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Certifications

The 4 Claude certifications, explained.

Anthropic runs 4 official Claude certifications, often searched as "claude certification" or "anthropic certification": two Architect tiers (Foundations and Professional), a Developer track, and a non-technical Associate track. This page maps who each one is for and how to move from here into the right exam guide. Start with Architect - Foundations (CCA-F) - the original Claude certification, with the largest question bank (500+) and the only adaptive study plan on this site.

CCA-FCCA-PCCD-FCCA-A
Not sure which cert fits you? Take the 60-second quiz →CCA-F exam guide (live practice) →
The four Claude certifications presented as framed credentials, painterly.
01 · Start here

Start here: Architect - Foundations (CCA-F)

Claude Certified Architect - Foundations (officially CCAR-F) is the original Claude certification, the one with real captured search demand, and the cert with the deepest, most mature full-length practice exam and question bank. Every cert now has a live practice loop; CCA-F is the model the others build toward, and every other cert hub below links back to its exam guide as the depth benchmark.

60Questions
720 / 1000Pass mark
5Domains
12 monthsValidity
$125List price
02 · The portfolio

All 4 certifications, side by side

Every cert is delivered as a proctored, closed-book exam through Pearson VUE, scored out of 1000 with a 720 pass mark, valid for 12 months, and badged on Credly. The checkout price reflects any discount that applies to your partner tier. What differs is audience, item count, and domain weighting.

CCA-F

Claude Certified Architect - Foundations

Solution architects building production Claude apps (6+ months practical experience).

Live practice examFlagship · largest bank
60 items · $125
CCA-P

Claude Certified Architect - Professional

Mid-senior solution architects / AI-ML engineers (3+ years systems arch, 6+ months Claude in prod).

Live practice exam
63 items · $175
CCD-F

Claude Certified Developer - Foundations

AI/ML engineers & senior SWEs shipping production Claude apps, agents, and workflows.

Live practice exam
53 items · $125
CCA-A

Claude Certified Associate - Foundations

Client-facing / delivery practitioners (consultants, sellers, delivery, ops, PM). Non-technical.

Live practice exam
60 items · $99
03 · Full comparison

All 4 certs, one table

Every figure below is pulled straight from each cert's exam blueprint - item count, domain count, and list price all differ by cert even though the pass mechanics (below) are identical.

CertWho it's forQuestionsDomainsList price
CCA-F
Claude Certified Architect - Foundations
Solution architects building production Claude apps (6+ months practical experience).605$125
CCA-P
Claude Certified Architect - Professional
Mid-senior solution architects / AI-ML engineers (3+ years systems arch, 6+ months Claude in prod).637$175
CCD-F
Claude Certified Developer - Foundations
AI/ML engineers & senior SWEs shipping production Claude apps, agents, and workflows.538$125
CCA-A
Claude Certified Associate - Foundations
Client-facing / delivery practitioners (consultants, sellers, delivery, ops, PM). Non-technical.607$99
04 · The shared mechanics

What's the same across all four

Audience, item count, domain weighting, and question style differ by cert (CCA-F is scenario-based; the other three are flat item pools) - but the pass mechanics below are identical across the whole portfolio:

720 / 1000Pass mark
12 monthsValidity
Pearson VUEDelivery
CredlyBadge
FreePrep here

Every exam is a proctored, closed-book test scored out of 1000 with the same 720 cut score, stays valid for 12 months, is delivered through Pearson VUE, and issues a digital badge on Credly once you pass. This site runs free prep - diagnostics, domain drills, and a full mock - for every cert in the table above, not just CCA-F.

05 · How to choose

Which cert is right for you?

If your role doesn't obviously map to one cert, the decision page below walks through each cert's audience and a simple role-to-cert recommendation - start from your role, not from the certification name.

Find your certification →
FAQ

Certification portfolio FAQ

Every Q is phrased as a real Google search query. Answers cite the same evidence-tagged sources used elsewhere on the site.

What are the 4 Claude certifications from Anthropic?
Anthropic runs 4 Claude certifications: Claude Certified Architect - Foundations (CCA-F, officially CCAR-F), Claude Certified Architect - Professional (CCA-P, officially CCAR-P), Claude Certified Developer - Foundations (CCD-F, officially CCDV-F), and Claude Certified Associate - Foundations (CCA-A, officially CCAO-F). Each targets a different role and technical depth.
Which Claude certification should I start with?
Start with Architect - Foundations (CCA-F) if you build production Claude apps and have 6+ months of hands-on experience - it is the original, highest-traffic Claude certification with the deepest, most mature prep. All 4 certs now have a live diagnostic, warm-up, and mock; CCA-F additionally has the largest question bank and the adaptive study plan. If you are non-technical and client-facing, Associate - Foundations fits better. See the full decision path on the which-cert page.
Is a Claude certification free?
All 4 certifications list a price ($99-$175 depending on the cert) through Pearson VUE; the price you pay at checkout reflects any discount that applies to your partner tier. Check each cert hub for its specific list price.
Is CCA-F still a valid name, or did it change to CCAR-F?
Both refer to the same credential. Anthropic's official exam code is CCAR-F; "CCA-F" is the shorthand this site and most of the community have used since launch, and it carries the search equity. Nothing about the certification itself changed - see the Architect - Foundations hub for the full co-naming.
Are these official Anthropic certifications?
Yes. All 4 credentials are issued by Anthropic, delivered as proctored exams through Pearson VUE, scored to a 720/1000 pass mark, valid for 12 months, and badged on Credly after passing.
What is the difference between Architect and Developer certifications?
Architect - Foundations and Architect - Professional test solution-design and orchestration skills for architects who design Claude systems end to end. Developer - Foundations tests hands-on build skills for engineers shipping Claude-powered applications and agents day to day. Associate - Foundations is the non-technical track for client-facing roles.