SolarWinds Certified Professional Program
Get Certified. Be Recognized.
Become a SolarWinds Certified Professional
Our certifications build on the foundation of a global network of thousands of SolarWinds Certified Professionals and focus on enabling the effective use of SolarWinds’ products.
Becoming a SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) ensures that you have the technical expertise to use and maintain SolarWinds network and systems management products effectively.
Three Easy Steps: Sign Up. Study. Schedule.
It’s easy to get started. Just register with SolarWinds and look for a confirmation email. Then begin studying using the associated Exam Study Guide. Once ready, simply follow the instructions to register for and schedule the exam.
Register
Once you’ve decided to start the SCP certification process, you will need to register with SolarWinds. You’ll then get an email from the team with instructions for creating an account and registering with our testing service.
Study for a Certification
Each product-specific SCP exam has a preparation guide that is a great starting place for your studies. If you have a SolarWinds product under active maintenance, simply access virtual and on-demand training by logging into the Customer Portal.
Schedule Your Exam
Certification is conducted by PSI Services proprietary remote proctoring technology, which allows for anywhere, anytime testing with integrity. Once you’re ready, create your account with PSI Services and schedule your exam online.
SolarWinds Database Management
SolarWinds Database Management
Build practical skills in SolarWinds Database Management.
Covers installation, licensing, navigation, and troubleshooting across SQL Sentry, DPA, and DBO.
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer
Build practical skills in Database Performance Analyzer.
Covers installation, administration, architecture, troubleshooting, alerts, reporting, scalability, REST API, and integrations.
SolarWinds Observability SaaS Fundamentals
SolarWinds Observability SaaS Fundamentals
Build foundational skills in SolarWinds Observability SaaS.
Covers website, database, application, Kubernetes, and log monitoring, plus dashboards, alerts, and user access.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Architecture & Design
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Architecture & Design
Build practical skills in Self-Hosted architecture and design.
Covers architecture, scalability, deployment options, integrations, and design planning.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
Build practical skills in Self-Hosted diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Covers troubleshooting for the Orion platform, NPM, and SAM, including services, databases, HA, upgrades, alerts, and reporting.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Federal Fundamentals
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Federal Fundamentals
Build foundational skills in SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Federal.
Covers core platform setup, navigation, user access, dashboards, alerts, reports, and foundational monitoring workflows.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Fundamentals
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Fundamentals
Build foundational skills in SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted.
Covers core setup for users, permissions, views, dashboards, custom properties, alerts, reports, and intelligent maps.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Network Management
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Network Management
Build practical skills in Self-Hosted Network Management.
Covers configuration management, compliance, DNS, DHCP, IPAM, switch port management, UDT, VoIP, and network quality monitoring.
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Network Monitoring
SolarWinds Observability Self-Hosted Network Monitoring
Build practical skills in Self-Hosted Network Monitoring.
Covers network health, performance, hardware health, capacity planning, NetPath/Network Insight, flow, bandwidth, syslogs, traps, and event analysis.
SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor
SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor
Build practical skills in Server and Application Monitor.
Covers alerts, AppStack, AppInsight, component monitors, templates, and application troubleshooting.
SolarWinds Service Desk
SolarWinds Service Desk
Build practical skills in SolarWinds Service Desk.
Covers Service Desk configuration, incident, problem, release, and change management, plus ITAM, setup, and reporting.
Additional Resources
SolarWinds provides training tools to aid users in leveraging SolarWinds products and preparing for SolarWinds Certified Professional® examinations. Training programs and materials provided by third parties are not reviewed, monitored, or endorsed by SolarWinds and we cannot ensure their accuracy.
FAQs and Exam-taking Tips
How much does the exam cost?
How much does the exam cost?
The exam fee is US$200.
Alternatively, members of our user community, THWACK®, may exchange 60,000 points for the exam fee. If you plan to use this option, follow the instructions in the How to Register for an SCP Exam in the Payment section. Before registering with the PSI Exam Center, go to the THWACK store, select SCP Voucher, and complete the process. You’ll receive a voucher via email within three business days. Use the voucher code on the PSI testing center website during the payment process.
For more information about THWACK and how to earn points, start here.
Who should take the SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) exam?
Who should take the SolarWinds Certified Professional (SCP) exam?
Exam candidates are IT professionals using SolarWinds products who want to demonstrate they have the skills needed to effectively manage network, systems, applications, and/or security and compliance issues. The exams should be taken by those who actively participate in the day-to-day operational tasks needed to support and manage their environments.
SolarWinds recommends a candidate have at a minimum:
- One year of experience in a technical role, working in network, systems, applications, or security and compliance management or engineering
- Six months of on-the-job experience with SolarWinds products
- Familiarity with the technology and processes related to SolarWinds product features, including but not limited to, PerfStack™, NetPath™, and AppStack™
How long does my SCP Certification last?
