hashiCorp Certified: Terraform and Operations Professional

Exam objectives

1 Manage resource lifecycle 1a Initialize a configuration using terraform init and its options 1b Generate an execution plan using terraform plan and its options 1c Apply configuration changes using terraform apply and its options 1d Destroy resources using terraform destroy and its options 1e Manage resource state, including importing resources and reconciling resource drift 2 Develop and troubleshoot dynamic configuration 2a Use language features to validate configuration 2b Query providers using data sources 2c Compute and interpolate data using HCL functions 2d Use meta-arguments in configuration 2e Configure input variables and outputs, including complex types 2f Analyze best practices for managing sensitive data, such as using Vault for secrets management 3 Develop collaborative Terraform workflows 3a Manage the Terraform binary, providers, and modules using version constraints 3b Configure remote state 3c Use the Terraform workflow in automation 3d Share data across configurations and workspaces 4 Create, maintain, and use Terraform modules 4a Create a module 4b Use a module in configuration 4c Refactor a module and use module versioning 4d Refactor an existing configuration into modules 5 Configure and use Terraform providers 5a Understand Terraform's plugin-based architecture 5b Configure providers, including aliasing, versioning, sourcing, and managing upgrades 5c Manage provider authentication 5d Troubleshoot provider errors 6 Collaborate on infrastructure as code using HCP Terraform 6a Analyze the HCP Terraform run workflow 6b Understand HCP Terraform workspaces and their configuration options, including access management 6c Manage provider credentials in HCP Terraform 6d Analyze policy as code and governance features

Exam Orientation - Terraform Authoring & Operation Pro

The Terraform Authoring & Operations Professional is a credential for practitioners with extensive production experience developing Terraform configuration and using it to manage infrastructure over time. Earning this credential proves professional-level experience in implementing and authoring Terraform modules, as well as managing Terraform operations at the organizational level.

Learning Path - Terraform Authoring and Operation Pro with AWS

This exam version assumes that candidates have experience using Terraform with AWS in a production environment. You will need to interact with AWS throughout the exam.

The Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional certification assesses your knowledge of Terraform best practices, both in developing dynamic HCL configuration and establishing scalable, collaborative workflows. This study guide is not all-encompassing of everything you will encounter in the exam.

Terraform configuration and operations are intertwined: authoring techniques drive operations, and operational needs inform authoring techniques. Designing scalable, collaborative systems requires an understanding of both. This exam assesses both advanced configuration authoring and a deep understanding of Terraform workflows. Earning this credential reflects that the practitioner has professional-level expertise in both domains. Candidates should prepare for the exam through hands-on practice and production experience to build mastery of Terraform syntax and operations.

Manage the resource lifecycle

The exam will assess your ability to use the Terraform CLI and write Terraform configuration to create and modify infrastructure over time. This includes initializing, planning, and applying configuration, destroying resources, and using HCL and the CLI to manage resources in state.

Study tips

• You should be comfortable with using the CLI commands and their arguments to initialize configuration, apply changes, and manage resource state.
• Review how to safely import resources into a Terraform project.
• Know how to scope Terraform execution plans using resource targeting.
• Understand how Terraform creates and updates state.
• Review how to refactor configuration, including updating resource addresses.

Develop and troubleshoot dynamic configuration

The exam will assess your ability to use HCL syntax and functions to create well-structured Terraform configuration.

Study tips

• Review how to use resource meta-arguments to limit redundant code and control the resource lifecycle.
• Understand how to use data sources to query providers for resource data.
• Understand how to use complex types in configuration, including in input variables and outputs.
• Review how to use expressions in configuration.
• Review supported HCL functions.
• Manage sensitive inputs and data in configuration.

Create, maintain, and use Terraform modules

The exam will assess your ability to create and use modules, and refactor configuration that includes modules.

Study tips

• Review module design and usage, including variable and output scoping.
• Know how to manage a module over time, including module versioning and refactoring.

Develop collaborative Terraform workflows

The exam will assess your ability to write reusable Terraform configuration and use Terraform operations to manage safe and predictable team workflows.

Study tips

• Know how to set Terraform module and provider versions and manage upgrades.
• Manage the Terraform binary and upgrades.
• Understand how to configure and use remote state.
• Review how to share data across configurations and state files.
• Review how to modify Terraform workflows for automation.

Configure and use providers

The exam will assess your ability to manage provider versions and configuration.

Study tips

• Understand provider configuration options, including configuring aliasing.
• Review provider authentication methods.

Collaborate Using HCP Terraform

Note: Multiple-choice questions only.

Study tips

• Review the HCP Terraform run workflow options, including extensibility options such as run tasks and run triggers.
• Understand how to manage HCP Terraform workspaces, including variable assignment and using dynamic credentials.
• Review team access management and permissions scoping.
• Know how to create and enforce policies.