Due to a lack of defined best practices, the initial proponents of blockchain technology were mostly self-taught. Obtaining a valid blockchain certification, on the other hand, is frequently the clearest approach to proving expertise in this subject.

Summary

While many blockchain supporters are focused on cryptocurrencies, it’s crucial to remember that blockchain technology has the ability to transform whole industries’ data validation, data access/sharing, and identity protection processes.

As a result, while enterprise-level blockchain implementation is still in its early stages, a recent Gartner analysis predicted that the economic value added by blockchain will top $3.1 trillion by 2030. As a result, trained blockchain professionals are in high demand.

Contents

Which Blockchain Certification Is Right for You?

The blockchain industry’s overall growth prospects are mostly favorable. However, the current blockchain services market remains a fragmented market with a complex constellation of competing or overlapping solutions.

This makes it tough for IT decision-makers who aren’t familiar with blockchain to know which method is appropriate for their organization’s needs. As a result, there are many opportunities for anyone who want to play a more formal role in promoting ethical blockchain use to become certified blockchain specialists.

The earliest proponents of blockchain technology were largely self-taught due to a lack of established best practices. But now, obtaining a credible blockchain certification is oftentimes the clearest path to demonstrating proficiency in this field.

>>The Best Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Exchange Guide<<

Which Blockchain Certification Is Right for You?

Every new technology requires buy-in from both technical specialists/system architects and non-technical decision-makers, business executives, and project managers for it to be effective. As a result, there is a wide range of blockchain certifications available, ranging from general blockchain primers to customized programs focused on specific business activities or blockchain initiatives.

The following is a list of the most well-known blockchain certifications and training programs currently available (as of January 2021):

General blockchain certifications: These courses are geared toward industry newcomers and non-technical business professionals who want to learn everything there is to know about blockchain, from the principles of how it works to practical applications and implementation techniques.

Certified Blockchain Expert (offered by the Blockchain Council)
Certified Blockchain Professional (offered by the IIB Council)
Blockchain: Foundations & Use Cases (offered by Consensys via Coursera)

Technical blockchain certifications: Individuals with technical expertise who are interested in creating enterprise-level distributed computing applications, smart contracts, and other blockchain-specific technologies should apply for these programs.

Certified Blockchain Developer (offered by the Blockchain Council)
Certified Blockchain Architect (offered by the Blockchain Council)

>>Cryptocurrency Trading Guide for Beginners<<

Security-focused blockchain certifications: Every company that wants to use blockchain technology should make network security and risk assessment a top priority.

Because blockchain ledgers are fundamentally different from the centralized databases and systems that underpin most existing businesses, this certification is designed to help cybersecurity professionals improve their blockchain knowledge in order to safely transition their businesses to a blockchain-enabled system, whether they’re using a public blockchain, private blockchain, or hybrid model.

Certified Blockchain Security Professional (offered by the Blockchain Council)
Certified Blockchain Security Professional (offered by the Blockchain Training Alliance)
Cryptocurrency Security Standard Auditor (offered by the Crypto Consortium)

Legal and compliance certifications: This type of certification is designed to assist legal professionals in better understanding the regulatory landscape and the legal implications of using this technology in a number of scenarios, from smart contract deployment to intellectual property considerations.

Certified Blockchain & Law Professional (offered by the Blockchain Council)
Virtual Currency and Blockchain Certification (offered by ACAMS)

Project-specific certifications: There are a number of training programs customized to specific blockchain projects in addition to blockchain-agnostic credentials. These are intended toward business experts who have already determined which specific project best aligns with their business needs and want to gain deep expertise in that project.

Certified Bitcoin Professional (offered by the Crypto Consortium)
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Quorum, and Corda Expert Certifications (offered by the Blockchain Council)
Hyperledger Certifications (offered by IBM)

>>Bitcoin Wallet Guide, Reviews and Comparison<<

Certified Blockchain Professionals Are in High Demand

The preceding certification programs should not be considered exhaustive, especially as fields like healthcare, finance, and supply chain/logistics develop additional industry-specific certification programs.

Furthermore, several traditional cybersecurity certifications are expected to incorporate blockchain-related elements into their programs in the near future.

In recent years, the demand for certified blockchain specialists has expanded, outpacing the surge in demand for most other skill sets in the traditional IT/security market. As blockchain applications progress from pilot tests and small-scale proofs of concept to more robust, scalable corporate solutions, there will be an ongoing demand for skilled specialists who can guide businesses into the next digital era.

This is a fantastic opportunity for both technical and non-technical employees who are willing to use a promising new technology to address real-world business problems and generate long-term value.

While there are now only a few well-recognized certification programs available, the number of options to gain and certify your competency in this promising new technology will only continue to rise as novel use cases give way to established best practices.