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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Hashicorp
Exam Format
60 min
57
Not disclosed
Associate
Registration
English
Validity
2 years
Retake the same exam after 18 months; Pass a higher-level certification exam
TERRAFORM-ASSOCIATE Exam Topics and Domains
TERRAFORM-ASSOCIATE is organized into 9 weighted domains. Expect to work with HCP Terraform, Terraform Registry, AWS S3, HashiCorp Vault, and more.
1
Understand Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Concepts
10%
Explain what IaC is
Infrastructure as Code fundamentals
- Define Infrastructure as Code and its purpose
- Understand how IaC differs from traditional infrastructure management
Describe advantages of IaC patterns
IaC benefits and patterns
- List advantages of Infrastructure as Code
- Explain IaC patterns and best practices
2
Understand the Purpose of Terraform
10%
Explain multi-cloud and provider-agnostic benefits
Multi-cloud capabilities
- Understand Terraform's multi-cloud capabilities
- Explain provider-agnostic benefits
Explain the benefits of state
Terraform state management
- Explain why Terraform uses state
- Describe benefits of state management
3
Understand Terraform Basics
15%
Install and version Terraform providers
Provider installation and versioning
- Install Terraform providers
- Configure provider version constraints
- Understand dependency lock files
Describe plugin-based architecture
Plugin architecture
- Understand Terraform's plugin-based architecture
- Explain how providers work as plugins
Write Terraform configuration using multiple providers
Multi-provider configurations
- Configure multiple providers in one configuration
- Use provider aliases effectively
Describe how Terraform finds and fetches providers
Provider discovery and installation
- Understand provider discovery mechanism
- Explain provider installation process
4
Use Terraform Outside of Core Workflow
10%
Describe when to use terraform import to import existing infrastructure into your Terraform state
Import existing infrastructure
- Import existing infrastructure into Terraform state
- Understand import use cases and limitations
Use terraform state to view Terraform state
State inspection commands
- Use terraform state commands
- Inspect and understand state contents
Describe when to enable verbose logging and what the outcome is
Debug and troubleshooting
- Enable and configure Terraform logging
- Use logs for troubleshooting
5
Interact with Terraform Modules
10%
Contrast and use different module source options
Module sources
- Use various module source options
- Choose appropriate module sources
Interact with module inputs and outputs
Module variables and outputs
- Define and use module inputs
- Access and use module outputs
Describe variable scope within modules/child modules
Variable scoping
- Understand variable scope in modules
- Apply proper variable scoping practices
Set module version
Module versioning
- Specify module version constraints
- Manage module versions effectively
6
Use the Core Terraform Workflow
15%
Describe Terraform workflow (Write -> Plan -> Create)
Core workflow stages
- Understand the core Terraform workflow
- Apply workflow best practices
Initialize a Terraform working directory
terraform init
- Initialize Terraform working directories
- Understand initialization process
Validate a Terraform configuration
terraform validate
- Validate Terraform configurations
- Understand validation scope
Generate and review an execution plan
terraform plan
- Generate Terraform plans
- Interpret plan output
Execute changes to infrastructure
terraform apply
- Apply Terraform configurations
- Handle apply scenarios
Destroy Terraform managed infrastructure
terraform destroy
- Destroy infrastructure safely
- Understand destroy implications
Apply formatting
terraform fmt
- Format Terraform configurations
- Apply formatting standards
7
Implement and Maintain State
15%
Describe default local backend
Local backend
- Understand local backend
- Manage local state files
Describe state locking
State locking mechanisms
- Understand state locking
- Handle lock issues
Handle backend and cloud integration authentication
Backend authentication
- Configure backend authentication
- Secure credential management
Differentiate remote state storage mechanisms and supported standard backends
Remote backends
- Compare remote backend options
- Configure remote backends
Manage resource drift and Terraform state
Drift detection and management
- Detect and manage drift
- Maintain state accuracy
Describe backend block and cloud integration in configuration
Backend configuration
- Configure backend blocks
- Migrate between backends
Understand secret management in state files
Secrets in state
- Manage secrets in state files
- Implement state security
8
Read, Generate, and Modify Configuration
15%
Demonstrate use of variables and outputs
Variables and outputs
- Define and use variables
- Create and reference outputs
Describe secure secret injection best practice
Secret injection
- Implement secure secret handling
- Use external secret stores
Understand the use of collection and structural types
Complex types
- Use collection and structural types
- Apply type constraints
Create and differentiate resource and data configuration
Resources vs data sources
- Create resource configurations
- Use data sources effectively
Use resource addressing and resource parameters
Resource addressing
- Address resources correctly
- Reference resource attributes
Use HCL and Terraform functions
Built-in functions
- Use Terraform built-in functions
- Apply functions in configurations
Describe built-in dependency management
Dependency management
- Understand dependency management
- Control resource dependencies
9
Understand HCP Terraform Capabilities
10%
Explain how HCP Terraform helps manage infrastructure
HCP Terraform infrastructure management
- Understand HCP Terraform capabilities
- Explain infrastructure management features
Describe how HCP Terraform enables collaboration and governance
Collaboration featuresVersion control integration
- Describe collaboration features
- Understand governance capabilities
How do I earn this certification?
Passing TERRAFORM-ASSOCIATE earns the HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate certification. It sits in the Infrastructure Automation track.
Current Level Exams
- Terraform-Associate-003 - Terraform Associate
- Vault-Associate-003 - Vault Associate
- Consul-Associate-003 - Consul Associate
Next Level Options
Alternative Paths
- Vault-Associate-003 - Vault AssociateComplementary secrets management skills
- Consul-Associate-003 - Consul Associate Service mesh and networking skills
- AWS-SAA-C03 - AWS Solutions Architect Associate Cloud platform expertise complements IaC skills
- AZ-104 - Microsoft Azure AdministratorAzure platform skills for multi-cloud IaC
- CKA - Certified Kubernetes AdministratorKubernetes infrastructure management
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for TERRAFORM-ASSOCIATE is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2023-05-19
- Announcement date: 2023-02-01
Updates
- Terraform Stacks Public Beta Likely to be included in future exam updates • Release date: 2024-10-15
- Import Blocks 1.5+ Now covered in exam objectives • Release date: 2023-06-12
- terraform test framework 1.6+ May appear in future exam versions • Release date: 2023-10-04
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Cloud Engineers and DevOps Engineers.
- Basic terminal skills
- Basic understanding of on-premises and cloud architecture
- Experience using Terraform in production (helpful but not required)