Oracle Certification Program
| Company type | Certification program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information technology, Education |
| Founder | Oracle Corporation |
| Products | Professional certifications in Oracle technologies and products |
| Parent | Oracle Corporation |
| Website | education |
Oracle Certification Program assesses expertise and proficiency in Oracle technologies and products.
These certifications are granted based on examinations, training sessions, and practical assignments, with requirements differing according to the certification tier. Oracle credentials function as recognized indicators of professional competence, aiding individuals in standing out within the employment landscape.
The program includes six tiers of certification: Oracle Certified Junior Associate (OCJA), Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Oracle Certified Master (OCM), Oracle Certified Expert (OCE), and Oracle Certified Specialist (OCS). These cover nine technology domains and are organized by product categories and occupational roles.
- The Oracle Certified Junior Associate (OCJA) is designed for secondary school and college students and educators, emphasizing basic Java programming and computer science fundamentals.
- The Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) serves as the foundational credential, confirming essential skills required to support Oracle solutions.
- The Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) builds upon the OCA credential, showcasing advanced expertise in particular Oracle technologies; it is frequently utilized by IT supervisors to evaluate staff qualifications.
- The Oracle Certified Master (OCM) is the pinnacle certification level, validating expert-level capabilities through demanding performance-based tests and complex problem-solving challenges.
- The Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) acknowledges specialization in distinct technologies or fields, operating independently from the standard certification progression but often relying on OCA or OCP knowledge.
- The Oracle Certified Specialist (OCS) concentrates on practical implementation skills, primarily aimed at Oracle partners yet accessible to all candidates, measuring mastery of specific products or competencies.
Java Certification list
Oracle offers the following Java certification exams within its certification framework:
| Certification Title | Exam Code | Exam Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer | 1Z0-808 | Java SE 8 Programmer I |
| Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer | 1Z0-809 | Java SE 8 Programmer II |
| Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 11 Developer | 1Z0-817 | Upgrade OCP Java 6, 7 & 8 to Java SE 11 Developer |
| Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 11 Developer | 1Z0-819 | Java SE 11 Programmer |
| Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 7 Application Developer | 1Z0-900 | Java EE 7 Application Developer |
| Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect | 1Z0-807 | Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master |
| Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect | 1Z0-865 | Java (EE) Enterprise Architect Certified Master Assignment |
| Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect | 1Z0-866 | Java (EE) Enterprise Architect Certified Master Essay |
Requirements
Oracle University administers certifications across its suite of products and services. Prospective candidates select their desired certification track and fulfill specified prerequisites that may involve passing Pearson VUE-administered exams, obtaining prior certifications, completing relevant training courses, or providing proof of course completion.
Prior to exam participation, candidates must create a VUE account and verify their CertView profile. Exam vouchers are available for purchase through Oracle University, authorized resellers, or directly from Pearson VUE. On exam day, candidates are required to present two forms of identification—one must be a government-issued photo ID, with both containing signatures.
Exam vouchers have a six-month validity period and are non-refundable. Preparation options include optional training sessions offered by Oracle University and practice exams from third-party vendors such as Kaplan and Transcender.
In the event of an unsuccessful exam attempt, candidates must wait a minimum of five days before retaking the test and pay the full examination fee again. No refunds are issued for missed appointments. Certain countries impose additional restrictions on test-takers. Minors must obtain parental permission to participate.
Most certifications necessitate passing a single exam; some require two exams or supplementary training components. For instance, the Java EE Master certification demands completion of both an assignment and an essay within six months after purchase; failed submissions must be redone within a thirty-day timeframe.
Certification progression follows a sequential order: achieving Associate status is mandatory before pursuing Professional certification; likewise, Professional certification is a prerequisite for Master level. Expert and Specialist certifications do not require previous credentials. Additionally, Oracle has introduced Junior Associate certifications designed for students—for example, the "Java Foundations Junior Associate" exam.
Oracle Certified Associate Java SE Programmer I (previously Sun Certified Java Programmer)
The Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer credential assesses proficiency in the Java language fundamentals and is a mandatory step toward becoming an Oracle Certified Programmer.
This foundational exam emphasizes basic concepts such as variables, class and interface declarations, arrays, exception management, encapsulation, polymorphism, control flow, strings, and array lists, rather than advanced API topics. The Java SE 8 edition, introduced in December 2014, incorporated evaluation of lambda expressions, autoboxing/unboxing, and the updated date and time API.
Oracle has discontinued issuing the OCA certification for Java SE 11.
Oracle Certified Professional Java SE Programmer (previously Sun Certified Java Programmer)
The Oracle Certified Professional Java SE Programmer (OCPJP) certification validates in-depth understanding of Java and its Standard Edition APIs. It acts as a prerequisite for numerous higher-level Java certifications.
This exam covers essential language constructs such as loops, variables, Threads, the Collections API, and Generics. It does not include specialized areas like GUI development, Web or network programming, but tests knowledge of pertinent standard libraries. The emphasis is placed on mastering language features rather than on algorithmic optimization or software design patterns.
Conducted through a multiple-choice format, the test comprises 60 questions to be answered within 150 minutes. Candidates must correctly answer at least 37 questions (approximately 61%) to pass. Exam vouchers are available for purchase from Oracle (approximately US$300 in the United States, £150 plus VAT in the United Kingdom, AUD 316 plus tax in Australia, Rs. 8000 plus applicable taxes in India), and scheduling must be done at least one week prior to the exam date. Since June 2011, Oracle has collaborated with Pearson VUE to administer these exams.