About the C++ Institute

The C++ Institute is a non-profit project run by the Open Education and Development Group (OpenEDG) to promote the C and C++ programming languages, provide a global framework for C and C++ examinations, as well as enhance, develop and support professional careers in C and C++ programming and related technologies.

The C++ Institute brings together a committed community of IT professionals, programming specialists, programming enthusiasts, educational establishments, training organizations, companies, and volunteers who strive for quality development, assessment excellence, and the popularization of programming in the C and C++ languages.

The C++ Institute and Pearson VUE have undertaken to provide exclusive delivery of the certification program they have created for the C and C++ programming languages.

The C++ Institute Certifications

The C++ Institute is proud to offer professional certifications designed to provide industry recognition of your knowledge, skills and proficiency in C and C++ programming.

The C++ Institute has defined two paths of education, testing, and certification. The first path covers the C programming language, and the second the C++ programming language. Each programming path offers two levels of qualifications: associate and professional.

Find the right exam

The C++ Institute is happy to offer the following certification exams to test candidates:

Note: You may need to scroll right to see all of the exam details.

Exam details	The C Programming Language		The C++ Programming Language
Exam Name	CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate	CLP – C Certified Professional Programmer	CPA – C++ Certified Associate Programmer	CPP – C++ Certified Professional Programmer
Exam Code	CLA	CLP	CPA	CPP
Exam Logo
Exam Level	Associate	Professional	Associate	Professional
Pre-requisites	None	CLA – C Programming Language Certified Associate	None	CPA – C++ Certified Associate Programmer
Exam Version	CLA-11-02	CLP-12-01	CPA-21-01	CPP-22-01
Exam Length	65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)	65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)	65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)	65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
Number of Questions	55	55	55	60
Format	Single-choice/Multiple-choice	Single-choice/Multiple-choice	Single-choice/Multiple-choice	Single-choice/Multiple-choice
Passing Score	70%	70%	80%	80%
Exam Status	Published	Published	Published	Published

The candidate will obtain certification issued by the C++ Institute, after he or she successfully passes a CLA, CLP, CPA, or CPP exam in an authorized Pearson VUE Test Center. The candidate who wishes to gain a professional-level credential (CLP/CPP) must already hold an associate-level credential (CLA/CPA), which means that the CLA certification is a pre-requisite for the CLP certification, and the CPA certification is a pre-requisite for the CPP certification.

The C++ Institute will not offer certifications at the senior level, as previously announced.

Schedule your exam

Before scheduling your exam, please set up your web account at Pearson VUE and obtain your Candidate Testing ID (CPI ID). If you already have your CPI ID, please sign in to your Pearson VUE web account and follow the exam registration procedure. Your appointment can be made in advance or, if it is possible, on the same day you wish to take the test. You do not need to have a voucher to schedule a C++ Institute exam. You can register online using your credit card after having signed in to your Pearson VUE web account.

Order exam vouchers

C++ Institute exam vouchers are available for purchase through C++ Institute authorized partners. If you have any questions about ordering vouchers, you are welcome to contact the C++ Institute at services@cppinstitute.org.

Prepare for your exam

You can sign up for any C++ Institute courses aligned with the CLA, CLP, CPA, and CPP certifications that are either available through the Cisco Networking Academy program or the OpenEDG Education Platform.

Having completed the courses, you will be eligible for a discount voucher on your exam. For more information about training materials, as well as self-study and instructor-led courses, please visit the C++ Institute’s official website.

Verify your certification

Others can easily verify a Certified Individual’s certification status by entering a unique certificate verification code at the C++ Institute Certificate Verification page. The certificate verification code can be found in the bottom right-hand corner of all certificates issued by the C++ Institute.

Retake policy

When a candidate fails an exam, he or she must wait 15 days before being allowed to re-sit that exam. There is no limit to the number of retakes of a failed exam. No retakes of a passed exam of the same exam version are allowed.

Additional information

For more information about certifications, exams, and study resources, please visit the C++ Institute website available at www.cppinstitute.org.