Recertification requires certified HashiCorp Cloud Engineers to demonstrate their continued level-specific expertise of the product as that product changes over time, by passing an exam.
Depending on the recertification scenario, a customer may receive:
- An extended expiration date on their existing credentials (badge and corresponding certificate).
- A second set of credentials for the same product, level, and exam version as their existing credentials.
- A second set of credentials for the same product and level, but for a newer exam version.
Review the information on this page to understand the policies and the processes to recertify.
Recertification Policies
- Credentials expire two years from the date earned.
- Candidates have the option to recertify starting 18 months after earning a certification.
- No one certification account can hold more than one valid (not expired) credential for a single exam at a given time. Individuals using a separate certification account to bypass recertification rules are in breach of a legal agreement and will be banned from the HashiCorp certification program.
Important Definitions
- Certification - Both the process of and the end result of indicating that you have met the standards of a HashiCorp Cloud Engineer in the HashiCorp Product for which you took an exam.
- Credential - The collateral you receive when you earn your certification. Refers to both your badge and accompanying certificate.
- Badge - The primary piece of collateral you receive to showcase your certification. Your digital badge is available via Credly and can be easily shared via email, social media, and more.
- Certificate - The secondary piece of collateral you receive when you earn your certification. Your certificate is easily printable to provide a physical means to showcase your skills.
- Exam - The test you take to attempt to earn a certification.
- Level - The exam level indicates the amount expertise with which one has demonstrated their skills in the single HashiCorp product they were certified in. Currently, we offer Associate-level and Professional-level exams.
- Associate - verify a Cloud Engineer's basic skills in a HashiCorp product through multiple choice-based exams. There are exams at the associate level for these HashiCorp products: Terraform, Vault, and Consul.
- Professional - verify a Cloud Engineer's specialized skills in a HashiCorp product through lab-based exams. There is an exam at the professional level for Vault.
- Version - Indicates that the exam for a given product has gone through major updates that affect the exam's objectives, sub-objectives, length, sections, and more. New exam versions are created and released to keep up with HashiCorp Product updates.
Associate-level Recertification Options: Unexpired Certifications
| When can I recertify? | What must I do to recertify? | What happens if I pass? | |
|
Take the same Associate-level exam again |
After 18 months from the credentials issue date, but before the current credentials expire. |
Pass the same product, level, and version of the exam. |
Your current credential expiration date will be extended to two years from date exam is passed the second time. |
| Take a Professional-level exam for the same product |
At any point before your Associate-level credentials expire.** |
Pass the same product's Professional-level exam. |
You earn new Professional-level credentials. Plus, your Associate-level credentials for the same product will be extended by 2 years. |
| Take a newer version of the same Associate-level exam | At any time; the older version of your credentials can be current or expired. | Pass a newer version of the same product's Associate-level exam. |
A second set of credentials will be issued as if this were the first time. You will now have two separate credentials—one for each version of the exam. |
** Candidates with expired Associate-level credentials, who pass a corresponding Professional-level exam will not receive an updated expiration on their Associate-level credentials, nor will they have new Associate credentials issued.
Associate-level Recertification Options: Expired Certifications
| When can I recertify? | What must I do to recertify? | What happens if I pass? | |
| Take the same Associate-level exam again |
After the credentials have expired. |
Pass the same product, level, and version of the exam. |
New credentials will be issued, existing expired credentials will remain unchanged. |
| Take a newer version of the same Associate-level exam | At any time; the older version of the credentials can be current or expired. | Pass a newer version of the same product's Associate-level exam. |
A second set of credentials will be issued as if this were the first time. You will now have two separate credentials—one for each version of the exam. |
Professional-level Recertification Options: Unexpired Certifications
| When can I recertify? | What must I do to recertify? | What happens if I pass? | |
| Take the same Professional-level exam again | After 18 months from the credentials issue date, but before the current credentials expires. | Pass the same product, level, and version of the exam. | Your current credential expiration date will be extended to two years from when the exam is passed the second time. |
Professional-level Recertification Options: Expired Certifications
| When can I recertify? | What must I do to recertify? | What happens if I pass? | |
| Take the same Professional-level exam | After the credentials have expired. |
Pass the same product, level, and version of the exam. |
A new set of credentials will be issued, your existing expired badge will remain unchanged.** |
** Candidates with expired Associate-level credentials, who pass a corresponding Professional-level exam will not receive an updated expiration on their Associate-level credentials, nor will they have new Associate credentials issued.
Automated Communications
- You will receive emails to help you recertify at the following intervals:
- 6 months from expiration date
- 3 months from expiration date
- 1 month from expiration date
- Candidates who successfully recertify will receive an email to help them share their new or extended credentials with their networks.
Viewing Existing Certifications
- Credly: log in to view and share your current and expired credentials (badge and corresponding certificate).
- HashiCorp Certification Portal: log in to view your account history, including passed and failed exams, transcripts, your certification status, and user profile.