--- source_url: "https://developer.hashicorp.com/certifications/infrastructure-automation?utm_source=openai" title: "Infrastructure Automation | HashiCorp Developer" mirrored_at: 2026-08-29T01:04:17.630Z host: developer.hashicorp.com cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/developer.hashicorp.com/certifications/infrastructure-automation__q__utm_source_openai" --- > **Original source:** https://developer.hashicorp.com/certifications/infrastructure-automation?utm_source=openai ![](https://developer.hashicorp.com/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fterraform-badge-mini-associate.1419a397.svg&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_BRMBvhLtjodBREgu3kzJZ6CFvpJp) HashiCorp Certified: ## Terraform Associate (004) Product version tested:Terraform 1.12 Prove your foundational Terraform knowledge and skills in an hour-long multiple-choice exam. You should take the Terraform Associate certification exam if you are a Cloud Engineer with foundational Terraform knowledge and skills, who can identify Terraform Enterprise features and distinguish them from Community edition. Prerequisites: - Basic terminal skills - Understanding of on-premises and cloud architecture While professional experience is recommended, you can also prepare by practicing the exam objectives in a personal demo setup. **Assessment Type** Multiple choice **Format** Online proctored **Duration** 1 hour **Price** $70.50 USD, plus locally applicable taxes and fees. Free retake **not included**. **Language** English **Credential Expiration** 2 years **1** **Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform** 1a Explain what IaC is 1b Describe the advantages of IaC patterns 1c Explain how Terraform manages multi-cloud, hybrid cloud, and service-agnostic workflows **2** **Terraform fundamentals** 2a Install and version Terraform providers 2b Describe how Terraform uses providers 2c Write Terraform configuration using multiple providers 2d Explain how Terraform uses and manages state **3** **Core Terraform workflow** 3a Describe the Terraform workflow 3b Initialize a Terraform working directory 3c Validate a Terraform configuration 3d Generate and review an execution plan for Terraform 3e Apply changes to infrastructure with Terraform 3f Destroy Terraform-managed infrastructure 3g Apply formatting and style adjustments to a configuration **4** **Terraform configuration** 4a Use and differentiate `resource` and `data` blocks 4b Refer to resource attributes and create cross-resource references 4c Use variables and outputs 4d Understand and use complex types 4e Write dynamic configuration using expressions and functions 4f Define resource dependencies in configuration 4g Validate configuration using custom conditions 4h Understand best practices for managing sensitive data, including secrets management with Vault **5** **Terraform modules** 5a Explain how Terraform sources modules 5b Describe variable scope within modules 5c Use modules in configuration 5d Manage module versions **6** **Terraform state management** 6a Describe the local backend 6b Describe state locking 6c Configure remote state using the backend block 6d Manage resource drift and Terraform state **7** **Maintain infrastructure with Terraform** 7a Import existing infrastructure into your Terraform workspace 7b Use the CLI to inspect state 7c Describe when and how to use verbose logging **8** **HCP Terraform** 8a Use HCP Terraform to create infrastructure 8b Describe HCP Terraform collaboration and governance features 8c Describe how to organize and use HCP Terraform workspaces and projects 8d Configure and use HCP Terraform integration Exam updates summary: - Four new topics - 4f: `depends_on` and `create_before_destroy` lifecycle rules - 4g: Validate configuration using custom conditions - 4h: Ephemeral values and write-only arguments - 8c: Describe how to organize and use HCP Terraform workspaces and projects - Tests on Terraform version 1.12 - Includes HCP Terraform content Understand your recertification options. Start by finding the scenario that applies to you and then evaluate your options. Know which exam version you passed by the 3-digit code on your credentials (badge and certificate). ### Scenario 1: You hold an unexpired Terraform Associate certification from the 004 version of the exam #### Option 1: Pass the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam - Extend your Associate credentials' expiration date - Earn a new professional-level badge and certificate #### Option 2: Pass the 004 version of the Terraform Associate exam starting 6 months before expiration - Extend your credentials' expiration date ### Scenario 2: You hold an unexpired Terraform Associate certification from the 002 or 003 version of the exam #### Option 1: Pass the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam - Extend your Associate credentials' expiration date - Earn a new professional-level badge and certificate #### Option 2: Pass the 004 version of the Terraform Associate exam starting 6 months before expiration - Receive a new, separate set of credentials with a new expiration date - Your original credentials' expiration date is not updated ### Scenario 3: You hold any expired Terraform Associate certification _There is only one option for recertifying if your certification has already expired._ #### Pass the current version of the Terraform Associate exam at any time - Receive a new, separate set of credentials with a new expiration date - Your expired credentials' expiration date is not updated Learn more about recertification in our [Knowledge base](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9677396620941). ![](https://developer.hashicorp.com/_next/image?url=%2F_next%2Fstatic%2Fmedia%2Fterraform-badge-mini-pro.a1e0e5e6.svg&w=96&q=75&dpl=dpl_BRMBvhLtjodBREgu3kzJZ6CFvpJp) HashiCorp Certified: ## Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional Product version tested:Terraform 1.6 Demonstrate your advanced, production-level Terraform expertise in an intensive, lab-based exam. You should take the Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional exam if you have advanced production-level Terraform expertise in both configuration authoring and Terraform workflows. You will need to demonstrate your professional-level skills implementing and authoring Terraform modules, developing dynamic HCL configuration, and establishing scalable, collaborative workflows. Prerequisites: - Terraform Associate certification (strongly recommend, or equivalent experience required) - Linux skills, such as the ability to list and edit files via command terminal - Experience using cloud credentials - Familiarity with YAML, JSON, HCL, and CSV formats - Understanding of the networking stack and networking protocols, including TCP/IP and UDP - Advanced configuration authoring and a deep understanding of Terraform workflows **Assessment Type** Lab-based and multiple choice **Format** Online proctored **Duration** 4 hours; 15-min break included **Price** $295 USD, plus locally applicable taxes and fees. [Includes free retake](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360049773991). **Language** English **Credential Expiration** 2 years **Keyboard** US QWERTY only (contact [certifications@hashicorp.com](mailto:certifications@hashicorp.com) for other languages or layouts) **1** **Manage resource lifecycle** 1a Initialize a configuration using `terraform init` and its options 1b Generate an execution plan using `terraform plan` and its options 1c Apply configuration changes using `terraform apply` and its options 1d Destroy resources using `terraform destroy` and its options 1e Manage resource state, including importing resources and reconciling resource drift **2** **Develop and troubleshoot dynamic configuration** 2a Use language features to validate configuration 2b Query providers using data sources 2c Compute and interpolate data using HCL functions 2d Use meta-arguments in configuration 2e Configure input variables and outputs, including complex types 2f Analyze best practices for managing sensitive data, such as using Vault for secrets management **3** **Develop collaborative Terraform workflows** 3a Manage the Terraform binary, providers, and modules using version constraints 3b Configure remote state 3c Use the Terraform workflow in automation 3d Share data across configurations and workspaces **4** **Create, maintain, and use Terraform modules** 4a Create a module 4b Use a module in configuration 4c Refactor a module and use module versioning 4d Refactor an existing configuration into modules **5** **Configure and use Terraform providers** 5a Understand Terraform's plugin-based architecture 5b Configure providers, including aliasing, versioning, sourcing, and managing upgrades 5c Manage provider authentication 5d Troubleshoot provider errors **6** **Collaborate on infrastructure as code using HCP Terraform** 6a Analyze the HCP Terraform run workflow 6b Understand HCP Terraform workspaces and their configuration options, including access management 6c Manage provider credentials in HCP Terraform 6d Analyze policy as code and governance features To renew your certification, you will need to take and pass the Terraform Authoring & Operations Professional exam again. ### Unexpired certification - Retake the exam starting 6 months before your expiration date - Passing extends your current credentials' expiration date ### Expired certification - Retake the exam at any time - Passing gives you a new set of credentials with a new expiration date Learn more about recertification in our [Knowledge base](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9677396620941).