With more than 440,000 customers across the globe and 21,000 partner organizations, SAP is a leading tool for enterprise management. However, SAP is complex, and businesses need a way to demonstrate their teams’ expertise to stay competitive.
That’s why SAP certifications are so valuable, and with hundreds of SAP certifications available, there are plenty of ways for organizations to test their team’s competence. The right SAP certification will verify their knowledge of skills using database software, HR software, finance, operations, logistics, and more.
SAP offers certifications in specific subjects, each at four levels: Associate, Delta, Specialist, and Professional, in order of increasing difficulty. Certifications are offered through a subscription program with two options:
- CER001 – SAP Global Certification Online Exam, One Attempt: For $227, you’ll get 12 months of access to SAP’s Certification Hub. The fee also allows you to schedule one exam throughout your 12-month membership period. You can take the one exam of your choice up to three times throughout the subscription period.
- CER006 – SAP Global Certification Online Exam, Six Attempts: For $568, you’ll get the same 12 months of access to SAP’s Certification Hub that you get with the lower-priced option, but instead of one exam, you can schedule up to six exams throughout the year. You can take each of your six exams up to three times per exam.
There’s a wide variety of SAP certifications available through the Certification Hub. (You can see the full list on SAP’s Certification Validities page.) Note that when certification exams are updated, the previous versions are removed from the Hub and replaced with the newest version. It’s a good idea to check the list of “Soon to expire Certifications” (under the main list of Available Certifications on the Certification Validities page) when determining what exams to schedule and when.
Because of the sheer number of SAP certifications available, it can be difficult to know which certifications are the most valuable in practice. Consult this list to choose the 50 best SAP certifications for your team.
This certification indicates the project manager can use the SAP Activate Methodology, which is required for all three SAP S/4HANA implementation types. Certificate holders will build on their basic consultant skills with advanced communication and presentation skills and their knowledge of business tools and management processes.
This certification demonstrates that a project manager understands advanced business and communication skills. Passing this exam shows the manager can handle projects with roadmaps and testing, too. For Cloud-related projects, the PM will know how to apply the SAP Activate Methodology.
This certification proves that the candidate has the required knowledge to successfully hold a product support role. However, SAP does have a prerequisite requirement of either to sit for this exam:
- SAP Certified Development Professional – SAP Commerce Cloud 1811 Developer
- SAP Certified Development Professional – SAP Commerce Cloud 1905 Developer
You need in-depth technical skills to pass this exam, too. You can expect it to cover topics such as performance, product support processes, and integration.
This certification will test a candidate’s ability to use basic knowledge in ABAP-for-HANA training and documentation. Topic areas include SAP HANA Basics and Technical concepts, Integration of SAP HANA Coding into ABAP Programs, and other subjects related to SAP HANA.
It isn’t required, but SAP strongly encourages test-takers to pass SAP Certified Development Associate – ABAP with SAP NetWeaver before taking this exam.
This is a specialist-level certificate that requires the SAP Certified Development Professional – SAP Commerce Cloud 1811 Developer as a prerequisite.
This exam verifies that a candidate has an in-depth understanding of the technical skills needed to work as an SAP Commerce Product Specialist. Topics in this exam include Configuration, Performance, Product Support Processes, Troubleshooting, Integration, and General Support.
Test-takers must know SAP NetWeaver 7.52 and OS/DB migration for SAP systems
for this exam, which is designed for technology consultant roles. This certification validates a professional’s skills as a technologist and shows that they can help clients manage and execute key business processes.
This associate-level certificate verifies that a professional is ready to be an SAP HANA technology consultant. To pass this certification, a candidate must have basic knowledge of SAP HANA, as well as experience installing and applying it in past projects.
The associate-level BusinessObjects certification shows that the candidate has the necessary skills to use the SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform. With this certification, they can support SAP Business Intelligence platform users and groups and configure and manage servers. Overall, this certification demonstrates that a candidate can design, deploy, and operate the platform without a problem.
