There are an anourmous number of certifications available to IT professionals. Some are vendor-neutral (such as CompTIA and CIW), while others are vendor (company/product) specific (such as Microsoft and CISCO). Some employers require certifications, some do not, and some consider them "pluses" to have when they reviewing job applications. The following is a list of "some" of the major certifications available.

Programming, Software Engineering/Development, Databases

• MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist)
• MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer
• MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer
• MSCD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer
• (MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)
• SCJD (Sun Certified Java Developer)
• OCA, OCP, OCM (Oracle Certified Associate, Professiona, and Master)
• Prosoft CIW Database Administrator

Networking and Network/Server Admin

• CompTIA A+ (PC Technician)
• MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician)
• CompTIA Network+ (Network/LAN Administrator)
• CompTIA Security+ (IT Security Administrator)
• CompTIA Server+ (Server Administrators)
• CompTIA Linux+ (Linux Administrators)
• MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator)
• MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)
• CNE (Novell Certified Network Engineer)
• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)
• CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional)
• CISSP (Certified Information System Security Professional)
• CCSA (Check Point Certified Security Administrator)
• Prosoft CIW Security Professional
• Prosoft CIW Server Administrator
• CompTIA RDIF+ (Radio Frequency Identification Technician)

Web Development

• Prosoft CIW (Certified Professional Webmaster) (Tracks: Associate, Professional, E-Commerce, etc.)
• Adobe Certified Professsional (Tracks: Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop, Instructor, etc.)
• SIP Certified Web Designer (Tracks: Managaer, Designer, Technician)
• WebYado AWP (Associate Webmaster Professional)
• BCIP (Brainbench Certified Internet Professional)

Management and Training

• CompTIA Project+ (Project Manager)
• CompTIA CTT+ (Certified Technical Trainer)
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist)
• CPM (Certified Project Manager) (International Association of Project & Program Management - IAPMM)