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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, highly available, and dynamic 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

About this certification exam

Length: 2 hours

Registration fee: $200 (plus tax where applicable)

Languages: English, Japanese

Exam format: 50-60 multiple choice and multiple select questions

Case studies: Each exam includes 2 case studies that describe fictitious business and solution concepts. 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 Exam Guide for the 4 available case studies.

Exam delivery method:  

a. Take the online-proctored exam from a remote location

b. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center

Prerequisites: None

Recommended experience: 3+ years of industry experience including 1+ years designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud

Certification Renewal / Recertification: Candidates must recertify in order to maintain their certification status. Unless explicitly stated in the detailed exam descriptions, all Google Cloud certifications are valid for two years from the date of certification. Recertification is accomplished by retaking the exam during the recertification eligibility time period and achieving a passing score. You may attempt recertification starting 60 days prior to your certification expiration date.

Exam overview

1. Review the exam guide

The exam guide contains a complete list of topics that may be included on the exam, helping you determine if your skills align with the exam.

2. Start training

Prepare for the exam by following the Professional Cloud Architect learning path. Explore online training, in-person classes, hands-on labs, and other resources from Google Cloud.

Start preparing

Tune into Cloud OnAir for valuable exam tips, tricks, and insights from industry experts.

3. Sample questions

Review sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format of the exam and example content that may be covered on the Cloud Architect exam.

4. Schedule your exam

Register and select whether to take the exam remotely or at a nearby testing center.

Review exam terms and conditions and data sharing policies.