Receiving this certificate shows that the candidate has the skills and knowledge to independently prepare, set up, and lead an implementation project for Financials in SAP S/4HANA. However, to qualify for this exam, the test-taker will need:
- 5 years of experience in financial accounting or management accounting
- To understand the differences in architecture, configuration, and process execution in SAP S/4HANA
What’s great about this certification is that it proves the professional has the ability to convert an SAP ERP system to SAP S/4HANA.
Holders of this certification have basic knowledge of SAP Payroll, including Personnel Calculation Rules, Wage Type and Absence Valuations, Payroll Elements, and Integration. This is an associate-level certificate, which indicates they have the knowledge to implement HCM solutions with a more experienced consultant’s guidance.
The knowledge required for this associate-level certification relates to the SAP HANA Cloud QRC03/2021 for the profile of an SAP HANA Cloud application consultant. This certification verifies basic knowledge on SAP Cloud training as well as hands-on experience in a project specialist area.
Topics include implementing calculation views, graphical modeling and managing modeling content in SAP Business Application Studio.
The SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Business ByDesign exam shows that a candidate knows the fundamentals for a Presales, Application, and Implementation consultant profile. This certification proves that a candidate is ready to not only contribute to a project, but guide it successfully.
Topics include Business ByDesign Financials, Customer Relationship Management, Supply Chain Management, and Project-Based Services.
This associate-level exam verifies the knowledge required for Programming in SAP S/4HANA, which builds on NetWeaver ABAP programming skills and experience. Some topics included on the exam are ABAP SQL, CDS views, analysis tools, CDS-based BOPF, and both SAP Gateway and Fiori use in the ABAP programming model.
- SAP Certified Application Associate – Reporting, Modeling and Data Acquisition with SAP BW/4HANA 2.x
This associate-level certification is proof that a candidate has experience in reporting, modeling, and data acquisition. In practice, it means the professional can take on a mentoring role for an SAP project team. In this exam, you can expect to see topics such as Native SAP HANA Modeling, SAP Analytics tools, and Data Acquisition into SAP HANA and SAP BW/4HANA.
This certificate assesses the candidate’s knowledge and in-depth technical skills so they can work as an SAP Business ByDesign Solution Consultant. Since this is an associate-level certification, it’s highly recommended for any entry-level professionals. Topics include a range of SAP Business ByDesign areas, including Financials, Supply Chain Management, SAP Launch Methodology, and Project-Based Services.
Completion of this exam shows that a candidate has foundational knowledge in ABAP Development. However, they will still need supervision from an expert consultant. Topics included in the exam are ABAP Programming, ABAP Dictionary, Web Dynpro for ABAP, Classical User Interfaces, and Internal Tables.
This exam verifies that the candidate has proven experience in implementing ETL projects. It also requires them to prove their skills in administering and managing projects using SAP Data Services. Topics in this exam include:
- Understanding Data Integration concepts
- Performing Data Transformation
- Applying performance tuning and sizing methods
- Implementing complex design methods
- Troubleshooting
In this exam, a candidate needs to prove their ABAP for SAP HANA programming knowledge so they can become a certified SAP ABAP development consultant. This is a specialist-level certification, so it’s best to complete it after obtaining the SAP Certified Development Associate – ABAP with SAP NetWeaver certification.
Completing this specialist-level certificate shows that a candidate is ready to be an SAP BW Application Consultant. For this test, the professional needs knowledge and experience of SAP BW/4HANA, especially in implementation and modeling.
While it isn’t required, SAP recommends earning one of these certifications before taking this exam:
- Modeling and Data Management with SAP BW 7.3 & SAP BI 4.0
- Modeling and Data Management with SAP BW 7.4
- Modeling and Data Acquisition with SAP BW 7.5 powered by SAP HANA
This specialist-level certification assesses the candidate’s ability to perform a technical SAP S/4HANA conversion and an SAP system upgrade. It proves the professional understands SAP system administration and that they can manage real-life SAP projects. It will also test their knowledge of SUM Prepare Part, Execution Part, and Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
The SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP HCM with ERP 6.0 EHP7 certification exam tests a candidate’s basic knowledge in SAP Human Capital management. However, the associate still needs the guidance of a more experienced consultant.
