Today’s businesses are adopting cloud computing infrastructures more than ever to optimize their operations. In response, information technology professionals are developing robust cloud technology skill sets to serve these organizations better. Certifications in cloud-based tools from major players like Google offer IT professionals a competitive edge while demonstrating in-demand career skills to hiring managers.
We’ll examine the most essential Google Cloud certifications to help you navigate your career path and show off your skills to potential employers.
The three biggest players in the cloud computing game are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, which together hold over 60% of the market share. Learn about Microsoft certifications that cover Azure and other categories.
Google introduced an expanded range of professional certifications. It offers one foundational-level certificate, one associate-level certificate, and nine professional-level certificates.
To earn a Google certification, candidates must pass an exam. Google offers proctored exams online and in-person at testing centers across the world.
Registration costs are:
There are no mandatory classes for any certification. However, Google recommends the following experience levels:
Google provides “learning paths” for each certification at no cost. These paths consist of online courses, webinars, and educational documents. Other platforms, like Udemy, Coursera, and Udacity, also offer training materials.
Earning the best IT certifications, including Google Cloud certifications, is an excellent career advancement asset that validates your skills and knowledge.
Here’s a more in-depth look at Google’s certification offerings.
Google phased out its G Suite certification program in favor of the more focused Cloud Digital Leader (CDL) certificate.
CDL is the only Google Cloud certification designed for people in non-technical roles. CDLs have the following characteristics:
The CDL exam tests candidates’ knowledge of the following areas:
The CDL certification is an excellent Google Cloud entry point for professionals in operational, marketing, or other non-technical roles. It’s the only foundational certificate Google Cloud currently offers. It doesn’t require any specific industry experience – just a desire to learn more about the products and share them with others.
Certification name | Cloud Digital Leader certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required; recommended learning path is available. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $99 |
URL | |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Cloud Digital Leader learning path. |
Recertification information | CDL certifications are valid for three years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Cloud hosting is a more secure, reliable, and often cost-efficient way to store data than the traditional server-based method.
An Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) performs the following functions:
The ACE exam evaluates the following skills:
The ACE credential is best suited to early-stage or mid-career IT professionals interested in cloud computing who work with Google Cloud already or intend to in the future. The ACE certification training courses offer professionals a great way to hone the skills they need to launch and manage Google Cloud Solutions in their workplace.
Certification name | Associate Cloud Engineer certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends six months of hands-on experience with Google Cloud. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $125 |
URL | |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Cloud Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | ACE certifications are valid for three years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Professional Cloud Architects (PCAs) empower organizations to make effective and efficient use of Google Cloud technologies. PCAs must develop a thorough understanding of Google Cloud solutions and the broader functionality of cloud architecture. Those who hold this credential can design, develop and manage dynamic Google Cloud solutions to meet business objectives that are robust, secure, scalable, and highly available.
The PCA certification exam evaluates the following skills:
Additionally, test takers must respond to questions about several case studies.
The PCA certificate represents a more senior credential that might appeal to more established IT professionals with at least three years of experience. PCAs should be knowledgeable and interested in the vast array of Google Cloud tools and business objectives.
Certification name | Professional Cloud Architect certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience with Google Cloud solution management. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Cloud Architect learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Tip: While the ACE certificate isn’t a prerequisite for PCA certification, it covers many of the skills you’ll need. If you’re interested in becoming a PCA but don’t have the experience, the ACE certificate can be a good place to start.
A Professional Cloud Database Engineer (PCDE) is a database certification that focuses on designing, operating, and troubleshooting Google Cloud databases. Ideally, PCDEs have broad IT and database experience and are comfortable creating and managing database solutions.
The PCDE certification exam evaluates the following skills:
PCDEs are highly skilled professionals. They should have over five years of database experience and at least two years of hands-on experience with Google Cloud databases.
