Level Up Your IT Career: Why Professional Certifications Matter in 2025

Ever wondered how some IT professionals consistently land great jobs and keep climbing the career ladder? Often, a significant advantage they possess is a portfolio of valuable professional certifications. Think of these as official stamps of approval, proving you’ve mastered specific skills and knowledge within the vast IT landscape. They signal to employers that you’re not just interested in IT, but you’re serious about excelling in a particular domain. 

But before we dive into the hottest credentials, let’s clarify some common terms: certificates, certifications, and licenses. 

• Certificates: These typically acknowledge your participation in a training course or completion of specific learning modules. They indicate exposure to a topic but don’t always involve rigorous testing. 

• Certifications: These are more formal and hold greater weight in the professional world. Earning a certification usually involves passing a comprehensive exam administered by an industry-recognized body or vendor. This validates your expertise against established standards. When employers look for professional certifications, this is generally what they mean. 

• Licenses: These are often legally mandated to practice in certain professions, particularly those involving public safety (like nursing or electrical work). While less common in general IT, they might be relevant in highly regulated sectors. 

So, why are certifications such a crucial element for IT professionals, especially as we navigate the opportunities of 2025? In a competitive job market, having the right professional certifications can be the key differentiator. They provide tangible evidence of your skills, making you a more attractive candidate, often leading to better job prospects and a higher earning potential. For those wondering “what certification should I get?” understanding the current trends is the first step. Let’s explore some of the best certifications in 2025 that are highly sought after.

Building the Future of Tech: Foundational AI and Data Skills

While the landscape of dedicated professional certifications in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is still rapidly evolving, having a strong understanding of the foundational technologies and concepts is increasingly important. 

This might involve professional certifications in cloud platforms (like AWS Certified Machine Learning, Microsoft Azure AI Engineer), data science (like Certified Data Scientist), or specific programming languages crucial for AI (like Python). EXIN, in collaboration with BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT), offers a comprehensive portfolio of AI certifications designed to equip professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving field. The certifications range from foundational to advanced levels, catering to various roles and responsibilities within AI development and deployment. 

Here is an overview of the AI certifications offered by EXIN: 

EXIN BCS Generative AI Award: 

• Focuses on the essential knowledge to effectively, ethically, and strategically utilize generative AI. 
• Suitable for professionals from diverse backgrounds, requiring no prior technical knowledge. 
• Covers AI and generative AI fundamentals, how AI models work, business applications, ethical and legal considerations, and the future of AI. 
• The exam is 30 minutes long, with 20 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 65% is required.  

EXIN BCS Artificial Intelligence Essentials: 

• Provides a foundational understanding of AI principles, benefits, risks, and machine learning processes. 
• Aimed at individuals with an interest in or need for AI in their organization, across various sectors. 
• Covers the history of AI, machine learning basics, benefits and challenges of AI, and the future of human-machine collaboration. 
• The exam is 30 minutes long, with 20 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 65% is required. 

EXIN BCS Artificial Intelligence Foundation: 

• Expands on the Essentials certification, offering a deeper understanding of AI and robotics. 
• Suitable for individuals working in science, engineering, IT, finance, and related fields. 
• Covers ethical and sustainable AI, AI and robotics, benefits and risks of AI, machine learning toolbox development, and human-machine roles and responsibilities. 
• The exam is 60 minutes long, with 40 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 65% is required. 

EXIN BCS Machine Learning Award: 

• Provides a structured introduction to machine learning, covering algorithms, data processing, and real-world applications. 
• Ideal for individuals seeking to understand the technical aspects of AI, even without deep technical expertise. 
• Covers machine learning definitions, applications, learning agents, deep learning concepts, neural networks, data interaction, common algorithms (supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised), and practical applications. 
• The exam is 30 minutes long, with 18 multiple-choice questions. 

EXIN Artificial Intelligence Compliance Professional: 

• An advanced certification focused on mastering ethical AI and compliance with European standards, particularly the AI Act. 
• Designed for AI Compliance Officers, Risk Managers, Legal Managers, Data Protection Officers, and other professionals involved in AI governance. 
• Covers a general understanding of the AI Act, in-depth analysis of its provisions, trustworthy AI (privacy, data protection, transparency), ethical AI principles, practical application of the AI Act, and frameworks for compliance. 
• The exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes long, with 40 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 65% is required. Training with practical assignments is mandatory for this certification. This certification will be released in June 2025. 