Some of the topics covered on the exam are Time and Attendance Management, Personnel Administration, SAP HCM Business Processes, Organizational Management Configuration, and Reporting and Analytics.
This is an associate-level certification that verifies a professional’s knowledge in SAP HANA Cloud QRC03/2021. It tests basic knowledge of SAP HANA Cloud as well as practical experience working on an SAP HANA Cloud project team. You can expect this exam to test skills like deploying, upgrading, and configuring an SAP HANA Cloud database.
Although this is an associate-level certification exam, a candidate needs to prove they know how to work as an SAP Ariba Associate Business Consultant. It isn’t required, but this exam is highly recommended for anyone working on an SAP Ariba Supply Chain Collaboration design and implementation project.
Topics on this exam include Purchase Order Collaboration, Quality Collaboration, Supplier Managed Inventory, and Returns.
The SAP Ariba Sourcing certification exam tests a professional’s knowledge so they can work as an SAP Ariba Sourcing Associate Application Consultant. Keep in mind that SAP requires a quarterly Stay Current assessment for anyone who wants to maintain this certification.
This exam will test every aspect related to SAP Ariba Sourcing projects, such as Event and Auction Creation, Event Management, Administration, and Product Sourcing.
With this associate-level certificate, a candidate needs to prove they have basic knowledge of SAP supply chain planning. However, they can only implement their experience under the guidance of a more experienced consultant and must complete Stay Current assessments, too.
Obtaining this certification proves the professional knows SAP Ariba application integrations. They typically work under a mentor and contribute during the planning and implementation phases of a project. Topics for this exam include SAP Cloud Connector, Supplier Lifecycle Performance, Ariba Network Integration IDOC flows and proxy flows, and more.
This professional-level certificate exam validates the candidate’s ability to work with the SAP Commerce Cloud Suite 1905 as a member of a project team. Keep in mind that the candidate needs to carefully study the SAP Commerce Cloud Suite documentation to pass this exam with flying colors.
Passing this certification exam proves the candidate knows how to work as an SAP Business ByDesign Solution Consultant. This exam covers many entry-level topics, such as:
- SAP Business By Design Supply Chain Management
- Financials
- Customer Relationship Management
- SAP Launch Methodology
- Implementation Fundamentals
- Project-Based Services
This exam tests a professional’s practical ability to integrate SAP Sales and SAP Service Cloud with SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, or SAP CRM using SAP Cloud Platform Integration. However, they will still need expert supervision to apply these skills in a project.
This associate-level certificate verifies the candidate knows how to work as a technology consultant. Passing this exam proves that a professional has knowledge and experience in Data Collection and Contact Management, Account Creation and Settings, Data Integrations Advanced, Campaign Management, Product Overview, and Analytics and Insights.
Passing this certification exam demonstrates knowledge of SAP Activate onboarding, the Service line of business, and how to participate as a member of a RISE with SAP S//HANA Cloud (public) implementation project team in a Service role. However, once they pass this exam, the candidate has to pass Stay Current assessments to maintain their certification, too.
This is an associate-level exam that demonstrates a candidate’s knowledge of SAP Activate onboarding and the Sales line of business. To pass, candidates must have the technical skills to be a member of a RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud (public) implementation project team. SAP also requires Stay Current assessments as it rolls out new versions of the software.
The Central Finance exam is an associate-level exam, which makes it perfect for entry-level workers. This certification proves that a professional has the knowledge and skills required to participate on a team in a Central Finance role. By completing this exam, a candidate shows they’re ready to make meaningful contributions on Central Finance projects and eventually make a career as a Central Finance consultant.
With this professional-level certificate, a candidate will be qualified to hold an SAP Security Architect role. This exam requires test-takers to have years of experience with SAP System Security and Authorization. Topics on the exam include:
- Fundamentals
- System management
- SAP Netweaver Application Server Security
- Authorization, Security, and Scenarios in SAP HANA
- Security in SAP Gateway and SAP Fiori System Landscape
This associate-level certification proves that a Management Accounting professional knows how to do SAP ERP Management Accounting. This certification is a good stepping stone for anyone who eventually wants to become an SAP Certified Professional in Management Accounting.
