11 Best IoT Certifications From Beginner To Pro [2023 Update]

In this article, we share the 11 best IoT certifications in 2023. Whether you’re new to the field and looking to land your first role or an experienced IoT pro that wants to enhance their resume and land a new gig, we’ve included IoT certifications for all skill levels.

As a rapidly expanding field, projections indicate 29 billion IoT devices by 2030, which is a threefold increase from 2020. Earning one of the best IoT certifications will give you an industry-recognized credential that validates your IoT skills to show potential employers. 

Plus, when you consider that the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports a median salary in excess of $100K for computing professionals, IoT certifications can be very rewarding.

So if you’re ready, let’s dive into some of the best IoT certifications to help enhance your resume and get you ready to enter the IoT job market.

What Is An IoT Certification? 

IoT certifications are an industry-recognized method for verifying your competence and expertise in the field. Note that these should not be confused with IoT certificates, as these are often earned after you’ve attended and completed an IoT course. There’s a big difference here!

By earning an IoT certification, you can demonstrate to employers that you're proactive in your professional development and possess the necessary expertise to design, implement, and manage IoT systems.

An IoT certification can also show that you have a holistic understanding of how IoT interacts with technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain.

To earn an IoT certification, you’ll need to possess the specific prerequisites before attending and passing an exam. 

Circling back around to Internet of Things certificates, while these are generally much simpler to achieve than an IoT certification, they can be ideal stepping stones to learning about IoT through an IoT course or boot camp. 

If this sounds like a good fit for you or you’re just starting out with IoT, we’d highly recommend checking out UC Irvine’s programming for IoT specialization to learn about programming embedded systems for IoT.

That said, let’s now switch focus back to IoT certifications. Let’s dive in!

How to Choose the Best IoT Certification In 2023?

Choosing the right IoT certification is a crucial step in your career journey, but with an array of options, it can be challenging to pick one that suits your career goals, skills, and interests. 

When curating our list of IoT certifications, we used the following criteria, and we’d recommend you refer to this when picking the best IoT certification for you:

• Relevance: IoT is a varied domain, so we looked for certifications that apply to IoT in general, along with specialized certifications for popular platforms.
• Credibility: We've included certifications from established organizations that are known for their rigorous training and comprehensive examination processes. 
• Learning Experience: We included certifications that also offer a structured learning experience to prepare you for the exam, including theory and practical projects. 

Note that all certification prices are accurate as of July 2023. 

The 11 Best IoT Certifications In 2023

1. [Global Tech Council] Certified IoT Expert

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Why we chose this certification

Our analysis of this certification found it to be a comprehensive, self-paced program designed to equip learners with an in-depth understanding of the core concepts and applications of IoT.

The accompanying IoT certification course includes over eight hours of training, with modules covering the intricacies of IoT architecture, its key components, layer architecture, middleware, and protocols, as well as the relationship between IoT and cloud, including cloud architecture, service providers, and an introduction to Fog, Edge, and Grid Computing.

The exam covers these topics in addition to your understanding of IoT-aided Smart Grid systems and their communication technologies and the practical application of IoT across various sectors. Graduates get access to networking opportunities through Global Tech Council and a competitive edge in the job market. 

2. [Cloud Credential Council] Internet Of Things (IoT) Foundation

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Why we chose this IoT certification

Our findings show that this is a non-technical, business-oriented certification that is suitable for a broad range of professionals wanting to learn and certify their fundamental knowledge of IoT concepts and business perspectives. 

It also includes an accompanying course that explores IoT fundamentals, architecture, communication protocols, IoT security, and its interaction with digital transformative technologies. This also includes group discussions, lab exercises to simulate IoT applications, and scenario-based case studies, providing an immersive learning experience. 

This certification is designed to enable you to understand the evolution of IoT, key drivers, business perspectives, security issues, and future growth opportunities. It provides in-depth insight into IoT's monetization strategies and their impact on diverse sectors. Overall, it encourages critical thinking about the real-world applications and implications of IoT.

3. [ISACA] IOT Fundamentals Certificate

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Why we chose this certification

Based on our observations, this certification is ideal for validating your understanding of IoT network components, including technology and key concepts. 

The exam covers IoT-enabled technologies and key IoT concepts, focusing on risk assessment, governance, control settings, and outside security threats associated with IoT. And while there are no prerequisites for the exam, there is an accompanying IoT Fundamentals online course and lab package. 

