Infrastructure
Automation Certifications
We offer Terraform certifications at two levels to help you showcase your infrastructure automation expertise. Earn the Terraform Associate certification to validate your foundational Terraform knowledge and skills. Demonstrate your advanced Terraform production experience with the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional certification.
Terraform Associate (003)
Terraform Associate 003 will be retired and replaced by version 004 on January 8, 2026. Compare the differences between the two versions below. Prove your foundational Terraform knowledge and skills in an hour-long multiple-choice exam.
Terraform Associate (003) details
The Terraform Associate 003 exam will be replaced by the 004 exam version on January 8, 2026. All versions of the Terraform Associate exam validate your skills at the associate level. You may hold both certifications at the same time.
Advanced scheduling for Terraform Associate 004 is now open.
- January 5, 2026: Last day to schedule Terraform Associate 003.
- January 7, 2026: Last day to take Terraform Associate 003.
- If you take the 003 version at this time and fail, you will need to take the 004 version when you reattempt the exam.
- January 8, 2026: First day to take Terraform Associate 004. Terraform Associate 003 is retired.
You should take the Terraform Associate certification exam if you are a Cloud Engineer with foundational Terraform knowledge and skills, who can identify Terraform Enterprise features and distinguish them from Community edition.
Prerequisites:
- Basic terminal skills
- Understanding of on-premises and cloud architecture
While professional experience is recommended, you can also prepare by practicing the exam objectives in a personal demo setup.
| Assessment Type | Multiple choice |
| Format | Online proctored |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Price | $70.50 USD, plus locally applicable taxes and fees. Free retake not included. |
| Language | English |
| Expiration | 2 years |
| 1 | Understand Infrastructure as Code (IaC) concepts |
| 1a | Explain what IaC is |
| 1b | Describe advantages of IaC patterns |
| 2 | Understand the purpose of Terraform (vs other IaC) |
| 2a | Explain multi-cloud and provider-agnostic benefits |
| 2b | Explain the benefits of state |
| 3 | Understand Terraform basics |
| 3a | Install and version Terraform providers |
| 3b | Describe plugin-based architecture |
| 3c | Write Terraform configuration using multiple providers |
| 3d | Describe how Terraform finds and fetches providers |
| 4 | Use Terraform outside the core workflow |
| 4a | Describe when to use terraform import to import existing infrastructure into your Terraform state |
| 4b | Use terraform state to view Terraform state |
| 4c | Describe when to enable verbose logging and what the outcome/value is |
| 5 | Interact with Terraform modules |
| 5a | Contrast and use different module source options including the public Terraform Module Registry |
| 5b | Interact with module inputs and outputs |
| 5c | Describe variable scope within modules/child modules |
| 5d | Set module version |
| 6 | Use the core Terraform workflow |
| 6a | Describe Terraform workflow ( Write -> Plan -> Create ) |
| 6b | Initialize a Terraform working directory (terraform init) |
| 6c | Validate a Terraform configuration (terraform validate) |
| 6d | Generate and review an execution plan for Terraform (terraform plan) |
| 6e | Execute changes to infrastructure with Terraform (terraform apply) |
| 6f | Destroy Terraform managed infrastructure (terraform destroy) |
| 6g | Apply formatting and style adjustments to a configuration (terraform fmt) |
| 7 | Implement and maintain state |
| 7a | Describe default local backend |
| 7b | Describe state locking |
| 7c | Handle backend and cloud integration authentication methods |
| 7d | Differentiate remote state back end options |
| 7e | Manage resource drift and Terraform state |
| 7f | Describe backend block and cloud integration in configuration |
| 7g | Understand secret management in state files |
| 8 | Read, generate, and modify configuration |
| 8a | Demonstrate use of variables and outputs |
| 8b | Describe secure secret injection best practice |
| 8c | Understand the use of collection and structural types |
| 8d | Create and differentiate resource and data configuration |
| 8e | Use resource addressing and resource parameters to connect resources together |
| 8f | Use HCL and Terraform functions to write configuration |
| 8g | Describe built-in dependency management (order of execution based) |
| 9 | Understand HCP Terraform capabilities |
| 9a | Explain how HCP Terraform helps to manage infrastructure |
| 9b | Describe how HCP Terraform enables collaboration and governance |
Understand your recertification options. Start by finding the scenario that applies to you and then evaluate your options. Know which exam version you passed by the 3-digit code on your credentials (badge and certificate).
