Introduction
DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) is a hands‑on training‑cum‑certification program by DevOpsSchool designed to create job‑ready DevOps, SRE, and DevSecOps professionals with real project experience, not just theory. It covers modern tools, cloud‑native practices, and enterprise workflows that companies are adopting between 2025 and 2030.
This guide will help working engineers and managers understand what DCP is, who it is for, what skills it builds, how to prepare, and how to connect it with your long‑term career path.
What Is DevOps Certified Professional (DCP)?
DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) is a structured, instructor‑led program from DevOpsSchool that combines 60+ hours of live training, lifetime video access, and project‑based learning to validate your DevOps skills. The program is accredited by DevOpsCertification.co and leads to a globally recognized certificate after project and test evaluation.
DCP integrates core DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, GitOps, Infrastructure as Code, observability, and automation into a single foundation program.
Provider: DevOpsSchool
Key Features of DCP
- 60 hours of guided learning with options for online batch, one‑to‑one, and corporate formats.
- Lifetime LMS access, training notes, slides, and step‑by‑step web tutorials.
- Coverage of 25+ tools including Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Prometheus, Grafana, and CI/CD tools.
- Real‑world project simulating dev, test, and production environments with microservices in Java, Python, and .NET.
- Interview kits, mock interviews, and ongoing job‑related updates.
Why DCP Is a Strong First DevOps Certification
DCP is positioned as a foundation certification for anyone starting or formalizing a DevOps career, including SRE and DevSecOps roles. It focuses on live, interactive sessions rather than only self‑paced videos, which helps working professionals clarify doubts quickly and connect tools to real scenarios.
Because the curriculum is tool‑heavy and project‑oriented, it suits engineers who want to be productive on real pipelines within weeks, not months.
DCP: Structure and Skills Covered
What It Is
DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) is a future‑ready DevOps training and certification program designed to transform IT professionals into DevOps engineers, SREs, and DevSecOps leaders through live training and real projects.
Who Should Take It
- Software engineers (backend, frontend, full‑stack) moving into DevOps or SRE.
- System administrators and cloud engineers who want to own CI/CD and automation.
- QA / test automation engineers aiming to shift left with CI/CD and pipelines.
- Tech leads and managers who want a practical understanding of modern DevOps tooling.
Skills You’ll Gain
- Linux OS and administration, including shell scripting for automation.
- Version control and packaging with GitHub, Gradle, PIP, and GitHub Packages.
- CI/CD design and implementation using modern build and deployment tools.
- Containerization and orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes.
- Infrastructure as Code with Terraform and configuration management with Ansible.
- Observability and monitoring using Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, and OpenTelemetry.
- Testing integration using Selenium and JMeter in pipelines.
Real‑World Projects You Should Be Able To Do After DCP
- Design and implement a CI/CD pipeline for a microservices application (Java, Python, .NET) from source to production.
- Provision cloud infrastructure (e.g., on AWS) using Terraform and manage configuration with Ansible.
- Containerize applications with Docker and deploy them to Kubernetes with GitOps style workflows.
- Set up Prometheus and Grafana dashboards with alerts for production‑like systems.
- Integrate automated tests (functional and performance) into the pipeline using Selenium and JMeter.
Preparation Plan for DCP
If you are new to DevOps but have software experience:
- 30 days (busy working professional)
- Weekdays: 1–1.5 hours of study plus live sessions.
- Weekends: 3–4 hours of focused lab work.
If you already work close to DevOps (build/release/Cloud):
- 14 days intensive plan
- Daily: 2–3 hours hands‑on plus attending live classes.
- Focus more on Kubernetes, Terraform, observability, and project execution.
Suggested routine:
- Days 1–5: Linux, Git, basic scripting, and project context.
- Days 6–10: CI/CD fundamentals, containers, basic Kubernetes.
- Days 11–20: Terraform, Ansible, advanced CI/CD, GitOps.
- Days 21–30: Monitoring stack, final project, and interview preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating DCP as only a theory certification and skipping the labs.
- Ignoring Linux and scripting basics and jumping directly into Kubernetes.
- Doing tools in isolation without understanding how they connect in a pipeline.
- Not completing the final project end‑to‑end.
- Waiting until the end to think about interview preparation and portfolio.
Best Next Certification After DCP
After completing DCP, suitable next certifications include role‑ or domain‑focused options such as advanced DevOps/SRE, cloud‑specific certs, or security and data‑focused pathways. You can choose based on whether you want to deepen in DevOps, branch into security, or move towards leadership tracks.
