how to create compelling reports and visualizations via SQL.

Course Details

Duration: 6 hours
Level: Beginners and Intermediate
Pre-Requisite: Access to a SQL environment for practice
Mode of Learning: Online
Minimum Passing Score: NA

Cost: It will cost you $16.4/month to start consuming courses present on Enterprise DNA. There is a Teams plan available as well that’ll cost you $22.63/month. A custom plan is also available.

#3) INE’s SQL Fundamentals

If you want to understand how to work with data in database systems that are relational in nature, then this course is for you. As the name suggests, you’ll be learning about the fundamental concepts pertaining to SQL. The course will focus on how data interaction via SQL can facilitate data recovery, update, deletion, and insertion.

Features:

• Flexible Pricing
• Completely Online via video streaming
• Focuses on fundamentals of SQL language.

Course Details:

Duration: 9 hours
Level: Beginners
Pre-requisites: None
Mode Learning: Online Learning
Some of the Best Resources: —
Minimum Passing Score: —

Cost: Courses included in INE’s subscription plan are as follows:

• Fundamental Monthly: $39
• Fundamental Annual: $299
• Premium: $799/year
• Premium+: $899/year

#4) Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

This Microsoft SQL certification provides the basic foundation that you would need for building skills for working with data on the cloud. It helps to build on core data concepts as well as an approach to work with relational and non-relational data on the Azure cloud platform.

Features:

• Build foundational knowledge around cloud data in the Azure landscape.
• Understand and describe database concepts such as relational, non-relational, and related big data and analytics concepts.
• Understand roles and core responsibilities in data-oriented roles.

Course Details

Duration: The duration of the exam is 60 mins for about 40-50 questions.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate.
Pre-requisites: None
Mode of Learning: E-learning modules from external vendors are available.

Some of the best resources are:

1. Coursera
2. Microsoft Learning offers free, Instructor-led online courses.
3. Oreilly

Minimum Passing Score: Min passing score for this exam is 700/1000
Cost: The Cost is different per country. For the US, it is $99 while for India its Rs 3696.

Website: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

#5) Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification

This SQL certification helps the candidate to demonstrate a good understanding of core SQL concepts for undertaking any database project working with an Oracle Database server.

This certification is considered one of the best SQL certifications for beginners as an entry-level primer for getting a basic understanding and concepts for new or aspiring data professionals or general Software developers.

Features:

The course content covers various areas like:

• Relational database concepts.
• Retrieving data – SQL SELECT, Concatenation, Joining across tables, etc.
• Sorting data and search filters.
• Conversion & Group functions.
• DDL, DML, and DCL statements.

Course Details

Duration: 120 mins
Total Questions: 78
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online learning modules are available from multiple vendors.

This one from Oracle offers about 16+ hours of expert training.

Minimum Passing Score: 63%
Cost: Approximately $240

Website: Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate Certification

#6) EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification

This is one of the best SQL certifications offered by EnterpriseDB for Postgres. It assesses & certifies candidates on the foundational knowledge for maintaining and managing PostgreSQL server as well as its related applications in a production environment.

Features:

• Some of the areas covered are:
  • PostgreSQL installation.
  • User permissions.
  • Database creation, settings, extensions, etc.
• Digital badges are provided after you clear or pass the certification examination.

Course Details

Duration: 60 mins
Level: Associate
Pre-Requisites: Foundations of PostgreSQL course
Mode of Learning: Online courses & Practice exam tests are available,

Total Questions: 68
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
Cost: $200

Website: EDB PostgreSQL 12 Associate Certification

#7) Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification

This SQL certification is a professional-level course for database administrators and would expect the person to have a basic understanding of MySQL architecture and installation.

It covers more of the administration concepts like installation, monitoring, and security as well as query optimization and performance.

Features:

Some of the areas covered as part of this certification are:

• Installing MySQL, understanding configurations.
• The architecture of MySQL.
• Monitoring MySQL – Understand plugins and configure user accounts and permissions.
• Other areas like Capacity planning, Troubleshooting, etc.
• Security and Backup.

Course Details

Duration: 120 mins
Level: Professional
Total Questions: 75
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online-recorded sessions as well as Instructor-Led classes.

Oracle Technology Learning Subscription – available at a price of $4995 /year

Minimum Passing Score: 58%
Cost: $245

Website: Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL 5.7 Database Administrator Certification

#8) Teradata Certification – Associate 2.3 Exam

Teradata offers Vantage Track of certifications with different range levels like – Associate, Administrator, Developer, and advanced levels.