How long does my SCP Certification last?
Your certification is valid for three years from its date of issue. This helps ensure professionals who hold a SolarWinds Certified Professional certificate stay up to date with the latest product features and evolving software tools.
How do I register for an SCP exam?
How do I register for an SCP exam?
First, register on the SolarWinds site by completing this registration form. After registering, you’ll receive a reply from the SolarWinds Certified Professional program team with instructions on how to register with PSI Services, a web-delivered remotely proctored exam system. The email from the SolarWinds team will have details on how to create your account with PSI Services, or you can visit the PSI account creation page here.
If you’re using THWACK points to pay for the exam, you must first exchange your points for a voucher. Please see the How much does the exam cost? section for more information. You’ll need the voucher code to complete the payment process.
If you have questions about the PSI testing experience, visit their FAQs.
Where do I take the SCP exam?
Where do I take the SCP exam?
PSI Services proctor all exams. PSI’s proprietary web-based, remote-proctoring technology means you can access exams from any web browser at the time of your choosing.
NOTE: During the registration process, you will need to check your system compatibility. It is essential to complete this step before your exam and make any suggested updates before your start time.
What are the benefits of having an SCP Certification?
What are the benefits of having an SCP Certification?
With over 300,000 customers worldwide, SolarWinds products are fast becoming the go-to solution for all things IT. Successfully passing the SCP exam and earning a certificate demonstrates you can proactively and quickly gauge and respond to issues in your IT environments using SolarWinds tools.
Those who have completed the certification process have reported preparation for the exam helped expand their knowledge and understanding of the SolarWinds products they already use. This formal certificate, combined with increased know-how, can help you show your value to your current organization, as well as stand out from the crowd and improve your marketability as an IT professional.
After you’re certified, you will have these added benefits:
- Our support team will know you’ve completed basic troubleshooting steps and reports, saving time by skipping the initial information-gathering steps and allowing you to dive right into your issue—or provide faster escalation if needed.
- Exclusive invitations to webcasts from SolarWinds product managers, Head Geeks™, and other IT professionals.
- Access to select GNS3® courses.
After I pass the exam, how do I receive my certificate?
After I pass the exam, how do I receive my certificate?
Upon successfully passing the exam, SolarWinds will issue you a Credly digital badge and certificate, which can be securely shared and verified by employers via the Credly website. You may also print a digital copy of your certificate.
What resources are included with my exam fee to help me prepare for the exam?
What resources are included with my exam fee to help me prepare for the exam?
If your product has an active maintenance agreement, you can take virtual classes via the SolarWinds Customer Portal. Find available classes here.
What are the prerequisites for scheduling an exam?
What are the prerequisites for scheduling an exam?
SolarWinds does not require eligibility to take an SCP exam. You can schedule an exam appointment with the online proctoring site, PSI Services after you have registered on the SolarWinds website. See How to Register for an SCP Exam above for details.
Can I cancel or reschedule my exam appointment?
Can I cancel or reschedule my exam appointment?
PSI Services requires notification of intent to reschedule at least two business days before your scheduled exam. If you cancel your exam, it will count as an attempt. You have one makeup exam opportunity included in your registration. If you fail to show for the exam, you will not receive a refund. To make changes to your exam appointment, go here.
If you have an emergency, email certification@solarwinds.com and we’ll work with you to find a solution.
If I don’t pass the exam, can I retake it?
If I don’t pass the exam, can I retake it?
Your exam fee includes the cost of one retake exam. If you need to retake the exam, email certification@solarwinds.com to request a retake voucher. You must take the makeup exam within one year of your initial exam date.
Do I need my ID and what kind of ID is acceptable?
Do I need my ID and what kind of ID is acceptable?
Your name on your ID must be exactly the name you used for your registration. You need a valid, government-issued ID that shows your name in the English alphabet, your signature, and your photograph.
When should I do a system check?
When should I do a system check?
Don’t wait until test time. Make sure your system—including your video—is ready for you to take the test. A proctor must be able to confirm your test-taking experience visually. You may need to run upgrades, so give yourself ample time. Canceling due to technical issues will count as your first exam attempt, and you’ll have to reschedule and use your one free retake.
What if I have site issues with PSI Services?
What if I have site issues with PSI Services?
If you have trouble scheduling an exam online, call the PSI Candidate Service Center at 855-579-4642, or email examschedule@psionline.com. A representative from the Candidate Service Center will help you schedule your exam and select your preferred testing date, time, and location.
Stuck? Unsure? Need help?
Stuck? Unsure? Need help?
Email certification@solarwinds.com.