🔥 The hard truth about certifications (which nobody talks about)
A study of 200+ interviews with hiring managers showed that the words "certification" and "certificate" are practically not mentioned when discussing candidates. They look at what you can really do.
NO (and this is a big BUT):
✅ Certifications are needed when:
You are a junior without experience and portfolio
You are changing your career and need a training structure
Target companies require specific certificates (Sber, Yandex, VK, public sector)
You learn better through clear goals and exams
You plan to work for foreign companies remotely
❌ Certifications are NOT needed when:
You already have 2+ years of experience and have projects in your portfolio
You go to startups (they are more important than practical skills)
Cost creates financial stress
You learn better by doing projects than by preparing for tests
💎 12 SQL Certifications that aren't lame
For beginners: "I just learned what JOIN is"
1. Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate (1Z0-071)
Price: ~17,000₽ (can be taken through Pearson VUE in Russia)
Preparation time: 2-4 months
Level: Beginner
What's inside:
Basics of SQL and relational databases
SELECT, JOIN, subqueries
DDL, DML, DCL operations
Working with functions and groupings
Who is it for: If you want a classic foundation. Oracle is used by Sber, VTB, large banks and government agencies.
Exam format: 78 questions, 120 minutes, you need to score 63%
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Can be passed through official test centers
2. MySQL 8.0 Database Developer/Administrator
Price: 15,000-18,000₽
Preparation time: 2-3 months
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
What's inside:
Installation, configuration, and monitoring of MySQL
MySQL architecture
User management and security
Query optimization
Who is it for: MySQL is the most popular open-source database. If you don't know what to choose, take this. It is used in 90% of Russian startups and e-commerce projects.
Reality: Knowledge of MySQL opens the doors to Ozon, Wildberries, Avito and thousands of startups.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Exams are available online
3. PostgreSQL 12/14 Associate Certification
Price: 15,000₽
Preparation time: 2-3 months
Level: Beginner
What's inside:
PostgreSQL management in production
Administration basics
Basic concepts of DB
Working with extensions
Who is it for: PostgreSQL is the choice of Yandex, VK, and most grocery companies. If you want to work in cool Russian IT companies, learn PostgreSQL.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ EnterpriseDB certification is available
4. Courses from Russian universities (MIPT, HSE, SPbSU)
Price: Free - 30,000₽
Preparation time: 2-4 months
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Where to find:
Stepik — free SQL courses
Courses on Coursera from Russian universities
Open Education Platform
Who is it for: You want a certificate from a well-known Russian university. Plus, you support domestic education.
Bonus: Some employers in Russia value a MIPT diploma more than an Oracle certificate.
5. Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
Price: 7,000₽
Preparation time: 1-2 months
Level: Entry-level
What's inside:
Azure Data Basics
Relational and non-relational databases
SQL + cloud services
PostgreSQL and MySQL in Azure
Who is it for: You are planning to work with clouds. Microsoft Azure is still available in Russia through partners.
Profit: After that, you can move towards Azure Database Administrator or Data Engineer.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ⚠️ There are restrictions, but exams can be taken through partners
6. Data Specialist from Yandex Practicum
Price: ₽80,000-120,000 (installments available)
Preparation time: 6-9 months
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
What's inside:
SQL from the basics to advanced
Python for data analysis
Visualization in Tableau/Power BI
Real projects in the portfolio
Who is it for: Do you want comprehensive training from scratch + help in finding a job? Yandex Practicum is one of the best in Russia.
Bonus: Guaranteed employment or money back
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Fully Russian product
7. Skillbox/GeekBrains Data Analytics Courses
Price: 50,000-100,000₽
Preparation time: 4-8 months
Level: Medium
What's inside:
SQL for data analytics
Excel/Google Sheets at an advanced level
Data visualization
Python Basics
Who is it for: I need a Russian diploma + mentoring + help in finding a job.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Russian platforms
8. Databricks Certified Data Analyst Associate
Price: ~15,000₽
Preparation time: 2-4 months
Level: Medium
NEW IN 2026! 🔥
What's inside:
Databricks SQL (it's not just SQL, it's SQL on steroids)
Unity Catalog for data management
Dashboards and visualization
Delta Lake and AI/BI features
Who is it for: If you want to work with lakehouse architecture and modern data stacks. In 2026, Databricks updated the exam — now there is more focus on AI integration.
