Validates foundational Apache Spark knowledge including architecture, DataFrame API, SQL, Structured Streaming, and Pandas API on Spark. 45-question exam. Recommended 6+ months hands-on Spark experience.
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May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
For modern data engineers (Spark, lakehouse, MLflow), Databricks certs increasingly valued. Spark Developer → Data Engineer Associate → Data Engineer Professional the progression.
Aggregated from "Databricks market growth" threads
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May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
2-year validity. Databricks market share growth in modern data stack (especially Databricks SQL + lakehouse adoption) keeps the cert increasingly relevant. Renewal: re-take exam.
Aggregated from "Spark Associate prep" threads
Does not count toward average ratings or recommendation %.
May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
Databricks Academy (free with Databricks workspace access) + Databricks Community Edition (free) sufficient for prep. Most pass with 50–80h focused study including hands-on Spark practice.
Aggregated from r/databricks certification threads
Does not count toward average ratings or recommendation %.
May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
Databricks' Spark developer entry cert. Covers Spark DataFrames, transformations/actions, Spark SQL, structured streaming, performance tuning. $200 fee. Strong HR signal in Databricks-shop data engineering roles.
Free official Databricks Academy training covering Spark Developer Associate exam.
Free Databricks workspace for hands-on Spark practice.
O'Reilly book on Spark fundamentals. Foundational reference.
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Exam Duration
1h 30min
Pass Score
Not published (scaled)
Remote Proctored
Yes — remote or test center
Exam Languages
Study Time
~60 hours