Preparing for an exam - FAQ

Designed for the digital world, the SAP Certification program empowers professionals to validate skills and gain recognition anywhere along their career paths, from beginner to advanced level learning accomplishments. The transition to a role-based certification program provides a tremendous opportunity for SAP professionals to close the global digital skills gap by aligning their future-focused skills to the most in-demand jobs in our customer and partner ecosystem.

Accessible through the redesigned SAP Learning Hub, the enhanced SAP Certification program offers premium learning resources created to help organizations and their people learn and certify their skills faster. Program elements include:

• Earn a record of achievement
• Get certified
• Stay certified

The redesigned SAP Certification program makes it easier and faster for you to get and stay certified, to identify next career steps and goals, and ensure you have the latest skills and valid credentials on the newest SAP innovations tailored to your role and responsibility.

To get and stay certified: 
SAP Learning Hub subscription
Access to expert-led live sessions, on-demand practice systems, enhanced analytics, four certification exam attempts, and short, non-proctored assessments to stay certified.  Exclusive solution that provides everything you need to prepare for, take, and maintain your SAP Certifications, with one single subscription. Annual subscription cost per user. Available directly on SAP Store or by contacting your SAP representative.  
SAP PartnerEdge members can learn more about and subscribe to SAP Learning Hub, partner edition.  

To get certified: 
SAP Certification exam, one attempt or SAP Certification exam, six attempts: Includes one or six exam attempts that you can purchase to get certified. These offerings do not include access to assessments to stay certified. 

SAP Certification exam, two attempts: 
Includes two exam attempts, plus 10 hours of hands-on practice system access. Does not include assessments to stay certified. You can purchase on the SAP Store.  

Staying certified 
The simplest path to staying certified is through an SAP Learning Hub subscription, which includes yearly assessments and preparation content to stay certified. These assessments are short, non-proctored quizzes with unlimited attempts, and must be successfully completed before your certification expiry date. Alternatively, if you don’t have a subscription to SAP Learning Hub, you will need to retake the certification exam(s) every year. 

SAP offers a streamlined option for anyone who needs a quick start or has immediate certification requirements. SAP Certification exam, two attempts is ideal if you want to complement SAP Learning Hub subscriptions, and it includes: 

• Two exam attempts: You can choose to take an exam in two different certifications or have a second chance to successfully complete one certification. 
• 10 hours of access to certification-relevant hands-on practice systems. 
• Single-user subscription (non-transferable once assigned). 
• With a subscription to SAP Learning Hub, leverage analytics to track and manage your learning journey, including status and certifications for your team 
• Does not include assessments to stay certified. To stay certified, a subscription to SAP Learning Hub is needed. 
• You can purchase on the SAP Store. 

An SAP Certification exam is a comprehensive evaluation of the skills required to earn a certification in a specific SAP solution or role. Starting in November 2025, SAP is moving to a new certification approach that leverages a practical, performance-based format and validates applied skills in real SAP environments through system-based and scenario-based assessments. All certifications will transition to this new approach by Q2 2026.
For more details, explore SAP Certification or check out our SAP Certification practical exams - FAQ.

In contrast to exams to get certified, assessments to stay certified are short, non-proctored quizzes with unlimited trials. The assessment covers only the knowledge needed between software releases to make sure learners stay continuously up to date with solution updates. Additionally, with an SAP Learning Hub subscription, learners have access to dedicated learning materials, like live sessions to prepare for the assessments. Stay certified assessments are accessible only with an SAP Learning Hub subscription.

If a learner doesn’t have an SAP Learning Hub subscription to complete the stay certified assessment and their SAP Certification expires, they need to retake the full SAP Certification exam. Please note that if candidates fail an exam, they must use another SAP Certification exam attempt and retake it. Certification exam options include:

• one exam attempt,
• two attempts,
• six attempts,
• or purchasing an SAP Learning Hub subscription which includes four exam attempts per year.

