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Looking to renew? You may now
choose the new, shorter renewal exam
. See more details below.
Professional Cloud
Architect
Professional Cloud Architects enable organizations to
leverage Google Cloud technologies. With a thorough
understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud,
they design, develop, and manage robust, secure,
scalable, efficient, cost-effective, highly available, and
flexible solutions to drive business objectives.
The Professional Cloud Architect certification exam
assesses your ability to:
- Design
and plan a cloud solution architecture
- Manage
and provision the cloud solution infrastructure
- Design
for security and compliance
- Analyze
and optimize technical and business processes
- Manage
implementations of cloud architecture
- Ensure
solution and operations reliability
If this is your first time getting certified, or your
certification has expired, you must take the standard exam.
If you are renewing your certification, you can choose
to take the shorter renewal exam
or the standard exam starting 60 days
before your certification expiration date.
Standard exam information
Length:
2 hours
Registration fee:
$200 (plus tax where applicable)
Languages:
English, Japanese
Exam format:
50-60 multiple choice and multiple select
questions
Content: See the Exam Guide
.
Case studies:
Each exam includes 2 case studies. Case study
questions make up 20-30% of the exam and assess your ability
to apply your knowledge to a realistic business situation. You
can view the case studies on a split screen during the exam.
See the standard Exam Guide
for the 4 available case studies.
Preparation: Prepare for the exam by following the Professional Cloud Architect Exam Learning Path
.
Exam delivery method:
a .
Take the online-proctored exam
from a remote location.
b. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center
.
Validity period: 2 years
Prerequisites:
None
Recommended experience:
3+ years of industry
experience including 1+ years designing and managing solutions
using Google Cloud
Renewal exam information
Length: 1 hour
Registration fee: $100 (plus tax where applicable)
Languages: English, Japanese
Exam format:
25 multiple choice and multiple select questions
Content: See the Renewal Exam Guide
.
Case Studies: Each exam includes 1 case study
aligned to generative AI solutions. Case study questions make
up 90-100% of the exam and assess your ability to solve business
challenges using generative AI. You can view the case studies on a
split screen during the exam. See the Renewal Exam Guide
for the 2 available case studies.
Preparation: Prepare for the exam by following the Professional Cloud Architect Renewal Exam Learning Path
.
Exam delivery method:
a .
Take the online-proctored exam
from a remote location.
b. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center
.
Validity period: 2 years
Eligibility: Candidates must have an active
certification and be within the renewal eligibility period.
Renewal FAQs
1. Review the exam guide
The standard exam guide
and renewal exam guide
contain a complete list of topics that may be included
on each exam, helping you determine if your skills align
with the exam.
2. Start training
Prepare for the exam by following the appropriate
learning path. Explore online
training, in-person classes, hands-on labs, and
other resources from Google Cloud.
Start preparing for the standard exam
or the renewal exam
.
3. Review sample questions
Review sample questions
to familiarize yourself with the format of the exam questions and
example content that may be covered on the standard Cloud
Architect exam.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],[],[],[],null,["# Professional Cloud Architect Certification\n\nLooking to renew? You may now choose the new, shorter [renewal exam](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/pca_renewal_exam_overview_and_faqs.pdf). See more details below. \n- [Back to Google Cloud Certification](/learn/certification) \n\nProfessional Cloud\nArchitect\n============================\n\nProfessional Cloud Architects enable organizations to\nleverage Google Cloud technologies. With a thorough\nunderstanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud,\nthey design, develop, and manage robust, secure,\nscalable, efficient, cost-effective, highly available, and\nflexible solutions to drive business objectives.\n\nThe Professional Cloud Architect certification exam\nassesses your ability to: \n- Design and plan a cloud solution architecture\n- Manage and provision the cloud solution infrastructure\n- Design for security and compliance\n- Analyze and optimize technical and business processes\n- Manage implementations of cloud architecture\n- Ensure solution and operations reliability \n[Register](https://webassessor.com/googlecloud) [View FAQs](https://support.google.com/cloud-certification/#topic=9433215) \n[Register](https://webassessor.com/googlecloud) [FAQs](https://support.google.com/cloud-certification/#topic=9433215) \n\nQuick links\n-----------\n\n- [Train for the exam](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/12)\n- [Review sample questions](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf54f7FbtSJcXUY6-DUHfBG31jZ3pujgb8-a5io_9biJsNpqg/viewform?usp=sf_link)\n- [View standard exam guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_exam_guide_english.pdf)\n- [View renewal exam guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_renewal_exam_guide_eng.pdf)\n- [Partner training for the exam](https://partner.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/77?utm_source=cgc&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=partnertrainingpca)\n- [Join the learning community](https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Learning-Certification-Hub/ct-p/cloud-learning-cert-forums)\n- [Renew your certification](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/pca_renewal_exam_overview_and_faqs.pdf)\n\n*** ** * ** ***\n\nAbout this certification\n------------------------\n\nIf this is your first time getting certified, or your\ncertification has expired, you must take the standard exam. \nIf you are renewing your certification, you can choose\nto take the shorter [renewal exam](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/pca_renewal_exam_overview_and_faqs.pdf) or the standard exam starting 60 days\nbefore your certification expiration date. \n**Standard exam information**\n\n**Length:** 2 hours\n\n**Registration fee:** $200 (plus tax where applicable)\n\n**Languages:** English, Japanese\n\n**Exam format:** 50-60 multiple choice and multiple select\nquestions\n\n**Content** : See the [Exam Guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_exam_guide_english.pdf).