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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Hashicorp
Exam Format
60 min
Not disclosed
Associate
Registration
$70.5 USD
Online Proctored or online proctoring
English
Validity
2 years
Retake Vault Associate 003 exam (available 18 months after certification); Pass Vault Operations Professional exam; Expiration date extends on current credentials when retaking 003
VAULT-ASSOCIATE-003 Exam Topics and Domains
VAULT-ASSOCIATE-003 is organized into 9 weighted domains. Expect to work with AWS, AppRole, HCP Vault Dedicated, LDAP, and more.
1
Authentication methods
11%
Purpose and fundamentals of authentication
Define the purpose of authentication methodsChoose an authentication method based on use case
- Define the purpose of authentication methods
- Choose an authentication method based on use case
Human vs System authentication
Explain the difference between human & system authentication methods
Explain the difference between human vs. system authentication methods
Identity and access management
Define the purpose of identities and groups
Define the purpose of identities and groups
Authentication implementation
Authenticate to Vault using the API, CLI, and UIConfigure authentication methods using the API, CLI, and UI
- Authenticate to Vault using the API, CLI, and UI
- Configure authentication methods using the API, CLI, and UI
2
Vault policies
11%
Policy fundamentals
Explain the value of Vault policies
Explain the value of Vault policies
Policy syntax
Describe Vault policy: pathDescribe Vault policy: capabilities
- Describe Vault policy syntax: path
- Describe Vault policy syntax: capabilities
Policy management
Choose a Vault policy based on requirementsConfigure Vault policies using the UI and CLI
- Choose a Vault policy based on requirements
- Configure Vault policies using the UI and CLI
3
Vault tokens
11%
Token types
Choose between service and batch tokens based on use caseDescribe root token uses and lifecycle
- Choose between service and batch tokens based on use case
- Describe root token uses and lifecycle
Token metadata and lifecycle
Explain the purpose of token accessorsExplain the impact of time-to-liveExplain orphaned tokens
- Explain the purpose of token accessors
- Explain the impact of time-to-live
- Explain orphaned tokens
Token creation
Describe how to create tokens based on need
Describe how to create tokens based on need
4
Vault leases
6%
Lease management
Explain the purpose of a lease IDDescribe how to renew leasesDescribe how to revoke leases
- Explain the purpose of a lease ID
- Describe how to renew leases
- Describe how to revoke leases
5
Secrets engines
17%
Secrets engine fundamentals
Choose a secrets engine based on use caseDescribe the purpose of secrets engines
- Choose a secrets engine based on use case
- Describe the purpose of secrets engines
Static vs Dynamic secrets
Compare and contrast dynamic secrets vs. static secretsExplain the value of short-lived, dynamically generated secrets
- Compare and contrast dynamic secrets vs. static secrets, and know their use cases
- Explain the value of short-lived, dynamically generated secrets
Transit secrets engine
Describe the uses of transit secrets engine
Describe the uses of transit secrets engine
Response wrapping
Describe the use of response wrapping
Describe the use of response wrapping
Secrets engine operations
Enable secrets engines using the API, CLI, and UIAccess Vault secrets using the CLI, API, and UI
- Enable secrets engines using the CLI, API, and UI
- Access Vault secrets using the CLI, API, and UI
6
Encryption as a Service
6%
Transit encryption operations
Encrypt and decrypt secretsRotate the encryption key
- Encrypt and decrypt secrets
- Rotate the encryption key
7
Vault architecture fundamentals
11%
Vault encryption and sealing
Describe how Vault encrypts dataExplain how to seal and unseal Vault
- Describe how Vault encrypts data
- Explain how to seal and unseal Vault
Vault configuration
Configure environment variables
Configure environment variables
8
Vault deployment architecture
11%
Cluster architecture
Explain cluster strategy for self-managed and HashiCorp-managed clustersDifferentiate between self-managed and HashiCorp-managed Vault clusters
- Explain cluster strategy for self-managed and HashiCorp-managed Vault clusters
- Differentiate between self-managed and HashiCorp-managed Vault clusters
Storage and unsealing
Explain the uses of storage backendsExplain the uses of Shamir secret sharing and unsealing
- Explain the uses of storage backends
- Explain the uses of Shamir secret sharing and unsealing
Enterprise replication
Explain the uses of disaster recovery and performance replication
Explain the uses of disaster recovery and performance replication
9
Access management architecture
6%
Vault Agent
Describe the Vault Agent
Describe the Vault Agent
Vault Secrets Operator
Vault Secrets Operator
Describe the Vault Secrets Operator
How do I earn this certification?
Passing VAULT-ASSOCIATE-003 earns the HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate certification. It sits in the Security Automation track.
Current Level Exams
- Consul-Associate-003 - HashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate
- Terraform-Associate-003 - HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
Next Level Options
Alternative Paths
- Terraform-Associate-003 - HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateInfrastructure as Code complementary skills
- Consul-Associate-003 - HashiCorp Certified: Consul Associate Service mesh and networking security
- CKA - Certified Kubernetes AdministratorVault Kubernetes integration skills
- AWS-Security-Specialty - AWS Certified Security - SpecialtyCloud secrets management expertise
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for VAULT-ASSOCIATE-003.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-03-04
- Announcement date: 2023-01-01
Updates
- Vault 1.16 1.16.0 Current version tested in exam • Release date: 2024-04-15
- Vault Secrets Operator 0.10.0 New exam objective 9b • Release date: 2024-03-01
- HCP Vault Dedicated Latest Objective 8e focus • Release date: Continuous
Who should take this exam?
- Basic terminal skills
- Basic understanding of on premises/cloud architecture
- Basic level of security understanding
- Experience using Vault in production or demo environment