1. Introduction

The SAP Global Certification program is SAP’s official system for validating an individual’s skills and knowledge in SAP technologies and business applications. Its primary purpose is to help learners and professionals demonstrate their ability to work with SAP’s latest innovations.

In today’s fast-evolving business and technology environment, SAP certification is not just a credential but a signal of readiness, relevance, and continuous learning ability.

2. Structure of the SAP Certification Framework

2.1 Certification Levels

The SAP Global Certification program consists of three main levels:

1. Associate
2. Designed for newcomers or those building foundational understanding of SAP solutions. Associate certifications validate core concepts, key processes, and essential configuration skills.
3. Specialist
4. Focused on deepening expertise in a specific product, scenario, or role. Specialist certifications often require a related Associate certification.
5. Professional
6. Intended for experienced consultants and solution architects. Professional certifications emphasize real project experience and advanced practical capability.

2.2 Solution Areas

SAP certifications are organized according to major solution domains, such as:

• SAP S/4HANA (Cloud Public Edition, Cloud Private Edition, or On-premise)
• SAP Business Technology Platform (Integration Suite, Extension Suite, Analytics, SAP Build, Datasphere)
• Customer Experience and Commerce
• SuccessFactors
• Analytics and Data
• Industry-specific or specialized solutions

Each certification targets a specific job role, such as implementation consultant, developer, business user, integration specialist, or project manager.

2.3 Obtaining and Maintaining Certification

SAP certifications are earned by studying the relevant learning journeys, preparing through hands-on practice and assessments, and completing the official certification exam delivered through the online proctored environment.

Importantly, beginning in 2024, SAP requires certified professionals to complete a yearly “Stay Certified” assessment to maintain the validity of their credentials.

3. Major Updates to the SAP Certification Program

3.1 One-Year Validity and Annual Assessments

Since April 2024, all newly obtained SAP certifications carry a validity period of twelve months.

For certifications earned before April 2024, the validity ends on March 31, 2025, unless the certification holder completes the new annual assessment.

Annual assessments are short, non-proctored evaluations available through SAP Learning Hub. Maintaining an active Learning Hub subscription is required to take these assessments.

3.2 Clear Policy for Retired Certifications

When an exam is officially retired, individuals who already hold the certification continue to be recognized for twelve months from the retirement date. After that period, if they do not pass the required annual assessment, their certification becomes inactive and must be renewed by passing the current exam.

3.3 Shift Toward Real-World, AI-Supported Skills Assessment

Starting in November 2025, SAP will begin introducing new certification formats that focus on real-world, task-based problem solving.

These redesigned certifications will evaluate whether candidates can apply SAP tools, including AI-enabled assistance, to complete practical work scenarios rather than relying solely on traditional multiple-choice questions.

This marks a shift toward validating practical capability and relevance in real business environments.

4. The Value of SAP Certification

4.1 For Individuals

• SAP certification serves as a clear and recognized signal of capability to employers and project teams.
• Annual assessments ensure that certified professionals stay updated with the latest SAP releases, features, and best practices.
• Certifications help individuals build a structured career path, supporting progression from foundational to advanced roles.
• In the competitive SAP job market, carrying valid and up-to-date certifications enhances credibility and employability.

4.2 For Organizations and Project Teams

• Having team members with valid SAP certifications increases confidence in delivery quality and implementation consistency.
• Annual renewal requirements reduce the risk of outdated knowledge within project teams.
• Many SAP partner programs require a certain number of certified consultants to maintain partnership status.

4.3 For Training and Learning Platforms

• The new annual assessment model creates an ongoing need for updated learning resources, including revision guides, release-highlights summaries, and quick assessment preparation materials.
• The shift toward real-world, scenario-based exams opens opportunities to develop practical exercises, guided tasks, and hands-on simulations, not just question banks.
• The move from static to continuously updated certification strengthens the value proposition of frequently refreshed learning content.

5. Summary

As of 2025, the SAP certification program is undergoing a significant transition toward continuous learning, role-based validation, and real-world capability assessment.

Certification now requires not only passing an exam but also maintaining skills through annual assessments and staying aligned with SAP’s rapidly evolving cloud solutions.

For individuals, certification demonstrates readiness and commitment. For organizations, it reflects consistency and delivery reliability. For learning platforms, it creates new opportunities to support learners throughout their entire certification lifecycle, from initial preparation to ongoing renewal.