This article provides you with a quick look at key information unique to the ArcGIS API for Python Associate exam. Per the key exam preparation resources article, exam selection and preparation begin with Esri Academy. Here you'll find exam details and have access to the corresponding Learning Plan and a link to Esri Community for the Exam Information Guide (EIG) and this exam comparison article. Here is an article to help you select the exam that’s right for you: A Personalized Approach to Exam Selection.
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New Version: ArcGIS API for Python Associate 2026
Available to Public: Published Date 25 June 2026
The 2026 exam version expects the candidate to have 2–4 years of experience in GIS administration, content management, visualization, and analysis using the ArcGIS API for Python.
- Exam Details Page in Esri Academy (Access exam learning plan, buy exam vouchers)
- Exam Information Guide (EIG) in Esri Community (view detailed exam information, access exam preparation resources)
- Exam Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Previous Version: ArcGIS API for Python Associate 2024
Pending Retirement 30 June 2026
The 2024 exam version tests the candidate's experience with the ArcGIS API for Python. This exam validates skills related to GIS administration, content management, visualization, and analysis.
- Exam Details Page in Esri Academy Catalog (Access exam learning plan, buy exam vouchers)
- Exam Information Guide in Esri Community (view detailed exam information, access exam preparation resources)
- Exam Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Learn more about exam retirement here.
Exam Version Comparison – 2026 vs 2024
Key Differences
- Exam Blueprint: The exam blueprint is the information outlined in the Exam Information Guide (EIG). This is created as a result of exam development efforts in collaboration with ArcGIS users like yourself.
- The 2024 exam version was aligned with software version 2.1.0.3 (March 6, 2023 release)
- The 2026 exam version was re-organized to align with current software version 2.4.2 (October 13, 2025 release)
Exam Information Guide (EIG) – Skills Measured Comparison
2026 Exam Version – In Development | 2024 Exam Version – Pending Retirement 30 June 2026 |
Administration - 31% | Administration - 29% |
Identify portal/organization settings | Identify portal/organization settings |
Identify techniques for managing items, groups, and users | Identify techniques for managing items, groups, and users |
Given a scenario, use the GIS module to manage items, groups, and users | Given a scenario, use the GIS module to manage items, groups, and users |
Content Management - 32% | Content Management - 29% |
Identify tools for managing content | Identify tools for managing content |
Describe the process for managing content | Describe the process for managing content |
Given a scenario, use the map and features modules to create and manage web map layers | Given a scenario, use the GIS, features, mapping, and widgets modules to create and edit web map layers |
Given a set of requirements, use the gis module to publish and update items | Given a set of requirements, use the GIS or features module to publish items |
Visualization - 20% | Visualization - 20% |
Identify tools for creating and editing web map and web scene layers | Identify tools for creating and editing web map layers |
Identify strategies for visualizing non-spatial data | Identify strategies for visualizing non-spatial data |
Given a scenario, use the map and features modules to visualize map content | Given a scenario, use the GIS, features, and mapping modules to visualize map content |
Analyze - 17% | Analyze - 22% |
Given a scenario, identify the appropriate type of analysis | Given a scenario, identify the appropriate type of analysis |
Given a scenario, use the geocode, geometry, features, and raster modules to analyze data | Given a scenario, use the geoenrichment, geocode, geometry, features, network and raster modules to analyze data |
Use spatially enabled DataFrames to prepare data for analysis (GeoAccessor, GeoSeriesAccessor, pandas DataFrame) | Given a dataset, use Spatially-Enabled DataFrames to conduct analysis (GeoAccessor, GeoSeriesAccessor, pandas DataFrame) |
We hope you will engage with us during the next exam update process
Exams are updated every 18-24 months, and we welcome ArcGIS users and Subject Matter Experts to help shape the validity of our exam content. Your participation is critical to the success of our program, and your feedback is key to ensuring that the exam enhancements meet the needs of our GIS Industry. To learn more about exam development, visit our Esri Certification Exam Development blog.
How you can participate:
- View upcoming exam participation opportunities and RSVP to events that interest you on our Exam Development Participation board.
- Subscribe to the event board to receive notifications when new exam development events are added.