Format: 45 questions, 90 minutes, you need to score 70%
Availability in the Russian Federation: ⚠️ Available via VPN, payment can be difficult
Advanced level: "I write recursive CTE in my sleep"
9. Oracle Certified Professional: SQL Developer (OCP)
Price: ~18,000₽ per exam
Preparation time: 4-6 months
Level: Advanced
What's inside:
Advanced SQL and PL/SQL
Performance optimization
Complex queries and analytical functions
Working with big data
Who is it for: You want to become an SQL guru in the Oracle ecosystem. In demand in banks, telecom (MTS, Megafon), large corporations.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Can be handed in at test centers
10. IBM Certified Database Associate (DB2)
Price: 15,000₽
Preparation time: 3-4 months
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
What's inside:
Working with DB2
SQL and XML
Data security
DDL operations and table design
Who is it for: If you work in an enterprise or plan to. DB2 is used by large Russian companies.
Availability in the Russian Federation: ⚠️ There are restrictions, check with IBM
11. 1C: Data Analyst
Price: 25,000-40,000₽
Preparation time: 3-5 months
Level: Medium
What's inside:
SQL in 1C environment
Working with 1C data
Building reports
Integration with external systems
Who is it for: The specifics of the Russian market. A huge number of companies work on 1C, and analytics specialists in 1C are always needed.
Salaries: ₽120,000-250,000 depending on the region
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Fully Russian product
12. Stepik: Interactive SQL Simulator
Price: FREE
Preparation time: 1-2 months
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
What's inside:
500+ practical tasks
From basic to advanced SQL
Real cases
Certificate upon completion
Who is it for: You have a limited budget, but you really want to learn SQL. Stepik is the best free platform in Russian.
Bonus: Stepik certificate is listed on hh.ru
Availability in the Russian Federation: ✅ Fully accessible
All these certifications are great, but you know what? Theory without practice = zero.
🎯 How to choose YOUR certification?
Step 1: Define your goal
Want to work with data? → Data Analyst certification
I want to go to backend/full-stack? → MySQL/PostgreSQL
I want to go to enterprise/banks? → Oracle/1C
I want to work in a food company? → PostgreSQL/Databricks
Do you want to work remotely abroad? → International certifications (Oracle, Microsoft)
Step 2: Look at the vacancies
Open hh.ru, Habr Career or Rabota.ru, enter the desired position, and see what they require. If 80% of vacancies ask for PostgreSQL, well, you get the idea.
Step 3: Estimate the budget
Completely without money? → Stepik, free courses on Habr, YouTube
Up to 20,000₽? → Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL
Up to 50,000₽? → Databricks (if available)
Ready to invest more? → Yandex Practicum, Skillbox, GeekBrains
Step 4: Check the company stack
If you have already selected a company, find out their technology stack. If they work on PostgreSQL, you don't need to learn Oracle.
Step 5: Consider sanctions and accessibility
In 2026, some foreign platforms may be inaccessible or difficult to pay for. Check availability before purchasing a course.
🎯 Conclusion: Act, don't worry
Listen, I can write another 10 pages about each certification. But you've already understood the main thing:
Certification ≠ work, but it opens doors
Practice > theory, always
Choose based on goals and availability, not hype
Start small - one certification is better than none
Russian certifications are also in demand - it is not necessary to chase after Western
The world of SQL does not wait. While you are reading this, someone is already writing their first JOIN. Someone is solving problems in Codice. Someone is preparing for an exam on hh.ru.
Next step? Open the Code, subscribe to our Telegram, start learning SQL. You'll thank yourself in six months.
And if you still have doubts, remember: even Pavel Durov once did not know what SELECT was. Just start.
P.S. If you've read to the end, you're already in the top 5% of readers. Now be in the top 5% of those who DO, not just read.
P.P.S. Seriously, come to Kodik. It's fun, useful, and the first lesson is free 😉