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Anthropic · AI & Machine Learning · Associate

Claude Certified Associate - Foundations exam guide

Exam CCAO-F

Claude Certified Associate - Foundations validates that you can use Claude effectively and responsibly in day-to-day client work: prompting, evaluating outputs, choosing the right Claude product and model, fitting Claude into workflows, and managing governance risks. No coding is required, which makes it the entry credential for consultants and delivery staff at Claude partner firms in 2026.

Questions60
Time limit120 minutes
Passing score720 (100-1000 scale)
Exam fee$99 USD
Valid for1 years
DeliveryPearson VUE (Pearson Professional Assessments): OnVUE online proctored or Pearson test center; closed book

Format: Multiple choice and scenario-based multiple response. Fee note: 50% partner discount for Select, Preferred and Global Premier tiers; retakes cost the full fee (14/30/90-day waits, max 4 attempts per 12 months).

Who it's for

Consultants, sellers, project leads and delivery staff at Claude Partner Network firms who use Claude in client work but do not build with the API.

What the exam covers

Output Evaluation and Validation21%
Workflow Integration and Solution Design16%
Governance, Risk, and Responsible Use15%
Prompting and Task Execution14%
Product and Model Selection12%
Configuration and Knowledge Management12%
Troubleshooting and Optimization10%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: Open only to employees of Claude Partner Network organizations registered with a recognized company email domain; candidates must be 18+ with government ID. Partner Network membership is free for firms. No prior certification required.

Recommended: Regular hands-on use of Claude apps (Projects, artifacts, connectors, research) in real work; Anthropic's Partner Academy prep courses.

Keeping it active

Valid 12 months. Renew on time by passing a free, non-proctored renewal assessment on Anthropic Partner Academy; if it lapses you must retake the full proctored exam at the full fee.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Writing clear, structured prompts for business tasks
  • Checking Claude outputs for accuracy and fit
  • Choosing between Claude products and models
  • Setting up Projects and knowledge sources
  • Applying governance and responsible-use rules
  • Troubleshooting weak or inconsistent results

Job roles

AI ConsultantDelivery LeadSolutions ConsultantProject Manager (AI programs)Account Executive (AI)Business Analyst

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Complete the Partner Academy prep course for the Associate exam; read the exam guide and map each domain to your own daily Claude use.
  2. Week 2: Output evaluation (21%) and prompting: practise grading outputs against a rubric and rewriting prompts to fix specific failures.
  3. Week 3: Products, models, configuration and governance: compare Claude plans and models, Projects, connectors, data handling and responsible-use policy.
  4. Week 4: Scenario practice for workflow design and troubleshooting, then a timed practice run.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Output Evaluation and Validation is the largest domain; expect scenarios asking which check catches a specific error.
  • Multiple-response items tell you how many answers to pick; use that to eliminate options.
  • Governance questions favour the answer that keeps a human reviewing high-stakes output and protects client data.
  • You get 120 minutes for about 60 items, so you can read scenarios carefully; there is no need to rush.

Key terms for this exam

All 28 terms Study with thinQcards™

Frequently asked questions

How much does CCAO-F cost?

$99 list price; Select, Preferred and Global Premier partners get 50% off at checkout.

Who can take Claude certification exams?

Employees of Claude Partner Network organizations using a recognized company email domain. Membership is free for firms, but individuals outside a partner firm cannot register.

How do I keep CCAO-F active?

It is valid for 12 months. Pass the free non-proctored renewal assessment on Partner Academy before it lapses; otherwise you retake the full exam.

Do I need to code for CCAO-F?

No. It is aimed at business and delivery roles and contains no coding.

Does CCAO-F count toward partner tier?

No. Anthropic states the Associate certification does not count toward Claude Partner Network tier eligibility; the Developer and Architect certifications do.

Official page: anthropic-partners.skilljar.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.