Esri Exam Retirement Policy FAQs

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Esri Exam Retirement Policy FAQs

The exam retirement policy is outlined on our website's Retirement Policy tab, but we understand that the website location contains brief text. This FAQ article addresses the most frequently asked questions. We recommend that you subscribe to this article to receive notifications and click this link to Ask Questions.

• Click here to access the Exam Retirement Schedule, retired exam learning plans, and exam information guides.  

What is the exam retirement?

When an exam is pending retirement, the exam has been removed from Esri Academy but candidates can still use the Pearson VUE Registration System to make an appointment and take the exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center or with OnVUE until the retirement date. 

When an exam is retired, the exam has been removed from Esri Academy and Pearson VUE Registration System, there are no longer any exam appointments available to sit for the exam.

Why do exams retire?

Every 18-24 months we review and update the exam content to ensure it reflects current industry adopted workflows and software best practices. 

Do all exams retire?

• Operational exams retire approximately 18-24 months from the exam's publication date.
• Beta exams are only available for a specific 2-3 weeks, they do not retire.

If an exam retires, does the certification retire?

No, to become an Esri Certified Individual, a candidate must earn a passing score on the high stakes proctored exam. Exam retirement only applies to exams, the certifications achieved are never retired.

What if I have been preparing to take an exam that is now pending retirement?

When an exam is pending retirement, candidates have approximately six moths to determine which version is the best choice. 

• Visit the Exam Retirement Schedule to access the learning plans and exam information guides.
• Compare the exam information guides for the new exam version with the exam information guide of the pending retirement version to determine if the older exam is still the best choice.
• Then review the retirement date and quickly register for the exam with Pearson VUE, appointment availability may be limited and the retirement date cannot be extended.

What if I purchased an exam voucher for an exam that is now pending retirement?

Exam vouchers are not exam specific. You can use the same exam voucher for any beta or operational exam. 

• When a new exam version is published, it represents the most up to date software and industry workflows.
• When a new exam version is published, the older exam version will retire within six months of the new exam version's publication date. 

What if I have already made an appointment with Pearson VUE to take an exam that is now pending retirement?

The Pearson VUE Registration System will honor all scheduled appointments before the retirement date.

• Appointments will not be offered past the exam retirement date.
• If an appointment is cancelled, it must be rescheduled before the exam retirement date. 
• There are no extensions to retirement dates.

We hope this FAQ was helpful, should you have any further questions, please visit our Questions Board to post a question or review the question board label content within our Vouchers-Registration-Delivery.