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This is the third post in a 5-part series geared toward business professionals exploring a career in bitcoin. I tell my own story, from knowing nothing about bitcoin to becoming a Certified Bitcoin Professional, as an anecdote from which others in similar situations can draw lessons and insight to make their own decisions about getting involved in this exciting space.
In part 1, I describe the circumstances that led me to explore a career in bitcoin. In part 2, I discuss various ways to make money in the bitcoin ecosystem and why I decided to pursue a professional certification. Here, I compare some top bitcoin certifications.
This series is powered by Urkel Labs.
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The more research I did on bitcoin, it became abundantly clear how little I knew. Pair that with the fact that I lacked the technical and/or industry experience that job descriptions listed as “must have”, and I faced the reality that my chances of getting hired were slim to none.
The “nice to have” sections of some of those job descriptions, however, listed credentials such as “Certified Bitcoin Professional” or “Certified Blockchain Expert”. My curiosity was piqued.
Certifications are part and parcel to nearly every aspect of the professional landscape. From job functions and software tools to industry expertise and every niche, nook and cranny in between, there are certifications for everything. It’s big business. Some are scams, it’s true. The good ones, however, communicate that you know what you’re talking about. It’s a differentiator in a competitive market. The bitcoin space is no different.
Before we take a look at some of the top certifications, two things to ca. First, this list by no means is exhaustive; it only reflects the research I did. It’s important to do your own research before making a decision. Second, I have no affiliation to any of the organizations listed. The list reflects what I found to be of the highest quality.
A Selected List of Certification Options
To start, let’s look at certifications and courses from some of the top higher education institutions around the world.
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies Certificate from Berkeley — Berkeley partnered with edX to offer this 6-week, self-paced course. In it, you’ll learn introductory concepts to bitcoin and its underpinning blockchain technology, as well as basics of the Ethereum platform. Free to take course; $99 USD for Verified Certificate.
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton — Princeton partnered with Coursera to offer this 23-hour course. It provides a sound foundation and introductions to core bitcoin concepts. Though the course doesn’t offer a formal certification upon completion, successfully working through it certainly merits highlighting on a resume. Free.
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies Professional Certificate from UNIC — University of Nicosia in Cyprus has one of the leading blockchain programs in the world. This 6-week, instructor led online course requires an 8–10 hour weekly commitment. It takes a deep dive into blockchain technology, that of bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies, and beyond. The next start date for the course is October 19, 2020. Inquire on website for pricing and financial aid options.
- Also, UNIC’s free Intro to Digital Currencies course is a great place to start if you’re not ready to commit to a full certificate.
- Blockchain Strategy Programme from Oxford — offered through University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, this 6-week instructor led course, as the name suggests, is focused on core concepts of blockchain and the ecosystems that are built upon it, which includes cryptocurrencies. Currently, the next start date is TBD so keep an eye on their website. Inquire on website for pricing and financial aid options.
This is but a small list of higher education institutions with blockchain and/or bitcoin certifications and courses. There are plenty of other notable ones, including offerings from: University of Cape Town, Cornell, and Duke.
Outside of the formal academic world, there are plenty of certifications from professional organizations in the space:
- Certified Blockchain Professional (CBCP) from BIT — Blockchain Institute of Technology’s CBCP certification reflects competencies in 6 key areas from bitcoin to decentralized applications. The exam is 60 minutes and consists of 90 questions. Though preparation is self-study, BIT offers a number of courses to help you prepare. $945 USD.
- Certified Bitcoin Expert from Blockchain Council — Blockchain Council is “an authoritative group of subject experts and enthusiasts” in blockchain. They offer a host of certifications spanning blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and more. Their Certified Bitcoin Expert certification is a 6-hour, self-paced online course focuses on the practical and theoretical fundamentals of bitcoin. It’s a great option for those looking to dip their toes in bitcoin. $129 USD
- Certified Bitcoin Professional (CBP) from C4 — Last, but certainly not least. The CryptoCurrency Certification Consortium (C4) “establishes cryptocurrency standards that help ensure a balance of openness & privacy, security & usability, and trust & decentralization”. The Board of Directors boasts some of the biggest names in the blockchain and crypto world. Their CBP certification is geared toward a range of professionals from salespeople to educators. The 20-minute 75-question online exam with questions covering 6 key domains of bitcoin knowledge spanning the history of money to basic cryptography. $140 CAD (~$105 USD)
Why I Chose C4’s CBP
Clearly, there is no shortage when it comes to bitcoin education and certification options.
So, why did I decide to start by becoming a Certified Bitcoin Professional?
Reason #1: The credibility
As I mentioned, I’d seen “Certified Bitcoin Professional” listed in the preferred qualifications section on job descriptions, which showed me that the CBP was viewed favorably in the marketplace. Moreover, with thought leaders such as Andreas M. Antonopoulos and Vitalik Buterin on the team, I knew the exam material would be high caliber. By no means am I suggesting certifications from other organizations or institutions are less credible. Rather, I chose to go with that which I recognized.
Reason #2: The content
C4 created a CBP exam study guide. It consists of 33 topics that fall within 6 key domains of bitcoin knowledge. Compared to the topics and syllabi for other courses/certifications I considered, CBP’s was the most holistic and in alignment with what I wanted to gain. I also liked how the content was self-paced and the “curriculum” was open-ended in that, although C4 provides recommended resources, they ultimately leave what to study up to the student.
Reason #2: The price point
For most people, money is often a final deciding factor. In that respect, I am most people. The fact of the matter was, I was unemployed and my disposable income was minimal. I had the time to invest in learning but couldn’t afford much over $200. At ~$105, the CBP certification was a cost I could stomach. In my mind, it would take no time to see a full return on that investment.
Considering the CBP?
Check out part 4 of the series. I take a deep dive into the certification, breaking down the exam material, costs, and what you can expect.
