Terraform Associate 004 vs 003: what changed and what to do
Updated September 5, 2026
HashiCorp retired the Terraform Associate 003 exam and replaced it with the 004. Here is exactly what changed, whether your 003 certification still counts, and how to prepare for the current exam.
Short answer: the Terraform Associate 003 has been retired and the 004 is now the only version you can take. It launched on 8 January 2026 and tests Terraform 1.12. If you already hold a 003 certification it stays valid until its expiry date. Here is the full picture.
The short version
| 003 (old) | 004 (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Retired | Current |
| Available | Until early Jan 2026 | From 8 January 2026 |
| Terraform version | An earlier release (~1.3) | 1.12 |
| Notable addition | — | HCP Terraform domain (the Terraform Cloud rebrand) |
| Cost, length, validity | Both: USD $70.50 · 60 minutes · valid 2 years | |
Can I still take the 003?
No. HashiCorp stopped offering the 003 in early January 2026 when the 004 launched. If you search for "Terraform Associate 003 exam" today, you can only register for the 004.
Does my existing 003 certification still count?
Yes. HashiCorp certifications are valid for two years from the date you passed, so a 003 credential remains valid until its stated expiry regardless of the 003 exam being retired. When it is time to recertify, you simply take the current exam (the 004).
What actually changed in the 004
The 004 is an update, not a reinvention — most of what you would study for the 003 still applies. The meaningful changes are:
- Newer Terraform version: the 004 is aligned to Terraform 1.12, so behaviour and defaults reflect current releases rather than an older one.
- HCP Terraform: Terraform Cloud has been rebranded to HCP Terraform, and the 004 blueprint includes a dedicated objective on its capabilities.
- Refreshed objectives: the exam objectives were updated to match the current workflow and terminology.
Always confirm the exact objectives on HashiCorp’s official certification page before you book, since blueprints can be revised.
The 004 exam at a glance
- Cost: USD $70.50
- Length: 60 minutes, multiple choice, online proctored
- Validity: 2 years
- Question count and pass mark: not officially published by HashiCorp (widely reported as roughly 57 questions)
The official 004 objective domains are: infrastructure as code concepts; Terraform fundamentals; the core Terraform workflow; interacting with Terraform configuration; using and creating modules; Terraform state; maintaining infrastructure; and HCP Terraform capabilities.
If you already studied for the 003
Good news: the large majority of your preparation transfers directly. Focus your top-up study on (1) the HCP Terraform naming and features, and (2) anything that changed between your Terraform version and 1.12. Then confirm you are comfortable with every objective on the current 004 blueprint.
How to prepare for the 004
A simple plan works: take a structured course aligned to the 004, get hands-on with real Terraform, then drill practice exams until you are consistently comfortable. See our best Terraform Associate courses and practice exams, or build a free study plan with your exam date.