Google Cloud's certification program gives Google Cloud
users, customers and partners a way to demonstrate their
technical skills in a particular job role or technology.
Individuals are assessed using a variety of rigorously
developed industry standard methods to determine whether
they meet Google Cloud's proficiency standards.
Google Cloud certifications give you benchmarks for your
professional development. They help you gauge your
skill set against your peers and demonstrate your
value to hiring managers.
The cost of certification exams varies. Please refer to the
individual exam pages for cost information.
Unless explicitly stated in the detailed exam descriptions,
all Google Cloud certifications are valid for 2 years from the
date certified. Candidates must recertify in order to
maintain their certification status.
If you don't pass an exam, you can take it again after 14 days. If you don't
pass a second time, you must wait 60 days before you can take it a third
time. If you don't pass the third time, you must wait a year before taking
it again. You may attempt the exam in multiple languages, but each attempt
regardless of language counts toward the total permissible attempts and the
waiting period between attempts still applies. Payment is required each
time you take an exam. Circumventing this retake policy by registering under
a different name or any other means is a violation of the exam terms and
conditions and will result in a denied or revoked certification.
Our exams are designed to determine only whether or not an individual meets
a minimum passing standard. They are not designed to be diagnostic or
spread people out on a scale of ability. For this reason numerical scores
are not meaningful for the examinee and can be misinterpreted.
We recognize that some other exam providers provide section feedback on
their exams. We do not because it is not meaningful and could be
misleading. Our exams are not designed to diagnose strengths and
weaknesses. Our exam sections are very broad topic categories, and
the range of specific questions you may receive for each section in a
single exam sitting is extremely narrow by comparison. Based on such a
small amount of data, there is no meaningful feedback at the section level
that we can responsibly provide.
No. At any given time, a small number of questions on our exams may be
unscored. These are newly developed questions that are being evaluated for
their effectiveness. This is a standard practice in the testing industry.
The certification is what an individual candidate earns.
It is defined by a list of requirements that must be met.
Usually, an exam is included in this list of requirements.
We follow industry accepted procedures to ensure our exams are valid
and accurate. Our exam development process includes the following steps:
-
Job Task Analysis
A Job Task Analysis (JTA) is a formal study that begins with
identifying job role representatives, technology experts, and
stakeholders. These experts are surveyed and interviewed in a
workshop to elicit information about what people do in a specific
job or role and what skills distinguish competence. These skills
are described in our exam guides that we publish on the web.
-
Question development
Our question writers are subject matter experts who have worked in
the certified role. Question writers are
trained in the testing standards and conventions that we apply to
our exams.
All questions are reviewed to determine that they adhere to standards
and are technically accurate.
-
Beta and final exams
Once the questions have passed all reviews and approvals, they
are published in a beta exam.
The purpose of the beta exam is to gather performance statistics on
the exam questions to determine those that are most effective. We
review the question statistics and comments and remove questions
that do not meet our standards.
-
Passing score
The passing score for each exam is confidential. It is determined by
a panel of internal and external subject matter experts, following an
industry-accepted standard setting process. The passing score is
applied equally to all examinees. It is re-evaluated when changes are
made to the exam content.
Exam content can be updated at any time.
The delivery method for an exam depends on its format.
Please refer to the individual exam pages for exam format
and delivery information.
Exams vary in length. Please refer to the individual exam
pages for exam format and time limits.
Please refer to the individual exam pages for prerequisites.
Real-world, hands-on experience is the best preparation.
Our certification exams are designed to identify
individuals who demonstrate skills using Google
technology to perform critical job tasks. We list
these tasks in our exam guides. Please refer to the
individual exam pages to review the relevant exam
guide and learning resources that we believe can
help you build the foundation you need to get started.
No. Per our exam terms and conditions, the exam must be taken independently
and without collaboration with other people. If you are caught cheating or
working with another person during your exam, your results will be voided
and you will be banned from taking another Google Cloud certification exam
for a year.
