Exam Overview
The Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) is the pinnacle credential in the Salesforce ecosystem. Unlike every other Salesforce certification, the CTA is not a multiple-choice exam. It is a live review board where you design and defend a solution to a complex business scenario in front of a panel of certified architects.
Only ~500 CTAs exist worldwide out of 1.2M+ certified professionals. First-attempt pass rate is estimated at 5-10%.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Virtual (Zoom) since October 2023 |
| Duration | ~4.5 hours (180 min prep + 15 min break + 45 min present + 40-90 min Q&A) |
| Panel | 3-4 active CTA judges |
| Tools | Lucidchart (Salesforce Shape Library), Google Docs/Slides/Sheets |
| Cost | $6,000 USD total ($1,500 evaluation + $4,500 board) |
| Section retake | FREE (if exactly 1 domain failed) |
| Prerequisites | Application Architect + System Architect (7 exams) |
Study Hub Navigation
Understanding the Exam
- Complete Review Board Guide — everything about structure, prerequisites, costs, latest updates
- Exam Format — the three phases in detail
- Domains & Scoring — the 7 domains and scoring rules
Preparing for the Exam
- Preparation Roadmap — visual roadmap with Mermaid diagrams, timelines, milestones
- Study Plan — domain study tracker and activities
- Preparation Guide — books, courses, communities, mock scenarios, costs
- Review Board Preparation Guide — strategies, tips, and first-hand advice from CTAs (2024-2026)
During the Exam
- Scenario Patterns & Analysis — how scenarios work, how to read them, domain coverage strategies
- Review Board Artifacts & Deliverables — what artifacts to create, how to allocate your 180 minutes
- Review Board Presentation & Q&A — presentation flow, Q&A strategies, mock board setup
Prerequisites
You must hold both of the following credentials before attempting the CTA:
- Salesforce Certified Application Architect (includes Platform App Builder, Data Architect, Sharing & Visibility Architect)
- Salesforce Certified System Architect (includes Platform Developer I, Integration Architect, Identity & Access Management Architect)
Total unique prerequisite exams: 7 (Platform Developer I counts for both paths)
Recommended Experience
- 5+ years of Salesforce implementation experience
- 8+ years of overall technology experience
- 2+ years on the Lightning Platform
- 1+ year in a lead architect role
Two-Step Process
The CTA uses a two-step evaluation process:
- Architect Review Board Evaluation ($1,500) — A virtual readiness assessment with a single CTA evaluator. Gates access to the full review board.
- Architect Review Board Exam ($4,500) — The full review board before 3-4 CTA judges.
See Complete Review Board Guide for all details including registration, retake policies, and latest changes.