Google Cloud Certification Levels Overview | Generated by AI
Question: What certificates can we get in Google Cloud?
Answer:
Google Cloud offers a range of certifications divided into three main levels: Foundational, Associate, and Professional. These validate different depths of knowledge and skills in using Google Cloud products and services.
Here is the current main list of Google Cloud certifications (as of early 2026, based on the official site):
Foundational Level
- Cloud Digital Leader — Validates broad understanding of cloud concepts, Google Cloud products, services, tools, benefits, and use cases. Great starting point for beginners and non-technical roles.
- Generative AI Leader — Focuses on understanding generative AI concepts and applications using Google Cloud tools (non-technical / leadership-oriented).
Associate Level
- Associate Cloud Engineer — Validates fundamental skills to deploy applications, monitor operations, and manage enterprise solutions using Google Cloud. (Most popular entry-level technical certification.)
- Associate Cloud Data Practitioner (or similar Data Practitioner title) — Focuses on core data skills using Google Cloud tools.
Professional Level
These are more advanced, role-based certifications (usually requiring 3+ years of experience):
- Professional Cloud Architect — Designs and plans scalable, reliable, secure, and cost-effective solutions on Google Cloud.
- Professional Cloud Developer — Builds scalable and highly available applications using Google-recommended practices.
- Professional Data Engineer — Designs and builds data processing systems.
- Professional Machine Learning Engineer — Designs, builds, and productionizes ML models using Google Cloud technologies.
- Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer — Implements processes throughout the systems development lifecycle.
- Professional Cloud Network Engineer — Implements and manages network architectures.
- Professional Cloud Security Engineer — Configures access, secures data and applications, and ensures compliance.
- Professional Cloud Database Engineer — Plans and optimizes database solutions on Google Cloud.
Google Cloud certifications are valid for 2–3 years depending on the level (Foundational/Associate: usually 3 years; Professional: usually 2 years), and you need to recertify to maintain them.
For the most up-to-date and complete list (including any new ones added in 2025–2026), check the official page directly.
References:
- https://cloud.google.com/learn/certification
- https://cloud.google.com/learn/certification (official Google Cloud certifications page)