Google Cloud
Google Professional Cloud Architect
Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Architect
Google Cloud's flagship professional architecture certification for designing, planning, and managing solutions on Google Cloud, including security, operations, and AI workloads. Carries a high wage premium for senior cloud roles.
Full program: 7 decks, 1,085 cards.
What's on the exam
Professional Cloud Architect Certification Exam Guide (standard exam; case studies v6.1: Altostrat Media, Cymbal Retail, EHR Healthcare, KnightMotives Automotive)
Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture
~25%1.1 Designing a cloud solution infrastructure that meets business requirements · 1.2 Designing a cloud solution infrastructure that meets technical requirements · 1.3 Designing network, storage, and compute resources · 1.4 Creating a migration plan · 1.5 Envisioning future solution improvements
Managing and provisioning a cloud solution infrastructure
~17.5%2.1 Configuring network topologies · 2.2 Configuring individual storage systems · 2.3 Configuring compute systems · 2.4 Leveraging Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform for end-to-end ML workflows · 2.5 Configuring prebuilt solutions or APIs with Agent Platform
Designing for security and compliance
~17.5%3.1 Designing for security · 3.2 Designing for compliance
Analyzing and optimizing technical and business processes
~15%4.1 Analyzing and defining technical processes · 4.2 Analyzing and defining business processes
Managing implementation
~12.5%5.1 Advising development and operation teams to ensure the successful deployment of the solution · 5.2 Interacting with Google Cloud programmatically
Ensuring solution and operations excellence
~12.5%6.1 Operational excellence pillar of the Google Cloud Well-Architected Framework · 6.2 Google Cloud Observability solutions (monitoring, logging, profiling, alerting) · 6.3 Deployment and release management · 6.4 Assisting with the support of deployed solutions · 6.5 Evaluating quality control measures · 6.6 Ensuring the reliability of solutions in production
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Google Professional Cloud Architect cost?
The Google Professional Cloud Architect costs $200. Plus tax where applicable. Offered in English and Japanese. The optional renewal exam is 1 hour, 25 questions, US$100.
How long is the Google Professional Cloud Architect and how many questions does it have?
50–60 items — 2 hours.
What do you need to pass the Google Professional Cloud Architect?
Google does not publish a fixed passing score.
Can you retake the Google Professional Cloud Architect?
14-day wait after first fail; longer waits for subsequent attempts.
What is the best way to study for the Google Professional Cloud Architect?
Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture ~25%, Managing and provisioning a cloud solution infrastructure ~17.5%, Designing for security and compliance ~17.5%, Analyzing and optimizing technical and business processes ~15%, Managing implementation ~12.5%, Ensuring solution and operations excellence ~12.5%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.
Ready to prepare?
Our Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect program is organized by this outline's domains and scheduled by spaced repetition, with a path from first card to test day.
Flashcards are a memory tool. Learn the material first, then use NoReread to retain it and refresh what you already know. It doesn't replace studying the subject.