No, these are not open-book exams. You cannot use any notes or any other
unauthorized items while taking any of our exams. Your work area should be
clear of all items except for your computer. If you are caught using any
unauthorized items, this will be flagged for misconduct and you may risk
having your results voided and being barred from taking any Google Cloud
certification exams.
Yes, there may be technical system requirements you need to meet
before you can begin your remotely proctored exam. Please refer
to the individual exam pages for more details.
Yes, test-takers who reside in the EU must be older than 16 years of age in order
to qualify to take our certification exams. All other test-takers must be older than 13 years of age.
No. Certification exams can be taken by anyone who is
interested.
Testing accommodations will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case
basis and may require supporting documentation. To request an
accommodation, please
contact us.
We may be able to offer extended time for those with medical conditions
who require a testing accommodation. Testing accommodations will be taken
into consideration on a case-by-case basis and may require supporting
documentation. To request an accommodation, please
contact us.
Our remote proctoring partner, ProctorU,
has indicated that its services comply with the standards of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which were enacted to
eliminate barriers for people with disabilities. They also note that remote
proctoring services have been developed using accessibility best practice
guidelines and tested with various assistive technology products to ensure
the best possible experience for all users.
If Google discovers that you're in breach of the exam
terms and conditions which are presented to you during
your exam, your certification(s) will be revoked, you'll
be permanently barred from retaking the exam and any
other Google Cloud exams. Additionally, Google, in
its sole discretion, may choose to terminate any
applicable business relationship with you and take
necessary legal actions.
No, suspension from the program for violating the terms and conditions
applies to all exams we offer.
Some online exams require third-party proctoring by our certification
partner, ProctorU. All exam information collected is subject to
Google’s Privacy Policy and ProctorU's
Privacy Policy, as applicable.
You will receive a dynamic electronic badge so you can
share your certification status on your personal
professional networks with others, if you choose to do
so. Google Cloud certification logos can only be used by the
individual person who passes the exam. It cannot be used to
represent a company. Your use of the Google Cloud certification
logo is subject to
Google's then-current Brand Feature Guidelines.
Google complies with the U.S. government's list of restricted countries
maintained by The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department
of the Treasury. For online exams, you must present approved identification
showing residence in a non-embargoed country.
Acceptable forms of primary identification must be issued by
the government and include your name, photograph, and
signature. Examples include:
- Government-issued Driver’s License
- U.S. Department of State Driver’s License
- National/State/Country Identification Card
- Passport
- Passport cards
- Military ID
-
Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent
Resident Visa)
Acceptable forms of secondary identification must
include your name and signature. Examples include:
- U.S. Social Security Card
- Debit/(ATM) card
- Credit card
- School ID
- Forms of primary identification
Acceptable forms of primary identification must be issued by the government
and include your name, photograph, and signature. Examples include:
- Government-issued Driver’s License
- U.S. Department of State Driver’s License
- National/State/Country Identification Card
- Passport
- Passport cards
- Military ID
-
Alien Registration Card (Green Card, Permanent
Resident Visa)
If you are under 18 years of age and do not have government issued photo
identification, a school photo identification will be accepted.
- If you do not show up for your exam, your exam fee is forfeited and you will not receive a refund.
- If you cancel your exam less than 72 hours before your exam time, your exam fee is forfeited and you will not receive a refund.
- If you reschedule your exam within 72 hours of your exam time, you will be charged a rescheduling fee. This is because the test vendor will charge Google twice. The amount of the fee will vary for different exams, but is less than the full price of an exam.
At times, certain circumstances are beyond your control and can impact your ability to meet the terms of registration. Exceptional circumstances may be available for full or partial refund. If the test taker has extenuating circumstances, you may
contact us. Valid supporting documentation is required. Requests are reviewed and full or partial refunds are granted at Google's discretion.
- A medical emergency for you or a family member.
- Natural disasters or severe weather incidents impacting the testing
location.
- Urgent travel restrictions or severe security advisories issued 72
hours before your scheduled exam, by an appropriate national or
international authority (such as a government office or department).