IT certifications have become an important part of the career development of IT professionals. A recent study conducted by InformationWeek showed that IT managers listed certifications as two and a half times more valuable than an MBA degree. Recent evidence shows that a certified professional can make up to a 40% higher salary than their noncertified counterpart. Many administrators, engineers, and consultants seek to obtain a Citrix certification as proof of technical proficiency in the Citrix stack. At the time of writing this book, Citrix has recently completed an overhaul of their previous exam structure.

Currently, three certification paths are available to customers—Apps and desktops (virtualization), networking, and mobility. The virtualization suite includes three certification exams—Citrix Certified Associate (CCA-V), Citrix Certified Professional (CCP-V), and Citrix Certified Expert (CCE-V). The CCE-V certification is an architect-level certification that validates the ability to design and implement enterprise systems based on XenApp and XenDesktop 7.x. Obtaining a Citrix certification can greatly increase job security and influence career advancement.