In a significant move at the beginning of 2023, Taylor Otwell, the creator of Laravel, announced via a tweet,

At the beginning of this year, we discontinued our official partnership with the "Laravel Certification Program".

There is no longer an "official" certification program for Laravel, although Laravel certification exams managed by third-parties still exist and may be created.

— Taylor Otwell 🪐 (@taylorotwell) January 4, 2023

This change in the Laravel ecosystem has left many developers pondering their next steps. Without an official certification path, how can you demonstrate your expertise in Laravel? More crucially, how do you maintain and enhance your Laravel skills? This post delves into these questions, offering insightful guidance and practical strategies to help you navigate this new era and keep your Laravel expertise sharp and relevant.

Embrace Continuous Learning

Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Pluralsight offer a wealth of courses on Laravel. Look for courses that are updated regularly to keep pace with Laravel’s evolution. The official Laravel documentation (laravel.com/docs) is a treasure trove. Regularly reading and experimenting with concepts from the documentation can provide deep insights into the framework.

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Engage with the Laravel community via GitHub and GitLab by contributing to open-source projects. This showcases your skills and helps you learn from peer reviews and community feedback. Participate in discussions to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the Laravel community.

Networking and Community Engagement

Join forums like Laracasts and Laravel.io to exchange knowledge and experiences with other developers. Attend Laravel meetups and conferences, either in-person or virtually, to network and learn from seasoned Laravel practitioners.

Leverage Laravel News and Blogs

Regularly follow Laravel-specific news sources, blogs, and podcasts like Laravel News, which updates the latest Laravel features, packages, and community news. This helps you stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in Laravel development.

Participate in Code Challenges and Hackathons

Engage in online code challenges and hackathons that focus on Laravel. These events are great for learning new techniques, showcasing your skills, and networking with other developers.

Follow Laravel Influencers and Contributors

Keep an eye on Laravel influencers and top contributors on platforms like Twitter, GitHub, and personal blogs. They often share insights, tips, and valuable resources.

• https://twitter.com/taylorotwell
• https://twitter.com/ianlandsman
• https://twitter.com/calebporzio
• https://twitter.com/enunomaduro
• https://twitter.com/aarondfrancis
• https://twitter.com/marcelpociot
• https://twitter.com/stauffermatt
• https://twitter.com/spatie_be

Certifications in Related Technologies

While Laravel-specific certification might be unavailable, consider certifications in related areas such as PHP, database management, or web development frameworks. These certifications can add value to your resume and demonstrate a broad understanding of web development.

Stay Updated with Laravel Releases

Keep track of new Laravel releases and updates. Understanding the latest features and changes in the framework ensures your skills are up-to-date.

Spotlight on Excellence: Curotec’s Laravel Expertise

When discussing leading-edge Laravel development, it’s impossible not to mention the remarkable expertise of Curotec’s Laravel development team. Renowned for their depth of knowledge and innovative approach, this team stands out in the Laravel community. 

At Curotec, our developers are not just coders; they are solution architects who understand the nuances of business needs and translate them into efficient, scalable, and robust Laravel applications. Their portfolio is a testament to their ability to tackle complex challenges, whether it’s integrating advanced functionalities, optimizing performance, or ensuring top-notch security. 

Curotec’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest Laravel trends and updates, combined with their extensive experience, makes them a go-to team for businesses seeking high-quality Laravel solutions. By leveraging their expertise, companies can navigate the digital landscape with powerful, custom-tailored Laravel applications that drive success and innovation.

Conclusion

While the official Laravel certification may no longer be available, the path to mastering Laravel is still rich with resources and opportunities. By engaging with the community, continuing to learn, and applying your skills in real-world scenarios, you can keep your Laravel skills current and position yourself as a go-to expert in the field.

Stay curious, stay connected, and keep building. Happy coding!