Everything you need to know about the certification exam - format, coverage, requirements, and what happens after you pass.
Exam Overview
Format
Online, open-book, not proctored
Duration
90 minutes
Questions
Mix of multiple choice, scenario-based analysis, and short answer
Pass Mark
80%
Retake Policy
Up to 3 attempts within 90 days of purchase. A failed third attempt, or a lapsed 90-day window, requires a new $500 payment to continue.
Cost
$500, one time. Includes up to 3 attempts within 90 days.
What the Exam Covers
The exam tests conceptual understanding, diagnostic reasoning, and proposal skills. The pass mark is calculated on the multiple-choice section, and the weights below are that section's actual question distribution.
| Module | Topic | Questions | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Fundamentals | 3 | 9% |
| Module 4 | Six Dimensions | 6 | 18% |
| Module 5 | Conducting Assessment | 5 | 15% |
| Module 6 | Scoring & Presentation | 3 | 9% |
| Module 7 | Prescribing Interventions | 7 | 21% |
| Module 8 | Deployment with SDC Agents SMB | 3 | 9% |
| Module 9 | Building Proposal | 6 | 18% |
| Total | 33 | 100% |
Weights are rounded to the nearest whole percent, so the column reads 99 when added by hand. The question counts are exact.
Note: Modules 2 and 3 are hands-on skills verified through the capstone project rather than by exam questions. That is where modeling in SDCStudio and capturing a draft from a domain expert with SDCBench are assessed.
Module 8 is examined on concepts, not on installation: how client credentials are handled, what an introspection actually reads, and what a reuse count means. The hands-on install is verified by the Module 8 lab, which you submit with your capstone.
Section B is separate. Two written scenarios, 20 points each, graded against a rubric by two independent reviewers. They test judgment with a client rather than recall, and neither depends on a particular tool.
What You Need
Before taking the exam, make sure you have completed the following:
- Completed all 9 modules in the curriculum
- Completed the Module 8 hands-on lab, with its outputs saved
- An SDCStudio account with a funded wallet ($10 minimum, which shows as 10,000 credits)
- Module 9 capstone proposal ready to submit
After Passing
Upon passing the exam and having your capstone approved, you receive:
- SDC Certified Practitioner badge - digital credential for your profile and materials
- Directory listing on axius-sdc.com - public visibility to potential clients
- Access to the practitioner private community - peer support, case discussions, and direct access to the SDC team
- Full templates library - proposals, contracts, sales decks, and leave-behinds ready for client use
- Quarterly framework updates - stay current as the SDC specification and tooling evolve
How to Take the Exam
- Complete all 9 modules and the per-module exercises
- Ensure you have an SDCStudio account with a funded wallet ($10 minimum, which shows as 10,000 credits)
- Complete the Module 8 hands-on lab and save its outputs: your
sdc-agents.yamlwith credentials redacted, the introspection results, the assembly review manifest, and the running application - Pay the $500 certification exam fee (a one-time fee, separate from your SDCStudio wallet) via our secure Stripe checkout
- When ready, take the certification exam here
- Complete all question sections within the 90-minute window
- Submit your Module 9 capstone proposal through the exam form
Results: Multiple choice and short answer sections are scored immediately. Capstone proposals are reviewed within 5 business days. You will receive an email notification when your capstone review is complete.
Ready? Start with Module 1 ← Back to Curriculum