Certification process
If you are new to Alibaba Cloud Certification, the following flowchart and explanations will help you quickly understand the certification process.
Alibaba Cloud certification flowchart
Usage limitations
For details on the usage limitations of certification products and authorization codes, see:
Purchase a certification
Purchasing a certification means buying an exam attempt, which includes access to free learning materials. The table below details the purchase methods for each certification type.
Purchase method | Certification product | Authorization code | |
Developer Clouder certification | Supported | Supported | |
Professional Certification | ACA | Supported | Supported |
ACP | Not supported | Supported | |
ACE | Not supported | Supported | |
Method 1: Purchase a certification product
Procedure
Purchasing a single certification subject on the official website gives you an exam attempt. This method does not provide an authorization code and applies to Developer Clouder and ACA certifications. For detailed instructions, see the Certification purchase and exam guide.
Certification validity
The certification purchase is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Method 2: Purchase an authorization code
Procedure
Purchase an authorization code on the official website. Use the code to redeem a certification subject and register for the exam. This method is available for Developer Clouder, ACA, ACP, and ACE certifications. Enterprise employees who receive an authorization code from their company can redeem a certification subject or register for an exam directly, without making a purchase. For detailed instructions, see the Authorization code purchase and exam guide.
Authorization code and certification process validity
The authorization code is valid for one year from the date of purchase. The certification process validity period begins when the authorization code is activated.
Example for ACE:
Authorization code validity: If purchased on January 1, 2025, the code is valid until 00:00 on January 2, 2026.
Certification process validity after activation: If you activate your authorization code by registering for the written test at 08:00 on August 1, 2025, you must complete the written test, lab, and interview in sequence before 08:00 on August 1, 2026, to earn the certificate.
The authorization code validity and the certification process validity are not the same.
The certification process is valid for one year from the time of activation.
If you do not complete all exams within the certification process validity, your exam attempt is forfeited.
Online learning
Alibaba Cloud Certification provides online learning materials to help you master the course content. After purchasing a certification product or redeeming an authorization code for a certification, you can unlock the full course content on the certification details page.
Certification track | Learning content | |
Developer Clouder certification | The Developer Clouder certification includes Fundamentals and Advanced tracks. It includes learning courses and two exam attempts. | |
Professional Certification | ACA | The ACA certification includes learning courses and two exam attempts. Some ACA certifications do not include lab exercises or practice tests. See the certification details page for specific content. |
ACP | The ACP certification includes learning courses and one exam attempt. Some ACP certifications do not include practice tests. See the certification details page for specific content. | |
ACE | The ACE certification includes learning courses and consists of three stages: a written test, a lab, and an interview. A separate authorization code is required for each stage, and each code grants one exam attempt. You can only schedule the next stage after passing the previous one. | |
Register for an exam
Exam types
Alibaba Cloud certification | Written test | Lab | Interview | |
Developer Clouder certification |
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Professional Certification | ACA |
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ACP |
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ACE |
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Exam formats
Alibaba Cloud certification | Online exam | Test center | ||
Developer Clouder certification |
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Professional Certification | ACA |
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ACP |
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ACE | Written test |
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Lab |
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Interview |
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Take an exam
Register online through the official Alibaba Cloud Certification website.
Online exam: Exams are taken on the Alibaba Cloud certification exam platform. Log in to the official Alibaba Cloud Certification website, go to the My Certifications page, find your target certification subject, and follow the on-screen instructions to take the online exam.
Test center: Exams are taken at a Prometric Test Center. After you schedule your exam, check your email for confirmation and exam details. Follow the instructions to take your exam at the test center. For a list of available Prometric Test Centers, see Computer-based test centers.
View exam results
Log in to the official Alibaba Cloud Certification website and go to the My Certifications page. Find your certification to view your exam results. If you pass, you can claim your certificate immediately. If you do not pass, you can purchase another certification product or authorization code to take the exam again.
Developer Clouder certification: Results are available immediately after the exam. This certification includes two exam attempts, which are granted upon activation.
ACA certification: Results are available immediately after the exam. This certification includes two exam attempts, which are granted upon activation.
ACP certification: Results are available immediately after the exam. Data synchronization may take 2 to 3 business days. Afterward, you can view the official results in the certification system.
ACE certification
Written test: Results are available immediately after the exam. Data synchronization may take 2 to 3 business days. Afterward, you can view the official results in the certification system.
Lab: You will be notified by email within 7 business days. You can then view the official results in the certification system.
Interview: You will be notified by email within 7 business days. You can then view the official results in the certification system.
Alibaba Cloud Certification does not provide a feature to review incorrect answers.
Claim your certificate
Download your certificate
After you pass the exam, log in to the official Alibaba Cloud Certification website and go to the My Certifications page. Find the corresponding certification and click Claim Certificate in the upper-right corner. Follow the on-screen instructions to fill in your information and download the digital certificate.
We recommend that you download and save your digital certificate promptly after passing the certification.
Verify a certificate
On the Certificate Verification page, you can look up a certificate by its number, your ID card number, or your passport number. A certificate is uniquely tied to the ID document used for registration. For example, a certificate registered with a passport can only be verified by using the passport number or certificate number. It cannot be verified with an ID card number, even if other certificates under the same account were registered with an ID card.
Certificate validity
The certificate is valid for two years from the date you claim it. You cannot retake the same certification exam with the same account while your certificate is valid. You cannot use the certificate to waive the requirements for other certifications.