Python Institute

Python Institute

About the OpenEDG Python Institute

The OpenEDG Python Institute is an independent non-profit project set up by the Open Education and Development Group (OpenEDG) to promote the Python programming language, train a new generation of Python programmers, and support professional careers in programming in the Python language, and in related technologies.

The Python Institute brings together a committed community of IT professionals, programming specialists, programming enthusiasts, students, teachers, instructors, educators, schools, education establishments, training organizations, companies, institutions, and volunteers who share the common goal to:

  • provide as many people as possible with free access to modern programming education programs,
  • provide fair and comprehensive skills assessment frameworks and mechanisms,
  • support and facilitate careers in Python programming and related areas,
  • promote the development and implementation of open-source projects for social good.

The Python Institute provides an independent global framework for Python programming curriculum development, skills assessment, and competency validation. At the heart of the framework is the vendor-neutral certification program, designed following a rigorous process of industry and market research, Job Task and Skills Gap Analyses (JTAs and SGAs), and a meticulous, consultation-driven, and competency-oriented approach to test design.

About Python, the programming language

Python is a popular, interpreted, object-oriented, and high-level programming language with dynamic semantics, used for a great variety of programming projects. It’s maintained by the Python Software Foundation, a non-profit membership organization and a community devoted to developing, improving, expanding, and popularizing the Python language and its environment.

Python is the programming language that offers more opportunities than any other. With a solid knowledge of Python, a person can work in a multitude of jobs and a multitude of industries. The more they understand Python, the more they can do in the 21st Century – anybody working in IT needs to know it, either to the same level as their native language, or at the very least to a basic level.

Python programming skills will open the doors to careers in almost any industry and are essential to continue to more advanced and higher paying software development and engineering roles. The jobs that involve Python are varied and interesting: Software Engineer, Software Developer, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Full Stack Developer, Data Scientist/Data Analyst, Project Manager, Financial Advisor, Educator, Systems Administrator, Security Engineer, Tester, and many more.

OpenEDG Python Institute Certifications

Python Institute vendor-neutral certifications validate a candidate’s programming skills and knowledge, and equip them with all the primary means and resources to pursue a successful career in Python programming and related technologies.

The Python Institute is committed to the development of a global standard in Python programming certification, which will allow aspiring programmers as well as programming specialists, software developers, and IT professionals from all over the world to assess and document their programming skills objectively and effectively, and to gain recognition for their expertise.

The Python Institute has defined global certification tracks for the Python programming language and has developed an international Python programming examination standard.

OpenEDG Python Institute Certification Roadmap

OpenEDG Python Institute Certification Roadmap

The General-Purpose Programming Certification Track

The Python Institute offers the following independent and vendor-neutral certifications in the Python Programming language within the General-Purpose Programming track:

OpenEDG Python Institute Certification Roadmap for the General-Purpose Programming Track

Candidates can take the PCEP certification exam online via OpenEDG Testing Service Program. The PCAP, PCPP1, and PCPP2 certification exams are available to test candidates both online via OnVUE Online Proctoring, and in physical testing facilities through the global network of 5,000 Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Centers and Pearson VUE® Authorized Test Center Selects, at a time and location convenient to the candidate.

The Testing Certification Track

The Python Institute offers the following independent and vendor-neutral certifications in the Python Programming language within the Testing track:

  • PCAT – Certified Associate in Testing with Python (Exam PCAT-31-xx)
    Associate Level, to be provided in cooperation with Pearson VUE | Coming late 2022/early 2023
  • PCPT1, PCPT2, and PCPT3 (Exams PCPT-32-1xx, PCPT-32-2xx, and PCPT-32-3xx)
    Professional Level, to be provided in cooperation with Pearson VUE | Coming 2023 and 2024
OpenEDG Python Institute Certification Roadmap

The Data Analytics Certification Track

The Python Institute offers the following independent and vendor-neutral certifications in the Python Programming language within the Data Analytics track:

  • PCAD – Certified Associate in Data Analytics with Python (Exam PCAD-31-xx)
    Associate Level, to be provided in cooperation with Pearson VUE | Coming late 2022/early 2023
  • PCPD-32-1xx – Certified Professional in Data Analytics with Python (Exam PCPD-32-1xx)
    Professional Level, to be provided in cooperation with Pearson VUE | Coming late 2023
OpenEDG Python Institute Certification Roadmap

Certification Exams Available through Pearson VUE

The OpenEDG Python Institute is pleased to offer the following certification exams to test candidates through the network of Pearson VUE Testing Centers and via OnVUE Online Proctoring from Pearson VUE:

PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming

PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming

PCAP certification is a professional credential that measures the ability to accomplish coding tasks related to the basics of programming in the Python language and the fundamental notions and techniques used in object-oriented programming.

  • Track: General-Purpose Programming
  • Exam Level: Associate
  • Exam Code: PCAP-31-xx
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Current Exam Version: PCAP-31-03
  • Retired Exam Versions: PCAP-31-01, PCAP-31-02
  • Exam Length: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
  • Number of Exam Items: 40
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Exam Status: Published
  • Price: USD 295
  • Exam Syllabus: PCAP Exam Syllabus
  • More Information: PCAP Certification Review
PCPP1 Certified Professional in Python Programming

PCPP1 – Certified Professional in Python Programming 1

PCPP1 certification shows that the individual is proficient in the more advanced language features and familiar with the best practices in Python. The scope of the certification includes an advanced study of classes and OOP, GUI programming, RESTful programming, file processing, code refactoring, as well as best practices, standardization, and coding conventions in the Python language.