SAP Certification plays a critical role in acquiring the validated, in-demand skills that are essential for building sustainable organizations, championing project success, and fostering career growth. SAP Certification also introduces a comprehensive, industry-standard approach to developing and maintaining a relevant, skilled workforce.

SAP Certification differentiates professionals in the market and sets you apart with trusted expertise and globally recognized credibility. Access to future-focused learning resources, role- and product-based certifications, and regular assessments help you elevate your career prospects and stay updated on the latest innovations and evolving products and solutions. Certifications will keep your skills relevant and ahead of the curve so you can accelerate your career and earning potential.

SAP offers various certifications to prove the ability to apply SAP skills to your field of expertise. Certifications can verify your skills in strategic topics and positioning SAP solutions with theoretical and practical exams.  

They can also help prove technical and hands-on skills for successful implementations, for various skill levels: 

• Associate certification
  Covers the fundamental knowledge required to become an SAP consultant, ensuring the successful acquisition of broad SAP solution knowledge and skills.
• Specialist certification
  Offered in addition to an Associate certification, this type focuses on a specific role or integration component. 
• Professional certification
  This advanced certification requires proven project experience, business process knowledge, and a more detailed understanding of SAP solutions. 
  

All currently available certifications can be found  here.

With the introduction of SAP Universal ID, all your SAP Certification related activities, like seeing your passed certifications or following your certification validity will require a valid SAP Universal ID, with two e-mail addresses assigned.

Please follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to create an SAP Universal ID.

SAP Certifications continue to evolve to reflect how professionals work and deliver results in the AI era. Certifications are increasingly performance-based and scenario-driven, validating real-world skills that ensure certified professionals can work effectively in SAP environments. This evolution strengthens confidence in SAP Certification as a trusted benchmark for proven, job-ready expertise.

SAP has worked closely with an advisory council of SAP customers, partners, and mentors to enhance the value of certification and exams.

SAP is expanding its certification portfolio for everyone at SAP partner firms who aims for a validated skill set, including practical exams to position SAP solutions with only one-hour exams. The first new certifications are now available for SAP partners to position SAP Business Suite. With new dedicated learning journeys to prepare for these exams, you can access self-paced courses and practical exercises to hone your skills. 

Solution area/buying center business certification: 

• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Technology Platform as part of SAP Business Suite 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite via SAP Financial Management Solutions 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite via SAP Spend Management Solutions 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite via SAP Supply Chain Management Solutions
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite via SAP SuccessFactors HCM Solutions 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite via SAP Customer Experience Solutions 
  

Cross-business certification: 

• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business Suite 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Business AI Solutions as part of SAP Business Suite 
• SAP Certified Associate - Positioning SAP Sustainability Solutions as part of SAP Business Suite 

Learners at SAP partner firms can pass these certifications by: 

• Preparing with dedicated learning journeys that offer various course formats to optimally prepare learners for certification 
• Preparation times start at six hours and are shorter than most other certifications 
• Certification includes practical exams via pitch and demo evaluations 
• Exam in digital proctored environment averages 30 questions and takes about 60 minutes 

Certified professionals can benefit from added values, such as: 

• Greater understanding of SAP solutions, features, and business applications. 
• Increased trust and credibility by showing an understanding of SAP’s real-world business impact. 
• Higher revenue potential due to validated skills and insights in integrated product offerings. 
• Increased competitive advantage as a certified expert. 

SAP Certification currently offers two complementary exam approaches that will run in parallel through 2026. Some certifications continue to use proctored exams, where candidates answer multiple-choice questions within a secure, time-bound, and supervised environment. In November 2025, SAP introduced a practical, open-book exam format
evaluates how candidates apply their skills in real SAP environments through system-based and scenario-based assessments.

Both approaches lead to a trusted SAP Certification credential and are supported through learning journeys, hands-on practice, and other learning resources.
For more details, check out our SAP Certification FAQ.