Which Oracle Java certification?
Java certifications were previously given by Sun Micro Systems when it owned Java. Once it was bought by Oracle the certification program was als taken over by Oracle and the Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) was renamed to Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 Programmer(OCP).
List of Basic Java certifications available
Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 5/SE 6
Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 5 Programmer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 Programmer
Oracle Certified Java Programmer, Bronze SE 7 (Available only in Japan)
Which One to Choose?
If you plan to study Oracle Certified Professional(OCP), Java SE 7 Programmer, you
need to first complete Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer. So if you want OCP certification and dont want to waste time and money then take Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 Programmer which
does not need Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 6 certification.
My Suggestions
Know basics and want to save money - Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 Programmer, You can upgrade to Oracle Certified Professional(OCP), Java SE 7 Programmer later if at all required.
New to java - Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer and then Oracle Certified Professional(OCP), Java SE 7 Programmer.
Certification Cost
To take the test a candidate must buy a voucher from Oracle (approximately US$300 in the US, £150 (excluding VAT) in the UK, AUD 316 plus tax in Australia, Rs. 8000 plus taxes in India) and book the test at least a week in advance. The test consists of multiple choice questions. In June 2011, Oracle moved from Prometric to Pearson VUE as their test provider.
List of Advanced Java certifications available
Oracle Certified Master, Java SE 6 Developer
Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 5 Enterprise Architect
Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Business Component Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Web Component Developer
Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect
Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Services Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java Platform, EE 6 Web Component Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Web Services Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Java Persistence API Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, Java EE 6 Web Services Developer
Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 5 Web Services Developer
Oracle Certified Expert, NetBeans Integrated Development Environment 6.1 Programmer