Snowflake
SnowPro Core
SnowPro Core Certification (COF-C03)
Snowflake's foundational certification covering its architecture, security, performance, and data movement. The prerequisite for all SnowPro Advanced tracks and a common ask for analytics and data engineering roles on Snowflake.
What's on the exam
SnowPro Core (COF-C03) Exam Study Guide — COF-C03 released February 16, 2026; COF-C02 retired May 14, 2026
Snowflake AI Data Cloud Features and Architecture
31%Three-layer architecture (storage, compute, cloud services) · Editions and key features · Objects: databases, schemas, tables, and views (including Apache Iceberg tables) · Interfaces and tools (Snowsight, SnowSQL, Notebooks, connectors) · Cortex AI/ML services overview · Credit consumption and billing model
Account Management and Data Governance
20%Network policies and security · MFA and federated authentication · Role-based access control (RBAC) · Column- and row-level security · Governance features (object tagging, masking policies) · Account and virtual warehouse administration
Performance Optimization, Querying, and Transformation
21%Query Profile and performance analysis · Virtual warehouse sizing and multi-cluster scaling · Caching layers (result, local disk, metadata) · Micro-partitions and clustering keys · Materialized views and search optimization · Semi-structured data (VARIANT, FLATTEN) · UDFs and stored procedures
Data Loading, Unloading, and Connectivity
18%Stages and COPY INTO · Snowpipe continuous ingestion · File formats and load transformations · Unloading data from Snowflake · Connectors, drivers, and Git integration
Data Collaboration
10%Secure Data Sharing (shares, listings) · Time Travel and Fail-safe · Zero-copy cloning · Replication
Frequently asked questions
How much does the SnowPro Core cost?
The SnowPro Core costs $175. Plus applicable taxes.
How long is the SnowPro Core and how many questions does it have?
100 questions — 115 minutes.
What do you need to pass the SnowPro Core?
Scaled score of 750 on a 0–1000 scale.
Can you retake the SnowPro Core?
Waiting period between attempts; see Snowflake certification retake policy.
What is the best way to study for the SnowPro Core?
Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Snowflake AI Data Cloud Features and Architecture 31%, Account Management and Data Governance 20%, Performance Optimization, Querying, and Transformation 21%, Data Loading, Unloading, and Connectivity 18%, Data Collaboration 10%). 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 66 exams.
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