Certification Overview Table
Below is a conceptual table for DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) and how it fits into broader tracks. You can expand this in your CMS as needed.
| Track | Level | Who it’s for | Prerequisites | Skills covered (summary) | Recommended order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DevOps | Foundation | Software/Cloud/QA engineers, sysadmins | Basic programming, Linux familiarity | CI/CD, containers, Kubernetes, IaC, monitoring, scripting. | First DevOps certification |
| DevSecOps | Intermediate | DevOps engineers adding security focus | DevOps basics (e.g., after DCP) | Secure pipelines, SAST/DAST, secrets management, compliance. | After DCP or equivalent |
| SRE | Intermediate | Ops‑heavy DevOps/Sysadmins/SRE aspirants | Strong Linux, monitoring, basic DevOps | SLOs, error budgets, reliability engineering, incident management. | After or parallel to DCP |
| AIOps/MLOps | Intermediate | Data/ML/DevOps engineers | Basic DevOps + ML/data workflows | ML pipeline automation, model deployment, AIOps platforms. | After DevOps or DataOps foundation |
| DataOps | Intermediate | Data engineers and analytics engineers | SQL/data basics, scripting, DevOps basics | Data pipelines, CI/CD for data, orchestration, testing data flows. | After DevOps or in parallel with it |
| FinOps | Intermediate | Cloud engineers, managers, architects | Cloud basics, understanding of billing/costs | Cloud cost optimization, showback/chargeback, usage monitoring. | After Cloud + DevOps foundation (DCP) |
(You can keep the single official DCP link as required while explaining how it supports these tracks.)
Choose Your Path: Six Learning Paths After / Around DCP
1. DevOps Path
- Start: DevOps Certified Professional (DCP).
- Deepen with more advanced CI/CD patterns, GitOps, and multi‑cloud deployments.
- Ideal for: DevOps Engineer, Platform Engineer, Cloud Engineer roles.
2. DevSecOps Path
- Start: DCP plus security fundamentals.
- Add: Secure SDLC, pipeline security, vulnerability scanning, container security.
- Ideal for: Security Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, consultants.
3. SRE Path
- Start: DCP plus production operations exposure.
- Add: SRE practices—SLOs, error budgets, incident management, capacity planning.
- Ideal for: SRE, Reliability Engineer, Production Engineer.
4. AIOps / MLOps Path
- Start: DCP plus Python/ML basics.
- Add: ML model packaging, MLOps pipelines, AIOps tooling and observability.
- Ideal for: Data‑savvy DevOps, ML Engineers, Platform Engineers.
5. DataOps Path
- Start: DCP plus strong data engineering concepts.
- Add: ETL/ELT orchestration, testing for data pipelines, data CI/CD.
- Ideal for: Data Engineers, Analytics Platform Engineers.
6. FinOps Path
- Start: DCP plus cloud cost fundamentals.
- Add: FinOps practices such as budgeting, cost allocation, and optimization.
- Ideal for: FinOps Practitioners, Cloud Architects, Engineering Managers.
Role → Recommended Certifications Mapping
This section shows how DCP can be the base and what you might stack on top, using common industry‑valued certifications as reference.
Next Certifications to Take After DCP
Using the themes in Gurukul Galaxy’s overview of top certifications for software engineers, we can categorize your next moves into three options.
1. Same Track (Double Down on DevOps/SRE)
- Cloud provider DevOps or architect certifications (e.g., cloud‑focused DevOps/architect tracks).
- Advanced SRE or reliability engineering training to complement DCP.
Best when your goal is to become a senior DevOps, SRE, or Platform Engineer.
2. Cross‑Track (Expand Your Profile)
- DevSecOps‑centric certifications that integrate security into CI/CD.
- Data and cloud data certifications if you are moving into DataOps or MLOps.
- FinOps‑aligned certifications to understand cost, budgeting, and governance.
Best when you want a T‑shaped profile with depth in DevOps and breadth in adjacent domains.
3. Leadership (Move Towards Architect / Manager Roles)
- Solution/Cloud Architect certifications to formalize system design skills.
- Project, product, or engineering management‑oriented programs for leadership track.
Best when your medium‑term goal is Engineering Manager, Head of DevOps, or Architect.
