Certification Scheme — Certified AI Practitioner (CAIP)

Purpose & scope

CAIP certifies foundational, vendor-neutral competence to work with modern AI — understanding how AI and machine learning work, using generative AI and large language models responsibly, and recognising the data, lifecycle, applied, and safety considerations of real deployments. It is vendor-neutral: it certifies competence, not fluency with any one company's product.

Who it is for

Professionals entering or working alongside AI — analysts, developers, product and operations people, consultants, and career-switchers. There are no formal prerequisites for CAIP; it is open to anyone who meets the identity and eligibility requirements.

Competence domains (exam blueprint)

The exam is weighted across five domains: AI & ML Fundamentals (25%), Generative AI & LLMs (25%), Data & Model Lifecycle (20%), Applied Use Cases (15%), and Responsible & Safe AI (15%).

Each question maps to a published learning objective within these domains.

Exam format

80 multiple-choice questions, 120 minutes, delivered online with identity verification and proctoring. Each candidate receives a freshly assembled, individually randomised form drawn from a large item bank.

The pass mark is criterion-referenced — set by an independent standard-setting study, not by ranking candidates against each other — and is published to candidates before the exam (currently 65%).

Result & credential

On a pass, AIPA issues a verifiable digital credential with a unique ID that anyone can confirm on the public verification page or via the verification API. The credential states its exact name, level, and validity dates.

Validity & recertification

The credential is valid for three years. See the Recertification Policy for how to maintain it.

Fees

CAIP lists at US$299. A time-limited founding-cohort price of US$99 applies to the first 500 candidates certified. Fees are published and applied equally to all candidates.

Rights & responsibilities

Candidates have the right to a fair, impartial assessment, reasonable accommodations, and access to appeals and complaints. Candidates are responsible for exam integrity and truthful use of the credential (see the Candidate Agreement and Mark Use Policy).