Scenario 1: You hold an unexpired Terraform Associate certification from the 003 version of the exam
Option 1: Pass the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam
- Extend your Associate credentials' expiration date
- Earn a new professional-level badge and certificate
Option 2: Pass the 003 version of the Terraform Associate exam starting 6 months before expiration
- Extend your credentials' expiration date
Scenario 2: You hold an unexpired Terraform Associate certification from the 002 version of the exam
Option 1: Pass the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam
- Extend your Associate credentials' expiration date
- Earn a new professional-level badge and certificate
Option 2: Pass the 003 version of the Terraform Associate exam starting 6 months before expiration
- Receive a new, separate set of credentials with a new expiration date
- Your original credentials' expiration date is not updated
Scenario 3: You hold any expired Terraform Associate certification
There is only one option for recertifying if your certification has already expired.
Pass the current version of the Terraform Associate exam at any time
- Receive a new, separate set of credentials with a new expiration date
- Your expired credentials' expiration date is not updated
Learn more about recertification in our Knowledge base.
Terraform Associate (004)
Terraform Associate 004 will replace the current 003 version on January 8, 2026. Compare the differences between the two versions below. Prove your foundational Terraform knowledge and skills in an hour-long multiple-choice exam.
Terraform Associate (004) details
Terraform Associate 004 exam replaces the 003 version on January 8, 2026. All versions of the Terraform Associate exam validate your skills at the associate level. You may hold both certifications at the same time.
You can schedule a Terraform Associate 004 exam appointment now.
- January 5, 2026: Last day to schedule Terraform Associate 003.
- January 7, 2026: Last day to take Terraform Associate 003.
- If you take the 003 version at this time and fail, you will need to take the 004 version when you reattempt the exam.
- January 8, 2026: First day to take Terraform Associate 004. Terraform Associate 003 is retired.
Exam updates summary:
- Four new topics
- 4f:
depends_onandcreate_before_destroylifecycle rules - 4g: Validate configuration using custom conditions
- 4h: Ephemeral values and write-only arguments
- 8c: Describe how to organize and use HCP Terraform workspaces and projects
- 4f:
- Tests on Terraform version 1.12
- Includes HCP Terraform content
You should take the Terraform Associate certification exam if you are a Cloud Engineer with foundational Terraform knowledge and skills, who can identify Terraform Enterprise features and distinguish them from Community edition.
Prerequisites:
- Basic terminal skills
- Understanding of on-premises and cloud architecture
While professional experience is recommended, you can also prepare by practicing the exam objectives in a personal demo setup.
| Assessment Type | Multiple choice |
| Format | Online proctored |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Price | $70.50 USD, plus locally applicable taxes and fees. Free retake not included. |
| Language | English |
| Credential Expiration | 2 years |
| 1 | Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform |
| 1a | Explain what IaC is |
| 1b | Describe the advantages of IaC patterns |
| 1c | Explain how Terraform manages multi-cloud, hybrid cloud, and service-agnostic workflows |
| 2 | Terraform fundamentals |
| 2a | Install and version Terraform providers |
| 2b | Describe how Terraform uses providers |
| 2c | Write Terraform configuration using multiple providers |
| 2d | Explain how Terraform uses and manages state |
| 3 | Core Terraform workflow |
| 3a | Describe the Terraform workflow |
| 3b | Initialize a Terraform working directory |
| 3c | Validate a Terraform configuration |
| 3d | Generate and review an execution plan for Terraform |
| 3e | Apply changes to infrastructure with Terraform |
| 3f | Destroy Terraform-managed infrastructure |
| 3g | Apply formatting and style adjustments to a configuration |
| 4 | Terraform configuration |
| 4a | Use and differentiate resource and data blocks |
| 4b | Refer to resource attributes and create cross-resource references |
| 4c | Use variables and outputs |
| 4d | Understand and use complex types |
| 4e | Write dynamic configuration using expressions and functions |
| 4f | Define resource dependencies in configuration |
| 4g | Validate configuration using custom conditions |
| 4h | Understand best practices for managing sensitive data, including secrets management with Vault |
| 5 | Terraform modules |
| 5a | Explain how Terraform sources modules |
| 5b | Describe variable scope within modules |
| 5c | Use modules in configuration |
| 5d | Manage module versions |
| 6 | Terraform state management |
| 6a | Describe the local backend |
| 6b | Describe state locking |
| 6c | Configure remote state using the backend block |
| 6d | Manage resource drift and Terraform state |
| 7 | Maintain infrastructure with Terraform |
| 7a | Import existing infrastructure into your Terraform workspace |
| 7b | Use the CLI to inspect state |
| 7c | Describe when and how to use verbose logging |
| 8 | HCP Terraform |
| 8a | Use HCP Terraform to create infrastructure |
| 8b | Describe HCP Terraform collaboration and governance features |
| 8c | Describe how to organize and use HCP Terraform workspaces and projects |
| 8d | Configure and use HCP Terraform integration |
Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional
Demonstrate your advanced, production-level Terraform expertise in an intensive, lab-based exam.
Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional details
You should take the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam if you have advanced production-level Terraform expertise in both configuration authoring and Terraform workflows. You will need to demonstrate your professional-level skills implementing and authoring Terraform modules, developing dynamic HCL configuration, and establishing scalable, collaborative workflows.
Prerequisites:
- Terraform Associate certification (strongly recommend, or equivalent experience required)
- Linux skills, such as the ability to list and edit files via command terminal
- Experience using cloud credentials
- Familiarity with YAML, JSON, HCL, and CSV formats
- Understanding of the networking stack and networking protocols, including TCP/IP and UDP
- Advanced configuration authoring and a deep understanding of Terraform workflows
| Assessment Type | Lab-based and multiple choice |
| Format | Online proctored |
| Duration | 4 hours; 15-min break included |
| Price | $295 USD, plus locally applicable taxes and fees. Includes free retake. |
| Language | English |
| Expiration | 2 years |
| 1 | Manage resource lifecycle |
| 1a | Initialize a configuration using terraform init and its options |
| 1b | Generate an execution plan using terraform plan and its options |
| 1c | Apply configuration changes using terraform apply and its options |
| 1d | Destroy resources using terraform destroy and its options |
| 1e | Manage resource state, including importing resources and reconciling resource drift |
| 2 | Develop and troubleshoot dynamic configuration |
| 2a | Use language features to validate configuration |
| 2b | Query providers using data sources |
| 2c | Compute and interpolate data using HCL functions |
| 2d | Use meta-arguments in configuration |
| 2e | Configure input variables and outputs, including complex types |
| 2f | Analyze best practices for managing sensitive data, such as using Vault for secrets management |
| 3 | Develop collaborative Terraform workflows |
| 3a | Manage the Terraform binary, providers, and modules using version constraints |
| 3b | Configure remote state |
| 3c | Use the Terraform workflow in automation |
| 3d | Share data across configurations and workspaces |
| 4 | Create, maintain, and use Terraform modules |
| 4a | Create a module |
| 4b | Use a module in configuration |
| 4c | Refactor a module and use module versioning |
| 4d | Refactor an existing configuration into modules |
| 5 | Configure and use Terraform providers |
| 5a | Understand Terraform's plugin-based architecture |
| 5b | Configure providers, including aliasing, versioning, sourcing, and managing upgrades |
| 5c | Manage provider authentication |
| 5d | Troubleshoot provider errors |
| 6 | Collaborate on infrastructure as code using HCP Terraform |
| 6a | Analyze the HCP Terraform run workflow |
| 6b | Understand HCP Terraform workspaces and their configuration options, including access management |
| 6c | Manage provider credentials in HCP Terraform |
| 6d | Analyze policy as code and governance features |
To renew your certification, you will need to take and pass the Terraform Authoring & Operations Professional exam again.
Unexpired certification
- Retake the exam starting 6 months before your expiration date
- Passing extends your current credentials' expiration date
Expired certification
- Retake the exam at any time
- Passing gives you a new set of credentials with a new expiration date
Learn more about recertification in our Knowledge base.
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