An Associate Cloud Engineer deploys and secures applications, services, and infrastructure, monitors the operations of multiple projects, and maintains enterprise solutions to meet target performance metrics. This individual has experience working with public clouds or on-premises solutions. They are able to perform common platform-based tasks, supported by AI tooling, to maintain and scale one or more deployed solutions that leverage Google-managed or self-managed services on Google Cloud.
The Associate Cloud Engineer exam assesses your ability to:
- Set up a cloud solution environment
- Plan and implement a cloud solution
- Ensure the successful operation of a cloud solution
- Configure access and security
Prerequisites
Recommended experience: 6+ months hands on experience with Google Cloud.
Recommended training for this certification
Preparing for your exam
Step 1: Get real world experience
Before attempting the Associate Cloud Engineer exam, we recommend that you get 6+ months hands-on experience with Google Cloud.
Get started with free usage of over 20 products, including BigQuery and Compute Engine, up to monthly limits. Plus, new Google Cloud customers get $300 in free credits on signup.
Step 2: Understand what’s on the exam
The Associate Cloud Engineer exam guide contains a complete list of topics that may be included on the exam. Review the standard exam guide or renewal exam guide to determine if your skills align with the topics on the exam.
Step 3: Round out your skills with training
Follow the learning path: Prepare for the exam by following the Cloud Engineer learning path. Explore online training, in-person classes, hands-on labs, and other resources from Google Cloud.
On Demand:
- Build a Certification Study Guide: ACE Exam Prep
- Essential Google Cloud Infrastructure: Foundation
- Essential Google Cloud Infrastructure: Core Services
- Elastic Google Cloud Infrastructure: Scaling and Automation
- Developing Applications with Cloud Run on Google Cloud: Fundamentals
- Developing Application with Cloud Run Functions on Google Cloud
- Select a Google Cloud Database for your Applications
- AI Infrastructure: Cloud GPUs
- AI Infrastructure: Cloud TPUs
- AI Infrastructure: Deployment Types
- Implementing Cloud Load Balancing for Compute Engine
- Deploy Kubernetes Applications on Google Cloud
- Build Infrastructure with Terraform on Google Cloud
Instructor-led Training:
- Getting Started with Google Kubernetes Engine (GCP-GSGKE)
- Logging, Monitoring, and Observability in Google Cloud (LMOGC)
- Getting Started with Terraform for Google Cloud (GSTGC)
Check for exam readiness: Taking the standard exam? Complete the "Preparing for the Associate Cloud Engineer Examination" course to familiarize yourself with the exam materials and to do a final check for exam readiness.
Step 4: Review the sample questions
Familiarize yourself with the format of exam questions by reviewing example content that may be covered on the Associate Cloud Engineer exam.
Step 5: Schedule an exam
Decide whether to take the exam remotely (see online testing requirements) or at a test center (locate a test center near you - search for Google Cloud).
Register to take the standard exam or renewal exam today.
Review exam terms and conditions and data sharing policies.
Exams
If this is your first time getting certified, or your certification has expired, you must take the standard exam.
If you are renewing your certification, you have the option to renew by taking the standard exam, a shorter renewal exam or completing designated courses or skill badges in Google Skills.
Standard Exam Information:
- Length: 2 hours
- Registration fee: $125 (plus tax where applicable)
- Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese
- Exam format: 50-60 multiple choice and multiple select questions
- Content: See the Standard Exam Guide
- Preparation: Prepare for the exam by following the Cloud Engineer 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: 3 years
Renewal Exam Information:
- Length: 1 hour
- Registration fee: $75 (plus tax where applicable)
- Languages: English, Japanese
- Exam format: 20 multiple choice and multiple select questions
- Content: See the Renewal Exam Guide.
- 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: 3 years
- Eligibility: Candidates must have an active certification and be within the renewal eligibility period.
Renewal via Google Skills
- Format: Designated courses and/or skill badges in the renewal learning path
- Preparation: Create or Login into Google Skills account (or Google Skills for Partners), link your CM Connect and Google Skills accounts using the same email. Once linked, eligible certifications and renewal learning paths will be displayed on your Google Skills dashboard.
- Validity period: 1 year
- Eligibility: To count toward renewal, candidates must complete designated courses or skill badges within the last year of the certification's active date.