VMware Telco Cloud Exams Set for Retirement: What Candidates Must Know Before December 2025
VMware has announced a major update to its Telco Cloud certification program, signaling a shift toward cloud-native, automation-driven, and 5G-ready telecom environments. As part of this transition, several well-known exams will be retired on December 15, 2025. If you are currently preparing for any VMware Telco Cloud exams, this update is important to help you plan your certification path successfully.
Exams That Will Be Retired
The following VMware certifications will no longer be offered after Dec. 15, 2025:
| Exam Code | Exam Name | Focus Area |
| 5V0-37.22 | VMware Telco Cloud NFV Skills | Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), storage & network virtualization |
| 5V0-44.21 | VMware Telco Cloud Automation Skills | Automation, Zero Touch Provisioning, CNF deployment |
| 5V0-36.22 | VMware Telco Cloud Platform Specialist Skills [v2] | Full lifecycle of the Telco Cloud Platform |
These credentials currently validate critical skills for virtualized telecom infrastructure deployment and operation.
Transition to New Cloud-Native Exams After October 31, 2025
VMware will release updated exam replacements starting after October 31, 2025, aligned with:
●5G-centric architectures
●Cloud-native network functions (CNFs)
●Kubernetes-driven workloads
●AI-powered network automation
●Modern Telco Cloud Platform evolution (including Tanzu stack)
This change reflects the telecommunications industry's move away from traditional NFV toward programmable, distributed cloud networks.
Important Timeline to Remember
| Key Date | Change |
| After Oct 31, 2025 | New certification exams become available |
| Dec 15, 2025 | Current exams retire permanently |
| Beyond 2026 | New certifications become standard for Telco Cloud professionals |
How to Prepare Now
If you plan to complete the existing exams, here are smart next steps:
●Start with 5V0-37.22 if you need NFV fundamentals
●Move into automation skills with 5V0-44.21
●Finish with platform specialization in 5V0-36.22
●Gather hands-on practice in VMware Telco Cloud environments
●Consider VMware training or exam practice resources
The retirement of these exams is not an end - it's a major skill evolution. VMware is future-proofing certifications to ensure telecom engineers can lead in:
Cloud-native 5G deployment
Multi-cloud network orchestration
Edge computing automation
By planning ahead, you can either finish your current certification goals or prepare to adopt the advanced exams rolling out soon.
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