Validates knowledge of designing, securing, provisioning and optimizing cloud solutions on Google Cloud against business and technical requirements.
200AdvancedNo prerequisites
Best Google Cloud Certifications in 2026
Google Cloud is Google's cloud platform, whose certifications cover cloud architecture, engineering, data engineering, machine learning and generative AI leadership.
Validates knowledge of setting up, deploying, operating and securing Google Cloud environments, including access and security configuration.
125IntermediateNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of generative AI concepts, Google Cloud generative AI offerings, improving model output and leading responsible adoption.
99EntryNo prerequisites
Validates knowledge of designing, building and operating data processing systems on Google Cloud, from ingestion to analysis.
200AdvancedNo prerequisites
Validates skills in building, deploying, automating and monitoring machine learning and generative AI solutions on Google Cloud.
200AdvancedNo prerequisites
How Google Cloud certifications work
- Exam fees
- $99 Foundational · $125 Associate · $200 Professional
- Validity
- 3 years for Foundational and Associate, 2 years for Professional
- Renewal
- Pass the exam again in the renewal window. Associate Cloud Engineer ($75), Professional Cloud Architect and Professional Data Engineer ($100) also have shorter renewal exams, or can add 1 year through designated Google Skills courses. Certifying gives you a 50% discount code for your renewal attempt.
- Retakes
- Associate and Professional: 14 days after the first failure, 60 days after the second, 365 after the third, up to 4 attempts in 2 years. Foundational: 14 days between attempts, up to 10 a year.
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test centre or online
Google Cloud certifications by level
Choosing the right Google Cloud certification
Where to start
- Deploying and operating workloads: Associate Cloud Engineer. Tests practical deployment and operation of Google Cloud environments. It has no prerequisite, Google recommends six months of hands-on experience, and Google describes it as a path to its Professional certifications.
- Business view of generative AI: Generative AI Leader. Covers generative AI strategy, Google's AI products and responsible adoption, for business leaders rather than engineers. It has no prerequisites.
- Cloud architecture: Professional Cloud Architect. Covers designing and managing enterprise solutions on Google Cloud. Google requires no prior certification and recommends three or more years of industry experience, including one on Google Cloud.
- Data pipelines: Professional Data Engineer. Covers designing, building and running data pipelines and platforms on Google Cloud. Google requires no prior certification and recommends three or more years of experience, including one on Google Cloud.
- Machine learning systems: Professional Machine Learning Engineer. Covers building, deploying and monitoring machine learning and generative AI systems on Google Cloud. Google requires no prior certification and recommends three or more years of experience, including one on Google Cloud.