Python Institute offers international certificates to IT specialists who want to consolidate their competency in Python programming. Its designation program helps candidates validate their programming abilities and become recognized for their experience in this domain.

Python Institute Certification Program

All in all, the candidates can apply for four levels of competency and obtain the following certificates:

• Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certification also known as PCEP;
• Certified Associate in Python Programming designation or PCAP;
• Certified Professional in Python Programming 1, in other words, PCPP1 and Certified Professional in Python Programming 2 or PCPP2;
• Certified Expert in Python Programming or CEPP.

Depending on your proficiency level and career target, you can register for one of the certifications mentioned above. Also, in the following paragraphs, you will find more details for some of the most wanted Python Institute qualifications.

Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) Certification

Such a validation helps candidates gain beginner skills in delivering coding tasks, and the target audience for this certification is interested in improving their competency in computer programming fundamental concepts. For example, applicants will learn how a computer works and how programming language techniques are constructed and defined. In addition, the candidates will learn about Python formatting & outputting basic data methods and will become skilled in managing variable naming conventions or work with the assignment operator. By adding the PCEP certification under their belt, the successful examinees will demonstrate that they are prepared for building a successful career in software development. The exam for this designation has the code PCEP-30-01. It requires takers to answer 30 questions in 45 minutes, plus, they will receive 5 extra minutes to go through the Non-Disclosure Tutorial and sign the related Agreement. Note that the questions have different formats. Therefore, the test-takers will need to find the right answer to single-choice, multiple-choice, gap fill, and drag & drop types of inquiries. The minimum passing score that applicants need to obtain is 70%. Lastly, the real test is available in the English language only, and the applicants will need to pay a registration fee of $59 to take part in it.

Topics Tested for PCEP Qualification

Before you enroll in the PCEP-30-01 evaluation for the PCEP certification, you should focus on checking its blueprint and get a clear understanding of what’s expected from you. In this case, you will need to demonstrate that you developed competency in the following areas:

• Understanding the Python programming basic concepts such as Boolean, floating-point numbers, the print() and input() functions, and numeric & string operators;
• Learning how to manage Data Types, Basic I/O Operations, and Evaluations in a business environment;
• Becoming experts in control flow concepts such as conditional blocks and loops;
• Understanding how to finalize data collection processes such as tuples, lists, and dictionaries;
• Becoming familiar with different types of functions like recursion, default parameter values, or understanding the difference between parameters and arguments.

Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP) Certification

The PCAP validation verifies the candidates' competency in performing coding tasks. The candidates who apply for this certification will learn about programming basics and how to use the most common Python language concepts. The candidates who decide to enroll in this certification program are interested in getting familiar with conditional execution, semantics, loops, Python syntax, and runtime environment. Besides, they want to gain expertise in using fundamental coding techniques and Python programming tools. The specialists who succeed in getting certified demonstrate that they can manage the Python 3 techniques and are prepared to pursue a career as software developers. The PCAP endorsement can be obtained after passing one exam, which is coded PCAP-31-03. The registration process for such a test must be finalized on Pearson VUE or OnVUE online proctoring network. Plus, the exam-takers are recommended to obtain the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer certificate prior to taking this test even though it’s not a prerequisite and will only help candidates get used to the Python programming language and its particularities. As for the PCAP-31-03 structural details, the real exam has a duration of 65 minutes plus, the applicants will need to spend 10 extra minutes to go through and confirm the Non-Disclosure Agreement. Additionally, the examinees will need to answer 40 multiple-choice and single-choice questions. The certification is obtained by those exam-takers who obtain a minimum passing score of 70%. Finally, the actual test can be taken in the English language only, and the registration fee for it is $295.

Topics Tested for PCAP Designation

One of the first steps that any candidate should take when they start preparing for the PCAP certification exam is going through its blueprint. It helps you understand the certification exam’s structure, difficulty level, and check your background. Therefore, if you want to earn the PCAP endorsement from the first try, you should consolidate your knowledge on the following topics:

• Getting an overview of Python packages and modules as well as understanding the difference between nested packages versus directory tree;
• Handling exceptions and being prepared to use and define them in a business environment;
• Getting familiar with terms related to strings such as slicing, indexing, immutability, and more;
• Becoming an expert in handling object-oriented programming techniques and using different methods such as declaring or self-parameter;
• Understanding how other Python programming concepts work such as list comprehension, closures, lambdas, or I/O operations.

Career Path

Any specialist who succeeds in adding the Python Institute certifications to his/her resume will become a valuable candidate for IT companies. Recruiters recognize the qualifications offered by this vendor as one of the highest standards that validates the applicants’ expert skills in the Python programming language. Therefore, if you want to build a successful career in IT, you should enroll in one of their certification programs and become a targeted candidate for jobs, such as:

• Software Developer;
• Python Developer;
• Machine Learning Engineer.

When it comes to the salaries, if you take a look on Payscale.com, you will find that a Python Developer earns an average annual income of approximately $80k. Also, if you decide to build a career as a Software Developer, then you should expect to receive an offer for approximately $72k as an annual payment as stated by the same salary website.

Certification Path

Once you’ve added the entry- and associate-level Python certificates to your resume, you are ready to apply for the professional threshold. Therefore, you can enroll in the process for obtaining the Certified Professional in Python Programming 1 and 2 levels. Once you complete all these steps, you will be declared the Certified Expert in Python Programming.