These certifications offer a structured learning path for individuals looking to develop their AI expertise and stay relevant in the evolving technological landscape. They cater to a wide range of professionals, from those seeking a basic understanding to those requiring advanced knowledge in specific AI domains like machine learning and compliance. 

Average Fees: Fees for these diverse professional certifications can vary widely. 

Requirements: Requirements depend on the specific certification, ranging from no prerequisites to significant experience in data science or cloud computing. 

Average Pay After Completion: Professionals with skills relevant to AI and data science are highly sought after, with potential salaries ranging from $90,000 to $160,000+ per year, depending on the specific role and depth of expertise. 

Job Opportunities: Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Analyst, Big Data Engineer. 

Boosting Project Success: Mastering Project Management

These credentials validate your ability to effectively lead, plan, and execute IT projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required specifications. Strong project management skills are fundamental to the success of any IT initiative. 

While traditional, globally recognized certifications like PMI’s PMP and CAPM can serve as a good entry point into project management, professionals seeking more holistic and dynamic approaches relevant to today’s fast-paced environments should explore EXIN’s robust portfolio. EXIN offers valuable professional certifications in Agile Scrum, focusing on iterative and flexible project management, and Dynamic Project Management Method (DPMM), providing a structured yet adaptable framework for successfully navigating projects of various scales and complexities. 

Average Fees: Exam fees can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred dollars for foundational certifications to over $1,000 for more prestigious ones like the PMP. 

Requirements: Often, prerequisites include a certain amount of documented project management experience and sometimes specific training hours. Entry-level certification options may have less stringent requirements, making them accessible to those earlier in their careers. 

Average Pay After Completion: Holding a project management certification often correlates with a substantial increase in earning potential. Depending on experience, location, and the specific professional certification held, certified project managers can expect an average annual salary range of $80,000 to $150,000+. 

Job Opportunities: Project Manager, IT Project Manager, Scrum Master, Agile Project Manager, Program Manager, Project Coordinator, Business Analyst (often with project management skills).

Ensuring Smooth Operations: Excelling in IT Service Management (ITSM)

These professional certifications focus on the practices and processes involved in delivering and managing IT services effectively. The goal is to ensure IT aligns with business needs and provides consistent, high-quality support to users. 

The ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework is a global standard, with professional certifications offered at various levels, including Foundation, Practitioner, and Managing Professional. EXIN is a prominent provider of ITSM certifications across this entire spectrum. Furthermore, ISO/IEC 20000 is an internationally recognized standard for IT Service Management systems, and EXIN offers professional certifications in this crucial area as well. 

In addition to these established frameworks, EXIN also offers certifications in VeriSM, a service management approach focused on value-driven, evolving service management in the digital age, and SIAM (Service Integration and Management), which provides guidance on managing multiple service providers to ensure seamless service delivery. For those considering what certification should I get in IT operations, ITSM, along with VeriSM and SIAM, are strong contenders. 

Average Fees: Exam fees for ITSM certifications typically range from a few hundred dollars for foundation levels to several hundred for more advanced professional certifications. 

Requirements: Foundation-level certification often has no prerequisites. However, higher-level professional certifications usually require passing lower-level exams and demonstrating relevant work experience in IT service management. 

Average Pay After Completion: IT professionals holding ITSM certifications are highly valued and can command competitive salaries. Depending on the certification level and their specific role, average annual salaries can range from $70,000 to $130,000+. 

Job Opportunities: IT Service Manager, Service Desk Manager, Incident Manager, Change Manager, Problem Manager, IT Operations Manager, ITSM Consultant, Service Delivery Manager.

Optimizing for Value: Embracing Lean IT Principles

These professional certifications equip IT professionals with the knowledge and skills to apply Lean principles and practices within the IT environment. The focus is on eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and maximizing value delivery to the business. 

Certification Types: EXIN offers specific professional certifications in Lean IT, including Lean IT Foundation and more advanced levels that delve deeper into practical application and leadership. 

Average Fees: Exam fees for Lean IT certifications are generally in the range of a few hundred dollars. 

Requirements: The Lean IT Foundation certification typically has no prerequisites, making it a good starting point. Higher-level professional certifications might recommend or require some practical experience with Lean methodologies. 

Average Pay After Completion: Professionals with Lean IT certifications are sought after for their ability to drive process improvement and cost savings within IT. Their salaries can range from $75,000 to $120,000+ per year, depending on their role and the impact they have on organizational efficiency. 

