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.
What's on the exam
Professional Cloud Architect Certification Exam Guide
Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture
~25%Business and technical requirements · Solution architecture design · Network, storage, and compute design · Migration planning · Well-Architected Framework principles
Managing and provisioning a cloud solution infrastructure
~17.5%Network configuration · Storage systems provisioning · Compute resource configuration · Infrastructure as code (Terraform) · Resource hierarchy and quotas
Designing for security and compliance
~17.5%Identity and access management · Data protection and encryption · Network security controls · Compliance and regulatory requirements · Securing AI workloads
Analyzing and optimizing technical and business processes
~15%Technical process analysis · Cost optimization · Business process improvement · Stakeholder and change management · Continuous improvement
Managing implementation
~12.5%Advising development and operations teams · Interacting with Google Cloud programmatically · API and SDK usage · Deployment automation · Testing and validation
Ensuring solution and operations excellence
~12.5%Monitoring and logging · Reliability and SRE practices · Deployment and release management · Incident response · Operational excellence
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Google Professional Cloud Architect cost?
The Google Professional Cloud Architect costs $200. Plus tax where applicable; renewal exam is US$100.
How long is the Google Professional Cloud Architect and how many questions does it have?
50–60 items — 120 minutes.
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?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: 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%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.
Program in development
We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.
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