Anthropic has introduced a new technical certification, the Claude Certified Architect (CCA-F), to validate expertise in building production applications using its Claude AI models.
The certification is designed for technical practitioners, such as engineers and solution architects, who build systems using tools across the Claude ecosystem, including the Claude API, Claude Code, the Agent SDK, and the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 120 minutes during a proctored session.
Candidates must complete the exam in a single sitting without external resources or breaks. Anthropic said participants will receive score reports within two business days, including a breakdown of performance across competency areas.
Practitioners who pass the exam receive a digital CCA-F badge that can be shared on professional platforms such as LinkedIn.
Anthropic describes the test as “a ~301 level exam for practitioners at partner companies with foundational knowledge who are ready to demonstrate deeper, applied expertise.”
The certification evaluates candidates across five core technical domains central to building AI systems with Claude.
These include agentic architecture and orchestration (27%), Claude Code configuration and workflows (20%), prompt engineering and structured output (20%), tool design and MCP integration (18%), and context management and reliability (15%).
According to Anthropic, the exam focuses on practical implementation patterns, such as how developers “design agentic loops, orchestrate multi-agent systems with coordinator-subagent patterns, implement task decomposition, and manage session state and workflow enforcement.”
To mirror real production environments, the certification is structured around scenario-based questions. Each exam randomly selects four scenarios from a pool of six that simulate common enterprise deployments.
These include building a customer support resolution agent, creating a multi-agent research system, integrating Claude Code into CI/CD pipelines, and designing structured data extraction systems.
One scenario involves developing a support automation agent where “the agent handles high-ambiguity requests like returns, billing disputes, and account issues” while interacting with backend services through tools such as order lookups or refund processing. Another focuses on developer productivity tools designed to help engineers navigate unfamiliar codebases, automate repetitive tasks, and generate boilerplate code using built-in capabilities.
Anthropic recommends that candidates complete its 200-level training courses and have hands-on experience building applications using Claude’s developer tools before attempting the exam.
Suggested preparation resources include courses such as Claude 101, Building with the Claude API, Introduction to Model Context Protocol, and Claude Code in Action. The company also offers a practice exam and recommends scoring 900 or higher out of 1,000 before taking the certification test.
The certification is currently available only to employees of companies in the Claude Partner Network, Anthropic’s ecosystem of consulting firms, AI integrators, and service providers that help enterprises deploy Claude-based solutions.
As part of an early-access phase, the exam will be free for the first 5,000 partner company employees, after which the certification will cost $99 per attempt.
The credential is part of Anthropic’s broader push to strengthen its partner ecosystem.
The company recently launched the Claude Partner Network, committing $100 million in 2026 to support partners through training programs, technical support, and joint go-to-market initiatives to accelerate enterprise adoption of Claude.
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