Terraform Associate Exam Update: 003 Retiring, 004 Launching on January 8, 2026

HashiCorp has officially announced an important update to its popular Terraform Associate certification. The current exam version, Terraform Associate 003, will retire on January 7, 2026, and a new version - Terraform Associate 004 - will launch on January 8, 2026. This transition ensures the certification aligns with the latest Terraform features, best practices, and cloud automation workflows. Here's everything you need to know about the update, key dates, and how to prepare for the new version.

Overview of the Terraform Associate Certification

The Terraform Associate certification validates foundational knowledge of HashiCorp Terraform, the industry-leading Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tool used to provision and manage cloud resources across multiple providers.

It's designed for:

●Cloud engineers

●DevOps professionals

●Infrastructure administrators

●Developers who use Terraform in daily operations

The certification confirms a candidate's ability to use Terraform to manage cloud infrastructure efficiently and securely.

After January 8, 2026, the 003 version will no longer be available. Anyone who schedules or retakes the exam after this date will automatically take the 004 version.

Note: If you fail the 003 exam near its retirement date, your retake attempt will be for the 004 version.

What's New in Terraform Associate 004

Terraform is continuously evolving - and so must its certification. The Terraform Associate 004 exam will test skills aligned with Terraform 1.12, compared to version 1.3 for the 003 exam.

New Exam Objectives Include:

●Lifecycle Rules - Understanding depends_on, create_before_destroy, and other lifecycle behaviors.

●Custom Validation Rules - Applying validation conditions for variables and configurations.

●Ephemeral Values and Write-Only Arguments - Managing transient data securely.

●HCP Terraform Workspaces and Projects - Organizing and managing Terraform Cloud environments effectively.

These updates reflect Terraform's recent feature growth and emphasize best practices for using Terraform Cloud and HashiCorp Cloud Platform (HCP).

Exam Format and Details

Despite content updates, the exam format remains consistent:

Type: Multiple choice, online proctored 

Duration: 1 hour 

Cost: USD $70.50 

Validity: 2 years

Both 003 and 004 share the same structure, but 004 will include refreshed terminology, improved scenario-based questions, and updated objective mappings.

Recommendations for Candidates

If You Haven't Taken the Exam Yet

You have two options:

Take 003 Before It Retires: Ideal if you’re already studying Terraform 1.3 content or using current training materials.

Prepare for 004 (Terraform 1.12): Best if you plan to take the exam in 2026 or are already using newer Terraform features.

If You’re a Current 003 Certified Professional

Your Terraform Associate 003 credential remains valid for two years from your pass date. When it's time to renew, you'll recertify with the 004 version - ensuring your credential reflects the latest Terraform practices.

How to Prepare for Terraform Associate 004

To get ready for the new version:

●Review Terraform 1.12 documentation and new feature announcements.

●Study updated exam objectives once they are published by HashiCorp.

●Practice using HCP Terraform, focusing on workspace and project management.

●Leverage official HashiCorp Learn tutorials to align with new lifecycle and validation features.

●Join study groups or community forums to discuss changes and share experiences.

Why This Update Matters

The move from 003 to 004 isn’t just a version bump - it's a reflection of HashiCorp's ongoing commitment to ensuring that certified professionals stay aligned with the latest automation standards.

As Terraform continues to evolve, certifications like the Terraform Associate exam help professionals demonstrate current, in-demand skills that employers recognize and trust.

With Terraform's growing importance across multi-cloud environments, staying current is essential. The Terraform Associate 004 exam, launching on January 8, 2026, is your opportunity to validate your expertise with the most up-to-date version of Terraform. Whether you're preparing for your first Terraform certification or planning your recertification path, now's the perfect time to plan your study timeline and stay ahead of the curve.