This is an associate-level SAP Certification, which indicates that a professional is skilled in SAP ERP Financial Accounting. It’s a good option for anyone who wants to implement projects under a more experienced consultant, as well as professionals who want to qualify as an SAP Certified Professional in Financial Accounting. Although this certification isn’t necessary to become an SAP Certified Professional in Financial Accounting, it demonstrates knowledge in:
- General ledger accounting
- Accounts payable
- Financial closing
- Reporting
SAP Ariba Associate Business Consultants need to take this associate-level exam to demonstrate their knowledge—it’s recommended for all entry-level jobs for SAP Ariba Contracts design and implementation projects. It also requires Stay Current assessments.
Successfully completing this exam demonstrates that a candidate understands the SAP Ariba Procurement application. This exam will help entry-level professionals learn the fundamentals of the entire SAP Ariba product line. However, it also requires Stay Current assessments.
This is an associate-level exam that tests the skills needed to do Cash Management and Treasury Risk Management. Candidates will need to know the basics of Bank Account Management, Transaction Management, Financial Risk Management, and Liquidity Management, in addition to other topics such as Cash Operations and Payment Processing.
Successfully completing this exam proves that a professional has basic SAP system security knowledge to work on a team. The exam tests the candidate’s understanding of securing SAP systems as well as SAP’s authorization concepts in SAP Business Suite and SAP S4HANA.
This certification exam shows that professionals are ready to contribute to planning and implementation projects. It tests on subjects like:
- Self Service Procurement Processes
- Operational Sourcing
- Contract Management
Candidates usually don’t need project experience to pass the Supplier Relationship Management 7.2 exam, which makes it perfect for anyone with less than 3 years of experience.
This exam tests on all things SAP system administration, which includes:
- Transport Management
- SAP Fiori (fundamentals)
- SAP System Concepts
- User Administration for AS ABAP and/or AS Java
This is an associate-level exam that certifies a professional’s experience in implementation, logistics, financials, and SAP Business One support. Passing this exam shows that a candidate is ready to implement an SAP Business One implementation project.
To pass this exam, a candidate needs hands-on experience in SAP ERP Business Processes Foundations. The exam will test the candidate on several areas, including:
- Purchase-to-Pay Processing
- Plan to Product Processing
- Order to Cash Processing
- Financial Accounting
- Project System
- Human Capital Management
To pass this exam, professionals need to show they understand how to configure, administer, integrate, and analyze SAP applications. After passing this exam, the professional can share their skills with a team, but in a mentored role. This exam covers topics such as Supplier, Configuration, Users, Rate Structures, and System Tools and Messaging.
The Design Thinking associate-level exam proves that a candidate is knowledgeable in SAP Design Thinking methodology, processes, workshop organization, and facilitation. It’s a good idea for candidates to have successfully used design thinking in projects prior to taking this exam. They can expect to see topics on Scoping, Research, Synthesis, Ideation, and Prototyping on the test.
Passing this exam shows that a candidate can implement the SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting: Recruiter Experience application. Designed for entry-level consultants, this test gives candidates a better understanding of SAP SuccessFactors, testing them on topics like Job Requisition Enablement, Application Template, Recruiting Posting, and more.
Any with this certification has proven that they’re ready for an entry-level position working in SAP SuccessFactors Compensation. The test covers topics including Compensation Worksheets, Statements, Plan Guidelines, Permissions, and Reports and Workflows.
This is an associate-level certification. If a candidate passes this exam, it shows they understand warehouse management and qualifies them to work under a mentor. The exam covers a variety of topics on warehouse management, including Inbound and Outbound Process and Shipping and Receiving.
This SAP certification shows that a candidate has the skills to be on an implementation project team for RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud (public). With this warehouse management certification, professionals can contribute to their team with a manager’s guidance. However, SAP does require Stay Current assessments every time it releases a new version of its software.
