About the MCPA Exam

The Model Context Protocol Associate (MCPA) is a certification issued by the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF), part of the Linux Foundation. It validates foundational knowledge of the Model Context Protocol (MCP): what it is, how it works, and how to use it safely and effectively.

Who is it for?

• Developers integrating AI models with external tools and data sources
• Platform and DevOps engineers deploying MCP servers
• Technical professionals evaluating MCP adoption in their organizations
• Anyone starting a career in AI engineering who wants a recognized credential

The exam targets a beginner experience level. There are no formal prerequisites, but the Linux Foundation recommends familiarity with JSON-RPC or message-based protocols, LLM APIs, agentic AI concepts (such as ReAct and tool use), and basic security topics like API keys and OAuth 2.1.

Exam format and logistics

Format

Online, remotely proctored, multiple-choice exam.

Duration

120 minutes.

Certification validity

2 years.

Eligibility and retakes

12 months from purchase to schedule the exam, with one retake included.

Note

The number of questions, passing score, and price are not published on the sources we verified. Check the official exam page for the current details. A 20% discount is available when the exam is bundled with AGNTCon + MCPCon / MCP Dev Summit registration.

Exam domains and weights

#	Domain	Weight
1	MCP Fundamentals	16%
2	Architecture & Components	14%
3	Interactions & Execution	26%
4	Security & Governance	24%
5	Use Cases & Ecosystem	20%

Where to focus

Interactions & Execution (26%) and Security & Governance (24%) together account for half of the exam. Make sure you are strong in these two domains.

Next steps

1. Review the Study Plan
2. Bookmark the Resources page
3. Work through each domain in order, starting with MCP Fundamentals

Check your knowledge

📝 Check your knowledge

1. How long do you have to complete the MCPA exam?

A60 minutesB90 minutesC120 minutesD180 minutes

2. How long is the MCPA certification valid once earned?

A1 yearB2 yearsC3 yearsDIt never expires

3. Which organization issues the MCPA certification?

AAnthropicBThe Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF), part of the Linux FoundationCOpenAIDThe Cloud Native Computing Foundation

4. Which two domains together make up half of the exam weight?

AMCP Fundamentals and Architecture & ComponentsBUse Cases & Ecosystem and MCP FundamentalsCInteractions & Execution and Security & GovernanceDArchitecture & Components and Security & Governance

5. What does the exam purchase include if you do not pass on the first attempt?

AUnlimited retakes for 12 monthsBOne retakeCNo retakes; a new exam must be purchasedDTwo retakes within 90 days