Training and Certification Institutions for CDE‑type Programs
Several institutions provide training‑cum‑certification support for DevOps and related roles, similar to what you need for a Certified DevOps Engineer path.
DevOpsSchool
DevOpsSchool runs the DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) program with live online batches, one‑to‑one sessions, and corporate training, offering lifetime LMS access, interview kits, and project‑based learning. They provide structured labs using AWS cloud and support participants with technical assistance and job updates over time.
Cotocus
Cotocus is commonly associated with advanced DevOps and cloud consulting and training, often partnering on DevOps and automation programs for enterprises. It tends to focus on blending consulting experience with structured courses.
ScmGalaxy
ScmGalaxy focuses on software configuration management, build and release, and DevOps topics, offering workshops and courses tailored for practitioners moving from traditional SCM to modern DevOps. Their programs often emphasize tooling and process around CI/CD and configuration.
BestDevOps
BestDevOps functions as a hub around DevOps training, content, and community‑oriented resources, pointing learners towards structured DevOps and cloud learning paths. It is useful for engineers searching for curated DevOps training options and updates.
devsecopsschool.com
devsecopsschool.com emphasizes DevSecOps, secure SDLC, and security automation, typically building on DevOps fundamentals. It is appropriate for engineers and security teams who want to integrate security deeply into their delivery pipelines.
sreschool.com
sreschool.com is aligned to SRE concepts, reliability engineering, and production operations, bridging the gap between DevOps and large‑scale reliability practices. It can be a good next step for professionals who complete a DevOps foundation like DCP and want to specialize in SRE.
aiopsschool.com
aiopsschool.com targets AIOps and MLOps‑oriented skills, combining monitoring, observability, AI‑driven operations, and ML pipeline management. This is relevant when you want to move from classic DevOps into intelligent operations and ML delivery.
dataopsschool.com
dataopsschool.com covers DataOps topics such as data pipelines, orchestration, testing, and CI/CD for data systems. It suits data engineers and DevOps engineers working closely with analytics and data platforms.
finopsschool.com
finopsschool.com focuses on FinOps skills like cloud cost management, budgeting, and financial accountability across engineering teams. It is particularly relevant for cloud engineers, architects, and managers who want to align technical decisions with financial outcomes.
FAQs About DevOps Certified Professional (DCP)
1. Is DCP suitable for complete beginners in IT?
DCP is designed for IT professionals with some basic understanding of software, OS, or scripting, rather than absolute beginners with no technical background. If you know at least one OS and have basic programming or scripting exposure, you can follow the course comfortably.
2. How long does it take to complete DCP?
The core live training is approximately 60 hours, delivered over multiple weeks in different time slots for global audiences. Most working professionals complete the program and the project in about 4–6 weeks.
3. What are the class timings for India and global participants?
DevOpsSchool offers multiple batches with evening IST slots suitable for India and overlapping times for PST, EST, CET, and JST time zones. Weekend morning IST batches are also available to support working professionals.
4. What kind of project will I work on?
You work on a real‑time scenario‑based project that goes from planning to coding, deployment, and monitoring for microservices in Java, Python, and .NET. The aim is to simulate development, testing, and production environments end‑to‑end.
5. Is the DCP certificate recognized in the industry?
The DCP certificate is issued by DevOpsSchool and accredited by DevOpsCertification.co, and is positioned as an industry‑recognized DevOps certification. Its value is supported by the hands‑on labs, tools coverage, and project evaluation.
6. Do I get placement assistance with DCP?
DevOpsSchool does not promise placement but supports you with interview preparation, resume guidance, interview kits, and job requirement notifications via their job and forum updates. This helps you become job‑ready and discover relevant openings.
7. What if I miss a live class?
All sessions are recorded and made available via the LMS with lifetime access, including slides, notes, and step‑by‑step guides. You can also attend missed topics in future batches within a limited time window.
8. What system requirements do I need for the labs?
You need a Windows, Mac, or Linux PC with at least 2 GB RAM and 20 GB free storage, plus internet access. Labs are executed using DevOpsSchool’s AWS cloud with guides provided for setup.
Conclusion
DevOps Certified Professional (DCP) is a strong, practical starting point if you want to become a DevOps Engineer, SRE, or DevSecOps professional with real‑world skills, not just a badge. Combined with a clear learning path (DevOps, DevSecOps, SRE, AIOps/MLOps, DataOps, FinOps) and the right next certifications, it can anchor your long‑term career as an engineer or manager in modern software delivery.