\n\n**Case studies:** Each exam includes 2 case studies. Case study\nquestions make up 20-30% of the exam and assess your ability\nto apply your knowledge to a realistic business situation. You\ncan view the case studies on a split screen during the exam.\nSee the standard\n[Exam Guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_exam_guide_english.pdf)\nfor the 4 available case studies.\n\n**Preparation** : Prepare for the exam by following the [Professional Cloud Architect Exam Learning Path](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/12).\n\n**Exam delivery method:**\n\na**.** Take the\n[online-proctored exam](https://www.webassessor.com/wa.do?page=certInfo&branding=GOOGLECLOUD&tabs=13)\nfrom a remote location.\n\nb. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a\n[testing center](https://www.kryteriononline.com/Locate-Test-Center).\n\n**Validity period**: 2 years\n\n**Prerequisites:** None\n\n**Recommended experience:**3+ years of industry\nexperience including 1+ years designing and managing solutions\nusing Google Cloud \n**Renewal exam information**\n\n**Length**: 1 hour\n\n**Registration fee**: $100 (plus tax where applicable)\n\n**Language**: English\n\n**Exam format:** 25 multiple choice and multiple select questions\n\n**Content** : See the [Renewal Exam Guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_renewal_exam_guide_eng.pdf).\n\n**Case Studies** : Each exam includes 1 case study\naligned to generative AI solutions. Case study questions make\nup 90-100% of the exam and assess your ability to solve business\nchallenges using generative AI. You can view the case studies on a\nsplit screen during the exam. See the [Renewal Exam Guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_renewal_exam_guide_eng.pdf) for the 2 available case studies.\n\n**Preparation** : Prepare for the exam by following the [Professional Cloud Architect Renewal Exam Learning Path](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/1834).\n\n**Exam delivery method:**\n\na**.** Take the\n[online-proctored exam](https://www.webassessor.com/wa.do?page=certInfo&branding=GOOGLECLOUD&tabs=13)\nfrom a remote location.\n\nb. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a\n[testing center](https://www.kryteriononline.com/Locate-Test-Center).\n\n**Validity period**: 2 years\n\n**Eligibility**: Candidates must have an active\ncertification and be within the renewal eligibility period.\n\n[Renewal FAQs](https://support.google.com/cloud-certification/answer/9907853?sjid=10159424711448208692-NC) \n\nPreparing for your exam\n-----------------------\n\n#### 1. Review the exam guide\n\nThe\n[standard exam guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_exam_guide_english.pdf) and [renewal exam guide](https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/professional_cloud_architect_renewal_exam_guide_eng.pdf)\ncontain a complete list of topics that may be included\non each exam, helping you determine if your skills align\nwith the exam.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n#### 2. Start training\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nPrepare for the exam by following the appropriate\nlearning path. Explore online\ntraining, in-person classes, hands-on labs, and\nother resources from Google Cloud.\n\nStart preparing for the\n[standard exam](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/12) or the [renewal exam](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/1834).\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\n[Tune into Cloud OnAir](https://cloudonair.withgoogle.com/events/professional-cloud-architect?utm_source=cgc&utm_medium=et&utm_campaign=-&utm_content=architect-cgc-cert-architect&utm_term=-)\nfor valuable exam tips, tricks, and insights from\nindustry experts.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\n[Google Cloud documentation](/docs)\n\n\n[Google Cloud solutions](/docs/tutorials)\n\n\n[Official Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect Study Guide](https://www.google.com/books/edition/Google_Cloud_Certified_Professional_Clou/3YJlEAAAQBAJ)\n\n\n[Guide to preparing for the Professional Cloud Architect certification exam](https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Community-Blogs/Guide-to-Preparing-for-the-Professional-Cloud-Architect/ba-p/496772)\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n#### 3. Review sample questions\n\n\n[Review sample questions](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf54f7FbtSJcXUY6-DUHfBG31jZ3pujgb8-a5io_9biJsNpqg/viewform?usp=sf_link)\nto familiarize yourself with the format of the exam questions and\nexample content that may be covered on the standard Cloud\nArchitect exam.\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n#### 4. Schedule your exam\n\n\n[Register and select](https://webassessor.com/googlecloud)\nwhether to take the exam remotely or at a nearby testing\ncenter.\n\nReview exam\n[terms and conditions](/certification/terms)\nand\n[data sharing policies](/certification/data-sharing-policy).\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n### Take the next step\n\nFollow\nthe Cloud Architect learning path \n[Start Learning](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/12) \n\n### Take the next step\n\nFollow\nthe Cloud Architect learning path \n[Start Learning](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/12) \n- New to Google Cloud?\n [Get started](/training/getstarted)\n- Earn a skill badge\n [Start now](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/catalog?keywords=&locale=&solution%5B%5D=any&role%5B%5D=any&skill-badge%5B%5D=skill-badge&format%5B%5D=any&level%5B%5D=any&duration%5B%5D=any&language%5B%5D=any)\n- Certification FAQs\n[Visit support center](https://support.google.com/cloud-certification/#topic=9433215) \n- New to Google Cloud?\n [Get started](/training/getstarted)\n- Earn a skill badge\n [Start now](https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/catalog?keywords=&locale=&solution%5B%5D=any&role%5B%5D=any&skill-badge%5B%5D=skill-badge&format%5B%5D=any&level%5B%5D=any&duration%5B%5D=any&language%5B%5D=any)\n- Certification FAQs\n [Visit support center](https://support.google.com/cloud-certification/#topic=9433215)"]]
