Candidate Handbook

Table of contents


Certification process overview

Why get certified

Earning a GitHub Certification is an industry-endorsed approach to demonstrating proficiency with GitHub technologies. In addition, certifications are a key aspect of participating in the GitHub program.

Getting started

A great place to begin is this certifications overview site, where you can learn about certifications and explore your options by focus area. Every certification page includes details about the skills measured in the exams, how you can prepare, and links to register for the exams.


Prepare for an exam

Prepare for your certification exam

On every certification page, you’ll find a “skills measured” section that lists the skills that will be assessed. Start by reviewing the skills measured by the exam. If you have the skills, you can register for the exam. If you want more training, refer to the courses or learning paths in the “preparing for the certification” section.

Self-paced learning

GitHub offers a variety of self-paced learning content on Microsoft Learn. This content helps build necessary technical skills to advance your knowledge and ability to address solutions. These browser-based trainings are available to complete at your own pace.


Request accommodations

When an accommodation is needed

We’re committed to ensuring that everyone who’s interested in taking a GitHub Certification exam can do so in a way that is fair and accurately reflects their skills and abilities. This means providing accommodations when needed. Accommodations can include special equipment for those with low vision or who are hard of hearing, breaks for medical reasons, or extra time for testing because the exam is not in your native language.

Examples of situations requiring accommodations include but are not limited to needing:

  • Extra time due to a temporary or permanent condition, such as ADHD, PTSD, or anxiety during exams.
  • A multiple monitor setup or physical magnification device if you are a person with low vision.
  • Noise cancelling headphones or a white noise device to improve focus.
  • A reader/scribe to assist with the check-in process and/or to take the exam.

Because the proctoring process is designed to ensure the integrity of the certification process, proctors refer to a set of guidelines when monitoring candidates during the exam. As a result, you may need to request an accommodation for behaviors that the proctor may flag as potential violations if they are not aware of the reason for them. For example, you may also require an accommodation if you:

  • Are unable to rearrange your home test environment to meet the standard requirements.
  • Move around the room or stand during the exam because of difficulty remaining seated for extended periods.
  • Require someone else to be in the room as a personal reader or sign language interpreter.

If requested, the proctoring standards can also be adjusted when necessary to provide the appropriate accommodations that will best ensure the fairness of your exam delivery.

How to request exam accommodations

The process of requesting and granting accommodations can take several weeks to complete, so be sure to begin this process early to secure any accommodations you require. Requests for accommodations need to be made before you schedule your exam so that the exam delivery provider has time to evaluate your request and provide the accommodation. You should not schedule the exam until you have the accommodation in place.

To request exam accommodations, please submit an accommodations request prior to scheduling an exam. You will receive a response to the request within 48 business hours.


Register and schedule an exam

Register for a GitHub Certification exam

  1. To register for a GitHub Certification, you must have a personal GitHub account. Enterprise Managed User (EMU) accounts are not allowed.
  2. Start by identifying the certification you would like to take by clicking on the certification name for more details, which includes a link to the learning path and study guide.
    1. On the certification detail pages, scroll down and click the "Schedule Exam" button.
    2. Complete the schedule exam registration form, review the required information, and agree to GitHub policies, then select "Schedule Exam" at the bottom of the form.
    3. This step will send your eligibility details to our testing vendor PSI.
  3. After submitting the registration form, you will be redirected to the PSI testing website to finalize your exam scheduling. If you are taking a non-proctored exam, you can complete your purchase at this stage, as scheduling is not required. Non-proctored exams are available 24/7 and do not require prior scheduling.
    1. Select "View Available Tests" to see the exams you are eligible for. If you have an event code, enter the code provided in the designated field at the top of the page, otherwise leave it blank.

When you’re prepared and ready to schedule your exam, you can register from any certification details page. During the scheduling process for proctored exams you can choose if you want to take the exam in a local test center or online. Each option has its benefits. Local test centers provide a secure computer environment to take your exam. With an online proctored exam, you can take your exam at almost any time using your own computer, but it requires installation of a secure browser and reliable access to the internet. Please click here for the online proctored system requirements.

The GitHub Certification program partners with PSI to deliver certification exams in local test centers or online. Once you are registered for a proctored exam, the first appointment offered to you will be a minimum of 24 hours from the time of booking. When you sign up for an exam, you have a 2-month window to schedule. After signing up, PSI will send you a confirmation email. If you fail to schedule within that time frame, PSI will send you a final email reminder. If you miss your scheduling window, please go through the scheduling steps again to reset it.

Regardless of which mode you choose, you’ll need to meet specific identification requirements.

Identification requirements

To gain admission to the testing center or online-proctored exam, you must present a valid, unexpired, and acceptable government-issued ID that has your name, photo, and signature. The first and last name you use to register for the exam must match exactly with the first and last name on the ID you present at the testing center or to the remote proctor. Please note that PSI only tracks the first and last name on the ID and not the middle name.

