ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Professional Certification Exam

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This article provides you with a quick look at key information unique to this ArcGIS Enterprise exam, the level, and its exam versions. 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 Enterprise System Design Professional 2025 – In Development

The 2025 exam version is intended for candidates with at least 4+ years of applied experience using ArcGIS Enterprise. The exam tests the candidate’s ability to design an advanced GIS for clients that may include custom solutions for unique projects and use cases using best practices.

• Exam Details Page in Esri Academy (Access exam learning plan, buy exam vouchers)
• Exam Information Guide in Esri Community (view detailed exam information, access exam preparation resources)
• Exam State: In Development – available to public 13 November 2025
• Exam Level: Professional
• Exam Version: 2025
• Number of Questions: 75
• Exam Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Exam Digital Badge: ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Professional 2025 (Learn more about Esri digital badges here)

Previous Version: Enterprise System Design Professional 2201 – Pending retirement December 31, 2025

The professional level indicates skills and experience with Esri software at 4+ years of experience.  Target audience includes roles such as: GIS administrators, GIS managers, GIS consultants, partners with experience in GIS architecture and designing enterprise systems.

• Exam Details Page in Esri Academy (Access exam learning plan, buy exam vouchers)
• Exam Information Guide in Esri Community (view detailed exam information, access exam preparation resources)
• Exam State: Pending Retirement – retiring 31 December 2025 (learn more about exam retirement here)
• Exam Level: Professional
• Exam Version: 2201
• Number of Questions: 65
• Exam Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
• Exam Digital Badge: Enterprise System Design Professional 2201 (Learn more about Esri digital badges here)

Exam Version Comparison – 2025 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 Enterprise System Design Professional 2025 exam has 75 questions
  • ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Professional 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 Enterprise System Design Professional 2025 has 4 sections
  • ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Professional 2201 exam has 4 sections
  • The 4 section topics have remained the same between exam versions
  • 2025 exam version re-organized to align with current software version

ArcGIS Enterprise System Design Professional 2025 – in development	Enterprise System Design Professional 2201 – pending retirement 31 December 2025
Physical Architecture - % Pending Blueprint Survey	Physical Architecture - 37%
Apply procedural concepts to document physical architecture that will meet nonfunctional requirements	Apply procedural concepts to document physical architecture that will meet non functional requirements
Design a highly available deployment	Design a highly available deployment
Identify the URLs used in ArcGIS Enterprise federation	Identify the URLs used in ArcGIS Enterprise federation
Given a scenario, use system design inputs to calculate required server capacities	Given a scenario, use system design inputs to calculate required server capacities
Identify supported storage types for on-premises and cloud-based data sources	Identify supported storage types for on-premises and cloud-based data sources
Design a load balancer configuration for a highly available ArcGIS Enterprise system	Design a load balancer configuration for a highly available ArcGIS Enterprise system
Given a scenario, use knowledge of IT to design a system	Given a scenario, use knowledge of IT to design a system
Apply procedural concepts to adjust architecture to meet constraints	Apply procedural concepts to adjust architecture to meet constraints
Identify the systems requirements for a server role	Identify the systems requirements for a server role
Given a scenario, determine which VDI configuration to use	Given a scenario, determine which VDI configuration to use
Solution Architecture - % Pending Blueprint Survey	Solution Architecture - 26%
Identify ArcGIS Solutions that will be required in the design	Identify ArcGIS Solutions that will be required in the design
Identify ArcGIS products that will be required in the design	Identify ArcGIS products that will be required in the design
Identify ArcGIS Server roles/extensions that will be required in the design	Identify ArcGIS Server roles/extensions that will be required in the design
Identify appropriate Data Store Roles	Identify appropriate Data Store Roles
Given a scenario, determine authentication methods based on business needs	Given a scenario, determine authentication methods based on business needs
Adjust architectural solution to meet constraints	Adjust architectural solution to meet constraints
Deployment and Troubleshooting - % Pending Blueprint Survey	Deployment and Troubleshooting - 15%
Apply procedural concepts to select a migration strategy	Apply procedural concepts to select a migration strategy
Identify potential system integration issues	Identify potential system integration issues
Interpret results and data from tools	Interpret results and data from tools
Design a deployment plan for an automated cloud deployment	Design a deployment plan for an automated cloud deployment
Determine which ArcGIS Monitor counter/extension to use	Determine which ArcGIS Monitor counter/extension to use
Architectural Concepts - % Pending Blueprint Survey	Architectural Concepts - 22%
Determine when to use workload separation	Determine when to use workload separation
Design system based on environment isolation needs	Design system based on environment isolation needs
Determine which type of Collaboration to use based on requirements	Determine which type of Collaboration to use based on requirements
Apply procedural concepts to identify a content delivery strategy	Apply procedural concepts to identify a content delivery strategy
Identify methods for backup, replication and/or resiliency	Identify methods for backup, replication and/or resiliency
Given a scenario, determine when to use tiered architectures	Given a scenario, determine when to use tiered architectures

Participate in 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:

1. Review our Exam Development blog to learn more about our exam development process
2. View upcoming exam participation opportunities and RSVP to events that interest you on our Exam Development Participation board. 
1. Subscribe to the event board to receive notifications when new exam development events are added.

Best to you on your Certification Journey!