Understanding the Certificate of Completion
Definition
A Certificate of Completion is a printable proof that you have finished all mandatory course components, including videos, readings, and hands-on exercises, within a specific DevSecOps learning path. It is not the same as the official certification badge, which is awarded only after passing the exam.
How to Earn It
The requirements below apply to the Certificate of Completion only. They are not requirements for sitting the certification exam. You can schedule and pass the exam with any of these items unfinished.
Watch every mandatory video. All videos marked Required must be viewed to 100 percent completion.
Complete every mandatory exercise. Labs and hands-on exercises must be submitted and marked as passed.
Download. Once the above are satisfied, a Download Certificate button appears on the course summary page.
Practical Example
Jane finishes the Secure CI/CD Pipelines module. She watches the mandatory videos and completes the Docker security lab. The platform automatically unlocks the Certificate of Completion, which she downloads and adds to her professional portfolio. Two weeks later she passes the exam and receives her Certified credential separately.
Had Jane wanted to sit the exam first, she could have. The exam does not check her course progress.
Exam Preparation Tips
Prioritize the mandatory topics, since the exam is built around the skills those labs teach.
Practice under real conditions. Work without hints and document your process as if you were taking the real test.
Use active recall for security controls, compliance standards, and DevSecOps terminology.
Join a study group and discuss tricky concepts with peers on the community forum.
Review the Examination Tips lesson in the Introduction to the Course chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to finish the mandatory items before I can take the exam?
No. There is no completion requirement for the exam. The mandatory curriculum is required for the Certificate of Completion only.
Can I download the Certificate of Completion before I pass the exam?
Yes. Once all mandatory course elements are completed, the certificate is available regardless of exam status.
I passed the exam and submitted my ID but have not received the badge after 48 hours. What should I do?
Check your spam folder for the notification email. If there is nothing there, contact support with your exam reference number.
Should I track my progress?
Yes, if you want the Certificate of Completion. Use the learner dashboard to confirm all mandatory items are marked complete. Progress tracking does not affect exam access.