How to Get VMware VCP Certification: The Complete Guide

Hey there!

Looking to boost your IT career by getting VMware certified? As a fellow tech geek, I totally get it. VMware certifications open up awesome job opportunities and higher salaries. But the certification process can be daunting if you don‘t know where to start.

Not to worry! I‘ve been down this road and will guide you step-by-step through getting VCP certified. Whether you‘re just starting out in IT or a seasoned pro, this comprehensive guide will set you on the path to becoming a certified VMware professional. Let‘s get started!

Why Get VMware Certified?

Before we dive in, let‘s look at why you should consider getting VMware certified:

1. Prove Your Skills

Earning VCP validation proves to employers you have the specific VMware skills and knowledge they need. No more theoretical claims on your resume – you‘ll have the certified credentials to back it up!

2. Higher Salaries

On average, VCP certification boosts salaries by $14,000 compared to non-certified IT pros according to Global Knowledge. Who couldn‘t use a nice salary bump?

3. More Job Opportunities

LinkedIn reports over 50,000 job listings request or require VMware certification. Getting VCP certified makes you stand out from uncertified applicants.

4. Industry Recognition

VMware is the dominant enterprise virtualization provider with over 500,000 customers globally. VCP certification shows you‘re fluent in the "language" customers want.

5. Flexibility

VMware offers certification tracks for various solution areas. You can specialize in the path that interests you most – data center, cloud, networking, mobility, etc.

For these reasons, I think getting VCP certified is one of the smartest career moves an IT professional can make. Now let‘s explore how to tackle it.

Overview of VMware Certifications

VMware offers credentials focused on different IT disciplines and expertise levels:

VMware Certified Associate (VCA): Entry-level courses and tests for VMware newcomers. Not a certification, but a pre-requisite for VCP.
VMware Certified Professional (VCP): Validates intermediate skills in installing, managing and troubleshooting VMware environments. Considered the "must-have" VMware certification.
VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP): Requires advanced administration and technical knowledge of VMware solutions. Two tracks – data center administration and design.
VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX): The elite VMware certification for infrastructure architects. Substantial experience and skill needed to attain.

There are also Specialist certs like VCAP-NV, VCAP-CMA, VCIX, VCIX, etc. that go deep into specific VMware technologies. But the VCP is the certification that opens the most doors, so that‘s what we‘ll focus on here.

Now that you‘ve got the lay of the VMware certification landscape, let‘s dig into the VCP.

VCP Certification Tracks and Requirements

VMware offers VCP credentials in several solution areas:

Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV)
Network Virtualization (VCP-NV)
Cloud Management and Automation (VCP-CMA)
Desktop and Mobility (VCP-DTM)
Digital Workspace (VCP-DW)

We‘ll use the VCP-DCV (Data Center Virtualization) as an example since it‘s the most common VCP cert.

Here are the step-by-step requirements to earn the VCP-DCV:

1. Get Prerequisite Knowledge

Before taking the VCP-DCV exam, you need a baseline understanding of VMware vSphere environments. You can gain this through:

VMware training course: VMware requires you complete an authorized vSphere training course like VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage [V7]
On-the-job experience: 6-12 months hands-on managing a vSphere environment is recommended.

A training course ensures you have the required vSphere knowledge, so do both if possible.

2. Pass the Professional VMware vSphere 7.x Exam

The vSphere 7 Foundations Exam (2V0-21.20) tests your knowledge of core vSphere concepts, features, implementation and administration.

60 multiple choice/multiple response questions
90 minutes to complete
300 passing score

Passing this validates you have the vSphere skills needed for VCP certification.

3. Pass the VCP-DCV Exam

This is the culminating exam to earn your VCP-DCV certification.

65 multiple choice/multiple response questions
105 minutes
300 passing score

It covers advanced vSphere deployment scenarios and tasks you‘ll encounter in real-world IT environments. Pass this, and you‘ve earned the coveted VCP-DCV certification!

The requirements are similar for other VCP tracks – take a qualifying exam, pass the track-specific VCP exam, and you‘re certified. Review the details for your chosen solution area.

Estimated Costs for VCP Certification

Let‘s break down what you can expect to invest for VCP certification:

VMware Training Course:

vSphere 7 Install, Configure, Manage: $4,250
Other third-party courses: $1000 – $1500

Professional vSphere 7 Foundations Exam:

Exam fee: $250

VCP-DCV Exam:

Exam fee: $250

Total Estimated Cost: $1500 – $4750

That sticker shock you just felt is normal. VMware training and exams are pricey. But many employers offer tuition reimbursement to offset the costs. Also, third party training can significantly reduce the overall investment.

