Apple certification programs are IT professional certifications for Apple Inc. products. They
are designed to create a high level of technical proficiency among Macintosh service technicians,
help desk support, technical support, system administrators, and professional users. Apple
certification exams are offered at Prometric testing centers and Apple Authorized Training
Centers, as well as online through Pearson Vue. Score Publishing, a company located in
Nashville, Tennessee, has developed an iBooks Author Certification Program and has other
third-party Apple certifications currently in development.
Hardware Certifications These certifications are designed for individuals
interested in becoming Apple service technicians, help desk, desktop support, or Macintosh consultants
who need all-around experience in servicing Macintosh computers. It includes two separate
certifications. Apple Certified Macintosh Technician
This certification is for the repair and diagnostics of all Macintosh desktops, portables, and
servers. This certification is required to perform warranted hardware repairs for an
Apple Authorized Service Provider. Required exams
Macintosh Service Certification Exam Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks Troubleshooting Exam
Apple Certified Desktop Technician Previously, the hardware certification came
in the combination of Apple Certified Desktop Technician and Apple Certified Portable Technician,
but has been combined into a single hardware certification. This certification also includes
an extensive knowledge of Apple's operating system OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard including its
installation, settings, troubleshooting, and applications.
Software Certifications Score Publishing's iBooks Author Certification
Program is administered online via www.iBooksAuthor.guru. Candidates answering at least 50 of the 100
multiple choice questions correctly earn iBooks Author Certification, while those answering
75/100 correctly and meeting other criteria earn iBooks Author Certification with Distinction.
Pro Apps certifications These certifications are designed for individuals
who need a high skill-level in the use of Apple's pro applications or for professionals
who provide support for Final Cut Pro software and peripheral devices.
Apple Certified Pro - Level One Aperture 3
Color Correction in Final Cut Pro Compressor 3.5
DVD Studio Pro 4 Final Cut Express 4
Final Cut Pro X Logic Pro X
Motion 4 Sound Editing in Final Cut Studio
Apple Certified Pro - Level Two Final Cut Pro X and Final Cut Pro X
Apple Certified Master Pro - Final Cut Studio Final Cut Pro X
and any three of the following exams: Final Cut Pro X
Color Correction in Final Cut Pro Compressor 3.5
DVD Studio Pro 4 Motion 4
Sound Editing in Final Cut Studio
Xsan 2 Administrator
Xsan 2 Administration exam Apple Certified Media Administrator
Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.5 or v10.6 Xsan 2 Administration Exam
Final Cut Server and any one of the following exams:
Final Cut Pro X Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.5 or v10.6
Mac OS X Deployment v10.6 Mac OS X Directory Services v10.6
IT Professional Certifications These certifications are designed for IT professionals
who support Mac OS X or who perform Mac OS X desktop support and troubleshooting, such
as help desk staff, system administrators, service technicians, and service desk personnel.
Each certification is specific to the version of OS X it relates to; an administrator who
was qualified as ACTC for OS X 10.4 Tiger is not an ACTC for 10.6 Snow Leopard. Recertification
exams are available to speed the process of moving from one version to the next. OS X
10.6 exams are only available until 31 May 2012, when they will be withdrawn.
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator This certification is designed for entry-level
system administrators who provide help desk support to Mac OS X users, as well as maintain
the Mac OS X Server platform. Required exams
Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.6 Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.6
or OS X Support Essentials 10.7 Exam
OS X Server Essentials 10.7 Exam Apple Certified System Administrator
This certification is catered for system administrators managing large multiplatform IT networks using
Mac OS X Server and other Apple technologies. The ACSA program has been changed to offer
individuals more flexibility and is now focused on individual job functions. Each passed exam
earns a specialization certificate and a specific number of credits toward ACSA certification,
which requires a total of 7 valid credits. OS X 10.6 is the last version to have this
certification, there is no equivalent for OS X 10.7 Lion.
Required exams Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.6
Mac OS X Deployment v10.6 Mac OS X Directory Services v10.6
Mac OS X Security & Mobility v10.6 Apple Certified Media Administrator
Verifies in-depth knowledge of Xsan architecture, including an ability to install and configure
systems, architect and maintain networks, customize and troubleshoot services, and integrate
Mac OS X, Final Cut Server, and other Apple technologies within an Xsan installation.
ACMA certification is for system administrators and technicians working for resellers, post
houses, studios or other large facilities. To earn ACMA status, students must pass three
required exams and one elective exam as outlined below.
Required Exams Mac OS X Server Essentials v10.6
Xsan 2 Administration Final Cut Server Level One
Plus one of the following: Mac OS X Support Essentials v10.6
Mac OS X Directory Services v10.6 Mac OS X Deployment v10.6
Final Cut Pro Level One Xsan 2 Administrator
Veriﬁes comprehensive knowledge of Apple's SAN ﬁle system for Mac OS X. An Xsan Administrator
is responsible for the life cycle of Xsan, including installation, deployment, infrastructure.
To earn Xsan Administrator certification, students must pass one exam. Xsan 2 exams
are only available until 31 May 2012, when they will be withdrawn following Apple's integration
of Xsan into OS X Server 10.7. Required Exam
Xsan 2 Administration Associate Certifications
Certified Associate certifications are designed for professionals, educators and students
to validate their skills in Apple's digital lifestyle and authoring applications and iWork.
Apple Certified Associate in iWork Required exam
iWork Level One List of Apple certification programs
Apple Authorized Training Centers Hardware
Apple Certified Macintosh Technician Apple Certified Desktop Technician
Apple Certified Portable Technician
Trainers and Training Centers Apple Certified Trainer
Apple Authorized Training Centers Apple Authorized Training Centers for Education
Software Certifications Apple Certified Pro
Final Cut Pro Final Cut Express
Color DVD Studio Pro
Motion Logic Pro
Shake Color Management
Xsan for Pro Video Aperture
Soundtrack Pro
Apple Certified Master Pro Final Cut Studio
Logic Studio
Mac OS X and IT certifications Apple Certified Support Professional
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator Apple Certified System Administrator
Apple Certified Specialist Apple Certified Media Administrator
Xsan 2 Administrator See also
Apple Specialist Genius Bar
One to One Cisco Career Certifications
Microsoft Certified Professional Oracle Certification Program
Red Hat Certification Program Ubuntu Certified Professional
References
External links Apple's Certification Programs homepage
Apple's online training locator Apple Certified Professionals Registry