  • Track: General-Purpose Programming
  • Exam Level: Professional Level 1
  • Exam Code: PCPP-32-1xx
  • Prerequisites: PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification
  • Current Exam Version: PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification
  • Exam Length: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
  • Number of Exam Items: 45
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Exam Status: Published
  • Price: USD 195
  • Exam Syllabus: PCPP1 Exam Syllabus
  • More Information: PCPP1 Certification Review
PCPP2 Certified Professional in Python Programming

PCPP2 – Certified Professional in Python Programming 2

PCPP2 certification shows that the individual is fully acquainted with all the advanced techniques provided by Python and related technologies, as well as being proficient in creating Python and Python-related tools, and designing process automation. The scope of the certification includes Design Patterns, Inter-Process Communication (IPC), Python-MySQL Database Access, network programming, and working with selected mathematics-, science-, and engineering-oriented library modules.

  • Track: General-Purpose Programming
  • Exam Level: Professional Level 2
  • Exam Code: PCPP-32-2xx
  • Prerequisites: PCAP – Certified Associate in Python Programming certification, PCPP1 – Certified Professional in Python Programming 1
  • Exam Length: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
  • Number of Exam Items: 45
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Exam Status: Coming 2023
  • Price: USD 195
  • Exam Syllabus: Coming 2023
  • More Information: PCPP2 Certification Review
PCAT – Certified Associate in Testing with Python

PCAT – Certified Associate in Testing with Python

PCAT certification shows that the individual is proficient in software testing and engineering, including their ability to design, develop, and refactor multi-module computer programs in accordance with the Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) programming approaches, as well as the most important testing-coding conventions, best practices, and recognized software engineering and software testing principles.

  • Track: Testing
  • Exam Level: Associate
  • Exam Code: PCAT-31-xx
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Exam Length: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
  • Number of Exam Items: 40-45
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Exam Status: Coming late 2022/early 2023
  • Price: USD 295
  • Exam Syllabus: Coming late 2022
  • More Information: PCAT Certification Review
PCAD – Certified Associate in Data Analysis with Python

PCAD – Certified Associate in Data Analysis with Python

PCAT certification measures the ability to perform Python coding tasks related to mining, importing, cleaning, and preparing data for analysis, manipulating data and performing statistical analyses on them, summarizing and visualizing datasets, using simple machine learning algorithms to perform predictive data modeling, and building Python solutions for data science purposes.

  • Track: Data Analysis
  • Exam Level: Associate
  • Exam Code: PCAD-31-xx
  • Prerequisites: None
  • Exam Length: 65 minutes (exam) + 10 minutes (NDA/Tutorial)
  • Number of Exam Items: 40-45
  • Passing Score: 70%
  • Exam Status: Coming late 2022/early 2023
  • Price: USD 295
  • Exam Syllabus: Coming late 2022
  • More Information: PCAD Certification Review

The candidate will obtain a certification issued by the Python Institute after they successfully pass a PCAP, PCAT, PCAD, PCPP1, and/or PCPP2 exam in an authorized Pearson VUE Test Center or via the OnVUE Online Proctoring system. The candidate will also be issued with a badge through Credly’s Acclaim platform.

Prerequisites: PCAP certification is a prerequisite for the PCPP1 certification, and PCPP1 certification is a prerequisite for the PCPP2 certification.

Test candidates who complete the OpenEDG Python Institute General-Purpose Programming Certification track, available in cooperation with Pearson VUE, i.e., those candidates who pass the following exams: PCAP-31-xx, PCPP-32-1xx, and PCPP-32-2xx, become recognized as OpenEDG Python Institute Certified Experts in Python Programming (CEPP). Individuals holding the CEPP title are recognized for their expert Python programming skills as well as their proficiency in Python-related technologies.

Prepare for Your Exam

Having completed the selected courses, candidates may be eligible for a discount voucher on their exam.

  • 2. Purchase a PCEP-30-02/PCAP-31-03 Practice Test Compendium, and perform practice tests to build confidence before taking the exam. The Practice Tests include all the topics and objectives covered by the PCEP-30-02 and PCAP-31-03 exams.

For more information about training materials, practice tests, as well as self-study and instructor-led courses, please visit the Study Resources section on the OpenEDG Python Institute’s official website.

Schedule an Exam

Before scheduling an exam, please set up a web account at Pearson VUE and obtain a Candidate Testing ID (CPI ID). If you don’t know how to do it, follow the steps presented in this tutorial (Create a Pearson VUE Account PDF).

If you already have your CPI ID, please sign into your Pearson VUE web account and follow the exam registration procedure. Your appointment can be made in advance or, in some cases, on the same day you wish to take the test. You do not need to have a voucher to schedule a Python Institute exam – you can purchase your exam at the moment of registration.

Having signed into your Pearson VUE web account, you’ll be able to register online using your credit or debit card. If you don’t know how to book an exam appointment, follow the steps presented in this tutorial (Schedule an Exam PDF).

Verify a Certification

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

Digital Badging

Candidates who pass an OpenEDG Python Institute certification exam will qualify for an OpenEDG Python Institute badge.

When represented as a digital credential, candidates can share their achievements with their network with one click on Credly’s Acclaim platform. Thanks to the digital credentials from the OpenEDG Python Institute, peers and employers can verify these credentials and learn more about what it is the candidates can do. Furthermore, research shows that professionals who share their digital credentials to professional networking sites are discovered by employers, on average, six times more often than those who do not.

Retake Policy

When a candidate fails an exam, they must wait fifteen days before being allowed to re-sit that exam. No retakes of a passed exam of the same exam version are allowed. A new voucher is required for each retake.

Additional Information

For more information about certifications, exams, and study resources, please visit the OpenEDG Python Institute website available at www.pythoninstitute.org.

Contact us

Office hours
Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. CT; closed on local holidays.
Telephone numbers
  • 888-742-4115 (Toll free)
  • +1-952-681-3872

Last updated: 2024-08-15