Weigh the price against future salary gains – the ROI warrants the upfront costs if you remain in IT long-term. Think of it as an investment in your career.

How Long Does it Take to Earn VCP Certification?

With consistent study, you can expect to earn VCP certification in:

Training course: 5 days (full-time instructor led) or 3-4 weeks (self-paced)
Exam prep: 50-200 hours depending on experience level
Exams: Schedule within 1-2 months of finishing training

Total timeline: 2-3 months if you stay focused.

Cramming won‘t cut it for the exams. Take time to thoroughly learn the material to pass on your first attempts. Rushing into the exams unprepared will cost you time and money.

Maintaining Your VCP Credential

Previously VMware required recertification every 2 years to keep VCP active. Thankfully, they discontinued this policy in 2019.

Now, your VCP does not expire. Once earned, it‘s valid for the duration of your career.

But just because recertification isn‘t "mandatory" doesn‘t mean you shouldn‘t keep your skills current:

New product versions: VMware releases major vSphere updates that you should learn.
Upgrading credentials: Consider pursuing advanced VMware certs like VCAP or VCDX.
Industry changes: Virtualization and cloud evolve rapidly. Stay in the know.
Continuing education: Take regular training courses and seminars.

While not required, ongoing education ensures you and your VCP credential stay relevant. Renewing your VCP when major new VMware product versions release also looks great to employers.

VCP Certification Salaries and Job Opportunities

Wondering if VCP certification is worth the effort? The pay boost and job prospects make a resounding "YES!" Here are stats from PayScale and LinkedIn:

Average Salaries for VCP Certified Professionals:

United States: $101,000
Canada: $74,000
Australia: $75,000
United Kingdom: £57,000
Europe (EU): €52,000

Salaries range from $71,000 on the low end up to $140,000 for senior-level VCPs according to PayScale. The median salary is $101,000 in the US.

Top IT Jobs Requiring VCP Certification:

Solutions Architect – VMware
Systems Engineer – VMware
Infrastructure Architect
Virtualization Engineer
Cloud Engineer
Systems Administrator
Network Administrator

And remember, VCP certified candidates are often preferred for these roles per the 50,000+ VCP job listings on LinkedIn.

Based on this data, it‘s clear earning VCP opens lucrative career opportunities. The certified skills you gain create job and salary prospects far outweighing the investment.

How to Prepare for VCP Exams

Preparing for the intense VCP exams is vital. Here are six tips to ensure exam success:

1. Take Detailed Notes

Fill your notebook with facts during training. Writing things down doubles retention and creates a valuable study reference.

2. Do Hands-On Labs

Nothing builds skills like hands-on experience. Use a home lab with nested ESXi to practice if possible.

3. Take More Training

Supplement required courses with extra VMware education like Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization classes.

4. Study Together

Join study groups online to quiz each other and discuss tricky concepts.

5. Take Practice Exams

Mimic the real test environment with practice questions and time limits.

6. Review Technical Docs

Study VMware‘s administration guides, release notes, white papers, etc.

Combining these strategies will have you fully prepped to pass your VCP exam with flying colors!

Recapping the VCP Certification Roadmap

If this seems like a lot of steps, here‘s a high-level roadmap:

Choose your VCP track: Data Center, Networking, Cloud, Mobility, etc.
Verify prerequisites are met for hands-on experience and training.
Complete course training for your VCP track.
Pass qualifying exam (Professional vSphere Foundations Exam for VCP-DCV).
Study and prepare for several weeks using the tips provided.
Register and take VCP exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.
Achieve passing score to officially become VCP certified!

It takes dedication, but staying the course will earn you those coveted VCP credentials and new job opportunities.

You‘re Ready for VCP Certification!

Congratulations for taking the first step towards VCP certification! You now have a complete guide to getting VCP certified.

Remember to choose your VCP track wisely based on your IT interests and career goals. Data Center virtualization is the most popular track, but all VCP credentials demonstrate deep VMware expertise.

Stick to the roadmap, properly prepare, and those VCP credentials WILL be yours. It will take work, but will turbo-charge your IT career.

You‘ve got this my friend. Now go out there and get VMware certified! Let me know if you have any other questions.