Certification name | Professional Cloud Database Engineer certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends five years of industry experience and two years working with Google Cloud databases. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-database-engineer |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Database Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
The Professional Data Engineer (PDE) focuses on analyzing and applying data stored in the Google Cloud instead of designing, deploying, or maintaining those systems. PDEs assist their organizations in making data-informed decisions by providing visualizations and expert guidance. They also work closely with existing machine-learning models. The PDE curriculum and exam emphasize data-processing security, reliability, and fault-tolerance, as well as scalability, accuracy, and efficiency.
The PDE certification exam evaluates the following skills:
IT professionals with experience or interest in big data, data analysis, and machine learning could benefit from the PDE certification. It’s also an excellent credential for people with backgrounds and interests in mathematics and data modeling.
Certification name | Professional Data Engineer certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Data Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certifications are valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
If you have experience and interest in big data, check out our overview of the best big data certifications.
The Professional Cloud Developer (PCD) certification is ideal for candidates who use Google Cloud services, tools, and recommended practices to create applications. Candidates should possess the skills necessary to successfully integrate Google Cloud services and conduct application performance monitoring. While the exam does not test coding ability, candidates should be proficient in at least one general-use coding language.
The PCD certification exam evaluates the following skills:
Certification name | Professional Cloud Developer certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Cloud Developer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
A Professional Cloud Network Engineer (CNE) is responsible for executing and maintaining network architectures within Google Cloud. In addition to Google Cloud products, successful candidates should be skilled in working with technologies like hybrid connectivity, network architecture security, VPCs, network services, and the Google Cloud Console command-line interface.
The PCD certification exam evaluates the following skills:
The CNE certification could be a good fit for a network or systems administrator who has been working with cloud technology for a few years.
Certification name | Professional Cloud Network Engineer |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-network-engineer |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Network Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Network engineers may also want to consider other networking certifications, including the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
Another popular option in the Google Cloud certification portfolio is the Professional Cloud Security Engineer (CSE). CSEs aim to prevent and avoid network security threats. They’re well-versed in industry best practices and security protocols, including:
The CSE certification exam evaluates the following skills:
The CSE engineer certification is an asset for any network administrators already working in cloud technologies. However, all network administrators could benefit from the training as more companies make the leap to the cloud.
Certification name | Professional Cloud Security Engineer |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-security-engineer |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Security Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
A Cloud DevOps engineer develops and operates cloud-based applications and services. They analyze a cloud environment’s elements and functions to ensure service reliability.
The DevOps certification exam evaluates the following skills:
Certification name | Cloud DevOps engineer |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-devops-engineer |
Self-study materials | Follow the free DevOps Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
A Professional Google Workspace Administrator certification is a mid-career certification for IT professionals who manage and configure Google Workspace services, objects, and environments. These individuals understand their organization’s infrastructure and ensure secure collaboration, communication, and data access.
The Google Workspace Administrator certification exam evaluates the following skills:
Certification name | Professional Google Workspace Administrator |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/google-workspace-administrator |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Google Workspace Administrator learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Google Workspace used to be called G Suite. It’s now revamped and includes word processing, spreadsheets, Google Forms, cloud storage, and more.
Professional Machine Learning engineers create and build machine-learning models to facilitate Google Cloud technologies. This is an advanced IT certification for machine-learning professionals.
The Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification exam evaluates the following skills:
Certification name | Professional Machine Learning Engineer certification |
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Prerequisites and required courses | None required. Google recommends three years of industry experience and at least a year designing and managing Google Cloud solutions. |
Number of exams | One |
Cost per exam | $200 |
URL | https://cloud.google.com/certification/machine-learning-engineer |
Self-study materials | Follow the free Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer learning path. |
Recertification information | Certification is valid for two years. You must recertify during the specified eligibility period. |
Business technology is incredibly dynamic, and as fields like cloud computing grow, it’s up to IT professionals to help businesses make the best use of available technology.
No matter where you are in your IT career, certification programs can help you show your willingness to learn to employers and demonstrate that you’re invested in the future. Certifications can also help you keep your finger on the pulse of emergent data management tools, including the latest Google Cloud products.
Ed Tittel and Mary Kyle contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.