Job Opportunities: Lean IT Manager, Process Improvement Analyst, IT Efficiency Consultant, Agile Coach (with Lean focus), Business Process Analyst.

Safeguarding Digital Assets: Mastering Information Security

In an era of increasing cyber threats, professional certifications in information security are critical. They validate your expertise in protecting sensitive data, systems, and networks from unauthorized access and malicious attacks. For those pondering what certification should i get for a secure future, this is a key area. 

Popular professional certifications include CompTIA Security+, a widely recognized entry-level certification, and more advanced credentials like CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). EXIN offers the Information Security Foundation certification, providing a strong grounding in security concepts, as well as the Privacy and Data Protection certification, essential for navigating data privacy regulations. 

Average Fees: Exam fees range from a few hundred dollars for foundational certifications to several hundred for more specialized and advanced professional certifications. 

Requirements: Entry-level certification options may have no prerequisites, while advanced professional certifications often require several years of relevant work experience in the information security field. 

Average Pay After Completion: Cybersecurity professionals are in extremely high demand and often command excellent salaries. Depending on experience and the specific professional certification held, salaries can range from $70,000 for entry-level roles to $150,000+ for experienced security architects and specialists. 

Job Opportunities: Security Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Engineer, Network Security Engineer, Information Security Manager, Data Protection Officer, Security Architect.

Powering the Digital World: Cloud Computing Expertise

These professional certifications validate your skills in designing, deploying, and managing solutions on major cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). 

Certification Types: Each cloud provider offers a structured path of professional certifications, from foundational associate levels to advanced professional and specialty certifications. 

Average Fees: Exam fees typically range from around $100 to $300+ per exam, depending on the level and provider. 

Requirements: Requirements vary; associate-level certifications often have no strict prerequisites, while professional and specialty professional certifications usually require practical experience. 

Average Pay After Completion: Cloud-certified professionals are in high demand, and their salaries reflect this, often ranging from $90,000 to $170,000+ per year, depending on the specific role, cloud platform, and level of certification. 

Job Opportunities: Cloud Engineer, Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Administrator, Solutions Architect.

Bridging Development and Operations: Embracing DevOps Practices

Professional certifications in DevOps demonstrate your understanding of the principles and practices that aim to automate and streamline the software development and deployment lifecycle, fostering collaboration between development and operations teams. 

Professional certifications in DevOps demonstrate your understanding of the principles and practices that aim to automate and streamline the software development and deployment lifecycle, fostering collaboration between development and operations teams. 

EXIN offers a range of valuable professional certifications in the DevOps domain, focusing on the essential principles and practices for streamlined and collaborative software development and IT operations. These certifications equip professionals with the knowledge to foster a DevOps culture, implement automation, and improve the efficiency and speed of software delivery pipelines. EXIN’s DevOps certifications provide a strong foundation for individuals and organizations looking to embrace modern DevOps methodologies. 

Specifically, EXIN offers: 

• EXIN DevOps Foundation: This certification provides a foundational understanding of DevOps principles, practices, and benefits. 

• EXIN DevOps Professional: This certification builds upon the Foundation level, offering a deeper dive into practical application and implementation of DevOps strategies. 

While other popular certifications like AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), and Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exist, EXIN’s DevOps certifications provide a strong foundation for individuals and organizations looking to embrace modern DevOps methodologies. 

Average Fees: Exam fees for DevOps certifications generally range from $200 to $500. 

Requirements: Often, a background in both software development and IT operations is recommended or required for these professional certifications. 

Average Pay After Completion: DevOps professionals are highly valued for their ability to improve efficiency and accelerate software delivery, with salaries often ranging from $100,000 to $160,000+ per year. 

Job Opportunities: DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, Automation Engineer, Release Engineer, Cloud Engineer (with DevOps focus). 

Investing in Your Future with Professional Certifications 

Choosing the right professional certifications is a strategic move for any IT professional looking to advance their career in 2025 and beyond. The demand for skilled individuals across these domains is strong, and earning these credentials can lead to significant benefits in terms of job opportunities and earning potential. When considering what certification should i get, think about your career goals and the areas that align with your interests and the needs of the industry. Organizations like EXIN offer a valuable range of professional certifications across key areas like IT Service Management, Project Management, Lean IT, and Information Security, providing a solid foundation for a successful and rewarding IT career. By strategically investing in professional certifications, you are not just gaining a credential; you are investing in your future.