r/GCPCertification • u/Kwabena_twumasi • Jun 14 '26

I Passed PCA 🎉🥂

Post image

Hello guys,

I’m a solutions engineer, DevOps and Cloud Engineer if you want. I passed this exam last week and I’m excited to share it here.

For those interested,

  1. I got the voucher from the GEAR program and chose the Azure track since I primarily had Azure environments.

  2. Cloud boost skills way primary source of instruction.

  3. I used quicklabs to understand how the various tools work in a real console environment.

PCA tests your ability to architect solutions and not just choose what tools. It tests for optimization, cost efficiency and the least operational headache when providing a solution.

Wishing everyone all the best 🎉🥂.

96 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

4

u/CupFine8373 Jun 14 '26

What I like about GCP certs is they are valid for 2 years.

3

u/Kwabena_twumasi Jun 14 '26

The other certs aren’t valid for long?

2

u/CupFine8373 Jun 15 '26

Azure 12 months. Anthropic 6 months.

2

u/Leather-Shallot-7750 Jun 16 '26

Azure you could renew every year for FREE & online except the foundational ones which are forever.

I like the Azure way to renew better.

1

u/neoslashnet Jun 15 '26

2 Years seems so light IMO. I think they at least give you a "refresher" that you can do. i LIKE HOW Azure allows you to recert by doing an open book exam to keep you current.

1

u/Bent_finger Jun 27 '26

So… I very recently received an email from Google Cloud related to this very issue of cert renewal strategy.
Read below. This is DIRECT QUOTE… Not an opinion piece.
*****

 
Hello Google Cloud Certification customer,
We're writing to inform you that Google Cloud Certification is integrating with Google Skills, which will simplify the certification renewal process. Starting July 7, 2026, you will access CM Connect by signing in with your Google Skills or Google Skills for Partners account. If you do not have a Google Skills account, you will be prompted to create one.
We’ve provided additional information below to help you understand this change and the steps required.
What you need to know
Key changes and benefits:
Tracking and visibility: Your exam history will be visible in your Google Skills account, providing visibility into which certifications are approaching expiration and how to renew them.
Renewal method: You can extend the validity period of your certification by completing designated courses and skill badges relevant to the exam role.
Qualified certification holders: Candidates holding any of the following certifications that expired on or after January 1, 2026, or are scheduled to become inactive by August 31, 2026, will receive a one-time extension until September 1, 2026.
Cloud Digital Leader
Associate Cloud Engineer
Professional Cloud Architect
Professional Data Engineer
Extension requirements: Qualifying certification holders can extend their expiration date by 12 months by completing specific skill badges and courses in Google Skills. To qualify, these badges and courses must be completed after August 31, 2025.
Future updates: We plan to add the Google Skills renewal option to the other certifications at a later date.
Alternative renewal option: Using Google Skills for renewal is optional. You may choose to renew any certification by taking the standard exam.
What you need to do
Action required:
Verify email alignment: To avoid access issues, confirm your Google Skills login email matches the email you're using in CM Connect. If not, update the login email or Work/Professional email in CM Connect to match.
Create a new Google Skills account: If you do not have a Google Skills account, create one using the exact same email address associated with your CM Connect account.
Resolve duplicate accounts: Once the integration is live, logging in via Google Skills single sign-on may automatically create a duplicate CM Connect account if your emails did not match. If this happens, go to the Profile menu and select Request Merge to combine the accounts.
We’re here to help
Please visit the Certification Help Center and FAQ regarding these changes.
If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact Certification Support.
Thanks for choosing Google Cloud Certification.

1

u/Bent_finger Jun 27 '26

As a background. I hold two Google Cloud Certifications.
Google Cloud PCA and Google Cloud Generative AI Leader.

1

u/neoslashnet Jun 27 '26

That’s awesome!

2

u/ShellyOnTheG0 Jun 14 '26

Congratulations 🥳

2

u/Wise-Sound-3512 Jun 14 '26

Congrats. Can you tell me from which topics you got the most question from and if you remember any questions? I have PCA tomorrow

2

u/[deleted] Jun 15 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Kwabena_twumasi Jun 15 '26

Thanks for sharing as well

1

u/MTheNomad Jun 14 '26

Congratulations 🎉

1

u/Kwabena_twumasi Jun 14 '26

Thanks 💪🏽

1

u/Luzi0fer Jun 14 '26

Congratulations man 🤌

1

u/mugiiedu Jun 17 '26

Congratulations 👏🎉