Why Isn’t There a PowerShell Certification?

Almost all sysadmins and IT support engineers agree that Microsoft's PowerShell is extremely powerful and is the go-to tool for automation and time savings in managing their infrastructures. Some would also be quick to point out the extremely helpful PowerShell community.

Eventually, the conversation leads to the question, "Should PowerShell become a certified skill?" There are certainly some benefits to being able to prove that you have a certain level of skill, but certification can be cumbersome in other areas. Let's conduct a thought experiment to see how this could actually happen.

Why isn't There a PowerShell Certification?

The answer is simple but also complex. Back in 2013, PowerShell.org, still one of the leading communities for all things PowerShell, released a beta examination program called Verified Effective. It was essentially an assignment candidates had to complete and turn in. 

This program did not gain much traction, and the organization announced its retirement just a few years later. This seems to be the most robust attempt any somewhat widely recognized entity made at creating a PowerShell certification program.

Comparing PowerShell to another standard programming language isn't exactly apples to apples, either. PowerShell is technically not a language, at least not in the traditional sense. 

According to Microsoft Docs: 

"PowerShell is a cross-platform task automation solution made up of a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework." 

PowerShell is a framework that can be used like a language to automate scripting tasks and other functions. Most IT engineers and support staff who grow their skills will eventually use it as a language. Still, it's good to know the distinction when it comes to the broader discussion about certification. 

Python, for instance, is a language that several entities will test and certify your knowledge. The OpenEDG Python Institute has partnered with Pearson VUE to offer examinations for three levels of Python certification.

You could also make the argument that due to the growing footprint of PowerShell skills required for other certifications, there is no explicit need for a singular certification. If you've studied for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) exam, you'll have plenty of proof you know how to use Powershell. 

The newer exam objectives also include plenty of PowerShell objectives. For instance, the skills for Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate includes this objective: 

"You use administrative tools and technologies such as Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, Azure Arc, Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, Azure Automation Update Management, Microsoft Defender for Identity, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and IaaS virtual machine (VM) administration."

Although these may include many specific PowerShell cmdlets, they really don't speak to your overall knowledge of PowerShell. This continues to show that there is still a good case to be made for developing at least an add-on certification for PowerShell.

Imagining a PowerShell-Certified World

Microsoft would most likely be the granting authority for PowerShell. Let's face it: they developed and maintained it, so they would naturally be the most influential authority for such a certificate. Given that they have an extensive certification system, building out a PowerShell certification track could be pretty straightforward. 

They could pull from the existing PowerShell curriculum their trainers use to create a standard baseline for an Associate/Professional skill level. It may be worth having a three-tier standard like Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced.

The most challenging part of developing the standards would be asking the question, "What exactly should a candidate know at each particular level?" Would the tests be all multiple choice? Maybe there should be some short answer thrown in the mix. You can guarantee some code-snippet responses for given scenarios.

The beauty of PowerShell is that it can be as helpful as you need it to be. A tier one desktop support tech could use it to reset a user's Active Directory password, and they would be thrilled not to have to use the GUI. Contrast that with an SCCM engineer who can craft automated deployment scripts that suit every particular need of their organization, no matter the complexity.

Would a PowerShell Certification Help?

Any time you discuss industry certifications, you'll likely end up also discussing the absolute need or the absolute waste of getting any certifications. One group of HR recruiters will tell you that it's an absolute necessity to get your resume noticed when you lack experience. Another will claim that they mean nothing — and sometimes that is valid. The industry they work in may use completely proprietary software and workflows that really would not be served well by having all the flashy Azure, AWS, or Linux certs. A PowerShell certification would certainly not be immune from these factors.

A PowerShell certificate would certainly help a job seeker who wants evidence that they know PowerShell. Some employers would also benefit from this, as they would be taking less of a risk on someone with a verified cert rather than a candidate just flippantly saying, "Yeah, sure, I know PowerShell. I've used it in my previous roles." 

We all can agree that this is a very vague statement. There's a difference between a one-liner, such as Get-Service -ComputerName Server01 –ServiceName spooler, and a complex Active Directory onboarding workflow.

The degree of helpfulness depends on factors beyond your control, but overall, it could give you the edge compared with other candidates.

How PowerShell Certs Could Impact the Community

The PowerShell community is an absolutely fantastic community that is overflowing with help when it comes to doing anything with PowerShell. From the most straightforward one-line commands to complex functions, you can find just about anything by asking the question, "How can _________ with PowerShell?"

PowerShell certs wouldn't hurt the community. Some may claim that exam questions may get harvested and dumped somewhere, but there will always be a small part of any community that seeks to circumvent the rules.  

The community could gain even more momentum if PowerShell certs became a thing. Some IT professionals may make it a goal to obtain the certification and will likely explore the various message boards, subreddits, and blogs with plenty to share, thus becoming engaged with thriving groups that are already helping each other and sharing knowledge. This could expand the community and add value to it from people who may not have even thought about contributing.

Add-PowerShellCert or Remove-PowerShellCert?

Whether or not this ever actually becomes a realization, it may be a good idea to consider pursuing a PowerShell certificate. For those who like to challenge themselves personally, this would be a great opportunity to learn a new skill or improve on existing skills.

For those of you seeking a new role with more complex responsibilities, a certification may be the best way to motivate you to pursue it. Any new skill in PowerShell almost immediately gives you a return, whether in your current role or will prepare you for the next role, so it certainly doesn't hurt to start dipping your feet into the pool that is PowerShell.

No matter where you fall in this discussion, there is certainly quite a bit to ponder about the possibilities if PowerShell certifications become a reality. 

Ready to learn more about PowerShell? Check out our PowerShell Online Training course with Garth Schulte. 

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