Acceptable forms include:

  • International Travel Passport
  • Driver's License
  • Government ID card (with photo), such as state or provincial ID, visa, green card

Failure to identify yourself and supply proper ID at the time of the exam is considered a missed appointment. There will be no refund of your exam fee. If you do not have a qualifying ID issued from the country in which you are testing, a passport from your country of citizenship is required. The name with which you registered must match your ID for admission.

What to expect if you take your exam at a local test center

Local test centers provide a quiet testing environment and a computer that meets the minimum standards. When you schedule an exam at a local test center, you’ll need to arrive at the location 30 minutes ahead of time to get checked in.

Note: In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather, power failure, or other emergency, PSI's candidate services team will contact you to reschedule.

Things to consider about taking an exam online

With an online proctored exam, you can take your exam from almost anywhere, but you’ll be using your own computer. If you’re interested in taking an online proctored exam and want to better understand what to expect before registering, you can watch the PSI Online Proctoring Experience video. Additionally, you can follow this interactive guide that prepares test takers by simulating the essential checks, offering crucial artifacts, and acquainting them with the examination environment prior to the commencement of their actual test.

Before you register for an online exam:

  1. It is recommended to run all necessary system checks a minimum of 48 hours prior to your exam start time.
  2. Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
  3. Complete the required system test on the same computer and in the same location from where you will test.
  4. Review the testing environment requirements.
  5. Confirm that your identification is compliant and ensure that the name you use for your GitHub Certification profile matches your ID precisely. To take the exam, your name used to schedule the exam appointment must match the ID you will present. Please note PSI only tracks the first and last name, not the middle name.
  6. Read the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). At the start of your exam, you must read and agree to the NDA and General Terms of Use for GitHub Certification Exams; this section is NOT timed separately. Any time you spend reading this at the beginning of the exam comes from the overall time you have to complete the exam. While we have added time to account for this, we strongly recommend that you read it before your exam to ensure that you fully understand the requirements and can agree to them quickly. If you do not agree to the NDA, you will not be able to take the exam.
  7. If you would like to request accommodations for your exam, please submit an accommodations request before you schedule your exam. PSI will respond within 48 business hours.
Run a system check

If you’ll be taking your exam online, you should run an online proctoring system check to ensure your machine meets the requirements before you register for the exam. If you’re taking the exam with a different computer, you should run the system check on that machine.

Run a system check now. Important to note for the system check:

  • It is recommended to use the Google Chrome browser for best results during the system check.
  • You may be asked to share your location and to allow access to your system’s webcam and microphone.
  • You may need to turn off Privacy software and ad blockers for the Compatibility Check to run successfully.
  • If you are running a Linux operating system, it may not be detected properly. Please verify the support for your flavor and version using the system requirements link.
Remote Proctoring Now - PSI System Requirements
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Operating System

(64-bit only)

Windows 10, Windows 11

*NOT SUPPORTED: Windows 10s, Windows 10 in S-Mode, Windows Education, Windows Enterprise (all versions)

macOS 11(Big Sur), macOS 12(Monterey), macOS 13 (Ventura)
Screen Resolution 1366x768 or higher
Bandwidth Minimum 300kbps download and upload speed
Camera and Microphone Must be functional and and turned on throughout the entirety of the exam.

24- JAN- 2023 : Support for Windows 8.1 and macOS 10.15 (Catalina) has ended.

RPNow is not currently supported on tablets, mobile devices or Chromebooks.

Testing environment requirements

To maintain the integrity of online proctored exams, we enforce specific policies, practices, and procedures.

Office or home setting

Your office or home setting must meet the following requirements:

  • Office, conference room, or space at home must be walled, have a closed door, and be free from disruptions.
  • No one else can be in or enter the room during your testing session.
Communicating with the proctor
  • Chat window. All communication with the proctor occurs via the chat window.
  • Language. All communication with the proctor is conducted in English only.
Identity verification

You are required to present a current government-issued form of identification during the exam check-in process. All test takers will have the option to upload a photo of their ID using their mobile device. To use this option, the test takers can simply scan the QR code when checking in for the exam. If PSIs system does not already have any artifacts of your ID, you are welcome to use the mobile upload feature. It allows you to take a photo of your ID using your mobile device's camera and submit it securely for verification. However, we understand that some test takers might find it more convenient to use their webcam for ID verification. In such cases, you can choose to use your webcam indtead of the mobile upload option.

Important: The name on the government-issued ID you present to enter the exam must exactly match the name on your GitHub Certification and PSI profiles.

