Become an Adobe Certified Professional
in 4 simple steps.

Whether you’re looking to kick-start a creative career, master the tools of your current trade, or just elevate your craft, earning an Adobe certification can help you stand out from the crowd.

By becoming an Adobe Certified Professional, you gain demonstrable knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud software plus essential skills for careers in brand marketing, digital media, and beyond. Read on to discover the benefits of certification as well as the 4 steps to becoming certified.

1.

Finding the right certification for you

2.

 Preparing for your exam

3.

Take a practice test.

4.

4. Take and pass an exam

What’s an Adobe Certified Professional?

Adobe Certified Professional is the industry-recognized certification that demonstrates proficiency in a Creative Cloud app as well as foundational knowledge for a digital media career. (Prior to 2021, the certification was known as Adobe Certified Associate.)

To earn a certification, you’ll need to pass a 50-minute exam that’s integrated with an Adobe app, developed by industry experts, and delivered exclusively through Certiport and their global network of testing centers.

Adobe partnered with Certiport, the leader in performance-based testing, to establish the Adobe Certified Professional program in response to the ever-growing demand for a skilled creative workforce.

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What’s the value of becoming an Adobe Certified Professional?

Creative Cloud is the collection of creative apps used across industries as well as digital media and design fields. By validating their knowledge of powerful apps like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator as well as creative best practices, Adobe Certified Professionals stand out to employers, clients, and collaborators who seek artistic talent, technical know-how, and the drive to work smarter.

Although portfolios and demo reels are critical to hiring in creative fields, they don’t always tell the full story. Adobe Certified Professional badges garner attention and trust by demonstrating the practical skills necessary for success on the job.

Mastering the tools of the trade also enhances creativity and productivity. By preparing for certification, creators fill gaps in their knowledge and improve their workflows, allowing them to produce higher-quality work with greater ease. Learn more about the benefits of certification.

4 steps to becoming an Adobe Certified Professional

Review the steps below to see how to get prepared and schedule your exams.

1. Find the certification that’s right for you

What would you like to create? What kinds of jobs or fields interest you? To become an Adobe Certified Professional, the first step is to identify the Creative Cloud app and certification that align with your creative and career goal.Certification choices are as follows:

If you’re entirely new to Creative Cloud, register for a free trial or membership  and start exploring. Adobe offers a wide variety of projects, tutorials, and inspiring ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

2. Prepare for your exam with learning resources designed to help you succeed.

Once you’ve got a certification in mind, it’s time to build your skills and start creating. Each exam requires roughly 150 hours of hands-on experience and instruction. Also, you’ll need to be able to work quickly in your chosen app during the exam in order to complete all the questions and live-in-the-app tasks within 50 minutes.  

The most essential resource is the exam guide, which combines the objectives for a certification exam with relevant tutorials, articles, and practice test items. Review this content closely and identify areas where you may need to study or practice.  

For more comprehensive instruction, consider investing in learning products, textbooks, or live training.

3. Take a CertPrep practice test.

Studies have shown that practice exams are the best way to prepare for actual tests. In fact, many students’ scores notably improve between a simulated test and the official test.

Certiport’s practice tests, powered by GMetrix software, offer self-paced and timed activities with live-in-the-app tasks and selected-response items, as well as reporting features that help identify potential gaps in your knowledge.

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4. Take and pass an exam through our partners at Certiport.

You can take Adobe Certified Professional exams online or at a Certiport Authorized Testing Center. When you’re ready to register, you can purchase and schedule online or find a testing center near you.

For online exams, make sure to closely review all instructions and technical requirements provided by the test center or Certiport, such as clearing your workspace, having a good internet connection, and registering with the name on the government-issued ID that you’ll be showing the proctor.  

For in-person exams, arrive at the test center early, bring your government-issued ID, and follow any other instructions provided by the facility.

Before the exam officially begins, you’ll watch a short tutorial designed to familiarize you with the exam interface. Then, it’s go time!  

Each exam includes a Questions section with selected-response items followed by a Tasks section with live-in-the-app activities inside the relevant Creative Cloud app. Both sections must be completed by the end of the 50-minute session. You’ll receive a score report immediately following the exam.

Once you pass, showcase your success.

You’ll receive an official certificate through your Certiport online account as well as an invitation to claim a digital badge. Show off your achievement and attract attention from potential clients and hiring managers by adding your badge to your portfolio, website, resume, LinkedIn profile, and email signature.

Get started on your journey to becoming an Adobe Certified Professional.

Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of getting Adobe certified?

In the current career landscape, Creative Cloud certifications and skills are in high demand. As an Adobe Certified Professional, you can gain a competitive edge by proving that you have practical design and digital media skills.
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Employers, clients, and hiring managers seek innovative creators with the technical know-how to match. Adobe Certified Professionals stand out because they’ve validated these coveted skills through certification in the world’s most powerful apps for graphic design, video editing, and more. In short, becoming educated and certified boosts your credibility and confidence and helps organizations find or train the talent they need.

Discover even more benefits of becoming an Adobe Certified Professional.

How can I prepare for an Adobe Certified Professional exam?

There are Adobe Certified Professional exam guides and details for each certification: 

Are you ready to get certified?

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