Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) certification demonstrates professional-level skills and expertise with one or more of Adobe's graphic design or digital communication products. An education plan including Adobe ACE certification(s) can help prepare you for a range of creative design careers, such as graphic designer or web developer.

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Explore flexible online certificates and degrees in graphic design.

Southern New Hampshire University

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ACE certifications are achieved by passing one or more product-specific Adobe certification exams. Adobe offers three distinct levels of ACE certification:

3 Levels of Adobe Certified Expert Credentials

1 ACE Product Certifications recognize the certificate holder as an Adobe Certified Expert in a single Adobe product, such as, ACE, Adobe Photoshop CS5, or ACE, Adobe Dreamweaver CS6.

2 ACE Specialist Certifications recognize the certificate holder as an Adobe Certified Expert in multiple Adobe products across a Specific Medium, e.g., ACE, Adobe Design Specialist, or ACE, Adobe Web Specialist.

3ACE Master Certifications recognize the certificate holder as an Adobe Certified Expert in an entire Adobe product suite, such as, ACE, CS5 Design Master, or ACE, CS6 Video Master.

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ACE Product Certifications

List of single product Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) credentials:

adobe ace photoshop cs6 ACE, Photoshop
adobe ace illustrator ACE, Illustrator
adobe ace indesign ACE, InDesign
adobe ace flash pro ACE, Flash
adobe cs6 dreamweaver ACE, Dreamweaver
adobe ace acrobat pro ACE, Acrobat Pro
adobe ace after effects ACE, AfterEffects
adobe-cs5-coldfusion ACE, ColdFusion
adobe ace captivate ACE, Captivate
adobe ace flex ACE Flex
adobe ace premiere pro ACE, Premiere Pro
adobe ace framemaker ACE, FrameMaker
adobe ace robohelp ACE, RoboHelp
adobe ace flash lite ACE, Flash
adobe ace livecycle core ACE, LiveCycle ES4 Designer
adobe ace livecycle process automation ACE, LiveCycle ES4 Server

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ACE Specialist Certifications

  • ACE, Design Specialist
  • ACE, Web Specialist
  • ACE, Video Specialist
  • ACE, Rich Internet Application Specialist
  • ACE, Technical Communications Specialist
  • ACE, eLearning Suite Specialist

To become an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Specialist, an ACE must pass all required (R) exams and any one elective (E) within a given certification track in the table below.

 
Design Specialist
Web Specialist
Video Specialist
Rich Internet App. Specialist
Technical Comm. Specialist
eLearning Suite Specialist
Adobe Photoshop
E
E
R
E
 
E
Adobe InDesign
R
 
 
 
 
 
Adobe Dreamweaver
 
R
 
E
 
E
Adobe Illustrator
E
E
 
E
 
 
Adobe Acrobat
R
 
 
 
E
 
Adobe Premiere Pro
 
 
R
 
 
 
Adobe After Effects
 
 
E
 
 
 
Adobe ColdFusion
 
E
 
E
 
 
Adobe Flash
 
R
E
R
 
E
Adobe Flex
 
E
 
R
 
 
Adobe FrameMaker
E
 
 
 
R
 
Adobe RoboHelp
 
 
 
 
R
 
Adobe Captivate
 
 
 
 
E
R
Adobe Captivate with eLS extensions
 
 
 
 
 
R


Adobe ACE Training

Compare online courses and degrees that align with the Adobe Certified Expert credential.

CG Spectrum
  • Online multimedia certificates in:
    • Digital Painting in Adobe Photoshop
    • Animation using Maya and Toon Boom
    • VFX Production in Houdini & Nuke
 
Southern New Hampshire University
  • Create Stunning, Interactive Websites
  • Graphic Design Training in Adobe Suite
  • Learn UI / UX Design and Development
  • Build a Multimedia Design Portfolio
 

ACE Master Certifications

To become an Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) Master, you must pass the current exam for each product in an entire suite. All ACE exams must be the same version, e.g., all CS6 or all CC, to meet the ACE Master requirements.

CS Design Master

  • ACE, Acrobat Professional
  • ACE, InDesign
  • ACE, Illustrator
  • ACE, Photoshop

CS Web Master

  • ACE, Acrobat Professional
  • ACE, Dreamweaver
  • ACE, Flash
  • ACE, Illustrator
  • ACE, Photoshop

CS Video Master

  • ACE, AfterEffects
  • ACE, Flash
  • ACE, Illustrator
  • ACE, Photoshop
  • ACE, Premiere

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Adobe Certification Salary

Average salaries for Adobe certified professionals:

  • Adobe Certified Expert salary: $71,000
  • Adobe Certified Associate salary: $38,000

Source: SimplyHired.com

Adobe Certified Expert Testimonials

When reviewing designers resumes, one of the hardest things to discern is the applicant's actual knowledge of a program. I can't tell you how many people I come across who call themselves "advanced" or "expert," but don't know a layer mask from a Halloween mask!

However, when I see an Adobe Certified Expert listing on the resume, I know the person has a decent knowledge of the program. While they may not be true "experts," they have shown an ability to take a comprehensive test that can only be passed by being familiar with the software. More importantly, they show they have the ability to study and learn -- a relatively rare find in today's world.

-David Creamer of I.D.E.A.S. Training

I started working in Adobe Pagemaker® back in 1987. I’ve worked with all the Adobe products over the years. I’m also a technical trainer, and have been doing that since 1992. I use the ACE logo on my business card. People recognize Adobe. The biggest question I get from people is ‘what do you have to do to become a certified expert?’ and they ask me if the test is hard. I say yes! The tests are thorough. You have to really know the product.

Above all, what I value about being an ACE is the credibility that it brings to what I do professionally. It’s one thing to say you’re an instructor, and you know the product, but quite another to say that you’ve been certified by Adobe in a particular area.


-Debbi Correia, Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

About the Author

IT Subject Matter ExpertDaniel Greenspan is the founder and Editor-in-chief of ITCareerFinder. Working closely with IT professionals, world-class trainers, and hiring managers since 2005 has given him unique insight into the information technology job market and the skills and credentials IT pros need to succeed.