Features: 

The exam covers the broad features of Vantage 2.3. Some of the areas covered are:

• Characteristics of relational models and concepts.
• The architecture of data warehouses, scalability options, data flow, etc.
• Benefits of Advanced SQL engine, workload management, space classifications.
• Use cases of Primary, Secondary, and join indexes, the impact of indexes on data distribution, etc.
• Security and privacy mechanisms are available within the Advanced SQL Engine.

Course Details

Duration: 75 minutes
Level: Associate
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online

Minimum Passing Score: Pass rates are based on Psychometric analysis.

The exam results are available within a period of 3 to 21 days after completing the test.

Cost: $149

Website: Teradata Certification – Associate 2.3 Exam

#9) Udemy-The Complete SQL Bootcamp

This is a Bootcamp course from Udemy, which covers basic to advanced concepts around SQL primarily for PostgreSQL but generally can be applied to any SQL-based database.

The certification itself doesn’t hold a lot of value but it can be used to gain an understanding of the overall SQL concepts like database types, SQL syntax, CRUD queries, as well as data analysis using SQL.

Features:

The course covers almost all the concepts around in-demand skills like PostgreSQL.

• Basics of SQL syntax.
• Data analysis using aggregate functions.
• Advanced querying along with String operations and logical operators.
• Learn to use SQL JOINS.
• Learn the basics around tables and database constraints.

Course Details

Duration: 9 hours of recorded video content.
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: No pre-requisites or technical experience is required.
Mode of Learning: Online – Recorded course.

Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Offers certification on completion.
Cost: $45

Website: Udemy – The Complete SQL Bootcamp

Also Read =>> Best courses on Udemy in the top categories

#10) SQL from A to Z in MS SQL Server

With no prior experience, this course covers all basic as well as advanced concepts and is available as a video course/tutorial. It’s primarily built for people not very familiar with IT or coding and who want to learn from scratch to more advanced features.

Features:

• Offers a defined learning path with around 83 hours of learning content split into 7 interactive courses.
• Offers certificate on completion.
• Learning objectives include creating simple to advanced queries.
• Understand SQL joins and aggregations.
• Covers common table expressions, recursive SQL queries, and complex reporting using GROUP BY clauses.

Course Details

Duration: Total of 7 interactive courses. Estimated content around 83 hours
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online – Video on demand (Course is available with lifetime access to the material)

Minimum Passing Score: Not Applicable – Offer Certificate on completion
Cost: $203 for lifetime access (video-on-demand content)

Website: SQL from A to Z in MS SQL Server

#11) Codecademy – Learn SQL

Beginner’s course covers simple topics like creating databases and tables, and querying tables, and is recommended for someone very new to SQL and wants to get a hands-on understanding of the basic stuff.

Features:

• Covers basic content like Data CRUD operations.
• Learn to Aggregate functions and apply them in SELECT queries.
• Query data from multiple tables and introductory understanding of JOINS.

Course Details

Duration: 9 hours
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online – Video on demand.

Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Earn a completion certificate if you are a paid member.
Cost: $66 for annual enrolment to Codecademy or $12 for monthly enrolment.

Website: Codecademy – Learn SQL

#12) LinkedIn Learning – Advanced SQL for Data Scientists

This course is an advanced course covering the relevance of SQL to people working in Data Scientist roles and related fields. It talks about concepts like performance data models, query optimization, working with JSON, etc.

Features:

• Data modeling – covering Normalisation and Denormalisation.
• Indexes like B-tree, Bitmap, and Hash.
• SQL Query functions, and Python functions.
• Semi-structured and hierarchical data.

Course Details

Duration: 9 hours
Level: Beginner
Pre-Requisites: None
Mode of Learning: Online – Video on demand.

Minimum Passing Score: Not applicable – Earn a completion certificate if you are a paid member.
Cost: $66 for annual enrolment to Codecademy or $12 for monthly enrolment.

Website: LinkedIn Learning – Advanced SQL for Data Scientists

Conclusion

SQL is one of the most ubiquitous languages used across the industry. In the digital age, data is the currency or new money. Accessing data and performing various operations, taking meaningful decisions against different types of data is one of the core problems that data analytics and Machine learning are trying to solve.

Hence, the basics of data analysis, as well as performing or having a good understanding of standard database programming languages like SQL is a good skill to obtain and definitely sets you apart from the crowd.

We have discussed various SQL certifications offered for different platforms and by different organizations. It would make sense for the reader to understand the differences and choose the certification that is best suited to their current job profile or the tools they want to work in their future roles.

Some of the best SQL certifications that are usually popular amongst developers around the world are Oracle Certified Professional MySQL 5.7 and Microsoft Azure fundamentals.

Additionally, nowadays a lot of on-demand video course platforms like Coursera, and Udemy are providing good courses around the subject but are less accepted as a credential on a CV as compared to professional certifications from Oracle and Microsoft.