How to Become a Certified Blockchain Professional

How Do I Learn About Blockchain?

Overall growth projections for the blockchain space are largely optimistic. But, the fact remains that the current blockchain services sector is a fragmented market filled with a tangled constellation of conflicting or overlapping offerings. This often makes it difficult for Information Technology (IT) decision-makers without blockchain-specific experience to determine which approach aligns best with their organizational needs. As a result, there is currently plenty of opportunity for individuals who are interested in playing a more formal role in driving responsible blockchain adoption to become certified blockchain professionals.

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.

Which Blockchain Certification Is Right for You?

The successful implementation of every new technology requires buy-in from both technical specialists/system architects, as well as non-technical decision-makers, business leaders, and project managers. As a result, there is a broad array of blockchain certifications ranging from well-rounded blockchain primers to tailored programs specific to certain business functions or blockchain projects. Below is a list of the most widely recognized blockchain certifications and training programs currently available on the market (as of January 2021):

• General blockchain certifications: These programs primarily cater to industry novices and non-technical business personnel looking for a top-down understanding of blockchain — from the fundamentals of how the technology works to practical applications and implementation strategies.

• • 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: These programs are geared towards individuals with technical backgrounds who are interested in designing enterprise-level distributed computing applications, smart contracts, and other blockchain-specific systems.

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

  • Certified Blockchain Architect (offered by the Blockchain Council)

• Security-focused blockchain certifications: Every organization intent on implementing blockchain technology needs to prioritize network cybersecurity and effective risk assessment. Given that blockchain ledgers are inherently different from the centralized databases and systems that underpin most existing organizations, this type of certification is intended to help cybersecurity professionals ramp up their blockchain know-how in order to safely transition their businesses into a blockchain-enabled system, whether they are working with 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 intended to help legal experts better understand the regulatory landscape and the legal ramifications of applying this technology in a variety of contexts, ranging 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: In addition to blockchain-agnostic certifications, there are a number of training programs tailored to specific blockchain projects. These are geared toward business professionals who have already identified which specific project best aligns with their business needs and are interested in developing deep competency in a chosen 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)

Certified Blockchain Professionals Are in High Demand

The above certification programs should not be considered an exhaustive list of options, especially as industries such as healthcare, financial services, and supply chain/logistics continue to develop more industry-specific certification programs. Furthermore, it is expected that many traditional cybersecurity certifications will increasingly incorporate blockchain-related materials into their programs.

The need for qualified blockchain professionals has exploded in recent years and currently outpaces the growth in demand for most other skill sets within the traditional IT/cybersecurity space. As blockchain applications shift away from pilot tests and small-scale proofs of concept towards more robust scalable enterprise solutions, there will be a continual need for knowledgeable experts who can transition organizations into the next digital era.

This presents a golden opportunity for technical personnel as well as non-technical personnel who are open to using a promising new technology to solve real-world business issues and deliver lasting value. While there are currently only a handful of widely recognized certification programs available, as new use cases give way to established best practices, the number of ways in which you can gain and verify your proficiency in this promising new technology will only continue to grow.