If you’re looking to level up your design skills and want to know how to become Adobe certified, you’ve come to the right place! Certification can only open more opportunities for you.
And thankfully, Adobe has come out with two new certifications that provide the necessary know-how to add a new skill set to your repertoire.
Do you need Adobe certification? Well, that totally depends on where you want to go with your design work. For those working for themselves or on personal projects, Adobe Certification will not be a huge priority on their list—although it can always level up their skillset. Your Adobe certification is a way to prove you are capable. It helps prospective employers to trust your abilities with proof of being a qualified Adobe professional.
However, for those who have employers, or those aspiring to land a top-tier job, Adobe certification can definitely boost their chances by a huge margin.
- Get 65% off Adobe software – Follow our Adobe Creative Cloud discount guide.
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What is Adobe Certification?
Adobe Certified Professional is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud software and foundational knowledge for digital media careers. Each certification is tied to one Creative Cloud application. Exams are developed and delivered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business.
Adobe Certified Associate VS Adobe Certified Professional
As of June 2021, Adobe revised all eligible Adobe Certified Associate certifications to Adobe Certified Professional certifications.
So there is the older Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and the newer Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) certification.
Designers should note that both certifications carry a decent amount of weight when it comes to design jobs and gigs.
Why get Adobe Certified?
Adobe is a software that is recognized across the world. So, it is beneficial to have certifications in Adobe for the following reasons –
- Strengthens the portfolio.
- It will increase the chances of getting new clients.
- Will help you to stand out from the competition.
- Will prove your experience in using tools for designing.
Which software can you be an Adobe Certified Professional?
The ACP (Adobe Certified Professional) certification allows users to be certified in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Animate, and Dreamweaver. These certifications are available through Certiport Authorized Testing Centers at many international locations. See the full Adobe software list here.
To find one, all you need to do is visit https://www.certiport.com/locator and enter your location (city or zip code) and which certification you seek.
What does it mean to be Adobe Certified?
Adobe Certified Expert, Master, and Professional certification exams measure your skills and expert-level proficiency with Adobe products.
To be an Adobe Professional, you will need at least 0-12 months of experience.
But to be an Adobe Expert, you’ll need up to three years of experience and will need to pass an additional exam after your ACP certification.
However, Adobe Certified Masters will require 3-5 years of experience and an additional exam after their expert certification.
See Adobe’s page for further details on how to become an Adobe Certified
How to become Adobe Certified in 2024
Want to know how to get Adobe certified? We list the 5 steps you need to follow to be seen as an Adobe Certified Expert.
Step 1: Find your field and relevant Adobe certification
Before you get started on your certification for Adobe, you’re expected to have at least 150 hours of work or practical experience in the software for which you seek certification. Based on this, select which software application certification process you want to pursue.
Step 2: Get prepared for your certification
If you are new to Adobe, there are some free and paid resources for beginners that could help you get a better understanding of your preferred software. Or, there are several courses on Coursera and Udemy that are quite affordable and thorough, so if you’re not going to an Adobe-certified training center, we would recommend you consider them. If interested, check out our list of the Best Free Graphic Design Courses Online.
It is always a good idea to have a good, fundamental knowledge of the application you’re working on, as you will need at least 150 hours of experience, from work or a class, on the application you choose.
Step 3: Register on Adobe (if you haven’t done this already)
Even though this step might seem like a no-brainer, for many working professionals and newbies as well, it’s not uncommon to share an Adobe account. If you’re making use of a non-personal work account or spend most of your time learning online, make sure that you register an Adobe account for yourself. You may also be interested in our Adobe Creative Cloud Discounts which can save you up to 65%.
Step 4: Register for your assessment online or at a Certiport Authorized Testing Center
This step is the most important so far. You need to register for your test online or at a Certiport Authorized Center. Certiport encourages in-person testing; however, due to Covid, they are allowing online testing.
After you register and have a Certiport account, you can check for Certiport Authorized Centers near you and schedule an exam or even an online assessment. By this point, you must have a solid understanding of the exam policies. The certification will cost you around $125 and $83 if you have a discount.
Step 5: Attend your Adobe Certification exam with a strategy
Any decent examination strategy starts with putting in some excellent prep work. As mentioned before, have a clear idea of all the exam policies before even attempting your examination. Even seasoned professionals in Adobe software need to familiarize themselves with every function and tool of the software under exam.
Also, on the Adobe Website, there are several practice tests that you can take that will make the process easier for you when push comes to shove. Other tips: read each question carefully and have a fundamental knowledge of related Adobe software.
Frequently Asked Questions?
What is the difference between an Adobe Certified Professional and Adobe Certified Associate?
An Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) is a title given for those who completed the first level of Adobe Certification. Formerly known as an Adobe Certified Associate (ACA), the title was updated to ACP as of June 2021.
How much does the Professional certification cost?
The Adobe Professional certification costs around $125.
How much do the Adobe Expert and Master certifications cost?
The Expert and Master certification each cost $225.
Can you take your certification exam from home?
Yes, due to Covid guidelines. If you live far away or have other difficulties traveling to a Certiport Authorized Testing Center, you can take the assessment from your home.
Is work experience mandatory for certification?
No, but it's recommended that you have at least 150 hours of class time and work experience before seeking certification.
What are some good learning resources for the certification process?
For Adobe certification, some great-to-use resources include any of Adobe’s learning resources, Udemy, Coursera, and Domestika.
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Advantages of Getting Adobe Certified
What do you get out of being Adobe certified? Well, Adobe certification can help you leverage yourself into new positions and even get you recognized by management. If you lack qualifications in the associated field, certification will validate your experience and boost your resume.
Getting an Adobe certification can seem like an intimidating process at first, but now that you know how to go about it, it will be quite simple. Choose the certification plan that supports your knowledge and experience best.