🥇 How to become a certified code champion

If you’re a developer, chances are you’re using Git, the most widely used version control system (VCS) in the world. In fact, 93% of developers were using Git as of 2023, according to Stack Overflow. 

And if you’re using Git (and reading this newsletter 😉), you’re probably using GitHub, or at least interested in playing around with the platform. Either way, we’re glad you’re here. 

See, GitHub is more than just a GUI for Git. It’s where you—whether you’re an individual developer, part of an enterprise team, OS maintainer, student, teacher, gamer, data scientist, or someone who defies categorization and is just interested in any aspect of software development—can find and interact with your people. 🌍 🌎 🌏 

With more than 100 million developers, four million organizations, and 90% of Fortune 100 companies on GitHub, the platform is an industry standard for building the software that makes the world go ‘round. 

It can only help you to become familiar with and master a tool so central to modern software development. 💻 🌐

A fan-favorite way to build that mastery is with GitHub Certifications. 

What are GitHub Certifications?

• There are four different certification exams to showcase your expertise in GitHub technologies and workflows.

• Currently, you can get certified in GitHub Foundations, GitHub Actions, GitHub Advanced Security, and GitHub Administration. Here’s a summary of what’s covered in each exam.

➡️ Coming soon is the GitHub Copilot certification. Join the waitlist for priority scheduling before it closes next week.

• You’ll receive a digital Credly badge and certificate to verify your credentials once you successfully complete an exam. A certificate via Credly will also be available for download.

• You can add earned badges to your social accounts like LinkedIn, and even embed them on your website or in your email signature. To pin your badges to your GitHub profile, follow these tips.

What are the benefits to becoming GitHub certified? 

GitHub Certifications demonstrate proficiency with the GitHub platform and can enhance your career prospects. 

• Increase and validate your knowledge of GitHub’s core features through the GitHub Foundations certificate. You’ll learn how to manage a repository, push commits, create branches, merge changes, and use the platform for project management. You’ll also discover how to contribute to open source projects on GitHub and use Markdown.

• Build and certify your automation skills with the GitHub Actions certificate. Learn how to automate development tasks, build CI/CD pipelines, and manage GitHub Actions for enterprises. With your certificate in hand, you can become your team’s go-to resource on all things related to automation and GitHub Actions.

• Lock in and confirm your security know-how with the GitHub Advanced Security (GHAS) certificate, which was designed to build proficiency in GHAS features among enterprise developers. You’ll learn how to evaluate and configure secret scanning, code scanning with CodeQL, dependency management, and more on private repositories.

• Solidify best practices for supporting developer workflows while meeting organizational requirements. With the GitHub Administration certificate, you’ll learn how to set up an environment that optimizes for efficient developer workflows and supports the needs of your organization. You’ll become familiar with all the configurations and customizations to keep a GitHub environment healthy, robust, and secure.

• Learn how to pair program with an AI copilot. Coming soon, the GitHub Copilot certificate will build and evaluate your skill in using the AI-driven code completion tool in various programming languages, certifying your capability to optimize software development workflows efficiently. Sign up for the waitlist.

Apply your new knowledge and build with a global community of GitHub superfans. 💖 The GitHub community thrives on building and learning together, and you’ll have a lot to contribute once you become proficient with the platform. You’ll also find an abundance of resources, tactical tips, and sage advice to keep you growing as a developer. 

Another way our superfans stay connected is through the GitHub Insider newsletter. Subscribe and supercharge your productivity with our monthly newsletter just for devs. 👇

Whether you choose to pursue one or all, GitHub Certifications will keep you current with the software industry’s standards and best practices. ✅ You’ll be well prepared to securely manage source code, contribute to existing code, and engage with a global community of developers.

❓Have more questions about GitHub Certifications? Check out the FAQs >

How can I prepare for the exams?

We’ve got you covered. 

• Here’s your all-up guide to prepare for the exams. 🍎 

• The guide features self-paced learning modules for each certification, including the upcoming one for GitHub Copilot, so you can learn at your own speed and in your own time. 

• For more tips on how to prepare, check out the GitHub Certifications handbook. ➕

When will I get my badge, and what should I do with it? 

• After you pass an exam, Credly will email you within 1-2 U.S. business days informing you of your new badge and instructions for accepting it.

• Once you get your badge, share it! Like we mentioned above, you can add earned badges to your social accounts, including LinkedIn. These are easy ways to showcase your knowledge and abilities to peers and potential employers. Note that GitHub Certifications are currently valid for a minimum of three years. 🏅 Find more answers to your badging questions. 

What if I learn better in person? 📝

You’re in luck! Join us in San Francisco from October 28-30 for GitHub Universe. 🥳 

In-person attendees can get certified onsite for GitHub Foundations, GitHub Actions, GitHub Advanced Security, GitHub Administration, and GitHub Copilot! 🤯

There’ll also be plenty of interactive sessions with GitHub experts and opportunities for professional development.

🎟️ Get your tickets today >

More GitHub goodness 

🗣 Take our survey. We're working with the Linux Foundation and researchers from Harvard University to learn more about how organizations fund, contribute to, or support open source software projects. 

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✨ This newsletter was written by Nicole Choi and produced by Gwen Davis. ✨