Professional Cloud Architect

The Professional Cloud Architect should be proficient in enterprise cloud strategy, solution design, workload migration approaches, deployment and orchestration, optimization, and architectural best practices. This individual is also experienced with common open-source technologies and software development methodologies for designing multitiered distributed applications across legacy, multicloud, or hybrid environments. Familiarity with the Google Cloud Well-Architected Framework is a key requirement for this role. The Well-Architected Framework provides guidance and best practices on how to design, build, and operate reliable, secure, efficient, and cost-optimized workloads in Google Cloud. For a Professional Cloud Architect, understanding and applying the principles of the framework is paramount to designing and managing successful cloud solutions. The framework's pillars (operational excellence, security, reliability, performance optimization, cost optimization, and sustainability) are implicitly and explicitly woven throughout the exam objectives and should be a guiding principle in architectural decisions. If this is your first time getting certified, or your certification has expired, you must take the standard exam. Standard exam information Length: 2 hours Registration fee: $200 (plus tax where applicable) Languages: English, Japanese Exam format: 50-60 multiple choice and multiple select questions Content: See the Standard Exam Guide Case studies: Each exam includes 2 case studies. Case study questions make up 20-30% of the exam and assess your ability to apply your knowledge to a realistic business situation. You can view the case studies on a split screen during the exam. See the standard Exam Guide for the 4 available case studies. Preparation: Prepare for the exam by following the Professional Cloud Architect Exam Learning Path. Exam delivery method: a. Take the online-proctored exam from a remote location. b. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center - search for Google Cloud. Validity period: 2 years Prerequisites: None Recommended experience: 3+ years of industry experience including 1+ years designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud If you are renewing your certification, you can choose to take the shorter renewal exam or the standard exam starting 60 days before your certification expiration date. Renewal exam information Length: 1 hour Registration fee: $100 (plus tax where applicable) Languages: English, Japanese Exam format: 25 multiple choice and multiple select questions Content: See the Renewal Exam Guide. Case Studies: Each exam includes 1 case study aligned to generative AI solutions. Case study questions make up 90-100% of the exam and assess your ability to solve business challenges using generative AI. You can view the case studies on a split screen during the exam. See the Renewal Exam Guide for the 2 available case studies. Preparation: Prepare for the exam by following the Professional Cloud Architect Renewal Exam Learning Path. Exam delivery method: a. Take the online-proctored exam from a remote location. b. Take the onsite-proctored exam at a testing center - search for Google Cloud. Validity period: 2 years Eligibility: Candidates must have an active certification and be within the renewal eligibility period