This course offers a blend of knowledge and performance-based training designed to help you understand IoT's opportunities and risks. It contains training labs on Connectivity Protocols and Cybersecurity Concerns, providing a dynamic learning experience.

4. [CertNexus] Certified Internet of Things Practitioner

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Why we chose this certification

Our findings show that this certification enables IT professionals to demonstrate their understanding of IoT concepts, technologies, and tools for use across various industries.

The exam tests your knowledge across four domains: the impact of IoT, IoT ecosystems, security, privacy, safety, and the IoT system development life cycle. 

It’s recommended to complete the Internet of Things Practitioner course before scheduling the exam, as the course is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills.

This course lets you participate in practical tasks, including constructing and programming an IoT device, managing wired and wireless communications, processing sensor input, and controlling an IoT device actuator. 

You’ll also learn the benefits and challenges of IoT systems, common security threats, countermeasures, and risk management approaches. 

5. [Arcitura] IoT Architect

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Why we chose this certification

Our team found this IoT architect certification is ideal for demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of IoT devices, technologies, protocols, and architecture layers.

It also has an accompanying course that covers fundamental topics, use cases, concepts, models, and an introduction to IoT architecture. This is an ideal way to take an in-depth look at IoT technology architecture and the key technologies for an IoT environment. 

You’ll also be able to take part in a hands-on lab module for the practical application of concepts and solving real-world problems. 

While the exam covers topics mostly from the course, further preparation resources are offered by Arcitura. Upon completion and passing of the exam, you will receive a digital certificate from Acclaim/Credly.

6. [Global Tech Council] Certified IoT Developer

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Why we chose this certification

Our research shows this certification is perfect for validating your proficiency in IoT development. 

It even includes an accompanying course with eight hours of coursework, covering aspects like IoT architecture, components, middleware, protocols, and the integration of IoT with cloud computing and Smart Grid technologies.

A distinctive feature of this certification program is the emphasis on hands-on learning. You will familiarize yourself with hardware platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi, learning about their various models and functionalities. Practical skills are further honed through project-based tasks like temperature and humidity measurement using Arduino and Raspberry Pi. 

When you’re ready, the exam tests your knowledge and hands-on experience to ensure you have the competencies needed to navigate the IoT industry effectively.

7. [101 Blockchains] Certified IoT Professional (CIOTP)

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Why we chose this certification

Our team came across this certification program from 101 Blockchains and found it provides an in-depth learning experience designed for a broad range of professionals. 

The course component aims to help you develop expertise in IoT solutions, covering topics such as IoT technology, best practices for implementation, business model innovation, and the integration of blockchain within the IoT.

You’ll also get to grips with real-world examples and interactive exercises via coursework that’s designed to help you learn about the practical applications of IoT. You also get access to course presentations, additional study materials on blockchain, and access to online events with industry experts. 

When you’re ready, the exam blends theory and practical applications, making the certification a valuable tool for anyone aiming to navigate and excel in the rapidly evolving IoT landscape.

8. [CertNexus] Certified IoT Security Practitioner (CIoTSP)

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Why we chose this certification

Our research indicates this is a distinguished IoT security certification that signifies competence in deploying robust IoT security measures. With this IoT cert, you can showcase your ability to safeguard network environments, carry out vulnerability analyses, establish solid defenses, and proficiently monitor IoT devices.

The CIoTSP exam tests your aptitude across seven crucial domains, including IoT portal security, authentication, authorization, accounting, network service security, data security, privacy concerns, software/firmware security, and physical security enhancement.

To make sure you’re ready for the exam, CertNexus recommends that you complete their Certified Internet of Things Practitioner (CIoTP) course, as this provides hands-on experience in constructing and programming an IoT device. 

9. [Cisco] Certified DevNet Specialist - IoT

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Why we chose this certification

Without a doubt, Cisco has one of the most impressive histories in the networking space, making them a natural fit for IoT certification.

Based on our observations, this particular Cisco IoT certification is an ideal way to prove your comprehensive knowledge of IoT application development with Cisco’s IoT edge computing and network architecture. 

The exam covers a wide array of crucial topics, including Cisco Network IoT Architecture, Compute and Analysis, IoT Software, Data Visualization, and Security. 

That said, it’s important that you have a solid understanding of data flow interpretation, operational technology components, IoT networking requirements, and sensor-connection workflows to pass this exam.

