I’m a complete beginner and not a coder. Can I do this?
Yes. The exam is about using Claude well, not writing code, and we start from the foundations and build up, one focused hour at a time. You do not need a coding background, and coders are welcome too: the hands-on work has a non-coder lane and an optional coder lane, and the AI generates any commands and explains what they do.
What is this exam?
The Claude Certified Associate - Foundations (CCAO-F) is Anthropic’s entry-level credential for working with Claude. It covers prompting and task execution, output evaluation and validation, product and model selection, workflow integration, configuration and knowledge management, governance and responsible use, and troubleshooting.
Is this a developer or architect certification?
No. The Claude Certified Associate - Foundations is the entry-level credential for professionals who use Claude as a productivity tool. The exam guide lists recommended roles such as business analyst, project manager, operations lead, marketing, communications, HR, and education professional, consultant, and knowledge worker. It also states the certification is not intended for software developers who build against APIs or design agentic systems, nor for specialists in machine learning, software engineering, or advanced AI system design. Enterprise-scale AI architecture and integration belong to the Claude Architect and Claude Developer credentials. There are no mandatory prerequisites, and no software-development or API experience is needed.
Do I need a paid Claude subscription?
Not to follow along in the sessions. Having your own Claude access makes the hands-on portions richer, and we will be clear about what needs a paid plan and what does not.
Is the exam fee included?
No. This cohort is exam prep. You register and pay Anthropic for the exam separately through its Partner Academy. See the next question for how registration works.
How do I register for the exam? I heard you need to be an Anthropic partner.
Anthropic currently runs its Claude certification exams through its Partner Academy, and registering requires an email address on a domain tied to an organization in the Claude Partner Network. Check this before you enroll, because it is the one thing that can stop you sitting the exam. With a personal address such as Gmail, the sign-in code never arrives, so you cannot create an account or even reach the registration page. The network’s entry level is free to join. If your employer is in the network, or joins it, you register with your work email. If you work for yourself, a business you register in the network works too, even a company of one. Getting a new domain recognized takes Anthropic about a week to a week and a half, so start that early rather than waiting until the cohort ends. Anthropic’s requirements can change, and exam registration is between you and Anthropic.
What is the AI Workflow Builder?
It is a browser tool built for this cohort, in three weekly editions. It takes the workflow you are actually building and generates the product decision, the project instructions, the connector test, and the Skill prompt, then adds a governance card and a repair log in week three. You download it and it keeps working after the class ends.
What is the readiness scorecard and how do I get it?
The readiness scorecard is a free self-assessment against the official exam domains, weighted the way the exam weights them. You rate yourself on each domain, then re-score as you study. It is free whether or not you enroll, and you can get yours at the scorecard signup page.
What if I can’t make a session live?
Every session is recorded and shared, and you keep access to the replays for a full year, so you can watch or rewatch any of them on your own schedule. The optional Friday office hours are recorded too.
Why a live cohort instead of studying on my own?
Self-study stalls. A live cohort gives you a fixed three-week pace, the chance to ask questions in real time, weekly hands-on work, and optional office hours. You actually finish.
Do I get a certificate of completion?
Yes. When your cohort ends, you receive a personalized certificate of completion by email. It shows your name, the track, the live session dates, and the hours of live instruction, and it carries a certificate number with a public verification address your employer can confirm it against, which is what most reimbursement forms need. It is a certificate of completion for the live course, not the certification itself. That one comes from the certifying body when you pass their exam.
What is your refund policy?
You can request a full refund within 24 hours of the start of the first live session.