Exam area scan
  • With your webcam or laptop, you will be asked to scan slowly left to right to show surrounding walls and to scan up and down to show the floor and ceiling during check-in.
Personal belongings
  • During the exam, you may not access materials that are not specifically approved.
  • In the event of a support issue, technical support may try to contact you on your mobile phone at the number you provide during exam check-in. The proctor will let you know that technical support is trying to contact you via chat. Please ensure your mobile phone number includes the country code. It is acceptable to keep the cell phone nearby but not within arm's reach and upside down. Set your phone to vibrate.
Breaks and eating
  • You are permitted to take a maximum of three exam breaks.
  • Candidates are permitted to eat, drink, and/or chew gum.
Exam assistance
  • No one can enter the room during your testing session. If this occurs, your proctor will give you a warning.
  • You may not receive assistance or coaching from other individuals while taking the exam, and you may not allow other individuals to see the computer screen during the exam.
  • The proctor cannot answer questions related to exam content. If you have questions related to exam content, you have the option of entering comments for each question directly in the exam form or contacting GitHub support directly. To contact GitHub Support, please open a ticket using this link. We kindly request that you do not select the option to chat with Copilot in GitHub Support.
Recording during the exam
  • When taking this exam, the proctor will continuously monitor you by video and audio. The entire session will be recorded. Monitoring will include your face, voice, the physical room where you are seated, and the location during the exam.

Technical tips

Software and permissions
  • If possible, take your test on a personal computer rather than a work computer. Your work computer could have software installed that prevents the PSI Bridge software from launching.
  • You may need to configure your internet security and antivirus software to make an exception for the PSI Secure Browser executable file.
  • Some antivirus software can cause performance issues. Please disable antivirus scanning while taking your exam.
  • You may need to ensure that your security software does not block the execution of JavaScript, Adobe Air applications, or Adobe Flash Player extensions.
  • If you encounter a failure message while installing the PSI Secure Browser on a Mac, please follow the steps outlined in this support documentation.
  • Please note that Windows 8.1 & macOS 10.15 will no longer be supported by PSI as of January 24th, 2023
  • Windows Enterprise is an unsupported device on PSIs system due to the security measures implemented by companies. These security measures can prevent PSIs software from functioning properly. For a smooth experience, please refer to the list of supported devices here: PSI Bridge FAQ System Requirements.
Network
  • Online proctored exams can be disrupted by proxy servers, network packet inspection/filtering, strict network security configurations, or removing wired devices such as headphones.
  • When taking an online proctored exam, use a hard-wired internet connection, if possible.
  • Do not tether to a mobile hotspot; this is explicitly prohibited.

Exam scoring and score reports

When to expect your score

For most exams, you will receive your pass or fail result immediately after completing your exam. You will also receive an email with your detailed results.

If you took a beta exam, you will not receive a pass or fail result on the day you take the exam. You will receive your score after the exam completes the beta process. To learn more visit: Beta exams.

How to access your score report

Within 48 hours of completing your exam, you should be able to log into the candidate portal to review the details of your exam score and your performance in the skill areas measured. Additionally you can access your score report by clicking on the GitHub icon in the top right corner of the exam registration overivew page to access your dashboard. Navigate to the exam history page to view the breakdown of your score."

What to do if you fail an exam

If you fail a certification exam, you can retake it. There is a 24-hour hold before you are able to attempt the first retake. A 14-day hold will be applied for each consecutive retake after the first retake. You may only retake the exam for a total of 5 attempts.

Your score report will indicate the content areas that are strengths or weaknesses. Prioritize the skills that you should practice by focusing on the content areas where your exam performance was the weakest. Additionally, you may want to review the resources provided on the exam details page. GitHub does not share information about specific questions that were not answered correctly.

When you are ready to retake the exam, schedule an appointment as you normally would. You must pay for each exam you retake and follow the exam retake policy.


Beta exams

About beta exams

We work hard to ensure our exams are technically accurate and relevant to the real-life situations you might find in the workplace. Beta exams are a critical part of our exam development process. When you take an exam in its beta form, you’re providing us with useful information to evaluate the quality of the exam and its questions.

After an exam has been through its beta process and we have incorporated relevant changes, we can use it to certify proficiency with GitHub technologies.

How to participate

We need approximately 200 people to take each exam before we have enough information to evaluate its quality and ensure that it’s a valid and reliable evaluation of the knowledge and skills needed to be successful. To ensure that we get a sufficient number of qualified people to take the beta exam as quickly as possible, we offer a limited number of seats at a discounted price during a 2–3-week window.

Keep in mind:

  • Only candidates who have experience with the technology should participate in beta exams.
  • The discount only applies during that 2–3-week window.

Pass the beta exam, earn a certification

Passing a beta exam counts toward your certification. You don’t need to retake the exam in its final version.

If you do not pass the beta exam, you cannot retake the beta exam. If you are interested in earning a certification that requires successful completion of the exam, you must wait to retake the exam at the regular cost when it’s live.

Beta exam scoring and results

When you complete a beta exam, you do not receive a score immediately because the scoring model for the exam is not yet finalized.

You usually receive your exam score several weeks after you take the beta exam, depending on when you took it.

Participation in beta exams is voluntary, and GitHub makes no promises or guarantees regarding the beta exam process, the availability of your scores, or the timing of your results.