If you’re new to the field or lack experience in these areas with the Cisco platform,  you can complete the Developing Solutions Using Cisco IoT and Edge Platforms (DEVIOT) course. This covers edge device attributes, cloud usage scenarios, Python scripting for edge application deployment via APIs, and Cisco IOx application capabilities. 

You’ll also receive training in building applications and troubleshooting for Cisco IOx applications on platforms like Cisco Field Network Director and Cisco Kinetic Gateway Management Module. 

10. [Cisco] IoT Essentials for System Engineers

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Why we chose this certification

Another IoT certification from Cisco, this option is ideal for those that want to demonstrate their knowledge of Cisco's industrial networking solutions for IoT.

Our analysis shows that nearly one-third of the exam focuses on Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet Switching, including power supply and management options. Other exam topics include Cisco Industrial Wireless, Cisco Industrial Routing, and the Cisco IoT Operations Dashboard.

If you live and breathe Cisco’s networking platform and hardware, this will be music to your ears! And while there’s no accompanying course material for this exam, you can access training partners' content through Cisco SalesConnect. 

11. [IoT Inc] Certified IoT Professional (ICP)

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Why we chose this certification

As the final entry on our list of IoT certifications, our findings show that this is ideal if you want to validate a robust understanding of IoT design, implementation, and value realization in businesses. 

Like other certifications in our list, this also follows a course program format, but the ICIP program is slightly unique in its approach. This is because it’s structured around three primary courses: ICIP Technology, ICIP Business, and ICIP Strategy & Execution.

In total, this means you get access to a total of 45 modules, 163 lessons, and 28 quizzes!

The program also emphasizes the practical application of IoT with over 20 real-world case studies from a diverse range of industries. These are perfect for gaining insights into commercial, industrial, infrastructure, and consumer-focused IoT applications and contexts.

After you’ve completed the program and passed the final exam, you’ll have earned the certification of a “Smart Digital Transformation Professional”, which will boost your resume when seeking out your next IoT role.

IoT Certifications for Cloud Platforms

In 2023, when you think about the Internet of Things, you almost instantly think about the intersection of IoT and the cloud.

By leveraging cloud infrastructure, IoT devices can seamlessly transmit and store vast amounts of information, enabling real-time analytics and intelligent decision-making. 

Moreover, cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Azure offer scalability, security, and computational power that is essential to handle the massive influx of data generated by interconnected IoT devices.

That said, we could not find any IoT certifications that apply to any of the top 3 cloud platforms in 2023. Well, apart from an Azure IoT certification that is due to be sunsetted in July 2023. 

If you are, however, enthusiastic to learn more about IoT on one of the major cloud platforms, we’ve included a summary of the best options for AWS, GCP, and Azure below.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, the 11 best IoT certifications in 2023, including a range of IoT certifications for newcomers and seasoned pros alike. 

Regardless of your skill level, each of the IoT certifications we’ve shared can help you show future employers that an industry-recognized body has validated your IoT skills.

We’ve also included IoT certifications with accompanying courses to help you prepare for IoT certification exams. And if you’re keen to learn about the intersection between IoT and cloud, we’ve added bonus resources for AWS, GCP, and Azure. 

Whichever IoT certification you choose to pursue, we wish you the best of luck with your exam and IoT career!

New to IoT and not sure where to get started? Check out:

UC Irvine’s Intro to IoT and Embedded Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is An IoT Certification?

IoT certifications are industry-recognized credentials to verify your competence and expertise in the field. By earning an IoT certification, you can demonstrate to employers that you possess the necessary expertise to design, implement, and manage IoT systems.

2. Is An IoT Certification Useful?

Yes, an IoT certification can be a useful way to show your current or future employers that you have validated your expertise in the design, implementation, and management of IoT systems. You can also use an IoT certification to enhance your resume, which in turn may help you stand out from the competition at an interview or command a higher salary.

3. Which Certification Is Best For IoT?

This depends on your personal career goals and how you want to use your IoT skills. Each of the IoT certifications in our list is a great starting point, so check these out to find the best fit for your own IoT skillset and career aspirations.

4. How Can I Get An IoT Certificate?

Not to be confused with an IoT certification, which is an industry-recognized method for verifying your competence and expertise in the field, IoT certificates are typically awarded after attending and completing an IoT course or IoT bootcamp.

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