Adobe Certified Professional is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud software and foundational knowledge for digital media careers. Each certification is tied to one Creative Cloud application. Exams are developed and delivered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business.
What is the Adobe Certified Professional and who is it for?
Adobe Certified Professional is an industry-recognized credential that effectively validates one’s skills in Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Stand out in today’s competitive job market by becoming Adobe certified. Gains in credibility come from proof of must-have skills for on-the-job success, as well as potential advantages in hiring and advancement.
To view your badge verification page, click on the Share button. These Qualified Credential exams are free and on-demand, and while they are not formal certifications, you will receive a shareable badge to prove that you have validated your skills.
Experience and preparation requirements
150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience in an application are recommended before earning the certification. If you are an educator, Certiport offers learning products to help integrate the exams into curriculum, including practice tests, courseware, and textbooks. A wide range of free resources are available on the Adobe Education Exchange.
Finished learning? Taking a certification exam requires you have first taken a timed practice exam for that program and passed with a score of at least 85%.
Exam structure and delivery
Exams are designed to offer high-quality assessment by delivering them online through Certiport and, when needed, in Certiport Authorized Testing Centers. Each 50-minute exam includes a Questions section with selected-response items and a Tasks section with live-in-the-app activities inside real Adobe software.
With Certiport’s OnVUE remote option, you can certify from the comfort of your home or office. OnVUE delivery is currently limited to English-language exams. In-person testing is available at thousands of Certiport Authorized Testing Centers around the globe.
Selecting a product and getting started
Review the exam guide to choose a product and access its specific exam guide. This helps align study materials with the exact application and features tested.
Online and in-person testing options exist, with exams available in 12 languages. The path to certification can include practice tests, courseware, and textbooks, especially for educators planning to certify students.
Specialty credentials and progression
A Specialty Credential is automatically awarded after passing the second of two eligible certifications. For example, someone who is already certified for Adobe Premiere will receive a badge and certificate for the Video Design credential after passing either the Photoshop or After Effects exam. Both certifications must be earned through live-in-the-app exams (2018 or later).
To become an Adobe Certified Professional, candidates must pass a live-in-the-app exam. Certifications expire three years from the date of issue, becoming non-current thereafter.
How to administer and access exams
To deliver exams in your facility, you must register as a Certiport Authorized Testing Center. Certiport works with industry experts to design exams that connect your skills to in-demand jobs. If you are an educator or test center administrator, you can explore becoming an Adobe Certified Associate and guiding students through the certification process.
Washington State Library provides access to Free Certifications for residents, and in some cases, certifications are available at no cost to library card holders in certain counties. If you lack a library card, you can pursue other routes to certification and skill validation.
Benefits and value of certification
Certified professionals stand out in a crowded job market, with 75% of hiring managers noting that certifications signal high-quality candidates for creative jobs. Creative thinking remains a highly in-demand skill globally, as reported by major industry analyses.
Adobe partners with Certiport to offer performance-based exams that align with real-world tasks. The 150 hours of experience recommended, along with access to practice tests and courseware, help learners approach the exams with confidence.
Programs, championships, and community
The Adobe Certified Professional World Championship and National Championships provide students with opportunities to test design skills, network with peers globally, and compete for cash prizes. The Adobe Digital Experience Community offers ongoing learning opportunities on a journey from certification to higher expertise.
Join a thriving community of creative professionals on the path to career growth and success. Discover more about certification pathways, exam guides, and available resources to support educators and learners alike.
What’s new and specialty credentials: Creativity with Entrepreneurship
A new specialty credential in Creativity with Entrepreneurship helps turn creative expertise into business success. This credential is awarded after completing an eligible pair of certifications, linking two commonly used tools in industry workflows. For instance, earning a Premiere certification can yield a Video Design badge after passing a Photoshop or After Effects exam.
Specialty credentials validate cross-tool proficiency and strengthen portfolios for roles that blend design with strategic business outcomes.
Practical steps to get started
- Review the official exam guide for the chosen Creative Cloud product.
- Accumulate the recommended 150 hours of hands-on experience with the application.
- Utilize Certiport’s practice tests and educator resources to prepare.
- Take a timed practice exam and aim for at least 85% to qualify for the live exam.
- Choose between Certiport OnVUE remote testing or an in-person test center depending on preference and availability.
- Pass the live-in-the-app exam to become an Adobe Certified Professional.
Carefully plan for renewal every three years to maintain the credential’s current status and continue leveraging its professional benefits.
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