Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$6,000 (review board exam)
Provider
Salesforce
Validity
Annual maintenance
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific Requirements
- Salesforce Certified Application Architect credential, which Salesforce grants automatically after you pass Platform App Builder, Platform Developer I, Platform Data Architect and Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect.
- Salesforce Certified System Architect credential, granted after you pass Platform Developer I, Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect, Identity and Access Management Architect and Platform Integration Architect.
- Because Platform Developer I counts toward both, the distinct requirement is seven underlying certification exams.
- You must pass the Architect Review Board Evaluation, step 1, before sitting the Technical Architect Review Board Exam, step 2.
- Salesforce's exam guide describes the target candidate as having 5 or more years of implementation experience across the full software development lifecycle, 3 or more years in an architect role, and 2 or more years on the Lightning Platform with at least one year in a lead architect role. This is an audience description rather than a documented eligibility check.
- Salesforce states that review board spots are prioritised for candidates demonstrating commitment to preparation, taking into account platform experience, mentorship and preparation work.
Number of Questions
No fixed question count. Both steps present one hypothetical customer scenario that you must solution, present and defend under questioning from the board.
Duration
Architect Review Board Evaluation: 60 minutes preparation, 30 minutes presentation, 30 minutes Q&A, 45 minutes feedback and discussion. Technical Architect Review Board Exam: 180 minutes preparation, 45 minutes presentation, 40 minutes Q&A.
Question Format
Hypothetical enterprise scenario requiring a complete architecture design, Live presentation of the solution to a panel of CTA judges, Oral question and answer defending design decisions and trade-offs, Artefact production during preparation time, typically system landscape and data model diagrams
Passing Requirement
Not published by Salesforce. Judges score against the seven published domains and Salesforce does not release a numeric cut score or per-domain weighting.
How It Is Delivered
Architect Review Board Evaluation is online only. The Technical Architect Review Board Exam is available in both online and in-person formats. Registration is through Webassessor in the Architect section, and Salesforce reviews prerequisites before assigning an evaluator.
Languages Offered
English (Salesforce does not list additional languages for the review board)
Visit the official Salesforce certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)?
Salesforce Certified Application Architect credential, which Salesforce grants automatically after you pass Platform App Builder, Platform Developer I, Platform Data Architect and Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect.. Salesforce Certified System Architect credential, granted after you pass Platform Developer I, Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect, Identity and Access Management Architect and Platform Integration Architect.. Because Platform Developer I counts toward both, the distinct requirement is seven underlying certification exams.. You must pass the Architect Review Board Evaluation, step 1, before sitting the Technical Architect Review Board Exam, step 2.. Salesforce's exam guide describes the target candidate as having 5 or more years of implementation experience across the full software development lifecycle, 3 or more years in an architect role, and 2 or more years on the Lightning Platform with at least one year in a lead architect role. This is an audience description rather than a documented eligibility check.. Salesforce states that review board spots are prioritised for candidates demonstrating commitment to preparation, taking into account platform experience, mentorship and preparation work..
How much does the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) cost?
The Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) exam costs $6,000 (review board exam). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)?
Visit the official Salesforce certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
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