Exam Overview
Key Takeaways
The CTA is a live review board, not a multiple-choice exam. You get 180 minutes to prepare a solution to a complex scenario, then present and defend it before 3-4 CTA judges. Total cost is $6,000, pass rate is estimated at 5-10%, and you must hold both Application Architect and System Architect credentials (7 prerequisite exams) before attempting.
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.
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