Program profile · official sources
Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate
The Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate evaluates a candidate's ability to perform basic machine learning tasks within Databricks. Administered by Databricks, the assessment covers Databricks Machine Learning, Data Processing, Model Development, and Model Deployment. Candidates are tested on AutoML, Unity Catalog, MLflow features, data exploration, feature engineering, and the model lifecycle. The 90-minute, online proctored exam contains 48 scored multiple-choice or multiple-selection items and prohibits test aids. Databricks requires no prerequisites but recommends six months of hands-on experience with Python, scikit-learn, SparkML, and Unity Catalog. The credential is valid for two years, requiring candidates to pass the current exam for recertification. The passing threshold, preparation time, and digital badge availability are not specified in the official guide.
Commercial status: no commercial relationship is documented for this page. The verification link goes directly to the official provider source.
- Price
- USD 200USD 200 for one attempt, normalized from $200 in the official US-hosted guide; taxes, optional preparation and repeat attempts are separate.
- Duration
- 90 minutes for the exam assessmentnot preparation time
- Level
- Associate
- Format
- Proctored certification exam
- Credential
- industry certification
- Prerequisites
- No prerequisite required. Course attendance and six months of hands-on experience are highly recommended, with working Python, scikit-learn, SparkML, Unity Catalog and related data-management knowledge.
Sources ↗
- Price — https://www.databricks.com/sites/default/files/2025-02/databricks-certified-machine-learning-associate-exam-guide-1-mar-2025.pdf
- Duration — https://www.databricks.com/sites/default/files/2025-02/databricks-certified-machine-learning-associate-exam-guide-1-mar-2025.pdf
- Official program page — https://www.databricks.com/sites/default/files/2025-02/databricks-certified-machine-learning-associate-exam-guide-1-mar-2025.pdf
What’s covered
- Databricks Machine Learning
- Data Processing
- Model Development
- Model Deployment
Prerequisites: No prerequisite required. Course attendance and six months of hands-on experience are highly recommended, with working Python, scikit-learn, SparkML, Unity Catalog and related data-management knowledge.
What is the format and duration of the Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate exam?
The Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate assessment is an online proctored exam that candidates have 90 minutes to complete. The exam consists of 48 scored items, formatted as either multiple-choice or multiple-selection questions. Candidates are not permitted to use any test aids during the sitting. The official guide notes that the currently live version is accurate as of March 1, 2025, and advises candidates to check the guide again two weeks before taking the exam. The official US-hosted PDF displays $200, recorded here as USD 200 under the US-source currency rule, though the passing threshold required to earn the credential is not disclosed.
What topics are covered in the Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate exam?
The exam evaluates basic machine learning tasks performed within the Databricks platform across four specific domains: Databricks Machine Learning, Data Processing, Model Development, and Model Deployment. Candidates are tested on their functional knowledge of AutoML, Unity Catalog, and selected features of MLflow. The technical assessment encompasses practical tasks related to data exploration, feature engineering, and the complete model lifecycle, which includes model training, tuning, evaluation, selection, and deployment. While the exam covers these topics, the specific duration required to prepare for this material is not stated by Databricks, as the 90-minute limit applies only to the exam sitting.
What are the prerequisites and recertification requirements for this Databricks credential?
Databricks does not require any mandatory prerequisites to sit for the Machine Learning Associate exam. However, the provider highly recommends that candidates complete related course attendance and acquire at least six months of hands-on experience. This experience should include working with Python, scikit-learn, SparkML, Unity Catalog, and related data-management features. Once earned, the certification remains valid for a period of two years. To maintain the credential, professionals must complete the recertification process, which requires passing the full, currently live version of the exam at the end of the two-year validity window.
What you actually do
What the credential is
- Credential type
- industry certification · Source
- Credential
- Databricks Certified Machine Learning Associate · Source
- Issuer
- Databricks · Source
- Expiry and renewal
- Valid for two years; recertification requires taking the full currently live exam. · Source
- Exam requirement
- Pass the certification exam; passing threshold not stated. · Source
- Exam required
- Yes · Source
- Credential expires
- Yes · Source
- Renewal
- Take the full currently live exam. · Source
Total cost to finish
Estimate for the stated payment scope: USD 200 × 1 = USD 200.
- One certification exam attempt: USD 200 × 1 = USD 200. One exam registration/attempt; not preparation cost or a guarantee of passing. · Source
Scope: USD 200 for one attempt, normalized from $200 in the official US-hosted guide; taxes, optional preparation and repeat attempts are separate. · Source
Retakes: Repeat-attempt cost is not established in the reviewed source. · Source
Who should skip it
- Choose a more advanced assessment if you need enterprise-scale production ML rather than basic Databricks ML tasks. · Source
- Do not treat the recommended six months of experience as a mandatory registration prerequisite. · Source
- Do not use the 90-minute exam sitting as a preparation estimate; no preparation duration or passing threshold is stated. · Source
Alternatives in the registry
Related by topic or level.
- AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate — USD 150 (USD 150 for one MLA-C01 attempt; English testing ends September 28, 2026. Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese continue until MLA-C02 general availability. Preparation is separate.); 130 minutes for the exam assessment; not preparation time.
- NVIDIA-Certified Associate: Accelerated Data Science (NCA-ADS) — USD 125 (USD 125 for one exam attempt, normalized from the dollar amount on NVIDIA's official US page; taxes, preparation and repeat attempts are separate.); 60 minutes for the exam assessment; not preparation time.
- NVIDIA-Certified Associate: Generative AI LLMs (NCA-GENL) — USD 125 (US price: USD 125 for one exam attempt; confirm booking charges. Optional preparation and additional attempts are not included.); 60 minutes.
Change log
- : Initial recorded review of official exam, scope, price and credential facts. · Source