This article provides you with a quick look at key information unique to the ArcGIS Developer Foundation exam. As always, our key exam preparation resources begin with Esri Academy where you'll find exam details and access the exam's corresponding Learning Plan, and Esri Community where you'll find the Exam Information Guide (EIG). 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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Current Version: ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2026 – In Development
The 2026 exam version tests candidates' experience delivering applications that interact with the ArcGIS system and its SDKs. It expects the candidate to have up to 2 years of experience in creating, extending and customizing applications, publishing and managing content and user roles, authentication, and service types.
- 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 State: In Development – available to public 18 May 2026
- Exam Level: Foundation
- Exam Version: 2026
- Number of Questions: 75
- Exam Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Exam Digital Badge: ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2026 (Learn more about Esri digital badges here)
Previous Version: ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2201 - Pending Retirement 30 June 2026
The 2201 exam version is intended for candidates with at least 2+ years of applied experience using ArcGIS Developer. The exam serves as an entry point for developers. It tests the candidate's experience delivering applications that interact with the ArcGIS System and its APIs.
- 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 State: Available to public
- Exam Level: Foundation
- Exam Version: 2201
- Number of Questions: 65
- Exam Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Exam Digital Badge: ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2201 (Learn more about Esri digital badges here)
Exam Version Comparison – 2026 vs 2201
Key Differences:
- Number of Questions: # of questions changes due to # of sections, overall exam items/topics, and complexity of exam content among other factors.
- ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2026 exam has 75 questions
- ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2201 exam has 65 questions
- 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. Learn more about exam development below.
- ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2026 has 4 sections
- ArcGIS Developer Foundation 2201 exam has 4 sections
- The 2026 exam version was re-organized to align with current software version
Exam Information Guide (EIG) - Skills Measured Comparison
2026 Exam Version – In Development | 2201 Exam Version – Pending Retirement 30 June 2026 |
Content Management - % Pending Blueprint Survey | Content Management - 18% |
Demonstrate data hosting concepts | Demonstrate data hosting concepts |
Publish and manage data | Publish and manage data |
Identify data types | Identify data types |
Authentication & Security - % Pending Blueprint Survey | Authentication & Security - 17% |
Describe different authentication patterns | Describe different authentication patterns |
Register an application | Register an application |
Use a portal's sharing model | Use a portal's sharing model |
Solutions Design - % Pending Blueprint Survey | Solutions Design - 29% |
Determine which SDK to apply to a solution | Determine which API to apply to a solution |
Describe ArcGIS service capabilities | Describe ArcGIS service capabilities |
Identify end user types, roles, and privileges | Identify end user roles, privileges, and identities |
Apply the appropriate service capability to different scenarios | Apply the appropriate service capability to different scenarios |
Recognize when to use App Builders and templates | Recognize when to use Developer App Builders and templates |
Functionality & Visualization - % Pending Blueprint Survey | Functionality & Visualization - 35% |
Determine the appropriate styling method to apply to layers | Determine the appropriate styling method to apply to layers |
Describe core Arcade capabilities | Describe core Arcade capabilities |
Display 2D maps and 3D scenes | Display 2D maps and 3D scenes |
Determine when to use basic display and analysis | Determine when to use basic display and analysis |
Demonstrate ability to query and edit layers | Demonstrate ability to query and edit layers |
Identify the common cause for client issues | Identify the common cause for client issues |
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 how you can participate:
- Review our Exam Development blog to learn more about our exam development process
- 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.
