Popular Apple certifications
Apple offers hardware and software certification programs for businesses, education, and specialized professionals. An Apple certification helps you demonstrate and measure your skills in Apple products. They are designed to create an important level of technical proficiency among Mac technicians, system administrators, and users.
How to get an Apple certification?
Getting an Apple certification gives you validation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities using Mac products and applications. There are two types of certification paths available for Apple: Creative Professionals and Information Technology Professionals.
ACSA – Apple Certified System Administrator
ACSA is a certification 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.
How to become an Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA)?
To become an ACSA you must pass a specialization exam. Each passed exam earns a specialization certificate and a specific number of credits toward ACSA certification, which requires a total of 7 valid (unexpired) credits.
The exams include:
- Mac OS X Deployment (two credits)
- Mac Xsan Administration (three credits)
- Mac Directory Service Integration and Administration (four credits)
- Mac Security Best Practices (three credits)
- The podcast and Streamed Internet Media Administration (three credits)
- Mac OS X Server Command Lin Install and Configuration (three credits).
ACSP – Apple Certified Support Professional
Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification verifies the ability to perform troubleshooting and repair of Macintosh desktop systems, such as iMac and Power Mac G5.
This certification addresses the technical skills needed by a Mac OS X specialist who works on a help desk or otherwise assists Mac OS X users with technical issues. The ACSP certification requires passing the OS X Support Essentials exam that tests core OS X troubleshooting.
ACSP certification exams emphasize identifying and resolving common OS X problems and using Apple Service and Support products and practices to effectively repair Apple hardware.
The ACSP certification is an excellent starting point for IT professionals. It demonstrates a solid understanding of how to work with and troubleshoot Mac OS X.
Cost: The exam costs approximately $150.
ACTC – Apple Certified Technical Coordinator
ACTC certification verifies your knowledge of Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server core functionality and your ability to configure key services and perform basic troubleshooting of the essential Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server. The required exams are based on Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server.
Being an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator can be a great help if you are looking for jobs that involve basic networking duties. This certification demonstrates that you are capable of handling the most common Mac network job functions.
This certification is ideal for consultants working with the Mac platform because it identifies a significant level of understanding of Mac networking concepts.
How to become an ACTC (Apple Certified Technical Coordinator)?
To get an ACTC certification you are required to pass two exams: Mac OS X Support Essentials Exam and Mac OS X Server Essentials Exam
The Mac OS X Support Essentials Exam includes:
- Mac OS X installation
- Multiple users
- Preferences
- Files and privileges
- Networking and Internet access
- Web and email access
- Personal file and web sharing
- Peripheral devices
- Printing
- Troubleshooting
The Mac OS X Server Essentials Exam includes:
- Mac OS X Server installation
- Users, groups, and directory services
- Network, Internet, and Apache web services
- File sharing, email, and print services
- Client management using Macintosh Manager and NetBoot
- Security
- Troubleshooting
- Processes
- Startup and shutdown